A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Johor Bahru vs. Tromso for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Johor Bahru or Tromso?

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

Should I visit Johor Bahru or Tromso? 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 Tromso?

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.

Tromso

The city of Tromso, in northern Norway, is named after the island of Tromsoya, on which it stands. Tromso is located 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and is the largest city in Northern Norway. From September to March many people come to Tromso to see the northern lights. From 20 May to 20 July the midnight sun makes it possible to do as the locals and participate in various activities around the clock. In general, Tromso has a mild climate for such a northerly destination because of its seaside location and the warming effect of the Gulf stream. The area has a modern mix of outdoor activities, a vibrant nightlife, and places to eat local food.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Malaysia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Malaysia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Norway, and The Best Adventure Tours to Norway.


Which place is cheaper, Tromso 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 $68, while the average daily cost in Tromso is $89. 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 Tromso in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Johor Bahru $42
    Tromso $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Johor Bahru $84
    Tromso $70
Compare Hotels in Johor Bahru and Tromso

Looking for a hotel in Johor Bahru or Tromso? 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 Tromso


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 Tromso Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Johor Bahru $14
    Tromso $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johor Bahru

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johor Bahru:

  • Private Transfer from Johor Bahru city to Malacca Cruise Port: $250
  • Johor Bahru to Cameron Highland Hotels (Door to Door) Private Transfer: $235
  • Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur Transfer [Car]: $214
  • Singapore Universal Studio & S.E.A Aquarium-COMBO One-Day Pass(Shared transfer): $210
  • LEGOLAND Malaysia Admission Ticket with Return Transfer from Kuala Lumpur: $194
  • Johor Bahru to Genting Highlands Hotels (Door to Door) Private Transfer: $180
  • Private Transfer from Legoland (Malaysia) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN): $163
  • Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Malacca Transfer [Car]: $161
  • Johor Hotels to Malacca Hotels (Door to Door) Transfer: $145
  • Private Transfer : Johor Bharu (JB) to Kuala Lumpur (KL): $140
  • Private Singapore Departure Airport Transfer from Sentosa Island to Airport: $130
  • Legoland Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $125

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tromso

Also for Tromso, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Tromso Airport TOS to Tromso City: $82
  • Tromso Private Airport Transfer Service|| English Speaking Driver: $136

Is it cheaper to fly into Johor Bahru or Tromso?

Prices for flights to both Tromso 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 $17
    Tromso $46

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tromso

For Tromso, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Reindeer Camp Dinner with Chance of Northern Lights in Tromso: $216
  • Night Reindeer Sledding with Camp Dinner and Chance of Northern Lights: $231

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Johor Bahru $8.28
    Tromso $7.08

Tours and Activities in Johor Bahru

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

  • Adventure Cove WaterPark Sentosa Island Singpore optional ticket: $33
  • Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast Tickets: $39
  • Adventure Waterpark Ticket Desaru Coast: $20
  • Dino Rescue Squad - Cinematic Walkthrough VR Experience: $19
  • Firefly Tour Johor Bahru@Kota Tinggi Firefly Park: $6.72
  • 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]: $279
  • Johor Day Tour - Ostrich Farm, Waterfall, Go Kart [Car]: $267
  • Johor Day Tour - Southernmost Tip, Eco Farm, Go Kart [Car]: $271

Tours and Activities in Tromso

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tromso.

  • Discover Tromsø: A Self-Guided Tour: $3.55
  • A Tromsø Introduction: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Tromsø Walking Tour - Sightseeing By Foots with Boukersen Heim: $61
  • Cod Tasting experience, Norwegian history and Food culture: $66
  • Evening tour: Sledding, mini skiing, lasso and reindeer hides: $77
  • Tromsø Guided Hiking Adventure with Artic Picnic: $97
  • 1 Hour Photo & History Cruise: $98
  • Wilderness Daytime Experience at Camp Tamok: $105
  • Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour with Free Photos: $109
  • Guided Tromsdalen Snowshoe Adventure Starts Here: $110
  • Tromsø: Exclusive Fjord Adventure by Bus: $121
  • Express Fjord Road trip with Cruise Ship Pick up and Drop off: $127

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Johor Bahru $5.40
    Tromso $5.88


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johor Bahru and Tromso, we can see that Tromso 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 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 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 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 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 Tromso Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Johor Bahru or Tromso?

Johor Bahru has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Tromso. When comparing the sizes of Johor Bahru 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.