Hey! Budget trip to Jakarta was never really part of the plan… especially not when I was still recovering financially after our Tokyo trip.
A few months after our Japan adventure, we found ourselves heading to Jakarta, Indonesia. Honestly, I was already reluctant near the travel date because my bank account was screaming for help. At that time, I didn’t have much money left.
After pre-deducting pet sitter expenses, we were left with roughly RM500 for a 4 days 3 nights budget trip to Jakarta. And the real question was: can we actually survive this?
Spoiler alert: we did.
Survival Mode Activated
Going into this budget trip to Jakarta, we were mentally prepared for struggle meals, long walks, and maybe even skipping desserts (painful, I know). But surprisingly, Jakarta turned out to be… affordable. Like, shockingly affordable.
Transport, food, and even hotels were way cheaper than expected. Of course, we didn’t go for 3–5 star hotels. Even budget hotels felt “expensive” for our standard, but thanks to my intense research skills, we managed to book a really decent hotel for around RM50 per night.
For the price we paid during this budget trip to Jakarta, the experience was honestly above expectations. Room service was cheap, breakfast buffet was cheap… at this point, everything felt cheap. Even Grab and Gojek rides were ridiculously affordable, which made moving around super easy and stress-free.
Cheap Transport, Food & A Surprisingly Comfortable Stay
This budget trip to Jakarta really proved that you don’t need a big budget to travel comfortably.
We used Grab and Gojek for almost everything. The prices were so reasonable that we didn’t even bother considering public transport. Comfort won. Our hotel stay was also unexpectedly good. Clean room, decent service, and breakfast buffet that didn’t break the bank. For RM50-ish per night, I would honestly say we got more than what we paid for.
Gratitude Hits Different When You’re on a Budget Trip
Because this was a budget trip to Jakarta, we were very cautious with spending. But something interesting happened, since everything felt cheap, we actually had the chance to give more. We were reluctant at first about tipping, knowing it’s not really part of the culture there, but we still insisted on showing appreciation. And honestly, the staff were always so kind and sincere. It felt like they genuinely took pride in their work, and that made us want to give back even more.
No Shopping, No Problem
With just RM500 for this budget trip to Jakarta, shopping was basically off the table. Not sure if we didn’t shop because we couldn’t afford it… or because there was nothing that really caught our attention. Maybe both. Lol.
But surprisingly, we didn’t feel like we missed out.
Airport Experience & First Impressions
One thing that really impressed us during this budget trip to Jakarta was the airport. It was beautiful, modern, and surprisingly efficient. Our baggage came out almost immediately at the carousel, and immigration was fast and smooth. Everything just… worked.
Travel Tips for Malaysians
If you’re planning your own budget trip to Jakarta, here are a few things we learned:
- First, you need to register at All Indonesia for arrival (system only allows 3 days prior): https://allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id/
Please make sure you use the correct official website. I almost got scammed because I clicked the wrong site that asked me to pay around USD80 for visa processing. For Malaysians, visa is FREE for 30 days. So don’t fall for that. Second, you can register yourself and your family together as lead traveller and accompanying travellers. It works fine at immigration. - Before departing, make sure you get your eSIM ready and activated. It really makes the whole trip smoother, especially for navigation, Grab/Gojek, and staying connected on the go. I personally just bought mine from Klook. Super easy setup, no stress at the airport. If you want to support, you can use my referral link: https://s.klook.com/c/pwpJrW7J3W or use code NSG4Y2 .
- During our budget trip to Jakarta, we barely used cash. Most places accept QR payments via TNG eWallet using QRIS. Just tell them you want to pay via QRIS and it will automatically convert your Ringgit to Rupiah. Super convenient.
- We were honestly impressed. In Jakarta, halal certification is very clear. Whether it’s food, skincare, or even perfume products. If it’s halal, it will be clearly labelled. So for Muslim travellers, you can travel with peace of mind.
- If you want to save more on your budget trip to Jakarta, you can try Gojek motor rides (even cheaper). But honestly, Grab and Gojek car rides are already cheap enough, so we mostly used those for comfort.
- We also discovered something interesting…You can actually book a massage to your hotel room! Just ask the front desk or Google local services. They will come to your hotel. Just remember to confirm if transportation fee is included.
The Downside
- One downside of our budget trip to Jakarta was souvenirs.
- It wasn’t easy to find dedicated souvenir shops in the city. Most things we found were in supermarkets with limited options. The only proper souvenir-heavy place? The airport. But of course, airport prices are never friendly.
Final Thoughts on Our Budget Trip to Jakarta
I honestly wish we had more time in Jakarta. More courage to explore the streets, try more street food, and experience the city deeper. Imagine this: breakfast buffet already RM15–20… so street food must be even cheaper. We even had KOI Thé for RM14 for two cups. Crazy.
What I loved most about this budget trip to Jakarta was the people. Hardworking, polite, and proud of their roles. Even at the airport, everyone was smiling and professional. It made me think… travel isn’t just about places. It’s about people too.
And maybe, just maybe… you don’t always need a big budget to create a meaningful trip. Because this budget trip to Jakarta proved one thing: You can still explore the world, even when your wallet says “please don’t.”
If you would like to contribute to my dream of travelling again someday, you can buy me a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/nlymr. Thanks for reading!