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

Should you visit Kathmandu or Jakarta?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kathmandu and Jakarta can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Kathmandu or Jakarta?

Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Indonesia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Jakarta or Kathmandu?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $57, 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 Kathmandu and Jakarta in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kathmandu $40
    Jakarta $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kathmandu $80
    Jakarta $66
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Jakarta

Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu


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: Kathmandu Hotel Prices and Jakarta Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kathmandu $6.95
    Jakarta $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:

  • Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Transfers: $1,999
  • Kathmandu to Lumbini or Sunauli Border Transfer by Luxury Private Vehicle: $300
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Pokhara Hotels: $244
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Chitwan Hotels: $210
  • Kathmandu to Chitwan (Sauraha) Private Transfer: $197
  • 3-Day Chitwan Safari Tour with Hotel Transfers: $192
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara Transfer by Luxury Private Car: $180
  • From Bungee Jump over Bhotekosi River & Transfer: $160
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara: One Way Private Transfer: $156
  • Everest Mountain flight by a plane with Transfer: $156
  • Everest Mountain Flight with Private Transfers: $156
  • From One-Way Private Transfer to Pokhara: $148

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:

  • Private Transfer Airport Soekarno Hatta (CGK) to All City Destination: $13
  • One Way Private Transfer Airport to Jakarta City: $16
  • Easy & Simple Transfer Airport Jakarta: $17
  • Jakarta Airport Transfer Service: $20
  • Private Airport Transfer Jakarta (CGK) To All Destination : $20
  • CGK - Private Airport Transfer Service: $20
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Jakarta APT-HTL (CGK): $21
  • Airport Jakarta Soekarno - Hatta ( Private Transfer ): $22
  • Private Transfer from Soekarno Hatta Airport to Jakarta Hotels: $22
  • Private Transfer from Soekarno Hatta Airport: $22
  • Jakarta Private Airport Transfer: $24
  • Jakarta Soekarno Hatta Airport Transfer: $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Jakarta?

Prices for flights to both Jakarta and Kathmandu 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
    Kathmandu $8.31
    Jakarta $17
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Dessert
    $1.35
  • Dinner for Two
    $3.01

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu

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

  • Best Half-Day Nepali Cooking Class & Hotel Pickup: $7.50
  • Momo Making & Cooking class in Thamel with Pickup: $8.59
  • Half Day cooking class in Kathmandu by Local Chefs & Pickup: $9.37
  • Best Half day cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu with Pickup: $10
  • Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu : $12
  • Cultural Dinner Show with Traditional Dance: $17
  • Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel, Kathmandu with Pickup: $19
  • Cooking Class in Thamel Kathmandu by Local Chef with pickup: $22
  • Nepali cooking class and Homestay experience : $22
  • Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit: $23
  • Food Tour In Kathmandu With Walking Local Market: $23
  • Momo, Dhalbhat & Thukpa Cooking Class, Nepal: $25

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
  • Melawai Night Street Food Tour: $67
  • 10-Tasting Private Food Tour with a Local Host: $96

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kathmandu $8.04
    Jakarta $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Monkey Temple for Two
    $1.50
  • Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two
    $3.76
  • Swayambhunath Stupa
    $1.50

Tours and Activities in Kathmandu

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

  • 4 Days Kathmandu Nagarkot Tour : $235
  • Day tour Namo Buddha : $90
  • Hire Tour Guide Nepal : $81
  • Manakamana Darshan- Day Tour: $199
  • One Day Tour inside Chitwan National Park: $110
  • 1 Day Cycling Tour in Kathmandu: $312
  • 1 Day Everest base camp helicopter tour: $2,146
  • 1 Day Kathmandu Shopping Tour Experience: $100
  • 1 Day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $70
  • 1 Day Rock Climbing Tour near Kathmandu Valley: $190
  • 1 Night 2 Days Daman Tour: $215
  • 1 day Kathmandu World Heritage guided tour group join : $65

Tours and Activities in Jakarta

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

  • Jakarta City Center: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
  • Jakarta Walkingtour : Explore Jakarta as the locals do: $19
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $33
  • Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Jakarta: $34
  • Like a Local Customized Guided Tour: $35
  • Experience Jakarta Street Food Scene with MRT Transportation: $37
  • Half-Day Highlights Tour: $38
  • guided tour of highlights in german language: $42
  • 3 Hours Jakarta City Tour (Jakarta's Iconic Places): $45
  • Highlights of Jakarta City: Half-Day Tour: $45
  • Best Jakarta Tours, your best friend in travelling.: $47
  • Private Half-Day Tour Highlight of Jakarta: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kathmandu $5.77
    Jakarta $4.23


When comparing the travel costs between Kathmandu and Jakarta, we can see that Jakarta is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Jakarta?

Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu 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.