Which place is cheaper, Lombok or Koh Samet?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Samet or Lombok?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Lombok, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Koh Samet or Lombok?
Koh Samet
The country of Thailand is full of some of the world's most stunning beauty and peaceful settings. So it begs the question, where the Thai people go to get away from it all? They go to Ko Samet on the eastern gulf coast. Located just outside of Bangkok, Ko Samet provides visitors an easily accessible and desirable weekend getaway spot. With white beaches and coral of every other color, this island has steadily developed over the last few years without an intense construction increase like many other Thai beaches. Once thought to be the home of pirates, this island provides plenty to wonder about including, are there hidden treasures under that gorgeous white sand?
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $96Lombok $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $96, 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 Koh Samet and Lombok in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $32Lombok $29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $64Lombok $58
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Lombok
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet 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: Koh Samet Hotel Prices and Lombok Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $68Lombok $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lombok
Also for Lombok, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Service to Lombok Airport : $22
- Airport transfer from Lombok Airport to Kuta Mandalika : $23
- Gili Trawangan, Air, or 1-Way Boat Transfer to Bali: $25
- Airport Transfer: Airport To Kuta/kuta To Airport: $27
- Lombok Airport Transfer : $27
- Lombok Int. Airport LOP to Lombok - Arrival Private Transfer: $29
- Lombok to Lombok Int Airport (LOP) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Private Transfer from Senggigi to Lombok Airport (LOP): $31
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Bintaro: $31
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Senggigi: $31
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Mataram: $31
- Private Transfer from Lombok Island Hotels to Lombok Cruise Port: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Lombok?
Prices for flights to both Lombok and Koh Samet 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 dayKoh Samet $27Lombok $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
- Kids Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $63
- Amazing Lombok BBQ Beach Sunset Dinner: $86
- Lombok Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $100
- Royal Dinner Experience in Lombok at Royal Tugudom: $117
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $8.96Lombok $10
Tours and Activities in Lombok
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lombok.
- Gili T Island: The Thrilling Sunset Snorkeling Adventure: $17
- Lombok Private Custom Tour - Lombok Car Hire with Driver : $31
- Half-Day Mataram City Tour: $44
- Lombok City Tour combination With Temple Tour : $49
- Mataram Lombok Historical City tour: $49
- Complete your Lombok Holiday with Lombok Instagram Tour: $50
- Beach Tour in Lombok Indonesia: $51
- Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile Waterfall Trekking Tour: $55
- Daily Sasak Tour Lombok: $57
- Private Lombok Cycling Tour : Lingsar Temple, Rice Field, Village & Market Tour: $59
- Best Lombok Rice Terrace Walking Tour With Waterfall & Monkey: $60
- Snorkeling 3 Gili West Lombok Daily Tour (Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, Gili Kedis): $61
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $4.68Lombok $8.15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Lombok, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Lombok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Koh Samet would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Samet 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 Koh Samet Expensive? and Is Lombok Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Lombok?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Koh Samet or Lombok in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Lombok. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year.
Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in July than Lombok. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Lombok in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Lombok fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Lombok 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Lombok in the Autumn?
Both Lombok and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Lombok. It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In October, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Lombok. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Lombok. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samet in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Lombok averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Lombok 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Lombok in the Winter?
Both Lombok and Koh Samet during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round.
Koh Samet usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Lombok. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Koh Samet. In the winter, Koh Samet often gets more sunshine than Lombok. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lombok receives 188 hours of full sun.
In January, Koh Samet is generally cooler than Lombok. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 25°C (77°F), and Lombok fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Lombok 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Lombok in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Lombok. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Lombok. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Lombok in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Lombok fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Lombok 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Lombok and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Lombok | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 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.