A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kanchanaburi vs. Jakarta for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kanchanaburi or Jakarta?

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 Kanchanaburi and Jakarta. 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.

Where Should I go: Kanchanaburi or Jakarta?

Kanchanaburi

If the hustle and bustle of the big city of Bangkok is just getting to you, there's an easy escape. Kanchanaburi, Thailand is a city located at the meeting of Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai, and is ideal for backpackers looking to reflect and relax. With easily accessible waterfalls and national parks, you'll wonder why anyone ever leaves.

Jakarta

As Indonesia's capital and largest city, Jakarta rests on the northwest coast of the island of Java. It is the country's economic, cultural, and political center with plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, nightlife, shopping, and entertainment.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Indonesia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Jakarta or Kanchanaburi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kanchanaburi is $42, while the average daily cost in Jakarta is $64. 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 Kanchanaburi and Jakarta in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kanchanaburi $19
    Jakarta $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kanchanaburi $38
    Jakarta $66
Compare Hotels in Kanchanaburi and Jakarta

Looking for a hotel in Kanchanaburi or Jakarta? 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 Kanchanaburi


Hotels in Jakarta


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: Kanchanaburi Hotel Prices and Jakarta Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kanchanaburi $12
    Jakarta $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanchanaburi

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

  • Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $171
  • Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $163
  • Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Kanchanaburi: $116
  • Private Airport Transfer : Bangkok to/from Kanchanaburi: $103
  • Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $98
  • Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $90

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jakarta

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jakarta are as follows:


  • Taxi to Station
    $1.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jakarta

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

  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Jakarta HTL-APT (CGK): $21
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Jakarta APT-HTL (CGK): $21
  • Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport: Transfer to Jakarta: $29
  • Private Transfer from West Jakarta to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $32
  • Private Transfer from West Jakarta to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $32
  • Private Transfer from Tebet to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $32
  • Private Transfer from Tebet to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $32
  • Private Transfer from Tanah Abang to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $32
  • Private Transfer from Taman Sari to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $32
  • Private Transfer from Sunter to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $32
  • Private Transfer from Sunter to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $32
  • Private Transfer from Sumur Batu to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Kanchanaburi or Jakarta?

Prices for flights to both Jakarta and Kanchanaburi 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
    Kanchanaburi $12
    Jakarta $17
Typical Food Prices in Kanchanaburi

For Kanchanaburi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Casual Lunch
    $4.09

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanchanaburi

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

  • Thai Cooking Class: $34

Typical Food Prices in Jakarta

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jakarta:


  • Dinner
    $2.73
  • Dinner
    $0.74

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jakarta

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

  • Fun Food Tour Jakarta: $30
  • Mangga Besar Food Tour: $49
  • Cikini Heritage Food Tour: $49
  • Jakarta Night Life Tour with highlight and food tour: $54
  • Jakarta Night Tour: Guided Sightseeing & Street food tour: $56
  • Kota Tua Food Tour: $64
  • Melawai Night Street Food Tour: $67
  • 10-Tasting Private Food Tour with a Local Host: $96

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kanchanaburi $9.10
    Jakarta $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kanchanaburi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kanchanaburi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Entry Park TreeHouse
    $5.46

Tours and Activities in Kanchanaburi

For Kanchanaburi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Amazing Boat Trip River Kwai and Erawan Falls Full Day Tour: $116
  • Bangkok Mystical Waterfall & River Kwai Tour: $241
  • Bangkok and Beyond - A 6 Day Exciting Group Tour: $1,000
  • Bangkok: 2-Day River Kwai & Erawan National Park Tour: $281
  • Bangkok: Erawan Waterfall, River Kwai & Death Railway Tour: $95
  • Bangkok: Kanchanaburi and Erawan Waterfall Private Tour: $149
  • Cycling to visit Local Experience and Learn Culture with Local expert: $28
  • Discovery Bike Tour: $16
  • E-Scooter Tour in Kanchanaburi: $30
  • Erawan Waterfall & Train Tour from Kanchanaburi – Full Day: $110
  • Erawan Waterfalls & Phra That Cave Tour : from Bangkok: $111
  • Full Day Kanchanaburi River Kwai Experience: $84

Tours and Activities in Jakarta

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

  • 3 Hours Jakarta City Tour (Jakarta's Iconic Places): $45
  • 4 Hours Jakarta Private City Tour - (Most Tourist Attractions): $55
  • 5 Hours Jakarta Private City Tour - (Most Highlights): $65
  • 6 Hours Jakarta Private City Tour - (Must Visit Places): $75
  • 7 Hours Indonesia Cultural & Heritage Park Tour: $110
  • 8 Hours Jakarta Private City Tour - (All Tourist Attractions): $109
  • Afternoon Guided Chinatown Tour in Jakarta : $53
  • Afternoon city tour Jakarta: $82
  • Baduy Tribal Tracker and Village in Private Tour Full Day & Lunch: $130
  • Bandung City Tour Mountain Volcano and Hotspring ( Start From Jakarta): $154
  • Bandung Private Tour Mountain Volcano and Hotspring ( Overland ): $175
  • Bandung Tour : Volcano, Coffee Fields, Hot Springs Water: $119

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kanchanaburi $8.03
    Jakarta $4.23


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kanchanaburi and Jakarta, we can see that Jakarta is more expensive. And not only is Kanchanaburi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kanchanaburi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi.

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


Which is Bigger, Kanchanaburi or Jakarta?

Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Kanchanaburi. When comparing the sizes of Kanchanaburi and Jakarta, 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.