A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hat Yai vs. Jakarta for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Hat Yai or Jakarta?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hat Yai and Jakarta can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Hat Yai

Hat Yai is a festive, colorful, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Hat Yai travel costs.

Jakarta

Jakarta is a friendly, diverse, and genuine city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Jakarta travel costs.

Hat Yai and Jakarta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hat Yai or Jakarta?

You'll generally find more things to do in Jakarta than Hat Yai. Jakarta is bigger than Hat Yai, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Jakarta is better known for its museums and attractions and big city activities, while Hat Yai is more popular for its food. Hat Yai is well known for its local markets, its traditional restaurants, and its colorful temples. Jakarta is well known for its diversity, culture, cuisine, and mega-malls. Also, Jakarta is famous for Istiqlal Mosque.

How is Hat Yai different from Jakarta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hat Yai or Jakarta?

Jakarta is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Hat Yai is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Jakarta. 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.

Hat Yai is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city has many temples to explore such as Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol and Wat Hat Yai Nai.

Is the Food Better in Hat Yai or Jakarta? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hat Yai is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Hat Yai, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Eating is really what you do in this city. There is amazing street food, impressive floating restaurants, and authentic cuisine that locals and visitors alike enjoy. The dishes include lots of seafood and some Chinese influences.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Jakarta. 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 Hat Yai or Jakarta Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Hat Yai and Jakarta.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Hat Yai. It's a big city, so there are plenty of clubs and bars where you can party late into the night.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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 the Shopping Better in Hat Yai or Jakarta?

Both Hat Yai and Jakarta are very good shopping destinations.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Hat Yai. It's a large commercial hub in southern Thailand and many visitors come specifically for the shopping. There are many markets in town and places to buy everything from local products to trendy clothes.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Is Hat Yai or Jakarta Better for Families?

Jakarta is a city with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Hat Yai is not always a place people visit with their families. There are some play places for the kids and kid-friendly meals are available in many places. There are also some animal farms and parks near town where kids and adults can enjoy a natural setting.

Is Hat Yai or Jakarta Better for Couples?

Jakarta is a city with good options for couples. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for romance.

Jakarta is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Hat Yai is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Most people pass through the city on their way to other places, but if you chose to linger you'll enjoy amazing food and some interesting activities around town.

Is Hat Yai or Jakarta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jakarta is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Jakarta is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Hat Yai is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are hostels in the city, as well as cheap hotels, but the backpacker vibe isn't the same as what you get in other Thai cities. If you want more authenticity, then this is your place.

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

Both Hat Yai and Jakarta offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Hat Yai. The easiest and cheapest way to get around is by tuk tuk or motorbike taxi.

Public transit is mostly 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 Hat Yai or Jakarta a more walkable city?

Hat Yai and Jakarta both are respectable when exploring on foot.

Hat Yai is generally not very walkable. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

Jakarta is generally not a very walkable city. 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 Hat Yai Worth Visiting? and Is Jakarta Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Jakarta or Hat Yai?

How long in Hat Yai or Jakarta?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hat Yai and Jakarta. In our opinion, Jakarta has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Jakarta than Hat Yai. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jakarta than Hat Yai 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 Jakarta.

One day in Hat Yai or Jakarta?

In Hat Yai, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Because Jakarta is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Hat Yai or Jakarta?

In Hat Yai, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hat Yai has to offer.

Because Jakarta is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Jakarta has to offer.

Five days in Hat Yai or Jakarta?

Hat Yai is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Jakarta is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Hat Yai or Jakarta?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hat Yai. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Hat Yai. One reason most visitors come is for the food. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jakarta. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Jakarta. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Indonesia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Jakarta?

Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai 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.