Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Lombok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lombok or Airlie Beach?
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 Airlie Beach. 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.
Where Should I go: Lombok or Airlie Beach?
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.
Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach, in Queensland, offers the closest port to the Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier Reef. It's a small town of only 25,000 and has grown out of the area's popularity as a tourist destination. It's main industry remains tourism and, as such, there are many venues set up to accommodate travelers hoping to make trips to the Whitsunday Islands and the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The town has the feel of a vacation destination. While in the past Airlie Beach appealed specifically to the backpacker crowd, it's popularity has spread and now there are facilities catering to all travel types. The area has become more commercialized and there are plenty of large resorts to choose from. Even so, you'll still find no shortage of affordable accommodation around town.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLombok $52Airlie Beach $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $52, while the average daily cost in Airlie Beach is $141. 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 Lombok and Airlie Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLombok $29Airlie Beach $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLombok $58Airlie Beach $116
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Airlie Beach
Looking for a hotel in Lombok or Airlie Beach? 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: Lombok Hotel Prices and Airlie Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lombok $11Airlie Beach $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lombok
Also for Lombok, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Service to Lombok Airport : $22
- Gili Trawangan, Air, or 1-Way Boat Transfer to Bali: $23
- Airport transfer from Lombok Airport to Kuta Mandalika : $23
- Private Transfer International Airport Lombok (LOP) To Hotel: $23
- Airport Transfer: Airport To Kuta/kuta To Airport: $27
- Lombok Airport Transfer : $27
- Lombok to Lombok Int Airport (LOP) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Mataram: $32
- Private Transfer from Mataram to Lombok Airport (LOP): $32
- Private Transfer from Mangsit to Lombok Airport (LOP): $32
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Dusun Kerandangan: $32
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Senggigi: $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:
- Private Transfer to Whitsunday Coast Airport: $314
- Crayfish Beach Hook Island Camping Transfer: $139
- Whitehaven Beach Club Transfers from Airlie Beach: $92
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $59
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $47
- Return Transfer PPP Airport Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $32
- Airport Transfers - Return (round fare) share shuttle service: $28
- One Way Only - Airport Transfer share shuttle service: $17
- Whitsunday: Prosperpine Airport to Airlie Beach Transfer: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Lombok or Airlie Beach?
Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Lombok 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 dayLombok $12Airlie Beach $32
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Airlie Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Airlie Beach.
- 3-Hour Sunset Segway Tour with Dinner: $72
- Whitsundays Segway Sunset and Boardwalk Tour with Dinner: $83
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lombok $10Airlie Beach $160
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
- Mataram Lombok Historical City tour: $49
- Complete your Lombok Holiday with Lombok Instagram Tour: $50
- Private Lombok Hidden Beach Tour: Elak Elak, Sekotong, and Mekaki Beach: $50
- Beach Tour in Lombok Indonesia: $51
- Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile Waterfall Trekking Tour: $55
- Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep Waterfall Tour - Private Day Tour: $55
- One Day Tour Pink Beach East Lombok Excursion: $55
- Lombok Sasak Culture Tour from Mataram: $59
- Private Lombok Cycling Tour : Lingsar Temple, Rice Field, Village & Market Tour: $59
- Best Lombok Rice Terrace Walking Tour With Waterfall & Monkey: $60
Tours and Activities in Airlie Beach
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Airlie Beach are as follows:
- 1 hour Mimosa Morning Turtle Spotting Cruise: $59
- 1-Day Whitsunday Islands Cruise: Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet: $140
- 2 Hour Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise: $59
- Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $59
- Airlie Beach Jet Ski Tour: $105
- Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise : $46
- Airlie Beach Trike Tours: $50
- Airlie Beach sightseeing Tour: $50
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine: $45
- Adults-Only Whitehaven Beach Sailing Tour: $182
- Airlie Adventure Jet Ski Tour: $163
- Glass-Bottom Boat Tour: $58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLombok $8.15Airlie Beach $8.99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach 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 Airlie Beach 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 Airlie Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Airlie Beach 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 Airlie Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lombok or Airlie Beach?
Airlie Beach 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 Airlie Beach in the Summer?
Both Airlie Beach and Lombok during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Airlie Beach this time of year.
In July, Lombok is generally around the same temperature as Airlie Beachin January. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 26°C (79°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Airlie Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lombok usually gets less rain in July than Airlie Beachin January. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLombok 26°C (79°F)Airlie Beach 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Airlie Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Lombok is a little warmer than Airlie Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.
Airlie Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lombok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Lombok usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin April. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLombok 28°C (82°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Airlie Beach in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Airlie Beach. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In the winter, Lombok is much warmer than Airlie Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lombok in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. In the winter, Lombok often gets less sunshine than Airlie Beachin July. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Airlie Beach receives 226 hours of full sun.
Lombok usually gets more rain in January than Airlie Beachin July. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLombok 28°C (82°F)Airlie Beach 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Airlie Beach in the Spring?
Both Airlie Beach and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Lombok is generally a little warmer than Airlie Beachin October. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In April, Lombok usually receives more rain than Airlie Beachin October. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLombok 28°C (82°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Lombok
| Lombok | Airlie Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 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.