Which place is cheaper, Malang or Lhasa?
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 Lhasa or Malang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lhasa or Malang? 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: Lhasa or Malang?
Lhasa
Lhasa is the famed capital of Tibet, and is one of the most fascinating cities in the world to visit. It's name means "Land of the Gods" and the city dates back more than 1,300 years. It's elevation is 3,650 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest cities in the world. It sits on the northern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains by the Lhasa River and is the second largest city on the Tibetan Plateau after Xining.
Malang
Malang is a city in East Java, Indonesia. It's a cultured city with several important universities, and is home to a large student population. Prized by the Dutch for its mild highland climate, the city retains much of its colonial architecture. Established by the Dutch in the closing decades of the 18th century, Malang earned its first fortunes from coffee, which flourished on the surrounding hillsides. Today, the city's colonial grandeur is quickly disappearing behind the homogenous facades of more modern developments, but there's still much to admire. The Balai Kota building blends Indonesian and Dutch styles, and grand mansions line the main boulevard, Jalan Besar Ijen. To the east is Mt. Bromo, a volcano with hiking trails. The central area is not too large and quite walkable. And with a number of Hindu temples and sights outside the city, Malang makes an ideal base to explore this intriguing corner of east Java.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia.
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Lhasa Prices
China PricesMalang Prices
Indonesia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLhasa $91Malang $76
The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $91, while the average daily cost in Malang is $76. 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 Lhasa and Malang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLhasa $40Malang $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLhasa $80Malang $86
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Malang
Looking for a hotel in Lhasa or Malang? 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: Malang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lhasa $2.60Malang $1.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa
Also for Lhasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lhasa Kongga Airport Chauffeur Service, Lhasa Airport Transfer, Pickup: $170
- Lhasa Kongga Airport private Transfer: $260
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malang:
- Yogyakarta ;Transfer Service From Yogyakarta to Bromo/Malang: $109
- Private Transfer - Malang To Surabaya International Airport: $38
- FROM YOGYAKARTA TRANSFER TO BROMO/SURABAYA/MALANG CITY.: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Malang?
Prices for flights to both Malang and Lhasa 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 dayLhasa $46Malang $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malang
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malang.
- Malang Cooking Class by Mam Warti: $20
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lhasa $17Malang $8.53
Tours and Activities in Lhasa
For Lhasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 5-Day Private Tour with Potala Palace & Yamdrok Lake: $1,299
- 17-Day Tibet Tour with Everest Base Camp: $3,759
- 17 Days Kailash Mansarovar Tour & Guge Kingdom Exploration: $13,185
Tours and Activities in Malang
Here are a few actual costs in Malang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day - Bromo Afternoon Siesta Tour start MALANG or SURABAYA // 11:00 - 18:00: $80
- 1 Day - Tumpak Sewu, Kapas Biru Waterfall, Goa Tetes cave* Tour // 07:30 - 17:00: $75
- 1 Day - ULTIMATE TOUR Tumpak Sewu Waterfall and Goa Tetes cave // 07:30 - 17:30: $52
- 1 Day Amazing Bromo Sunrise tour from Malang Surabaya 7 spots: $41
- 1 Day Mount Bromo Sharing Tour Package from Malang: $34
- 1Day - Bromo Non Sunrise Tour via Malang (to avoid crowd): $79
- 1Day - Bromo Sunrise Tour via Malang (Sharing or Private Jeep): $39
- 1Day - Malang Cycling Village Tour: $60
- 2 Days - Bromo Ijen Bali Ultimate Tour // D1 01.00 - D2 14.00: $175
- 2 Days Shared Tour from Malang to Mount Bromo and Ijen: $104
- 2-Day Tour: Mount Bromo & Tumpak Sewu from Malang or Surabaya: $164
- 2Days - Bromo Sunrise Ijen Adventure via Malang: $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLhasa $7.01Malang -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lhasa and Malang, we can see that Lhasa is more expensive. And not only is Malang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Malang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malang 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 Lhasa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lhasa than you might in Malang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lhasa Expensive? and Is Malang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Malang?
Malang has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Lhasa. When comparing the sizes of Lhasa and Malang, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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.