A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Jakarta vs. Tromso for Food, Families, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Jakarta or Tromso?

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 Tromso. 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. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Jakarta travel costs.

Tromso

Tromso is a spectacular, remote, and one-of-a-kind town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come to Tromso because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking. See Tromso travel costs.

Jakarta and Tromso: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jakarta or Tromso?

You'll generally find more things to do in Jakarta than Tromso. Jakarta is bigger than Tromso, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Jakarta is better known for its museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities, while Tromso is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Tromso is more touristy than Jakarta and is known for its stunning nature, beautiful Arctic landscape, and breathtaking fjords. Jakarta is well known for its diversity, culture, cuisine, and mega-malls. Also, Jakarta is famous for Istiqlal Mosque.

How is Jakarta different from Tromso?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Tromso 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 Tromso?

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

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Jakarta. 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.

Tromso does not have museums and landmarks. You can learn about everything having to do with the Arctic at the museum, Polaria. There's also the the Polar Museum, the Arctic Cathedral, and Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Jakarta and Tromso.

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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Tromso. Fish is the staple around town and you'll find local seasonal fish dishes. There are also modern restaurants that serve international cuisines or trendy options.

Is Jakarta or Tromso Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Jakarta and Tromso.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Tromso. There's a good nightlife scene with many bars and clubs that are popular with locals and tourists alike.

Is Jakarta or Tromso Better for Hiking?

Tromso is a great town for hiking. However, Jakarta is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Tromso for the hiking trails. The surrounding countryside is filled with fjords, mountains, and pristine wilderness. There are hikes that cater to every level, and a trip to Tromso is not complete without heading into the rural areas.

Jakarta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jakarta or Tromso?

Jakarta is a great city for its shopping areas. However, Tromso is not known for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Tromso is a good destination for shopping. There are shops sprinkled along the main street, as well as a shopping center or two around town.

Is Jakarta or Tromso More Beautiful?

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

Many visitors also come to Tromso because of it's amazing beauty. It's surrounding Arctic landscape includes fjords and snow-topped mountains.

Jakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Jakarta or Tromso Better for Families?

Tromso is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Tromso is a very family-friendly destination. Whether you visit during the summer or winter season, there are a number of indoor or outdoor activities around town. Many visitors come during the winter months to see the Northern Lights. There's also the Ice Hotel, Husky Sledding, and fjords cruises. Indoors, you'll find the Science Center, the Arctic University Museum, and the Troll Museum.

Jakarta is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Jakarta or Tromso Better for Couples?

Tromso is a great town for romance. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Tromso is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. For many couples, seeing the Northern Lights is an iconic romantic experience. The area also has an amazing outdoor setting with fjords and hiking. Indoors, there are art museums and more.

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 Tromso Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Jakarta and Tromso are notable 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 Tromso. There are hostels as well as camping in the area that make this otherwise expensive area somewhat more affordable.

Is Jakarta or Tromso Better for Students?

Tromso is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Jakarta is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Tromso. Although it's a very small city, there are a large number of students and some big city amenities. There are plenty of entertainment options both in town and in the surrounding countryside.

Jakarta is not popular with students.

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

Tromso is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Jakarta is not known for its public transit.

While Tromso offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's an efficient and reliable bus system in town.

Public transit is generally 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.

Is Jakarta or Tromso a more walkable city?

Tromso is a great town for its walkability. However, Jakarta is not known for its high level of walkability.

Tromso is very walkable. The city is generally walkable but if you want to get into the countryside you'll need to travel by car or bus.

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 Tromso Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tromso or Jakarta?

How long in Jakarta or Tromso?

Both Jakarta and Tromso have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tromso than in Jakarta. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Jakarta, and 4-7 days is enough time in Tromso.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tromso than Jakarta 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 Tromso.

One day in Jakarta or Tromso?

Jakarta is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Tromso is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Jakarta or Tromso?

Jakarta is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Tromso might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Jakarta or Tromso?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jakarta. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Tromso is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tromso has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Jakarta or Tromso?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly big city of Jakarta. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Tromso. Tromso is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jakarta and Tromso, we can see that Tromso is more expensive. And not only is Jakarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jakarta is in Asia and Tromso is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Jakarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jakarta 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 Tromso would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tromso than you might in Jakarta.

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

Which is Bigger, Jakarta or Tromso?

Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Tromso. When comparing the sizes of Jakarta and Tromso, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.