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

Should you visit Jakarta or Milan?

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 Milan. 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.

Milan

Milan is a cultural, trendy, and chic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Many visitors also come to Milan because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping. See Milan travel costs.

Jakarta and Milan: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Big city activities
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Scenic old town
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Big city activities
  • Impressive beauty


Is there more to do in Jakarta or Milan?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Milan than Jakarta. While Jakarta is larger than Milan, Milan has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Milan is more touristy than Jakarta and is known for its grand squares, dramatic architecture, and its leadership in the fashion world. Also, Milan is famous for Piazza del Duomo. Jakarta is well known for its diversity, culture, cuisine, and mega-malls.

How is Jakarta different from Milan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Milan 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 Milan?

Jakarta
Milan

Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Jakarta or Milan.

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.

Milan offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The Milan Cathedral is the most famous landmark in the city, but other sights include Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Sant'Ambrogio.


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

Jakarta
Milan

Milan 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 Milan, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a mix of traditional dishes combined with modernized, trendy restaurants. You can try a new dish by a groundbreaking chef, or sample a long running favorite like risotto alla Milanese.

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 Jakarta or Milan Better for Nightlife?

Jakarta
Milan

Milan is terrific for nightlife. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Milan is a must-see party destination. The city has a huge number of students and young professionals, which make it a fun place with an active nightlife. There are cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and relaxed pubs that you can chose from.

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 Milan Better for Music?

Jakarta
Milan

Milan is terrific for live music. However, Jakarta is not a live music destination.

Milan is known as a music capital around the world. The diversity of music ranges from classical concerts to techno raves. Popular venues include Blue Note Milan, Santeria Social Club, and Spirit de Milan.

Jakarta is not a live music destination.


Is Jakarta or Milan Better for its Old Town?

Jakarta
Milan

Milan is terrific for its historic old town. However, Jakarta does not have a historic old town.

Milan has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Known as the Centro Storic, this area is the most popular with tourists. It's where you'll find the most historic buildings and beautiful sights in the city.

Jakarta does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Jakarta or Milan?

Jakarta
Milan

Milan is terrific for shopping. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Milan. Famous as the fashion capital of Italy, shopping is the thing to do here. There are many streets that are lined with the biggest designers in fashion. Make sure you check out Via Monte Napoleone, Via Della Spiga, and Corso Buenos Aires.

Jakarta is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 Jakarta or Milan More Beautiful?

Jakarta
Milan

Milan is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Jakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Milan because of it's amazing beauty. There is stunning architecture and beautiful neighborhoods that you can explore.

Jakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.


Is Jakarta or Milan Better for Families?

Jakarta
Milan

Both Jakarta and Milan are notable family-friendly destinations.

Jakarta offers lots of family activities. 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.

Milan is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a science museum and a children's museum, MuBa, that is great for the kids. There are also a number of parks to explore as well as playgrounds where the kids and get out their energy.

Is Jakarta or Milan Better for Couples?

Jakarta
Milan

Milan is a great city for romance. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Milan is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many beautiful buildings, excellent shopping, and romantic restaurants that make for a wonderful couple's getaway.

Jakarta makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Jakarta or Milan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jakarta
Milan

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

Milan is very popular with the backpacker crowd. While not as popular with backpackers as some Italian city's, there are a number of hostels and great activities that are fun for visitors.

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 Milan Better for Students?

Jakarta
Milan

Milan is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Jakarta is not popular with students.

Milan is a very popular place to visit for students. It is one of the more popular city's for international students in Italy. It is very livable with a lot of culture and a fun nightlife, so you're sure to have the experience of a lifetime.

Jakarta is not popular with students.

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

Jakarta
Milan

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

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Milan can take you anywhere. Options include metro, bus, tram, and train lines.

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 Milan a more walkable city?

Jakarta
Milan

Milan is terrific for its walkability. However, Jakarta is not known for its high level of walkability.

Milan is a very easy city to get around on foot. In particular, the city center is 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 Milan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Milan or Jakarta?

How long in Jakarta or Milan?

In either Jakarta or Milan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Milan than Jakarta because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Jakarta, and 1-5 days is enough time in Milan.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Milan 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 Milan.


  • How many days in Jakarta or Milan? Ideal Length of Stay
    Jakarta 1-3 
    Milan 1-5

One day in Jakarta or Milan?

Each neighborhood in Jakarta has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Milan, you'll find shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Jakarta or Milan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jakarta. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Milan, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Milan has to offer.

Five days in Jakarta or Milan?

Jakarta is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Jakarta. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Milan is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Milan has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.


A week in Jakarta or Milan?

You'll find food and shopping around the genuine big city of Jakarta. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Milan. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Milan. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Milan or Jakarta?

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 Jakarta is $73, while the average daily cost in Milan is $229. 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 Jakarta and Milan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jakarta $32
    Milan $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jakarta $64
    Milan $226
Compare Hotels in Jakarta and Milan

Looking for a hotel in Jakarta or Milan? 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 Jakarta


Hotels in Milan


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: Jakarta Hotel Prices and Milan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jakarta $20
    Milan $41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jakarta

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jakarta are as follows:


  • Taxi to Station
    $1.04

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jakarta

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

  • Private Transfer from Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP) to Ujung Genteng Sukabumi: $245
  • Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Ujung Genteng Sukabumi: $231
  • Private Transfer from Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP) to Sukarasa Kuningan Regency: $196
  • Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Sukaresmi Garut Regency: $184
  • Private Transfer from Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP) to Sukaresmi Bandung: $176
  • Private Airport Transfer Jakarta VIP Sedan : $153
  • Jakarta Airport CGK to Bandung or Lembang Round Trip Transfer: $144
  • Private Transfer from Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP) to Sukatani Purwakarta Regency: $128
  • Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Sukaresmi Bandung: $120
  • Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Pasteur Bandung: $120
  • Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Sukaresmi Cianjur Regency: $120
  • Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Bandung Airport (BDO): $115

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Milan

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Milan:


  • Train to Airport
    $8.21
  • Malpensa Airport Train (for Two)
    $26
  • Taxi From Airport
    $106
  • Public Transit Day Pass
    $5.28
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $8.36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Milan

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

  • Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Venice: $1,668
  • Zurich : Private Transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $940
  • transfers: $933
  • Milano: Transfer from Milan to St. Moritz: $840
  • Saas Fee : Private Transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $552
  • Cervinia: Private Transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $552
  • Champoluc: Private Transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $529
  • From Linate airport : Private 1-Way Transfer to Bellagio: $400
  • Serravalle Outlet : Private Transfer to/from Milan: $327
  • Luxury private transfer Linate airport to Malpensa airport: $292
  • Private Transfer: From Como, Cernobbio, Moltrasio & Laglio to MXP: $274
  • Private Transfer: Milan Airport MXP to Lake Como by Luxury Van: $269

Is it cheaper to fly into Jakarta or Milan?

Prices for flights to both Milan and Jakarta 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
    Jakarta $28
    Milan $79
Typical Food Prices in Jakarta

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


  • Dinner
    $2.62
  • Dinner
    $0.72

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jakarta

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

  • Jakarta Night Tour with Dinner at Café or Food street: $55
  • Jakarta Private Cooking Class and Experience Tour: $120

Typical Food Prices in Milan

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


  • Snack at Train Station
    $10
  • Restaurant Pizza
    $7.74
  • Casual Cafe Lunch (for Two)
    $32
  • Three Course Dinner (for Two)
    $75
  • Cappuccino
    $1.91

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Milan

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

  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $32
  • Milan Street Food Tour and City Sightseeing with Local Guide: $42
  • Delicious Food Tour and City Center Sightseeing: $46
  • International aperitif + cooking class in Italian: $48
  • Street Food Tour with Tastings and Local Guide: $49
  • Gourmet Street Food Tour with Sightseeing and Tasting: $49
  • only in ITALIAN - International aperitif + cooking class in Italian: $49
  • Tasty Milan Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $50
  • Pasta and Tiramisu Small Group Cooking Class with Wine: $66
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $66
  • Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine: $67
  • Food Tour with Wine Tasting in Milan: $68

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jakarta $12
    Milan $36

Tours and Activities in Jakarta

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

  • 1 Day Jakarta Historical Tour : $75
  • 1 Day Motorcycle Adventure Tour West Java: $223
  • 1 Day Motorcycle Tour To Citorek Banten West Of Java: $199
  • 4 Hours Jakarta Private City Tour - (Most Tourist Attractions): $55
  • 7 Hours Indonesia Cultural & Heritage Park Tour: $110
  • Bogor City Full-Day Private Tour from Jakarta with Pick Up: $160
  • Bogor City Tour Nature waterfall with Local Food ( Start From Jakarta ): $130
  • City Tour Jakarta with Private Guide: $80
  • City Tour with Guide and lunch: Get to know Jakarta more closely: $83
  • Experience Jakarta Street Food Scene with MRT Transportation: $55
  • Explore Gunung Padang Sacred Archaeological Site Tour: $179
  • Full Day Cultural Bogor Adventure in Waterfall and Rice field: $90

Typical Entertainment Prices in Milan

For Milan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Stairs to Duomo Rooftop
    $8.21

Tours and Activities in Milan

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

  • Milan Highlights semi-Private Walking Tour: $47
  • Milan's Opera Gem and La Scala Guided Walking Tour : $137
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Milan: $7.16
  • Self Guided Tours In Milan With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.57
  • "Walking Tour" - 2h: $84
  • "Walking Tour" - 4h: $150
  • 1 Hour Vintage Fiat 500 Slow Tour in Milan: $143
  • 1 Hours Guided La Scala Theatre Tour in Milan: $137
  • 1 hour Italian Food Experiences in Milan: $43
  • 1.5-hour The Last Supper and Church of San Maurizio tour in Milan - small group: $93
  • 2-Hour Milan by Night Walking Tour: $170
  • 2-Hour Private Guided Tour of Milan by Electric Scooter: $146

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jakarta $4.06
    Milan $28

Typical Alcohol Prices in Milan

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


  • Cocktail at a Bar
    $9.85
  • Beer
    $3.93

Sample the Local Flavors in Milan

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

  • Milan Pub Crawl Party with Free Shots and Drink Deals by Riviera: $30
  • Guided Riviera Bar Crawl with Free Shots: $37
  • Wine Tasting Experience with Platter at Winelovers: $44
  • Wine Tasting Experience: $48
  • Wine Tasting Experience in the City Centre: $52
  • Wine Tasting Experience in Milan City Center: $54
  • Milan Wine Tasting Experience: $57
  • Italian Wine Tasting in Milan: $59
  • Wine Tasting Experience - Urban Cellar: $60
  • Fun Wine Tasting with an Italian Sommelier: $76
  • Private Food and Wine Tasting Experience in the Center of Milan: $96
  • Milan Oltrepo Pavese Vineyards Grape Stomping and Wine Tasting: $96


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


Which is Bigger, Jakarta or Milan?

Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Milan. When comparing the sizes of Jakarta and Milan, 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.