Which place is cheaper, Jakarta or Ubud?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ubud 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 Ubud 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: Ubud or Jakarta?
Ubud
Made popular by the film Eat Pray Love, Ubud is located in the uplands of Bali, Indonesia. Beautiful Hindu temples and iconic rice fields are the sight to see in this popular cultural, artistic and religious hub on the island.
Though Ubud is hot and humid during the day, it is still cooler than coastal areas. Still, temperatures linger between mid-70's and low 90's year-round, so it is likely you'll experience warm weather, regardless of when you visit.
Ubud's wet season is from November to June, which makes it an unpopular time for travelers. January and February are when Ubud experiences the heaviest rainfall, so it may be wise to avoid visiting at this time, especially since weather will limit activities, bring out insects, and cause landslides and possible flooding.
Dry season runs from July through October, which is high season for travel. Even during dry season, Ubud is extremely humid, so pack lightweight clothing that breathes and lots of sunblock.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUbud $150Jakarta $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Ubud is $150, 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 Ubud and Jakarta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUbud $133Jakarta $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUbud $266Jakarta $66
Compare Hotels in Ubud and Jakarta
Looking for a hotel in Ubud 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.
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: Ubud Hotel Prices and Jakarta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ubud $1.82Jakarta $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ubud
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ubud:
- Private Tour 3 Day Exploring Bali Including Airport Transfer And Lunch: $297
- Bali Budget 5 Days, Tours & Air Port Transfers : $237
- Bali New Kuta Golf Package with Private Transfer: $205
- Private Tour: Amazing 3 Days Bali Sightseeing Tour Package with Airport Transfer: $170
- Actively enjoy marine sports / popular flyboard + selectable marine sports (parasailing, etc.) round-trip hotel transfer included: $164
- 3 Days Bali Tour Package with Airport Transfer: $164
- Bali 5 Days Private Tours Includes Air Port Transfers: $145
- 1 DAY Enjoy Lembongan Island! Snorkeling + mangrove exploration + sightseeing on the island such as the scenic spot "Devil's Tears" / marine sports enjoyment banana boat / transfer included: $131
- Jumping Sliding at Aling-aling waterfall with hotel transfer: $117
- Batur Volcano Trekking with Hot-spring, Breakfast and Hotel Transfer: $110
- Private Ubud Rafting, Quad Bike, with 1,5 Hour Spa With Transfer: $100
- Nusa Penida All-Inclusive Full-Day Tour with Transfers: $95
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jakarta
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jakarta are as follows:
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Taxi to Station$1.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jakarta
Also for Jakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Jakarta Soekarno - Hatta ( Private Transfer ): $22
- Airport Transfer Jakarta ( Private Car ): $30
- Airport Transfer Jakarta - Bogor: $27
- CGK - Private Airport Transfer Service: $20
- Jakarta Airport CGK to Bandung or Lembang Round Trip Transfer: $127
- Jakarta Airport Private Transfer To Bandung ( Private Service ): $90
- Jakarta Airport Transfer Service: $20
- Jakarta Airport Transfer for Small/Big Group: $29
- Jakarta Airport Transfers : Jakarta Airport CGK to Jakarta City in Business Van: $92
- Jakarta Arrival Private Transfers from Jakarta Airport CGK to Jakarta City: $92
- Jakarta Full-Day Highlights Tour with Transfer: $60
- Jakarta Private Airport Transfer: $24
Is it cheaper to fly into Ubud or Jakarta?
Prices for flights to both Jakarta and Ubud 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 dayUbud $12Jakarta $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ubud
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ubud.
- Jimbaran Bay Sunset Dinner with Discount Voucher and Return Transport : $12
- Uluwatu Sunset & Romantic Dinner: $20
- Balinese Traditional Cooking Classes with Market Tour: $22
- Balinese Traditional Cooking Class with Market Tour: $22
- Ubud Cooking : All Inclusive Cooking Class: $23
- Cooking Class with Transfers and Optional Market Visit: $23
- Balinese Cooking Class and Market Tour with Transfers: $23
- Balinese Cooking Class with Hotel Transfers: $26
- Jimbaran Beach Candle Light Dinner : $26
- Subak cooking class (Balinese cooking school) 9 Dish Cooking and Market Tour: $26
- 8 Hours Private Balinese Cooking Class with Tirta Empul Temple: $28
- Jambangan bali cooking class with morning market tour: $29
Typical Food Prices in Jakarta
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jakarta:
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Dinner$2.73
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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
- 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ubud $10Jakarta $13
Tours and Activities in Ubud
Here are a few actual costs in Ubud for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- All Inclusive Tour in Nusa Lembongan Islands : $145
- Bali : Customized Tour Sekumpul Waterfalls & Handara gate Heaven: $36
- Bali : Mount Batur Sunrise Jeep 4WD Experience: $38
- Bali Private tour : $55
- Bali PrivateTanahlot Sunset Tour: $110
- Bali Royal palaces (observe tour): $89
- Best Ubud Tours -All inclusive with private driver: $35
- Best of Ubud Tours with Jungle Swing ( All Inclusive ): $83
- Gate Of Heaven Lempuyang Temple Tours with Blue Lagoon Snorkeling: $35
- Lempuyang Temple Ticket Admission All Inclusive: $28
- Mount Batur Sunrise Jeep Adventure With Guide: $30
- Mount Batur Sunrise Jeep Tour & Natural Hot Spring: $40
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
- 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
- Jakarta Half-Day Highlights Tour: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUbud $6.88Jakarta $4.23
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ubud and Jakarta, we can see that Ubud is more expensive. And not only is Jakarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jakarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jakarta 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 Ubud would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ubud than you might in Jakarta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ubud Expensive? and Is Jakarta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ubud or Jakarta?
Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 300 times larger than the population of Ubud. When comparing the sizes of Ubud 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.
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.