A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lombok vs. Adelaide for Beaches, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Lombok or Adelaide?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lombok and Adelaide. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Lombok

Lombok is a peaceful, laid back, and cultural island. Lombok is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Lombok travel costs.

Adelaide

Adelaide is a under-rated, elegant, and welcoming city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Adelaide travel costs.

Lombok and Adelaide: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lombok or Adelaide?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lombok. Although Lombok and Adelaide are popular destinations, Lombok has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lombok is more touristy than Adelaide and is known for its striking natural beauty, pristine beaches, and local culture. It is also well known for Mount Rinjani. Adelaide is famous for its wine scene, vibrant festivals, green spaces, and local sporting events.

How is Lombok different from Adelaide?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Adelaide and Lombok. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lombok or Adelaide?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Lombok and Adelaide.

Lombok offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The island has many traditional villages that let you glimpse the fascinating Sasak Tribe's culture. This is the largest tribe on the island and it makes up about 85% of the island's population. Sasak Sade Village is large and popular to visit. A visit offers a unique experience and helps you understand more about the island's culture.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Adelaide. There are some interesting buildings along North Terrace such as the Parliament House, the State Library of South Australia, and the South Australian Museum. At the Botanic Garden there's the Santos Museum of Economic Botany. Also make sure you check out the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Is the Food Better in Lombok or Adelaide? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lombok is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Lombok. The island is considered world renowned for its Halal cuisine, and there are many popular local dishes that you should try. Ayam Taliwang is a grilled chicken dish, Satay Rembiga is grilled meat served over rice, and Bebalung is a soup that's made with goat or cow ribs.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Adelaide. There's great wine, local restaurants, and charming cafes. You'll find local dishes as well as international flavors around town. The local produce is good and the restaurants offer fresh and delicious recipes.

Is Lombok or Adelaide Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Lombok and Adelaide.

If you're looking for night time activities Lombok has a few options to choose from. While the island is quieter than nearby Bali, it does still have an active nightlife scene. In particular, head to the areas around Senggigi Beach and Kuta Lombok for the most active bars and live music. With the more populated tourist areas and hotels come the more active clubs, bars, and evening entertainment.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Adelaide. The nightlife scene is filled with rooftop bars, live music venues, and boutique wine bars. Whether you're looking for trendy and luxury or casual and laid back, there are many places to spend a night out.

Is Lombok or Adelaide Better for Resorts?

Lombok is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Adelaide is not a resort destination.

In Lombok, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. The island is filled with luxury resorts, villas, and hotels. You'll want to think about your priorities before booking your hotel. There areas that are better for beaches, hiking, culture or sightseeing, and each has its own personality and style.

Adelaide is not a resort destination.

Is Lombok or Adelaide Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lombok is renowned for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Adelaide is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Lombok is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The island is surrounded by clear waters and colorful coral, making it a superb snorkeling and diving destination. For some of the best dive spots head to the Gili Islands. Around the island you'll find places where you can see turtles, colorful fish, and possibly even Hammerhead Sharks.

Adelaide is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lombok or Adelaide Better for Beaches?

Lombok is renowned for its beaches. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Lombok is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Kuta, Senggigi, and the Gili Islands offer some of the area's best beaches. Many beaches have white sand, clear water, beautiful snorkeling, or fun surfing. Mawun Beach and Pandanan Beach are among the most beautiful beaches, while Selong Belanak Beach is very photogenic with its water buffalo. Tanjung Aan Beach has surfing and Kuta Beach Lombok is the most popular beach, but not among the best.

Many people visit Adelaide for it's beautiful beaches. Part of what makes the city's beaches so great is how accessible they are. You don't have to go far to be at some of the area's best beaches. Glenelg is a family-friendly beach near town. It's also the most popular and most accessible. Brighton is relaxed with cafes and small restaurants nearby. And for seafood, head to Henley.

Is Lombok or Adelaide Better for Hiking?

Lombok is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Lombok. There are many walking and hiking trails around the island, but the most well known is the three day hike to the peak of Mount Rinjani. This is the large and active volcano on the island. The hike is truly beautiful and spectacular, but it's also a challenging climb and the difficulty level should not be underestimated.

Adelaide offers some nice hiking trails. Outside of town there are national parks and reserves with hiking trails. You don't have to go far to explore the coastline or bushland in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Lombok or Adelaide?

If you're looking to go shopping, Lombok and Adelaide both offer plenty of very good spots.

Lombok is well-known for its shopping. There are many traditional markets and villages around the island where you can buy Sasak crafts. These items are characterized by bright colors and elaborate patterns. You'll find pottery, fabrics, clothing, and hand-woven baskets.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Adelaide. Rundle Mall is the most well known shopping area in town. You'll find boutique shops as well as large department stores. Whether you're looking for international fashion brands or something more local, there are many places to explore.

Is Lombok or Adelaide More Beautiful?

Lombok is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Adelaide is not a destination known for its beauty.

Lombok is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The island is filled with stunning beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and colorful marine environments.

Adelaide is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Lombok or Adelaide Better for Families?

Lombok is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Lombok is a very family-friendly destination. The island is filled with natural beauty, waterfalls, beaches, swimming spots, traditional villages and wildlife. This makes it an idyllic destination for families, whether you're traveling with toddlers or older kids.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Adelaide. There are kids museums, water parks, playgrounds, and beaches that are fun to explore with children. The city has a family-friendly vibe with kid-friendly restaurants and a welcoming personality.

Is Lombok or Adelaide Better for Couples?

Lombok is renowned for romance. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Lombok is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The island has grown into a world renowned honeymoon destination. It has a more laid back vibe than nearby Bali, and you'll find pristine beaches and a tropical paradise. There are luxury hotels, stunning natural settings, and plenty of romantic or adventurous activities.

Adelaide makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. A great date activity is a night at the opera. There are also boat rides, hot air balloon rides, and nice restaurants that make for a fun evening out.

Is Lombok or Adelaide Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lombok is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Lombok. This island is often compared to Bali 30 years ago. It's a much quieter island, but there are still bars and towns that attract a crowd. If you're looking for a party, then you'll likely still be able to find one, but if you want a laid back retreat, that's available as well.

Plenty of backpackers visit Adelaide. It's not high on the list for many backpackers, but those who venture here will enjoy a great wine scene, beautiful beaches, and lively festivals.

Is Lombok or Adelaide Better for Students?

Adelaide is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Lombok is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Adelaide. It's a friendly and affordable city that has a nice student culture. It's very livable and accessible to other interesting places.

Lombok is not popular with students.

Is Lombok or Adelaide Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Adelaide is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Lombok is not a good destination for its public transit.

The public transit in Adelaide can get you around easily. There are bus, trains, and trams throughout the city center.

Public transit is generally limited in Lombok. The island is spread out, so many visitors prefer to hire a car of motorbike. There are also public buses, minibuses, and taxis available.

Is Lombok or Adelaide a more walkable city?

Adelaide is great for its high level of walkability. However, Lombok is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

Adelaide is a very walkable city. The city is compact and laid out in a grid pattern, so it's easy to explore on foot.

Lombok is generally not very walkable. There are towns on the island that are relatively walkable and there are hiking and walking paths in different places.

For even more information, also check out Is Lombok Worth Visiting? and Is Adelaide Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Adelaide or Lombok?

How long in Lombok or Adelaide?

It's fun to spend time in either Lombok or Adelaide. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lombok due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 10-14 days is a good amount of time for Lombok, and 2-4 days is enough time in Adelaide.

Families should spend more time in Lombok than Adelaide. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lombok, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Lombok than Adelaide. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lombok that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lombok than Adelaide if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Lombok.

One day in Lombok or Adelaide?

The beautiful island of Lombok offers museums and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Adelaide. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Lombok or Adelaide?

Lombok is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Adelaide is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Lombok or Adelaide?

Lombok is a popular choice for travelers. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than five days exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Adelaide. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Lombok or Adelaide?

Lombok is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one week is probably not enough for all of it. This island offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Adelaide. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Adelaide, we can see that Adelaide is more expensive. And not only is Lombok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lombok is in Asia and Adelaide is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Adelaide would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Adelaide 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 Lombok Expensive? and Is Adelaide Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Lombok or Adelaide?

Adelaide has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lombok experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Lombok or Adelaide in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Adelaide. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Adelaide because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Lombok is generally a little warmer than Adelaidein January. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 26°C (79°F), and Adelaide fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In July, Lombok usually receives around the same amount of rain as Adelaidein January. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer. May to September in Lombok is the dry season.

Should I visit Lombok or Adelaide in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Adelaide. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Adelaide this time of year.

Lombok is much warmer than Adelaide in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Adelaide fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in April.

Lombok receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lombok usually gets more rain in October than Adelaidein April. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April in Lombok is the rainy season.

Should I visit Lombok or Adelaide in the Winter?

Both Adelaide and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Adelaide for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Lombok is much warmer than Adelaide. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lombok in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Adelaide averages at about 11°C (52°F)in July.

Lombok usually receives more sunshine than Adelaide during winter. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Adelaide receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Lombok usually receives more rain than Adelaidein July. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lombok or Adelaide in the Spring?

Both Adelaide and Lombok during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Adelaide in the spring for the beaches.

In April, Lombok is generally much warmer than Adelaidein October. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Adelaide fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Lombok usually gets more rain in April than Adelaidein October. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. May to September is the dry season in Lombok. November to April is the rainy season in Lombok.

Typical Weather for Adelaide and Lombok