A Travel Price Comparison for Indonesia Jakarta vs. Mount Bromo for Food, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Jakarta or Mount Bromo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Jakarta and Mount Bromo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Jakarta

Jakarta is a sprawling, friendly, and diverse city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Jakarta travel costs.

Mount Bromo

Mount Bromo is a scenic, spectacular, and breathtaking volcano. Many visitors also come to Mount Bromo because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include hiking. See Mount Bromo travel costs.

Jakarta and Mount Bromo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jakarta or Mount Bromo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Jakarta. Although Jakarta and Mount Bromo are both popular with visitors, Jakarta has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Jakarta is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Mount Bromo is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Mount Bromo is more touristy than Jakarta and is known for its sunrise views and scenic setting. Jakarta is popular for its diversity, culture, cuisine, and mega-malls. It is also home to Istiqlal Mosque.

How is Jakarta different from Mount Bromo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mount Bromo and Jakarta. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jakarta or Mount Bromo?

Jakarta is a great city for its historical sights. However, Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

Jakarta offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a huge number of museums around town like the National Museum, Museum Layang-Layang, and Museum MACAN. There's also Merdeka Square, which is one of the world's biggest public squares and Istiqlal Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.

Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Jakarta or Mount Bromo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Jakarta is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Mount Bromo is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Jakarta. There are so many different cultures represented in Indonesian cuisine, and you'll find them all in Jakarta. The food stalls, restaurants, and casual eateries all have their own flavor and style, which makes dining in this mega-city a true adventure.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Mount Bromo. You'll find cheap noodle and rice dishes at the warungs in Cemoro Lawang. Some hotels have breakfast and you should pick up some food and water for the hike at a grocery store in town. There are also some stalls along the route, some that are open even at 3am to accommodate early hikers.

Is Jakarta or Mount Bromo Better for Nightlife?

Jakarta is a popular place for nightlife. However, Mount Bromo is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Jakarta has a few options to choose from. It's a huge city, so there's a very active nightlife scene, but it's mostly focused on locals and not tourists like you'll find elsewhere in Indonesia. For the best nightlife district, head to Kemang, which has many bars and clubs.

People don't go to Mount Bromo for the nightlife. The stars and the early morning hike are the only nightlife you'll find here.

Is Jakarta or Mount Bromo Better for Hiking?

Mount Bromo is a great volcano for hiking. However, Jakarta is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Mount Bromo for the hiking trails. The setting is beautiful, and best experienced at sunrise, which means most people hike through the night. Some people take horses and most people organized guided tours.

Jakarta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jakarta or Mount Bromo?

Jakarta is a great city for shopping. However, Mount Bromo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Jakarta. The city is filled with high end luxury malls where you can buy the latest fashions and many international brands. Around town you'll also find everything from local handicrafts to chic boutiques and grand international chains.

Mount Bromo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Jakarta or Mount Bromo More Beautiful?

Mount Bromo is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Jakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Mount Bromo because of it's amazing beauty. The setting and landscapes are spectacular, particularly at sunrise when most visitors make the trip.

Jakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Jakarta or Mount Bromo Better for Families?

Both Jakarta and Mount Bromo are good family-friendly destinations.

Jakarta offers lots of family activities. Most visitors skip out on this huge city, and it's definitely not the first place that comes to mind when you think about family-friendly destinations, but there's actually a very fascinating culture that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There's the Kota area, which has colonial architecture. There's also a puppet museum and several history museums. But for most kids, the highlight is a visit to the Taman Impian Jaya Ancol area, which has amusement parks and even SeaWorld.

Mount Bromo is a family-friendly place to visit. It really depends on the age of your kids and their personality and adaptability as to whether this is a good trip for them. Many of the tours start in the middle of the night so you can see the spectacular sunrise. The trip can be a bit uncomfortable, but everyone is guaranteed an adventure!

Is Jakarta or Mount Bromo Better for Couples?

Mount Bromo is a great volcano for romance. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Mount Bromo is a great volcano if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic sunrises and stunning views make this a wonderful destination for couples. The surroundings are surreal and you will long remember the experience.

Jakarta makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most travelers looking for a romantic destination will head to the many famous honeymoon spots in Indonesia. But for those who make their way to Jakarta, there is sure to be a lot of adventure and culture. The city has many great museums as well as nature parks and amusement parks.

Is Jakarta or Mount Bromo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Jakarta and Mount Bromo are good places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Jakarta. Visitors often have strong feelings about this city, whether they love it or hate it. For those backpackers who spend some time here, they're sure to be treated to a look at true Indonesian culture, which is hard to find in the more touristy areas.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Mount Bromo. Some backpackers choose to go without a guided tour, and this will let you save money. Cemoro Lawang is the closest town to the volcano.

Is Jakarta or Mount Bromo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Jakarta and Mount Bromo both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Jakarta. Public transportation has improved a lot recently. There's a commuter line as well as buses. The system can be a bit overwhelming and slow though, so tourists often avoid it.

Public transit is generally limited in Mount Bromo. Most people visit with a guided tour because this saves a lot of time and allows you to see the sunrise.

Is Jakarta or Mount Bromo a more walkable city?

Mount Bromo is a good destination for its walkability. However, Jakarta is not known for its high level of walkability.

Mount Bromo is somewhat walkable. The walk takes you across the sand and up some stairs. It's usually less than an hour.

Jakarta is generally not very walkable. Central Jakarta is more walkable than most of the city but, in general, the city has a lot of traffic and isn't the best for exploring on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Jakarta Worth Visiting? and Is Mount Bromo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mount Bromo or Jakarta?

How long in Jakarta or Mount Bromo?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Jakarta or Mount Bromo to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Jakarta than Mount Bromo because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Jakarta, and 1-2 days is enough time in Mount Bromo.

Families should spend more time in Jakarta than Mount Bromo. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Jakarta, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Mount Bromo than Jakarta. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Mount Bromo that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jakarta than Mount Bromo if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Jakarta.

One day in Jakarta or Mount Bromo?

Jakarta is a genuine city where you can fill many days. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Mount Bromo, you'll find . Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This volcano offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Jakarta or Mount Bromo?

Jakarta is a genuine big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Mount Bromo, you'll find . The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Mount Bromo has to offer.

Five days in Jakarta or Mount Bromo?

The diverse city of Jakarta offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Mount Bromo is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Jakarta or Mount Bromo?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Jakarta. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mount Bromo. Many people enjoy the when visiting Mount Bromo. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia, and The Best Cultural Tours in Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jakarta and Mount Bromo, we can see that Jakarta is more expensive. And not only is Mount Bromo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mount Bromo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mount Bromo and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Jakarta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jakarta than you might in Mount Bromo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jakarta Expensive? and Is Mount Bromo Expensive?.