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

Should you visit Jakarta or Brisbane?

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 Jakarta and Brisbane. 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.

Jakarta

Jakarta is a sprawling, friendly, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Jakarta travel costs.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a diverse, cultural, and active coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Brisbane travel costs.

Jakarta and Brisbane: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jakarta or Brisbane?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Brisbane than Jakarta. While Jakarta is larger than Brisbane, Brisbane has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Brisbane is better known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Jakarta is more popular for its food and big city activities. Brisbane is more touristy than Jakarta and is known for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. Also, Brisbane is famous for the Cultural Centre. Jakarta is well known for its diversity, culture, cuisine, and mega-malls.

How is Jakarta different from Brisbane?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jakarta or Brisbane?

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Jakarta or Brisbane.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Brisbane offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

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

Jakarta is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Jakarta has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Brisbane offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

Is Jakarta or Brisbane Better for Nightlife?

Brisbane is a great coastal city for nightlife. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Brisbane has something for everybody. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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 Jakarta or Brisbane Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Jakarta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Brisbane. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Jakarta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Jakarta or Brisbane Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is a great coastal city for its beaches. However, Jakarta is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Brisbane for it's beautiful beaches. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Jakarta is not a beach destination.

Is Jakarta or Brisbane Better for Hiking?

Brisbane is a good destination for hiking. However, Jakarta is not a hiking destination.

Brisbane offers some nice hiking trails. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Jakarta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jakarta or Brisbane?

If you're looking to go shopping, Jakarta and Brisbane both offer plenty of high quality spots.

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.

Brisbane is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

Is Jakarta or Brisbane Better for Families?

Brisbane is a great coastal city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Brisbane is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

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.

Is Jakarta or Brisbane Better for Couples?

Jakarta and Brisbane both notable destinations for a couple.

Jakarta is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Brisbane makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

Is Jakarta or Brisbane Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brisbane is a great coastal city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Brisbane is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Jakarta. 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.

Is Jakarta or Brisbane Better for Students?

Brisbane is a great coastal city for its student-friendly activities. However, Jakarta is not popular with students.

Many students visit Brisbane. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Jakarta is not popular with students.

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

Brisbane is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Jakarta is not known for its public transit.

While Brisbane offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Public transit is generally 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 Jakarta or Brisbane a more walkable city?

Brisbane is a great coastal city for its walkability. However, Jakarta is not known for its high level of walkability.

Brisbane is very walkable. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

Jakarta is generally not very walkable. 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 Jakarta Worth Visiting? and Is Brisbane Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brisbane or Jakarta?

How long in Jakarta or Brisbane?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Jakarta and Brisbane. In our opinion, Brisbane has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Brisbane than Jakarta. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Jakarta, and 2-3 days is enough time in Brisbane.

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

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

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

One day in Jakarta or Brisbane?

Jakarta is a big city with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Brisbane, you'll find shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Jakarta or Brisbane?

Jakarta is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Jakarta, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Brisbane, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Brisbane has to offer.

Five days in Jakarta or Brisbane?

Jakarta is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Brisbane is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Jakarta or Brisbane?

Jakarta is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brisbane. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Brisbane. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jakarta and Brisbane, we can see that Brisbane is more expensive. And not only is Jakarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jakarta is in Asia and Brisbane is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Brisbane would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brisbane 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 Jakarta Expensive? and Is Brisbane Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Jakarta or Brisbane?

Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Brisbane. When comparing the sizes of Jakarta and Brisbane, 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.