Hey everyone!
Christmas 2025 falls on a Thursday, leading straight into a long weekend with New Year 2026. It’s a golden opportunity for a vacation, but wallets often suffer if not planned carefully. Don’t worry, I’ve rounded up 15 proven ways to save on your Christmas & New Year holiday (even for a family of 4!). Let’s dive in!
1. Choose “Close to Home” Destinations That Are Still Aesthetic
- Central Java: Dieng Plateau, mini Karimunjawa (Kartini Beach Jepara), Umbul Sidomukti
- West Java: Lembang, Ciwidey, Situ Patenggang
- East Java: Batu Malang, Tumpak Sewu, Bromo via budget routes
Advantage: Cheaper fuel/tolls, you can drive your own car.
2. Book Tickets & Accommodation NOW (December 2025)
Train/plane ticket prices for December 24-31 are still “normal.” If you wait until next week, they could rise 50-100%!
3. Take Advantage of “Buy Now, Travel Later” Promotions
- Traveloka PayLater + EPIC Sale (0% installment up to 12 months)
- Tiket.com XTRA Points
- RedDoorz / OYO “Christmas Flash Sale” – lots of 40-60% discounts
4. Choose Non-Hotel Accommodation (Cheaper & More Instagramable)
- Villas on Airbnb (split costs with 8-10 people)
- Glamping (example: Glamping Lakeside Ciwidey only 400-600k per night)
- Local homestays (chat directly with owners on IG, often cheaper than apps)
5. Bring Your Own Snacks & Drinks
Eating at tourist spots is super expensive. Pack:
- Homemade lunch boxes
- Refillable water from gallons
- Snacks (bread, biscuits, fruit)
6. Use Bundled/All-Inclusive Tickets
Examples:
- Jatim Park Group (one ticket for 3-4 attractions)
- Borobudur area (bundled ticket for temple + museum)
7. Avoid Peak Dates (December 24-25 & 31)
Shift your holiday to December 26-30 or January 2-4 → hotel & ticket prices can drop 30-50%.
8. Use Public Transport + Rent a Motorcycle
Example budget route:
Jakarta → Bandung by bus → rent motorcycle 70k/day (cheaper than constant online taxis)
9. Look for Free Spots That Are Still Beautiful
- City squares with Christmas lights
- Instagramable bridges
- Hills for sunrise/sunset
10. Daily Budget Max 500-700k for 4 People (Realistic!)
Example breakdown:
- Fuel/tolls: 500k round trip
- Accommodation 3 nights: 1.8-2.5 million
- Food: 150k/day × 4 days = 600k
- Attraction tickets: 800k
Total ≈ 4-4.5 million → still under 5 million!
Bonus Super Budget Tips
- Join open trips (many local travels offer Christmas trips starting at 500k/person)
- Share fuel costs with other friends/family
- Bring a sleeping bag if you want to camp cheaply
Christmas holidays don’t have to be expensive. The important thing is quality time with loved ones and aesthetic photos for your December feed!
Where are you planning to go for Christmas this year? Share in the comments I might have even cheaper recommendations!
