A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saaremaa vs. Jakarta for Food, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Saaremaa or Jakarta?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Jakarta, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Saaremaa

Saaremaa is a relaxed, traditional, and quiet island. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Saaremaa is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food and beaches. See Saaremaa travel costs.

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.

Saaremaa and Jakarta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Jakarta?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Jakarta than Saaremaa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Jakarta is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Saaremaa is more popular for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Saaremaa is well known for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting. Jakarta is well known for its diversity, culture, cuisine, and mega-malls. Also, Jakarta is famous for Istiqlal Mosque.

How is Saaremaa different from Jakarta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Jakarta is great for its historical sights. However, Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Jakarta can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Jakarta can be difficult as they are each great in their own way.

Saaremaa has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Like most things on the island, traditional local food is still the norm here. The island is known for its smoked fish, homemade bread, and locally brewed beers. Popular fishes include garfish, herring, and flatfish, which you can enjoy at a local restaurant or one of the pop-up cafes that are popular during the summer months. You'll find the highest concentration of restaurants in Kuressaare, but there are still many options further out. It's also fun to visit during September during the Saaremaa Food Festival.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Jakarta makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Saaremaa or Jakarta Better for Nightlife?

Jakarta is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Jakarta has a few options to choose from. 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.

People don't go to Saaremaa for the nightlife. The island is known for it's quiet, laid-back atmosphere, so you'll be hard pressed to find a party or active club, even during the more popular summer months.

Is Saaremaa or Jakarta Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a good destination for its beaches. However, Jakarta is not a beach destination.

Saaremaa offers a nice beach destination. The beaches are quiet and relaxed, even during the summer months. In town, the best beach is Kuressaare Beach. Outside of town you'll find other nice beaches such as the sandy beaches between Mändjala and Järve. The beaches in Tuhkana and Jõiste villages are also well known. For swimming, most people prefer to visit Lake Karujärv.

Jakarta is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Jakarta?

Jakarta is great for its shopping areas. However, Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Jakarta More Beautiful?

Saaremaa is a great island for its scenery and beauty. However, Jakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

Saaremaa is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The island has a classic beauty that feels frozen in time.

Jakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saaremaa or Jakarta Better for Families?

Saaremaa and Jakarta are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Saaremaa offers lots of family activities. While the island is known for its slow pace, there are still a number of fun activities where the kids can run and jump. There are several outdoor adventure parks and playgrounds that are great for young legs. Check out the playgrounds in Kuressaare or head out of town for more outdoor activities. When the weather's nice you can head to Kuressaare Beach or check out the ostrich farm in Muhu.

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 Saaremaa or Jakarta Better for Couples?

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

Saaremaa is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. The peace and quiet of the island make for a relaxing couple's getaway. You can enjoy the outdoors and feel like you've stepped back in time as you explore the laid back island in the Baltics.

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 Saaremaa or Jakarta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Saaremaa and Jakarta are notable places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Saaremaa. While prices are cheap, transportation isn't great so you'll likely want to rent a car if you want to really explore the island. There are a number of rooms available for rent at an affordable price, particularly in the shoulder season, but you'll you'll only find a handful of hostels on the island.

Jakarta is a good island 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.

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

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

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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Saaremaa. Most people arrive on the island by ferry. There are buses on the island but they cater mostly to locals. To really explore, you'll want to have access to a car.

Is Saaremaa or Jakarta a more walkable city?

Jakarta is adequate for its ease of walking around. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its walkability.

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.

Saaremaa is not a walkable island. While their are some walking trails, you really need a car to explore the island in depth.

For even more information, also check out Is Saaremaa Worth Visiting? and Is Jakarta Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Jakarta or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Jakarta?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saaremaa and Jakarta. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saaremaa than in Jakarta. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saaremaa, and 1-3 days is enough time in Jakarta.

Families should spend more time in Jakarta than Saaremaa. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jakarta than Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Jakarta?

Saaremaa is a small town with plenty to do. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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.

A weekend in Saaremaa or Jakarta?

Saaremaa might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Saaremaa has to offer.

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.

Five days in Saaremaa or Jakarta?

Saaremaa 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 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.

A week in Saaremaa or Jakarta?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saaremaa. Since Saaremaa is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, 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 Saaremaa and Jakarta, we can see that Saaremaa is more expensive. And not only is Jakarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saaremaa is in Europe and Jakarta is in Asia, 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 Saaremaa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa Expensive? and Is Jakarta Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Jakarta?

Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 570 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa 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.