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

Should you visit Koh Samui or Lombok?

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

Should I visit Koh Samui 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: Koh Samui or Lombok?

Koh Samui

The largest island on the east coast of southern Thailand, Ko Samui (or Koh Samui) sees a good number of visitors every year who come for its lush rainforest, beautiful shores, and undersea wildlife. The size of the island is still small enough to allow visitors to circumnavigate it with a taxi or motorbike in a day, while hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can find plenty of inland activities in the hills and jungle.

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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Lombok or Koh Samui?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $56, while the average daily cost in Lombok is $53. 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 Samui and Lombok in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Samui $24
    Lombok $29
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Samui $48
    Lombok $58
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Lombok

Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui 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 Koh Samui


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: Koh Samui Hotel Prices and Lombok Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Samui $17
    Lombok $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Samui

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:


  • Scooter Rental
    $2.07
  • Gas for Scooter
    $1.10
  • Airport Taxi
    $12
  • Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach
    $12
  • Minibus- Airport to Chaweng
    $3.31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui

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

  • The Red Baron Luxury Yacht Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $149
  • ATV And Zipline Experience on Koh Samui with Transfer: $112
  • Ethical Elephant Home Guided Tour with Transfers: $83
  • Flyboard 15 minutes in Koh Samui beach + Roundtrip Transfer: $81
  • Private Transfer from Ko Samui Airport to Ko Samui Port: $75
  • Private Transfer from Ko Samui Cruise Port to Ko Samui Hotels: $75
  • Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $75
  • Guided Zipline Adventure in Ko Samui with Round Trip Transfer: $72
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Koh Samui Airports to Hotel by Minivan: $70
  • Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Island Hotels: $67
  • Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $67
  • Private Transfer from Taling Ngam to Samui (USM) Airport: $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: $213
  • Private Transfer from Lopok to Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ): $153
  • Private Transfer from Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ) to Lempeh: $94
  • Private Transfer from Dusun Setangi to Lombok Airport (LOP): $94
  • Private Transfer from Brang Biji to Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ): $94
  • Private Transfer from Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ) to Brang Biji: $94
  • Private Transfer from Lempeh to Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ): $94
  • Airport transfer from lombok airport to Senaru rinjiani area: $76
  • Lombok Airport Private Transfer by Car: $75
  • Airport Transfer: Airport To Senggigi/senggigi To Airport: $70
  • Lombok Airport to Gili Islands - Private Shuttle & Transfer: $59
  • Eka Jaya Boat Transfer from Lombok to Padang Bai: $53

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Lombok?

Prices for flights to both Lombok and Koh Samui 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
    Koh Samui $20
    Lombok $12
Typical Food Prices in Koh Samui

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


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $5.93

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Samui

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

  • Romantic 4-Course Dinner for Two on the Beach by the Amari Samui: $44
  • Cooking Class with Herbal Garden by Amari Koh Samui: $52
  • Koh Samui Sunset Dinner Cruise by RED BARON: $61
  • Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $69
  • Thai Cooking Class & Organic Micro Farm Experience - Farm to Table. Since 2015: $71
  • Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $71
  • Koh Samui Sunset Dinner Cruise: $73
  • Cooking Class in Ko Samui for Small Group : $73
  • Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour: $73
  • Koh Samui Jungle Kitchen - Half Day Cooking Class: $79
  • Thai Cooking Class in Koh Samui: $80
  • Red Baron Romantic Sunset Dinner Cruise: $90

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
  • Lombok Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $100
  • Royal Dinner Experience in Lombok at Royal Tugudom: $117

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Samui $11
    Lombok $11

Tours and Activities in Koh Samui

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

  • 4WD Buggy RZR. Tour 3 hrs. for 1-2 people per Buggy: $247
  • 6 Hrs Off Road 4x4 Adventure of Hidden Gems In Koh Samui Hills 1 - 4 persons: $120
  • 6 Hrs Off Road 4x4 Adventure of Hidden Gems In Koh Samui Hills 5 - 8 Persons: $148
  • Koh Samui Island ATV Quad Bike Adventure: $51
  • Koh Samui Nauti Ark Bar Boat Party Cruise: $70
  • Pig Island Experience By Speed Boat, Snorkeling, Kayaking Relaxing on the Beach: $50
  • Private Tour in Koh Samui Waterfall And Mummified Monk Temple: $198
  • koh samui island and water fall tour: $44
  • zip line adventure on mountain (8 Platforms 1200 m.): $51
  • 2 Day Halfmoon Festival Experience General Admission Pass: $62
  • 2-Hour Koh Samui ATV Quad Tour: $52
  • 2.5-Hours ATV Jungle Adventure Experience from Koh Phangan: $108

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: $171
  • 3 Days Mount Rinjani Complete Tour @All In One Price: $226
  • Beach Tour in Lombok Indonesia: $51
  • Benang Kelambu & Stokel (Waterfall Tour) : $67
  • Benang Kelambu Waterfall And Culture Full Day Tour : $75
  • Best Lombok Rice Terrace Walking Tour With Waterfall & Monkey: $60
  • Best Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep Waterfalls Tour: $70
  • Car Hire Lombok tradition village tour: $150
  • Complete your Lombok Holiday with Lombok Instagram Tour: $50
  • Daily Sasak Tour Lombok: $57
  • Daily Tour: $70
  • Day Tour Sindang Gile and tiu Kelep Waterfals : $130

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Samui $4.68
    Lombok $8.31


When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samui and Lombok, we can see that Koh Samui is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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



When is the best time to visit Koh Samui 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 Koh Samui or Lombok in the Summer?

Both Lombok and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Koh Samui. In July, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Lombok. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In July, Koh Samui is generally around the same temperature as Lombok. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Lombok fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh Samui 24°C (76°F) 
    Lombok 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Koh Samui or Lombok in the Autumn?

Both Lombok and Koh Samui during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round.

December to February is the dry season in Koh Samui. October to December is the rainy season in Koh Samui. Lombok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samui. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in October than Lombok. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Koh Samui is cooler than Lombok in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (75°F) in October, and Lombok fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh Samui 24°C (75°F) 
    Lombok 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Koh Samui or Lombok in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Lombok. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. In January, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Lombok. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In the winter, Koh Samui is cooler than Lombok. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samui in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Lombok averages at about 28°C (82°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh Samui 22°C (72°F) 
    Lombok 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Koh Samui or Lombok in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Lombok. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year.

Koh Samui usually gets less rain in April than Lombok. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In April, Koh Samui is generally cooler than Lombok. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Lombok fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh Samui 24°C (76°F) 
    Lombok 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Lombok and Koh Samui

Koh Samui Lombok
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 122 mm (4.8 in)
Mar 23°C (74°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Apr 24°C (76°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 145 mm (5.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 24°C (76°F) 143 mm (5.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 24°C (76°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 196 mm (7.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Oct 24°C (75°F) 240 mm (9.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 23°C (74°F) 335 mm (13.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 216 mm (8.5 in)
Dec 23°C (73°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)