A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Samui vs. Jakarta for Nightlife, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Koh Samui or Jakarta?

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

Should I visit Koh Samui or Jakarta? 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.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is a beautiful, tropical, and rainforest-covered resort island. Many visitors also come to Koh Samui because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Koh Samui travel costs.

Jakarta

Jakarta is a sprawling, friendly, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Jakarta travel costs.

Koh Samui and Jakarta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Samui or Jakarta?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Jakarta than Koh Samui, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Jakarta is better known for its museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Samui is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Koh Samui is more touristy than Jakarta and is known for its ornate temples, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. Jakarta is well known for its diversity, culture, cuisine, and mega-malls. Also, Jakarta is famous for Istiqlal Mosque.

How is Koh Samui different from Jakarta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Jakarta and Koh Samui. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Samui or Jakarta?

Jakarta is a great city for its historical sights. However, Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

Jakarta offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a huge number of museums around town like the National Museum, Museum Layang-Layang, and Museum MACAN. There's also Merdeka Square, which is one of the world's biggest public squares and Istiqlal Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.

Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Koh Samui or Jakarta? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Koh Samui and Jakarta can be difficult as they are each superb in their own way.

Koh Samui has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Food on the island is fresh and delicious. You'll find fine dining restaurants as well as hole-in-the-wall dives where you can enjoy local flavors. There are also international restaurants if you need a break from the curries. Beachfront restaurants offer a beautiful setting and sunset dinner cruises are a not-to-be-missed experience. Authentically local dishes usually include some form of coconut but there are also other common Thai dishes available almost anywhere like curries or Pad Thai.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Jakarta makes for a great culinary experience. There are so many different cultures represented in Indonesian cuisine, and you'll find them all in Jakarta. The food stalls, restaurants, and casual eateries all have their own flavor and style, which makes dining in this mega-city a true adventure.

Is Koh Samui or Jakarta Better for Nightlife?

Koh Samui is terrific for nightlife. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Koh Samui is a must-see party destination. All night beach parties, cheap bars, and lively dance clubs all give this island its party atmosphere. Young travelers from around the globe head here to enjoy music, cheap drinks, and world class fun. For the most active nightlife, head to Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach or Bophut Beach.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Jakarta. It's a huge city, so there's a very active nightlife scene, but it's mostly focused on locals and not tourists like you'll find elsewhere in Indonesia. For the best nightlife district, head to Kemang, which has many bars and clubs.

Is Koh Samui or Jakarta Better for Resorts?

Koh Samui is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Jakarta is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Koh Samui for its luxury resorts. The island is filled with countless resorts, hotels, and private villas that you can rent. You can choose from beachfront properties or resorts that are located in the hills, which offer beautiful views. The resorts often have pools and range from five star all the way down to budget-friendly.

Jakarta is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Samui or Jakarta Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Samui is a great resort island for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Jakarta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Koh Samui. It's easy to arrange snorkeling or scuba diving trips through hotels or travel companies, but it's also possible to snorkel right off the shore in places like Chaweng Beach. Due to the island's popularity, the coral isn't always the healthiest, but the water is clear and you'll likely see some interesting sea life just off the shore.

Jakarta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Samui or Jakarta Better for Beaches?

Koh Samui is terrific for its beaches. However, Jakarta is not a beach destination.

Koh Samui offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The white sand beaches are lined with coconut trees and look out on crystal blue waters, making this a perfect tropical destination. There are lively activity-filled beaches as well as quiet retreats where you can enjoy a peaceful setting away from the crowds.

Jakarta is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Samui or Jakarta Better for Hiking?

Koh Samui is a great resort island for hiking. However, Jakarta is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Koh Samui for the hiking trails. Hikes will take you inland through the beautiful rainforest. There are hidden waterfalls as well as Buddha gardens and ridge trails with breathtaking views. Hikes range from easy to challenging, so make sure you understand the skill level required before you set out.

Jakarta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Samui or Jakarta?

Jakarta is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Jakarta. The city is filled with high end luxury malls where you can buy the latest fashions and many international brands. Around town you'll also find everything from local handicrafts to chic boutiques and grand international chains.

Koh Samui is a great destination for shopping. The resort areas have the most interesting shops and you'll find the most options around Chaweng. There are boutique shops as well as some malls. You can sometimes negotiate prices down in independently run stores, but some places advertise fixed prices.

Is Koh Samui or Jakarta More Beautiful?

Koh Samui is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Jakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Koh Samui because of it's amazing beauty. It's laid back vibe and quintessential beach setting make this a wonderful holiday destination. It's the second largest island in Thailand and there are resorts, hotels, and restaurants for everyone.

Jakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Koh Samui or Jakarta Better for Families?

Koh Samui is a great resort island for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Koh Samui is a very family-friendly destination. The island is one of the slightly calmer, family-friendly options in Thailand. It has a number of activities that all ages can enjoy including water parks, water sports, and temples to explore. Snorkeling is also fun and there's an aquarium and zoo that you can check out.

Jakarta is a family-friendly place to visit. Most visitors skip out on this huge city, and it's definitely not the first place that comes to mind when you think about family-friendly destinations, but there's actually a very fascinating culture that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There's the Kota area, which has colonial architecture. There's also a puppet museum and several history museums. But for most kids, the highlight is a visit to the Taman Impian Jaya Ancol area, which has amusement parks and even SeaWorld.

Is Koh Samui or Jakarta Better for Couples?

Koh Samui is a great resort island for romance. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Koh Samui is a great resort island if you're traveling as a couple. Dinner cruises, beachfront restaurants, and beautiful sunsets all make this island a romantic destination for couples. There are also spas, resorts, and fine dining restaurants that you can enjoy.

Jakarta makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most travelers looking for a romantic destination will head to the many famous honeymoon spots in Indonesia. But for those who make their way to Jakarta, there is sure to be a lot of adventure and culture. The city has many great museums as well as nature parks and amusement parks.

Is Koh Samui or Jakarta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Samui is a great resort island for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Koh Samui is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The island feels a bit more like a holiday destination than a backpacker destination, but it still has a lively nightlife and affordable accommodation around Lamai Beach. It's also a nice place to go for yoga or Muay Thai classes.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Jakarta. Visitors often have strong feelings about this city, whether they love it or hate it. For those backpackers who spend some time here, they're sure to be treated to a look at true Indonesian culture, which is hard to find in the more touristy areas.

Is Koh Samui or Jakarta Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Koh Samui is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Jakarta is not known for its public transit.

While Koh Samui offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Songthaew, the Thai version of a bus, and taxis or motorbikes are the best ways to get around the island.

Public transit is generally limited in Jakarta. Public transportation has improved a lot recently. There's a commuter line as well as buses. The system can be a bit overwhelming and slow though, so tourists often avoid it.

Is Koh Samui or Jakarta a more walkable city?

Koh Samui and Jakarta are respectable when it comes to walkability.

Koh Samui is generally not a very walkable resort island. The roads have a good amount of traffic and generally aren't designed for walking.

Jakarta is generally not very walkable. Central Jakarta is more walkable than most of the city but, in general, the city has a lot of traffic and isn't the best for exploring on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Koh Samui Worth Visiting? and Is Jakarta Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Jakarta or Koh Samui?

How long in Koh Samui or Jakarta?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Koh Samui and Jakarta. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Samui than in Jakarta. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Koh Samui, and 1-3 days is enough time in Jakarta.

Families should spend more time in Koh Samui than Jakarta. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Koh Samui, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Koh Samui than Jakarta. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Koh Samui that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Samui than Jakarta if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Koh Samui.

One day in Koh Samui or Jakarta?

In Koh Samui, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This resort island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

People visit Jakarta because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Jakarta has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Koh Samui or Jakarta?

In Koh Samui, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

People visit Jakarta because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Samui or Jakarta?

Koh Samui is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Samui has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the sprawling city of Jakarta. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Samui or Jakarta?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Samui. In Koh Samui, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Jakarta is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Indonesia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia.

When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samui and Jakarta, we can see that Koh Samui 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 Koh Samui Expensive? and Is Jakarta Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Jakarta?

Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 220 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui 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.