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

Should you visit Jaisalmer or Lombok?

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

Should I visit Jaisalmer 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: Jaisalmer or Lombok?

Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer is located in western part of the Rajasthan state of India. The city is known as the "Golden City" for its Sonar Qila, or 'Golden Fort'. This fort is different than other forts in India in that it is a living fort, meaning that it contains many hotels, homes, and shops for locals and visitors. The city is very close to the Thar Desert, to which excursions can be made.

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 Jaisalmer?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Jaisalmer is $37, 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 Jaisalmer and Lombok in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Jaisalmer 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 Jaisalmer


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: Jaisalmer Hotel Prices and Lombok Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jaisalmer $12
    Lombok $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer

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

  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Delhi: $197
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Agra: $181
  • Jaipur to Jaisalmer Transfer: $170
  • Private Transfers Jaisalmer To Bikaner Drop: $123
  • Private transfer from Jaisalmer to Bikaner: $120
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jaipur: $117
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Ahmedabad: $117
  • Private One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer To Pushkar: $94
  • Transfer From Jaisalmer To Udaipur Via Ranakpur Jain Temple: $90
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Pushkar: $85
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Bikaner: $65
  • Jaisalmer To Bikaner Private One Way Transfer: $64

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 Jaisalmer or Lombok?

Prices for flights to both Lombok and Jaisalmer 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
    Jaisalmer $13
    Lombok $12
Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:


  • Dinner
    $4.78

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaisalmer

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

  • Half Day SunSet Tour with Dinner: $26
  • Jaisalmer Heritage Cultural Walking & Street Food Tour: $28
  • Half Day Camel Safari Sunset with Dinner Tour (Non Touristic): $30
  • Pleasant Sunset Safari With Dinner On Dunes (From 2:00 PM to Approx. 10:00 PM): $33
  • Peaceful Non -Touristic Sunset Camel Safari With Dinner : $35
  • Sunset Safari With Dinner: $37
  • Half Day Desert Safari with Camel ride & dinner: $42
  • Sun Set Safari with Dinner: $45
  • 4×4 Jeep Safari And Camel Safari With Dinner On Sand dunes: $48
  • Away from the Crowd Dinner on dunes/ In Non Touristic Desert: $55
  • DiNnER iN HeVeN /aT Golden Desert of Jaisalmer: $55
  • DiNnER !N G0LdEN DE$ERT 0F jASeLMeR: $55

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.
    Jaisalmer $12
    Lombok $10
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jaisalmer

For Jaisalmer, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Sam Sand Dunes for Two
    $3.59

Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer

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

  • Private Full-Day Tour of Jaisalmer with Guide: $33
  • 1 Night Desert Experience Sleeping Under Star Near Jodhpur: $56
  • 1 night 2 day thar desert experience & village lifestyle: $38
  • 2 Days-1 Night Camel Tour: $103
  • 2 Nights 3 Days Jaisalmer Tour & Non-Touristic Camel Safari: $210
  • 2-Night Desert Experience with Luxury Camp from Jaisalmer: $213
  • 3 Days Jaisalmer Private Tour: $180
  • 3 Days Jaisalmer Tour From Jodhpur: $270
  • 3 days Jaisalmer Private Tour with Desert Safari, Sightseeing and Accommodation: $203
  • 3-Day Private Tour of Jaisalmer with Desert Camp Experience: $173
  • 4 - Days Jaisalmer And Jodhpur Combo Tour: $180
  • 4 - Days Jaisalmer Sightseeing Tour: $150

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
    Jaisalmer $9.23
    Lombok $8.15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaisalmer and Lombok, we can see that Lombok is more expensive. And not only is Jaisalmer much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jaisalmer would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jaisalmer 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 Jaisalmer.

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