A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Yogyakarta vs. Jinghong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Yogyakarta or Jinghong?

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

Should I visit Yogyakarta or Jinghong? 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: Yogyakarta or Jinghong?

Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta, also called Yogya, Jogja, and Jogjakarta, is Java's hub of culture and art, and is the top-visited destination on the island. While Jakarta is the most populated and industrially-developed city in Indonesia, Yogya has managed to progress without losing its cultural charm, as illustrated in its well-kept traditional Indonesian architecture.

Jinghong

Located in the southernmost part of the Yunnan Province, Jinghong is a city that attracts visitors each year with its rich culture and folklore, Buddhist temples, and tropical rainforest scenery of palms and mango trees amongst others. It is also an area popular with backpackers as well as a waypoint for travelers passing between China and Laos.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa.


Which place is cheaper, Jinghong or Yogyakarta?

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 Yogyakarta is $64, while the average daily cost in Jinghong is $83. 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 Yogyakarta and Jinghong in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yogyakarta $35
    Jinghong $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yogyakarta $70
    Jinghong $40
Compare Hotels in Yogyakarta and Jinghong

Looking for a hotel in Yogyakarta or Jinghong? 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 Yogyakarta


Hotels in Jinghong


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: Yogyakarta Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Yogyakarta $1.28
    Jinghong $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yogyakarta

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

  • Borobudur Half Day All Inclusive Guided Tour With Hotel Transfer: $60
  • Indonesia: Yogyakarta Airport Transfer: $14
  • Private Transfer Airport Jogyakarta ( Adisucipto ): $25
  • Private Transfer Airport Yogyakarta (JOG) to All City Destination: $7.00
  • Private Transfer from Banyuraden to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $71
  • Private Transfer from Borobudur Temple to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $81
  • Private Transfer from Borobudur to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $81
  • Private Transfer from Donoharjo to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $71
  • Private Transfer from Kembanglimus to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $88
  • Private Transfer from Kricak to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $35
  • Private Transfer from Maguwoharjo to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $71
  • Private Transfer from Mantrijeron to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Yogyakarta or Jinghong?

Prices for flights to both Jinghong and Yogyakarta 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
    Yogyakarta $19
    Jinghong $48

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yogyakarta

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

  • Kotagede Night Food Tour: $27
  • Yogyakarta Historical Walking and Food Tour: $29
  • Yogyakarta Evening Walking and Food Tour: $30
  • Prawirotaman Night Food Tour: $35
  • Yogyakarta Cooking Class and Market Tour : $35
  • Small-Group Walking and Food Tour by Night in Yogyakarta: $36
  • Yogyakarta Night Food Tour: $48
  • Yogyakarta Day Food Tour: $48
  • Prambanan Sunset and Ramayana Ballet with Dinner: $65
  • Yogyakarta Cooking Class: $71
  • Private Ramayana Ballet Performance Tour at Prambanan with Dinner: $104
  • Prambanan Temple and Ramayana Ballet Show (VIP Seat with dinner): $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yogyakarta $15
    Jinghong $9.31

Tours and Activities in Yogyakarta

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

  • Chicken Church at Karangrejo Village Admission Ticket: $1.84
  • Java Puppets Museum Admission Ticket: $2.50
  • Half Day Keraton and Taman Sari Tour: $10
  • Yogyakarta Merapi Volcano Jeep Adventure with English/France/Italia guide: $16
  • Mount Merapi Sunrise , Jomblang cave and Pindul Cave Tour : $20
  • Official Tickets - Experience Ramayana Ballet Jogja Show: $20
  • Roro Jonggrang Ballet in City Center Official Tickets MURI Award: $20
  • Private Borobudur Village Tour by Bike: $25
  • Rent a Car Private Day tour with Driver : $25
  • Borobudur ( Guarantee ClimbUP ) and Prambanan Temple Day Tour: $26
  • Yogyakarta Borobudur Sunset Shared Guided Tour : $26
  • FUN Cycling Tour De Temples: $27

Tours and Activities in Jinghong

Here are a few actual costs in Jinghong for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Best of Dai Villages | 20km E-Bike Tour: $41

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yogyakarta $4.74
    Jinghong $5.41


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yogyakarta and Jinghong, we can see that Jinghong is more expensive. And not only is Yogyakarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yogyakarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yogyakarta 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 Jinghong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jinghong than you might in Yogyakarta.

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


Which is Bigger, Yogyakarta or Jinghong?

Yogyakarta has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Jinghong. When comparing the sizes of Yogyakarta and Jinghong, 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.