A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Darjiling vs. Lombok for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Darjiling or Lombok?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Darjiling or Lombok? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Darjiling or Lombok?

Darjiling

What began as a cluster of villages grew to prominence in the 19th Century when the British first established a hill station here and eventually realized that the climate was well-suited for tea plantations. Darjeeling (or Darjiling) has since become known for its teas in addition to cultural diversity, stunning views, and trekking opportunities.

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 Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Lombok or Darjiling?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Darjiling is $35, while the average daily cost in Lombok is $52. 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 Darjiling and Lombok in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Darjiling $13
    Lombok $29
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Darjiling $26
    Lombok $58
Compare Hotels in Darjiling and Lombok

Looking for a hotel in Darjiling 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.

Hotels in Darjiling


Hotels in Lombok


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: Darjiling Hotel Prices and Lombok Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Darjiling $7.48
    Lombok $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darjiling

Also for Darjiling, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Rafting Journey at the Down on Teesta River's White Water with Private Transfer: $197
  • Private Transfer Darjeeling Hotels To Bagdogra Airport IXB Drop: $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lombok

Also for Lombok, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ) to Wisata Alam Semongkat: $210
  • Private Transfer from Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ) to Lopok: $152
  • Private Transfer from Dusun Setangi to Lombok Airport (LOP): $93
  • Airport transfer from lombok airport to Senaru rinjiani area: $76
  • Lombok Airport Private Transfer by Car: $75
  • Lombok Airport to Gili Islands - Private Shuttle & Transfer: $59
  • Lombok Int Airport (LOP) to Lombok - Round Trip Private Transfer: $59
  • Eka Jaya Boat Transfer from Lombok to Padang Bai: $58
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Batu Bolong: $50
  • Private Transfer from Bangsal to Lombok Airport (LOP): $50
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Sigar Penjalin: $50
  • Private Transfer from Sigar Penjalin to Lombok Airport (LOP): $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Darjiling or Lombok?

Prices for flights to both Lombok and Darjiling 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Darjiling $14
    Lombok $12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lombok

For Lombok, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Anggrek Putih Cooking Class & Garden Tour: $38
  • Love and Legends: The Ultimate Romantic Dinner on the beach : $47
  • Babah Peranakan Chinese Cuisine Dinner in Lombok: $60
  • Kids Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $63
  • Exquisite Dinner with Spectacular View at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $64
  • Traditional Cooking Class Experience With Recipes From The Past Generations: $67

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Darjiling $12
    Lombok $10

Tours and Activities in Darjiling

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Darjiling.

  • 5-Day Private Tour of Gangtok and Darjeeling: $246
  • A Full Day Tour Of Darjeeling: $232
  • Best of Gangtok (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $84
  • Colonial Heritage Walking Tour in Darjeeling: $31
  • Darjeeling Full-Day Sightseeing Tour with Guide & Transports: $98
  • Darjeeling Tea Garden Tour : $31
  • Day Trip to Buddha Park (Guided Private Sightseeing Tour from Gangtok): $148
  • Day Trip to Darjeeling (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Gangtok): $148
  • Day Trip to Kalimpong (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling): $148
  • Day Trip to Kalimpong (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Gangtok): $148
  • Day Trip to Singalila (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling): $258
  • Day_Trippers (Darjeeling Full Day Tour).: $117

Tours and Activities in Lombok

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lombok.

  • 2 Days Private Tetebatu and Rinjani Nature Tour in Lombok: $169
  • 2D/1N (Hostel) Backpacker Lombok Tour Package: $205
  • 3 Days Mount Rinjani Complete Tour @All In One Price: $221
  • 3 Days Tour in Mount Rinjani Summit with Lake Hiking : $269
  • 3D 2N Mount Rinjani Trekking Tour To Summit And Lake: $185
  • Beach Tour in Lombok Indonesia: $51
  • Benang Kelambu Waterfall And Culture Full Day Tour : $75
  • Best Lombok Rice Terrace Walking Tour With Waterfall & Monkey: $60
  • Camping Tour in Sasak Mountain Lombok Island: $89
  • Complete your Lombok Holiday with Lombok Instagram Tour: $50
  • Cultural Tour of Lombok with English Speaking Guide: $63
  • Daily Tour: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Darjiling $8.77
    Lombok $8.15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Darjiling and Lombok, we can see that Lombok is more expensive. And not only is Darjiling much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Darjiling would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Darjiling 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 Lombok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lombok than you might in Darjiling.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Darjiling Expensive? and Is Lombok Expensive?.