When we first planned four weeks in Yogyakarta, we weren’t sure what our budget would look like. Bali usually gets all the attention, but Yogyakarta surprised us, it’s affordable, full of culture, and packed with kid-friendly adventures. From ancient temples to endless street food stalls, we fit a lot into our month here without blowing our savings. In this post, we’re breaking down exactly what we spent as a family of four so you can get a realistic idea of travel costs in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
In total, we spent $3,005.00 over four weeks, averaging $107.32 per day for our family of four. Here’s how that breaks down. All amounts are listed in U.S. dollars.
Accommodation—$1,481.18 or $52.90 per night.
AirBnB in Jakarta– After arriving from Thailand, we spent one night in Jakarta before continuing on to Yogyakarta. Hotels in the city were surprisingly expensive for just a layover, so we opted for an Airbnb. It wasn’t fancy, but it did the job and saved us a good chunk of money.
Total: $44.21 for one night
AirBnB in Yogyakarta– Our main stay was in an Airbnb near Ngasem Traditional Market, which gave us easy access to fresh produce and a more cultural, local vibe. The house had three bedrooms, a washer, and a full kitchen, everything we needed to feel at home. That said, if we were to do it again, we’d stay further north, where there are more playgrounds and kid-friendly cafés. It would have made daily outings with the kids easier. Still, this place worked well for slow travel.
Total; $1384.01 for 28 nights
AirBnB in Jakarta– Before flying out of Indonesia, we stayed in another Airbnb near the international airport. This gave us peace of mind and a stress-free morning on departure day, which is always worth it when traveling with little ones.
Total: $42.96
Eating Out – $294.27
One of the best parts of spending a month in Yogyakarta was the variety of food. We mixed it up, eating at local street stalls, splurging on unique cafés, and finding reliable Western spots when the kids got picky. Here’s where our money went:
- Starbucks, Gambir Train Station (Jakarta): $9.41
Early morning train rides call for caffeine. We grabbed a quick breakfast here before heading to Yogyakarta. - Pizza Hut: $16.06
Sometimes you just need something you know the kids will eat. We stopped here while running errands at the mall and stocking up on toys for the month ahead. - Kumpeni: $17.63
A simple coffee and ice cream shop just a few doors down from our Airbnb. It became our go-to for quick treats. - Blanco Books & Coffee: $6.44
This little café was lined with books, which kept the kids happily browsing while we enjoyed our coffee. - Grab Food Delivery: $65.78
When we didn’t feel like going out, Grab was our lifesaver. We ordered everything from kebabs to Chinese food to local rice dishes. - Wingstop: $15.05
Another safe choice when the kids were in a picky phase, chicken wings always win. - Epic Coffee: $24.91
Hands down one of our favorite cafés. Set in a warehouse-style furniture shop, the burgers were great and the outdoor seating made it easy to relax with the kids. - Gudeg Wijilan Bu Hi Wildodo: $7.50
We couldn’t leave Jogja without trying Gudeg, the city’s signature dish made with jackfruit and chicken. Eating it on the floor at low tables in the old town felt authentic and memorable. - Alun Alun Street Food: $11.51
One of our favorite family nights out. A big open-air market with endless food stalls, fried snacks, seafood, and drinks, all set around a rare green space in the old town. - Klinik Kopik: $8.55
An absolute highlight for coffee lovers. Modeled like a doctor’s office, you wait your turn and then get a personalized coffee session with a “coffee doctor.” He hand-picked beans (Sumatra, Java, Ethiopia) and brewed them right in front of us. A must-try. - Bakpia Pathok 25: $12.30
Bakpia pastries are everywhere in Yogyakarta, but this shop is the most famous. We tried the classic mung bean filling along with chocolate, cheese, and pineapple. Affordable, snackable, and addicting. - BS Resto (Borobudur/Prambanan tour stop): $12.76
A tour-group restaurant with standard Western and Indonesian dishes. Not our favorite, but convenient. - Lowak Coffee: $7.34
Yes, we tried the infamous civet coffee. Expensive, but we had to sample one of the world’s rarest brews. - Tanamera Coffee: $13.05
One of the best coffees we had in Yogyakarta, with food that matched the quality. - Roaster and Bear: $13.87
A trendy café in the north with massive stuffed bears for the kids to play with and thin-crust pizza we all enjoyed. Very Instagrammable. - Tempo Gelato: $9.86
This place has 20,000+ reviews and lived up to the hype. Beautiful design, delicious gelato, and a fun vibe. - Esco Restaurant: $13.24
Best burger we’d had in months. Cool brick interior, relaxed vibe. - De Tropen Jogja Kitchen: $13.90
One of the most kid-centric restaurants we found, complete with a large play space in the back and easy kid-friendly food. - All Rich (at Oddish Play Space): $15.11
Attached to the indoor playground Oddish. After two hours of play, it was nice to grab Japanese food without leaving the building.
Tip: Eating local in Yogyakarta can be as cheap as $2–3 a meal, but cafés and Western restaurants add up quickly. We balanced both, which made our food budget reasonable while still enjoying some unique experiences.
Read our dedicated blog posts on the best cafes and unique restaurants in Yogyakarta.
Groceries – $326.53
Because we were in Yogyakarta for a full month, groceries became an important part of our budget. We split our shopping between large hypermarkets for staples and smaller markets for fresh produce. Like anywhere, once you’re in town long enough, you figure out the best spots for each category. Here’s how our grocery budget played out:
- Ngasem Traditional Market: $89.34
Our go-to for fresh produce and eggs. We went here every couple of days, and the prices were unbeatable. This is also where we felt most connected to local daily life. - Jazirah Middle Eastern Store: $44.15
A fun find while exploring the neighborhood. They stocked Himalayan pink salt, extra virgin olive oil, honey, almonds, and dates. We ended up coming back several times for healthier pantry staples. - Jogja City Hypermart: $66.92
The place for basics, dairy, packaged goods, and kid snacks. Convenient when we needed a one-stop shop. - Dapur Uthi of Sourdough: $10.08
We couldn’t resist this bakery. The owner was incredibly friendly, and the sourdough became a weekly treat. - Toko Prongo Hypermarket: $59.25
Another big-box option with almost everything you could need. Their “healthy foods” section was tiny, but it covered some basics. - Hypermart at Pakuwon Mall: $56.79
Located in a huge international mall, this spot was where we stocked up on pantry staples during family mall trips.
Tip: Traditional markets are the cheapest (and freshest) for produce, but pairing them with a hypermarket makes life much easier. If you’re staying for more than a week, you’ll save money and time by knowing where to buy what.
Total: $326.53 (around $11.66 per day for a family of four)
Transportation – $452.93
I have purposely omitted the price of our flight to Jakarta as people will be flying or traveling in from all parts of the world. When flying, we use Daily Drop Pro to help us search for redemption bookings from points we have earned from our favorite credit card!
Getting around Yogyakarta was a mix of convenience and patience. We relied heavily on Grab (Southeast Asia’s version of Uber), walked when we could, and took the train for our longer journey to and from Jakarta. One thing to note: Yogyakarta traffic is no joke, bumper to bumper and painfully slow at times. Always build in extra time if you’re traveling across the city with kids.
- Grab: $132.15
This was our go-to for getting around the city, whether it was quick trips to cafés, the mall, or out to explore. Affordable and convenient, especially with little ones in tow. - Train (Round Trip Jakarta ↔ Yogyakarta): $319.56
By far our biggest transportation cost. Trains in Indonesia are pricier compared to other parts of Southeast Asia, but we still preferred this option over flying. With kids, skipping the airport lines, security checks, and long transfers is worth it. Plus, Yogyakarta’s airport is nearly an hour from the city center, making the train the more practical choice for us. Read more on train vs plane to get to Yogyakarta here. - Ojek: $1.22
We couldn’t resist trying the traditional motorbike taxi with a small carriage attached in front. Fun for the experience, but not something we’d recommend regularly with kids. Between the car exhaust and the lack of safety features, once or twice was enough.
Tip: If you’re traveling as a family, Grab is the easiest and most reliable option inside the city. Trains are comfortable and scenic for long distances, but plan ahead since tickets do sell out.
Tourist Attractions – $128.81
We like to keep a balance when traveling: cultural attractions for us, guided tours for learning, and plenty of kid-centric activities so our little ones enjoy the adventure too. Yogyakarta had a surprisingly good mix of all three, and here’s what we did:
- Horse-Drawn Carriage: $9.21
You’ll see these all around town, so of course we had to try it once. The kids loved it, though it’s definitely more of a one-time novelty. - Taman Pintar & Planetarium: $10.75
A highlight for the kids. This interactive science center has hands-on exhibits, a planetarium show, and even an outdoor play space. Perfect for a hot afternoon indoors. Read our dedicated blog post here. - Taman Sari (Water Castle): $8.55
The old royal bathhouse of the Sultan, full of history and elegance. We tipped a guide who helped us find the water tower and explore hidden tunnels and car-free backstreets. Learn more by reading here. - Kraton Jogja (Sultan’s Palace): $4.27
We visited out of curiosity, but honestly, we’d skip this one next time. Not as engaging for families. - Gembira Loka Zoo: $18.81
A well-maintained zoo with monkeys, lemurs, and lions. The Asian elephants were especially active, making it a fun day for the kids. Read more about kid-friendly activities here. - Volkswagen Pedal Car: $3.03
Imagine pedaling a lit-up, tricked-out VW Beetle like the Flintstones around Alun Alun Square. Totally quirky and fun for an evening outing. - Kidzooonia (Indoor Play Space): $27.94
One of the best finds for little kids, giant ball pit, playground, and creative exhibits. We went twice because it was such a hit. - Guide Tip (Borobudur & Prambanan): $24.65
We booked a tour through GetYourGuide and gave our guide a personal tip. It was worth it for the insights and seamless logistics. Read how do to this with kids in one day. - Ibarbo Theme Park: $17.28
A small amusement park with rides, playgrounds, and activities. Great for younger kids who just need to burn energy. Read our dedicated blog post on Ibarbo Park here. - Oddish Family Hub: $4.32
Indoor/outdoor play hub where the kids could climb, run, and explore. Affordable and very family-friendly.
Tip: Mix sightseeing days with kid-focused activities. Yogyakarta is packed with history, but giving kids dedicated playtime made the whole trip smoother for everyone.
Miscellaneous – $167.76
Not every expense fits neatly into food, lodging, or transport. These are the small but necessary things that pop up when you’re traveling long-term as a family.
- Indonesia E-Visa on Arrival: $127.60 in total for 4 visas
Required for U.S. passport holders. We purchased this online ahead of time for smoother entry. - Airalo eSIM: $16.50
Airalo eSim is our go-to for staying connected. Having reliable data is essential for ordering Grabs, navigating the city, and keeping in touch. - Toys Kingdom: $13.28
We grabbed building blocks to keep the kids entertained during our month-long stay. Worth every penny for quiet playtime at home. - Haircuts: $3.36
Dad and our oldest both got trims, super affordable compared to back home. - Colored Pencils: $0.86
A quick replacement for art supplies the girls wore out. These little purchases add up but keep travel days easier. - Bata Shoes: $6.16
Our youngest needed new shoes, and Bata was a convenient and budget-friendly option.
Tip: Budget a little extra each month for kid-related purchases, whether it’s toys, art supplies, or a surprise growth spurt that means new shoes. These “small” expenses are part of real family travel.
Healthcare- $153.52
- Our travel insurance is SafetyWing Nomad Insurance– $112.56
- JIH: $40.96-Our oldest needed repeat X-rays on her ankle and re-evaluation with a pediatric orthopedic specialist.
Total: $3,005.00 or $107.32 per day
What We Learned
Transportation
Grab was by far the easiest way to get around the city as it was affordable, reliable, and stress-free with kids. The roundtrip train between Jakarta and Yogyakarta was pricier than trains we’ve taken elsewhere in Southeast Asia, but it was worth it. Skipping airport hassles, security lines, and long transfers made for a much smoother experience as a family.
Things to Do
Yogyakarta had a great balance of culture and kid-friendly fun. The temples like Borobudur and Prambanan are the big draw, but indoor play spaces like Kidzooonia and Oddish kept our kids just as excited. That balance made the trip feel doable for all of us, parents and kids alike.
Final Thoughts
Spending a month in Yogyakarta gave us the chance to really experience the city beyond a quick tourist stop. Our total budget was manageable, the food variety was incredible, and we found a rhythm that mixed cultural exploration with downtime for the kids. If you’re considering Yogyakarta with your family, know that it’s not just affordable, it’s rewarding. From local street food to unique cafés, historic sites to playgrounds, Yogyakarta is a place where both kids and adults can enjoy the adventure.
More on the Blog:
We answer the top FAQs about slow family travel here.
Check out how we pack like minimalists.
Read our thoughts on doing Prambanan and Borobudur Temples in one day.
