A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Johor Bahru vs. Cheju (Jeju) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Johor Bahru or Cheju (Jeju)?

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

Should I visit Johor Bahru or Cheju (Jeju)? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Johor Bahru or Cheju (Jeju)?

Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru is the capital of the state of Johor in Southern Malaysia. Though it is largely industrial and does not typically cater to tourists, especially compared to the grandeur of neighboring Singapore, the city does have some opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Cheju (Jeju)

Cheju is an island located just off the southern coast of South Korea in the Korean Strait. It is known for its volcanic landscape full of craters and cave-like lava tubes, which many visitors venture to hike and explore. With the main industry invested in tourism, it is a popular vacation spot for Koreans and foreigners alike, and remains the top honeymoon destination for Korean newlyweds.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Malaysia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Malaysia, The Best Cultural Tours in South Korea, and The Best Luxury Tours to South Korea.


Which place is cheaper, Cheju (Jeju) or Johor Bahru?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Johor Bahru is $67, while the average daily cost in Cheju (Jeju) is $84. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Johor Bahru and Cheju (Jeju) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Johor Bahru $42
    Cheju (Jeju) $45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Johor Bahru $84
    Cheju (Jeju) $90
Compare Hotels in Johor Bahru and Cheju (Jeju)

Looking for a hotel in Johor Bahru or Cheju (Jeju)? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Johor Bahru


Hotels in Cheju (Jeju)


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Johor Bahru Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Johor Bahru $13
    Cheju (Jeju) $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johor Bahru

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johor Bahru:

  • Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Genting Highlands Transfer [Van]: $87
  • Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur Transfer [Van]: $74
  • Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Kuantan Transfer [Car]: $285
  • Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Malacca Transfer [Car]: $161
  • Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Taman Negara Transfer [Van]: $110
  • Johor Bahru City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels One-way Transfer: $105
  • Johor Bahru City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $105
  • Johor Bahru City to Kuala Lumpur International Airport One-way Transfer: $105
  • Johor Bahru to Cameron Highland Hotels (Door to Door) Private Transfer: $235
  • Johor Bahru to Genting Highlands Hotels (Door to Door) Private Transfer: $180
  • Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur Airport 1-way Transfer: $125
  • Johor Bahru to Mersing jetty Private Transfer: $95

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cheju (Jeju)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cheju (Jeju):

  • Jeju Airport (CJU) Private Transfer to Jeju City Centre/Seogwipo: $27
  • Private Taxi Transfer from Jeju City to Jeju Airport(one way ): $40
  • Jeju international Airport Transfer Pick up and Sending Service: $46
  • Private Transfer Airport to jeju city (Round Transportation): $50
  • Private Jeju Airport Transfer : Jeju Airport to/from Jeju(~7 pax): $89
  • jeju island Private Taxi Hallasan Hiking Trail Transfer - One way: $180
  • Private Sightseeing Tour to Jeju Island with Transfer Included: $190

Is it cheaper to fly into Johor Bahru or Cheju (Jeju)?

Prices for flights to both Cheju (Jeju) and Johor Bahru change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Johor Bahru $16
    Cheju (Jeju) $30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johor Bahru

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johor Bahru.

  • Singapore: Christmas Dinner Cruise with 7 Course XMAS Menu: $253

Typical Food Prices in Cheju (Jeju)

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cheju (Jeju):


  • Burger
    $4.47
  • Donkatsu (Charles Restaurant)
    $7.21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cheju (Jeju)

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cheju (Jeju).

  • JEJU Cooking Class _Class & Dinner at Jeju Seaside Sunset Terrace: $139

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Johor Bahru $8.14
    Cheju (Jeju) $5.47

Tours and Activities in Johor Bahru

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johor Bahru are as follows:

  • Sentosa Magical Island Adventure Pass: $6.30
  • Firefly Tour Johor Bahru@Kota Tinggi Firefly Park: $6.62
  • Brooklyn Cruise at Puteri Harbour: $11
  • Wings of Time Admission Ticket: $14
  • Seletar Indigenous & Fish Farm Tour: $17
  • Singapore: Wings of Time Show Entry Ticket: $17
  • Malaysia: Johor Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast Entry Ticket: $19
  • Adventure Waterpark Ticket Desaru Coast: $19
  • DaVinci & The Wheel of Time - Cinematic Walkthrough VR Experience: $19
  • Johor: LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort Entry Ticket: $21
  • Singapore Sentosa Cable Car Sky Pass E-Tickets: $21
  • Wings of Time Fireworks Symphony Tickets: $23

Tours and Activities in Cheju (Jeju)

Here are a few actual costs in Cheju (Jeju) for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Jeju Theme Park TOON Discounted Admission Ticket: $14
  • Jeju Seongsan Ilchulbong Hanbok Experience: $20
  • Jeju The K-Show Taekwondo Show Ticket: $21
  • Jeju UNESCO Highlights Tour | Lava cave & with Haenyeo Show: $22
  • Jeju East Highlights Tour Manjanggul Lava Tube and Haenyeo Show: $22
  • [Jeju] Premium Hanbok Cultural Experience with Hair Styling: $25
  • Jeju South and West Highlights Tour with Hallasan and Lava Cliff: $25
  • [Jeju] Become a Traditional Haenyeo Cultural Experience: $30
  • Jeju East UNESCO Tour & Haenyeo Show: $30
  • Jeju South-West UNESCO Tour & Hallasan: $30
  • Jeju Myth Night Walk and Salghanggil Guided Tour: $37
  • [For Cruise Guests] Jeju UNESCO Day Tour: $44

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Johor Bahru $5.31
    Cheju (Jeju) $7.09


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johor Bahru and Cheju (Jeju), we can see that Cheju (Jeju) is more expensive. And not only is Johor Bahru much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Johor Bahru would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Johor Bahru 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 Cheju (Jeju) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cheju (Jeju) than you might in Johor Bahru.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Johor Bahru Expensive? and Is Cheju (Jeju) Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Johor Bahru or Cheju (Jeju)?

Johor Bahru has a larger population, and is about 97% larger than the population of Cheju (Jeju). When comparing the sizes of Johor Bahru and Cheju (Jeju), 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.