Which place is cheaper, Setubal 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.
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Should you visit Johor Bahru or Setubal?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Johor Bahru or Setubal? 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 Setubal?
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.
Setubal
Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Malaysia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal.
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Johor Bahru Prices
Malaysia PricesSetubal Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohor Bahru $68Setubal $173
The average daily cost (per person) in Johor Bahru is $68, while the average daily cost in Setubal is $173. 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 Setubal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohor Bahru $42Setubal $68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohor Bahru $84Setubal $136
Compare Hotels in Johor Bahru and Setubal
Looking for a hotel in Johor Bahru or Setubal? 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.
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 and Setubal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johor Bahru $14Setubal $63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johor Bahru
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johor Bahru:
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Kuantan Transfer [Car]: $282
- Private Transfer from Johor Bahru city to Malacca Cruise Port: $248
- Sit Back & Relax - JB to Malacca MPV Transfer: $228
- Singapore Universal Studio & S.E.A Aquarium-COMBO One-Day Pass(Shared transfer): $209
- LEGOLAND Malaysia Admission Ticket with Return Transfer from Kuala Lumpur: $189
- Private Transfer from Legoland (Malaysia) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN): $162
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Malacca Transfer [Car]: $160
- Private Transfer : Johor Bharu (JB) to Kuala Lumpur (KL): $137
- Legoland Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $125
- Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $125
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Van]: $122
- Universal Studios Singapore Tickets with Round-trip Transfers: $116
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal
Also for Setubal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sesimbra Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $56
Is it cheaper to fly into Johor Bahru or Setubal?
Prices for flights to both Setubal 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
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Food Meals for one dayJohor Bahru $17Setubal $70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Setubal
For Setubal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Evora Cooking Class & Wine Pairings in Fatima’s Home: $220
- Lisbon Getaway: Private Arrábida Wine & Food Tour: $236
- Authentic Evora Cooking Class with Wine in Chef Sofia’s Garden: $279
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johor Bahru $8.28Setubal $15
Tours and Activities in Johor Bahru
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johor Bahru are as follows:
- *15 Hrs Melaka Escorted Van Tour from Johor Bahru w' Tour Guide: $116
- Adventure Cove WaterPark Sentosa Island Singpore optional ticket: $33
- Adventure Cove Waterpark Admission Ticket Singapore: $45
- Firefly Tour Johor Bahru@Kota Tinggi Firefly Park: $6.57
- Harry Potter Visions of Magic Singapore Entry Ticket with Voucher: $74
- Johor Bahru : Seadoo JetSki 30mins Self Ride Tour (Double): $86
- Johor Bahru : Seadoo JetSki 30mins Self Ride Tour(Single): $62
- Brooklyn Cruise at Puteri Harbour: $11
- Johor Day Tour - Ostrich Farm, Beach, Waterfall, Fireflies [Car]: $277
- Johor Day Tour - Southernmost Tip, Eco Farm, Go Kart [Car]: $269
- Johor: LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort Entry Ticket: $21
- JungleWalla Desaru Mangrove Afterdark | Firefly Cruise Tour: $259
Tours and Activities in Setubal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.
- Évora Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.48
- Evora Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $5.88
- Secrets of Setúbal: Exploration Game and Tour: $7.06
- Évora or Montemor-o-Novo: Guided Tour to Escoural Caves: $29
- Gatsby Experience: The Bartender Challenge: $35
- Sesimbra Medieval Tour: Castle, History & Views Near Lisbon: $39
- Walking tours by Evora UNESCO World Heritage Site: $41
- Kayak Tour with Guide in Sesimbra: $41
- Sesimbra : Guided Kayak Tour in Arrábida Natural Park & Caves: $41
- Small Group Kayak Tour along Sesimbra - Arrábida Natural Park: $47
- Sesimbra - Half-Day Kayak Tour: $47
- Tour to the caves of Sesimbra: $47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohor Bahru $5.40Setubal $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:
- Workshop - Wine Tasting 101: $71
- Half Day Wine Tour Around Evora: $153
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johor Bahru and Setubal, we can see that Setubal is more expensive. And not only is Johor Bahru much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Johor Bahru is in Asia and Setubal 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 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 Setubal would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Setubal 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 Setubal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johor Bahru or Setubal?
Johor Bahru has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Setubal. When comparing the sizes of Johor Bahru and Setubal, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.