Which place is cheaper, Lombok or Dar es Salaam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Lombok?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dar es Salaam and Lombok can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Lombok?
Dar es Salaam
Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.
Lombok
Lombok is an island east of the well-tread Bali and west of lesser-developed Sumbawa. While Lombok is not as popular as its neighbor to the west, it is a great place to visit for that very reason. Less popularity means lower prices for accommodations, food, activities, and less-inundated tourist spots. Nonetheless, Lombok is rapidly developing in tourism, and the government is naming it and Sumbawa the number two tourism spots, following Bali.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesLombok Prices
Indonesia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $458Lombok $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $458, while the average daily cost in Lombok is $56. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Dar es Salaam and Lombok in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $420Lombok $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $840Lombok $52
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Lombok
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Lombok? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Dar es Salaam Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $13Lombok $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private VIP Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with two way transfers: $249
- Transfer from dar es salaam to morogoro: $203
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
- Private Airport Transfers in Dar: $60
- Half-Day City Tour with Transfers: $59
- Zanzibar Airport Shared Taxi Transfer to Any Hotel: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lombok
Also for Lombok, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 6, or 8-Day Guided Tour with Transfers: $370
- Private Transfer from Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ) to Lopok: $159
- Private Transfer from Lopok to Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ): $159
- Eka Jaya Boat Transfer from Lombok to Padang Bai: $114
- Private Transfer from Brang Biji to Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ): $100
- Private Transfer from Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ) to Brang Bara: $96
- Private Transfer from Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ) to Lempeh: $96
- Private Transfer from Lempeh to Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ): $96
- Private Transfer from Pekat to Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ): $96
- Fast Transfer by Private Speedboat&Car (Gili → Kuta Lombok): $81
- Private Transfer from Sokong to Lombok Airport (LOP): $77
- Eka Jaya Boat Transfer from Lombok to Serangan: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Lombok?
Prices for flights to both Lombok and Dar es Salaam change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayDar es Salaam $30Lombok $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dar es Salaam
For Dar es Salaam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dar es Salaam Night Tour with Local Dinner and Private Transfers: $49
- Dar es Salaam Old Town Walking and Food Tour With Transfers: $70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lombok
For Lombok, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Gili Trawangan: Authentic Indonesian Food Gili Cooking Class: $44
- Exquisite Dinner with Spectacular View at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $64
- Traditional Cooking Class Experience With Recipes From The Past Generations: $70
- Royal Dinner Experience in Lombok at Royal Tugudom: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Lombok $9.38
Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
- 2 Days 1 Night Bagamoyo Historical Tour: $300
- Ancient Bagamoyo City Day Tour: $249
- Bagamoyo Full-Day Tour: Historic Slave Market & Kaole Ruins: $280
- Bagamoyo Historical Tour - Everyday: $199
- Bagamoyo Tour: $120
- Bongoyo Island Full Day Tour from Dar Es Salaam: $120
- Car Tour to Mikumi National Park for You: $270
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $160
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour. All Must See Things (Private Guide and car) Full day: $220
- Dar Es Salaam Local Markets and Village-National Museum Day tour: $150
- Dar es Salaam Architectural Guided Walking Tour and History: $22
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
Tours and Activities in Lombok
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lombok.
- 2D/1N (Hostel) Backpacker Lombok Tour Package: $205
- 3 Days Lombok Sharing Tour: $145
- 3 day lombok tour gili island, culture trip,waterfall trip: $250
- 3D 2N Mount Rinjani Trekking Tour To Summit And Lake: $232
- 5 Gilis Snorkeling Tour : Gede, Rengit, Layar, Asahan & Goleng: $78
- Benang Kelambu & Stokel Waterfalls and Handweaving Village Tour: $60
- Benang Kelambu Waterfall Experience from Lombok: $43
- Discover Lombok Half Day City Tour: $94
- Exclusive Private Experience: 5 Secret Gili Islands: $81
- Exclusive Private Lombok Car Hire & Customized Tour: $43
- Excursions for Cruise Ship Passengers: $71
- Full-Day Lombok Sasak Village and Beach Private Tour: $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.42Lombok $7.42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Lombok, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Lombok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa and Lombok 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 Lombok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lombok 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 Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam than you might in Lombok.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is Lombok Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Dar es Salaam or Lombok?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Lombok in the Summer?
Both Lombok and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Lombok is May to September. In July, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Lombok. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Lombok. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dar es Salaam in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Lombok averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Lombok 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Lombok in the Autumn?
Both Lombok and Dar es Salaam during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dar es Salaam because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round.
November to April is the rainy season in Lombok. Lombok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in October than Lombok. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Lombok. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (78°F), and Lombok fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Lombok 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Lombok in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Lombok. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Lombok. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Lombok during winter. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Lombok receives 188 hours of full sun in the winter.
Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Lombok in the winter. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Lombok fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Lombok 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Lombok in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Lombok. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year.
Also, May to September in Lombok is the dry season. November to April in Lombok is the rainy season. Dar es Salaam receives a lot of rain in the spring. Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in April than Lombok. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Lombok. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dar es Salaam in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Lombok averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Lombok 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Lombok and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Lombok | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.