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

Should you visit Yogyakarta or Tokyo?

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

Should I visit Yogyakarta or Tokyo? 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 Tokyo?

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.

Tokyo

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Tokyo or Yogyakarta?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Yogyakarta is $58, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $157. 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 Tokyo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yogyakarta $37
    Tokyo $76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yogyakarta $74
    Tokyo $152
Compare Hotels in Yogyakarta and Tokyo

Looking for a hotel in Yogyakarta or Tokyo? 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 Tokyo


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 Tokyo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Yogyakarta $1.33
    Tokyo $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yogyakarta

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

  • Private Transfer From or To: Yogyakarta,Bromo,Ijen,Ketapang,Bali: $253
  • Private Transfer from Kembanglimus to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $168
  • Private Transfer from Wanurejo to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $168
  • Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Pekuncen Pegandon: $168
  • Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Kembanglimus: $168
  • Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to South Rejowinangun: $168
  • Jepara & One Way Private Transfer: $110
  • Layover Tour w/ Entry Tickets & Airport Transfer: $94
  • Semarang & Transfer To The Hotel or Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Banyuraden: $93
  • Private Transfer from Maguwoharjo to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $93
  • Private Transfer from Sinduadi to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $93

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo

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

  • [Private airport transfer]Haneda Airport (HND)⇔Tokyo City: $150
  • Yokohama Private Arrival Transfer : Tokyo Hotels to Yokohama Port or Hotels: $152
  • Yokohama Port: Private Customizable Tour with Transfer: $328
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Tokyo City Center to Narita Airport: $90
  • Transfer in private minivan from Tokyo City Center to Narita Airport: $110
  • Transfer in Private Minivan from Tokyo Narita Airport to City Center: $110
  • Tokyo:Haneda Airport (HND) Private One-Way Transfer to Tokyo: $125
  • Private transfer to/from Yokohama Osanbashi Port: $189
  • Private Transfer from/to Tokyo Narita Airport: $226
  • Private Transfer from/to Tokyo Haneda Airport: $136
  • Private Transfer from Haneda Airport for Arrivals: $75
  • Private One-Way Transfer to/from Haneda Airport: $95

Is it cheaper to fly into Yogyakarta or Tokyo?

Prices for flights to both Tokyo 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 $12
    Tokyo $37

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yogyakarta

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

  • Morning Food Tour with Tasting: $22
  • Kotagede Night Food Tour: $27
  • Yogyakarta Evening Walking and Food Tour: $30
  • Yogyakarta : Guided City Walk and Food Tour: $32
  • Prambanan temple afternoon tour and dinner: $34
  • Prawirotaman Night Food Tour: $35
  • Prawirotaman Night Food Tour: $35
  • Night Walking and Food Tour: $37
  • Ramayana Ballet Performance with Dinner: $38
  • Yogyakarta Cooking Class and Market Tour : $40
  • Small-Group Walking and Food Tour by Night in Yogyakarta: $40
  • Yogyakarta Day Food Tour: $48

Typical Food Prices in Tokyo

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:


  • Late Night Noodles
    $5.22
  • Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack
    $5.22
  • Meal at Airport
    $6.80

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo

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

  • Takoyaki cooking experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $22
  • Easy Ramen Cooking Experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $25
  • 2 Hours Japanese Style Pub and Food Tour in Ueno: $32
  • 【Contemporary Culture】Food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $38
  • 【Contemporary Culture】food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $39
  • Tokyo Best Cooking Class! Sushi Making Experience in Tsukiji: $52
  • Tokyo Best Cooking Class! Sushi making class in Tsukiji: $55
  • Japanese Traditional Cooking Class: $58
  • Wagyu and 7 Japanese Dishes Cooking Class: $59
  • Tokyo Wagyu Culinary Tour Cooking Culture and Tasting: $65
  • Small-Group Wagyu Beef and 7 Japanese Dishes Tokyo Cooking Class: $68
  • Private Food Tour in Downtown Yanesen and Nezu Shrine: $72

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yogyakarta $16
    Tokyo $68

Tours and Activities in Yogyakarta

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

  • Private Tour Borobudur Sunrise – Merapi Volcano – Prambanan (Transport Only): $80
  • Sunrise : Punthuk Setumbu, Borobudur And Prambanan Temples Tour (PRIVATE TOUR): $121
  • Yogyakarta Jomblang Cave Day Tour (PRIVATE TOUR): $88
  • 1 day Yogyakarta Tour Jomblang cave and Pindul Cave tubing: $72
  • 1 day tour Borobudur and Prambanan Temples : $69
  • 1 day tour borobudur temple,prambanan temple,plaosan temple: $72
  • 1-Day Yogyakarta Borobudur and City Tour - PRIVATE Tour with GUIDE: $188
  • 1-Day Yogyakarta City Tour Prangtritis Beach - PRIVATE Tour with GUIDE: $139
  • 1-Day Yogyakarta Javanese Culture - PRIVATE TOUR with GUIDE: $198
  • 1-Day Yogyakarta Merapi Borobudur - PRIVATE Tour with GUIDE: $183
  • 1-Day Yogyakarta Merapi Pengger Heha - PRIVATE Tour with GUIDE: $139
  • 1-Day Yogyakarta Prambanan Breksi Ijo Temple - PRIVATE Tour with Guide: $183

Tours and Activities in Tokyo

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

  • Art Japanese Fan Crafting Experience in Tokyo Asakusa: $23
  • Authentic Samurai Experience With Real Actors: $97
  • Mt. Fuji Roundtrip Tours From Shinjuku, Japan: $84
  • “Your name.” Going on an electric bicycle <Roppongi, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku> A 6-hour tour of a sacred place. (With support car): $133
  • "Nippori Fabric Town" Walking Tour: $41
  • *Starting / Ending at Your Hotel* 3hr Private E-bike Tour Tokyo: $134
  • 1 Day Bus Tour To Mitsumine Shrine From Shinjuku: $88
  • 1 Day Tokyo Charter Private Tour with English & Hindi Driver: $347
  • 1 Day Tokyo Private Charter Sightseeing Tour with Guide: $484
  • 1 Day Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Private Wagon: $474
  • 1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa Traditional Tokyo and Nature: $143
  • 1 Day private Tour in Hakone with Hakone Freepass & Train Ticket: $84

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yogyakarta $4.93
    Tokyo $33

Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:


  • Sake
    $3.91

Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:

  • Tokyo Pub Crawl: $25
  • 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $52
  • Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $78
  • barhopping tour&bar crawl in Retro Town Shimokitazawa: $82
  • Toshimaya Sake Brewery Tour with Sake Tasting: $88
  • Tokyo | 3 Hours Brewery Tour with Sake Sommelier: $101
  • Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $104
  • Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $133
  • Private Local Craft Brewery Tour in Tokyo: $150
  • Wooden Barrel Sake Brewery Tour and Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $161
  • Private Walking Tour with Sake Brewery Visit in Chichibu: $190


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yogyakarta and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo 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 Tokyo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Yogyakarta or Tokyo?

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