Jakarta on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Jakarta is easy on a budget thanks to cheap street food and transport. Plan on about Rp450,000 per person per day (bed Rp200,000, food Rp150,000, sights Rp50,000, transport Rp50,000).
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | Rp200,000 | Rp500,000 | Rp1,400,000 |
| Food & drink | Rp150,000 | Rp350,000 | Rp800,000 |
| Sights & tickets | Rp50,000 | Rp200,000 | Rp500,000 |
| Local transport | Rp50,000 | Rp150,000 | Rp350,000 |
| Per person, per day | Rp450,000 | Rp1,200,000 | Rp3,050,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Jakarta day-cost table.
Free things to do
- See the National Monument (Monas) and Merdeka Square from the park (tower ticket extra)
- Visit Istiqlal Mosque, one of the largest in Southeast Asia, outside prayer times
- Walk Fatahillah Square in Kota Tua
- Explore Glodok, Jakarta's Chinatown, and Gang Gloria
- See the old schooners at Sunda Kelapa harbour
- Stroll the car-free day on Jalan Sudirman–Thamrin (Sunday mornings)
Cheap eats
- Noodles or rice with roast meat at Gang Gloria: about Rp30,000–50,000
- Sate kambing on Jalan Sabang: about Rp25,000–60,000
- Nasi goreng from a street cart: about Rp20,000–35,000
- Martabak sweet or savoury: about Rp30,000–60,000
- Nasi padang at a warung: about Rp25,000–45,000
Where to sleep for less
Jalan Jaksa and Sabang have guesthouses and cheap hotels at about Rp300,000–600,000 a double, with dorm beds cheaper; Blok M is another budget area near the MRT.
Getting around cheaply
MRT and TransJakarta are cheapest (Rp3,500 flat on buses). Grab and Gojek motorbikes cost about Rp20,000–30,000 for 5 km. The airport train to BNI City is cheaper and more predictable than taxis.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Kota Tua and the Jakarta History Museum (around Rp15,000); TransJakarta there (Rp3,500)
- Lunch: Gang Gloria noodles (about Rp40,000)
- Afternoon: Istiqlal Mosque and Monas park (free)
- Evening: street food on Jalan Sabang (about Rp60,000)
- Total: about Rp150,000 plus a cheap bed (about Rp200,000), so roughly Rp350,000–450,000
More ways to save
- Buy an e-money card (Flazz, e-money, Brizzi) at a minimarket for transit.
- Use a mall food court for cheap air-conditioned meals.
- Travel outside rush hours (about 7:00–9:00 and 17:00–19:30).
- Bargain in markets like Tanah Abang and Pasar Baru, but not at food stalls.
- Join the Sunday car-free day for a free city walk.
- Carry small notes for street vendors.
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Common questions
Can I visit Jakarta on a budget?
Yes, easily, with street food, the MRT and TransJakarta.
What is the cheapest way from the airport?
The airport train to BNI City, then MRT or a short Grab ride.
What is free in Jakarta?
Istiqlal Mosque, Monas park, Kota Tua's square, Glodok and Sunda Kelapa harbour.