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

Should you visit Yogyakarta or Johor Bahru?

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

Should I visit Yogyakarta or Johor Bahru? 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 Johor Bahru?

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.

Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru is the capital of the state of Johor in Southern Malaysia. Though it is largely industrial and does not typically cater to tourists, especially compared to the grandeur of neighboring Singapore, the city does have some opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.


Which place is cheaper, Johor Bahru 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 $60, while the average daily cost in Johor Bahru is $66. 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 Johor Bahru in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yogyakarta $33
    Johor Bahru $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yogyakarta $66
    Johor Bahru $82
Compare Hotels in Yogyakarta and Johor Bahru

Looking for a hotel in Yogyakarta or Johor Bahru? 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 Johor Bahru


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 and Johor Bahru Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Yogyakarta $1.20
    Johor Bahru $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yogyakarta

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

  • Private Transfer Airport Yogyakarta (JOG) to All City Destination: $7.00
  • Transfer Option for Borobudur, Dieng, Bromo & Ijen: $11
  • Yogyakarta Airport: Private Transfer To/ From The Hotels: $12
  • YIA Airport Private Transfer: $12
  • Indonesia: Yogyakarta Airport Transfer: $14
  • From Roundtrip Transfer to Borobudur Temple: $15
  • Private Airport Transfer YIA: $22
  • Yogyakarta Airport Transfer (For 1-4 person): $22
  • Private Transfer Airport Jogyakarta ( Adisucipto ): $25
  • Borobudur 5-hour Tour with Climb-up & Transfers: $25
  • Borobudur ClimbUP Afternoon Guided and transfer: $26
  • Yogyakarta Airport Transfer (For 1-4 person): $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johor Bahru

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johor Bahru:

  • ~Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Singapore MPV Transfer: $100
  • Universal Studios Singapore Tickets with Round-trip Transfers: $116
  • Singapore Universal Studio with Optional One Way Transfer: $100
  • Private Transfer from Legoland (Malaysia) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN): $291
  • Private Transfer from Johor Bahru City Center to Singapore Hotels: $102
  • Private Transfer : Johor Bharu (JB) to Kuala Lumpur (KL): $136
  • Malaysia:Senai International Airport(JHB)One-Way Transfer: $80
  • LEGOLAND Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur International Airport One-way Transfer: $105
  • LEGOLAND Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $105
  • LEGOLAND Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $105
  • LEGOLAND Malaysia Admission Ticket with Return Transfer from Kuala Lumpur: $188
  • Johor Bahru City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $105

Is it cheaper to fly into Yogyakarta or Johor Bahru?

Prices for flights to both Johor Bahru 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 $18
    Johor Bahru $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yogyakarta

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

  • Ramayana Show with Transfer, Entry Fee & Dinner: $13
  • Night Walking & Street Food Tour: $21
  • Guided City Walk and Food Tour: $23
  • Morning Walk and Food Tour: $23
  • Ramayana Ballet Performance with Optional Dinner: $28
  • Nighttime Walk and Food Tour: $32
  • Small-Group Walking and Food Tour by Night in Yogyakarta: $33
  • Cooking Class with Market Visit and Hotel Pickup: $33
  • 3-hour Cooking Class with Market Tour: $35
  • Yogyakarta Cooking Class and Market Tour: $35
  • Countryside Cycling and Cooking Class Experience: $39
  • Prambanan temple afternoon tour and dinner: $43

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yogyakarta $14
    Johor Bahru $8.04

Tours and Activities in Yogyakarta

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

  • Obelix Hills Entry Ticket: $2.18
  • Chicken Church at Karangrejo Village Admission Ticket: $3.15
  • YOGYAKARTA CITY TOUR,SULTAN PALACE,WATER CASTLE AND CRAFTS.: $6.23
  • Prambanan Temple Afternoon Tour: $12
  • Half Day Keraton and Taman Sari Tour: $13
  • Indonesia: Borobudur Temple Entrance Ticket: $14
  • Prambanan Temple: Half-Day Guided Tour From Yogyakarta: $14
  • Borobudur(Guarantee Climb up) Shared Guide Tour: $15
  • Jomblang Cave & Pindul Cave Adventur Tour: $15
  • Yogyakarta Merapi Volcano Jeep Adventure with English/France/Italia guide: $15
  • Jomblang Cave and Pindul Cave Tour with Lunch: $15
  • Yogayakarta : Jomblang Cave and Pindul Cave Tour: $15

Tours and Activities in Johor Bahru

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

  • Adventure Cove Waterpark Admission Ticket: $39
  • Adventure Cove Waterpark Sentosa Island Singapore AdmissionTicket: $30
  • Adventure Cove Waterpark Tickets: $49
  • Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast Admission Ticket in Johor: $30
  • Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast Admission Ticket in Johor: $29
  • Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast Tickets: $39
  • Adventure Waterpark Ticket Desaru Coast: $19
  • Buggy Tour Tourism Johor: $59
  • DaVinci & The Wheel of Time - Cinematic Walkthrough VR Experience: $19
  • Firefly Tour Johor Bahru@Kota Tinggi Firefly Park: $6.53
  • Johor Bahru : Seadoo JetSki 30mins Self Ride Tour (Double): $86
  • Johor Bahru : Seadoo JetSki 30mins Self Ride Tour(Single): $62

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yogyakarta $4.45
    Johor Bahru $5.25


When comparing the travel costs between Yogyakarta and Johor Bahru, we can see that Johor Bahru 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 Yogyakarta Expensive? and Is Johor Bahru Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Yogyakarta or Johor Bahru?

Johor Bahru has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Yogyakarta. When comparing the sizes of Yogyakarta and Johor Bahru, 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.