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

Should you visit Lombok or Byron Bay?

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 Byron Bay. 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 Byron Bay?

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.

Byron Bay

South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron, which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay makes its way onto most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The area is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has incredible scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Byron Bay or Lombok?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $52, while the average daily cost in Byron Bay is $139. 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 Byron Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lombok $29
    Byron Bay $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lombok $58
    Byron Bay $132
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Byron Bay

Looking for a hotel in Lombok or Byron Bay? 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 Lombok


Hotels in Byron Bay


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 Byron Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lombok $11
    Byron Bay $32

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 Byron Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Byron Bay:

  • Byron Bay Tandem Skydive with Transfer Options: $240

Is it cheaper to fly into Lombok or Byron Bay?

Prices for flights to both Byron Bay 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Lombok $12
    Byron Bay $47

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

Typical Food Prices in Byron Bay

Some typical examples of dining costs in Byron Bay are as follows:


  • Dinner at Olivo (for 2)
    $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lombok $10
    Byron Bay $35

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Byron Bay

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Byron Bay are as follows:


  • Buddha Gardens Spa (for 2)
    $123
  • Surf Lesson
    $42

Tours and Activities in Byron Bay

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Byron Bay are as follows:

  • 3-Hour Small-Group Byron Bay Tour: $66
  • Beyond Byron Hinterland Tour: $132
  • Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $46
  • Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $45
  • Brunswick River: Byron Sunset Eco Rainforest River Cruise: $62
  • Byron Bay Half-Day Tour: $65
  • Byron Bay Hinterland Tour Including Rainforest Walk to Minyon Falls: $112
  • Byron Bay Hinterland: National Park and Waterfalls Tour: $110
  • Byron Bay Lighthouse and Hinterland Tour: $66
  • Byron Bay and Beyond Tour Including Cape Bryon Lighthouse Crystal Castle and Bangalow: $125
  • Brunswick Heads Sunset Rainforest Eco-Cruise: $63
  • Brunswick River Scenic Kayak Tour: $39

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lombok $8.15
    Byron Bay $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Byron Bay

Also in Byron Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Arvo Session Brewery and Distillery Tour: $97
  • Afternoon Brewery and Distillery session : $99
  • Full-Day Brewery and Distillery Tour with Lunch: $127
  • Full Barrel Brewery and Distillery tour: $129


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Byron Bay, we can see that Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Lombok or Byron Bay?

Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay in the Summer?

Both Byron Bay 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 summer months attract visitors to Byron Bay because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Lombok is a little warmer than Byron Bay in the summer. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in January.

Byron Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lombok usually gets less rain in July than Byron Bayin January. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Lombok 26°C (79°F) 
    Byron Bay 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Lombok or Byron Bay in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Byron Bay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Byron Bay this time of year.

In the autumn, Lombok is a little warmer than Byron Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lombok in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 20°C (69°F)in April.

Byron Bay 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 Byron Bayin April. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Lombok 28°C (82°F) 
    Byron Bay 20°C (69°F)

Should I visit Lombok or Byron Bay in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Byron Bay. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Byron Bay for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Lombok is generally much warmer than Byron Bayin July. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Lombok usually gets more rain in January than Byron Bayin July. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Lombok 28°C (82°F) 
    Byron Bay 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Lombok or Byron Bay in the Spring?

Both Byron Bay 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, many visitors come to Byron Bay in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Lombok is a little warmer than Byron Bay in the spring. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 19°C (67°F)in October.

In April, Lombok usually receives around the same amount of rain as Byron Bayin October. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Lombok 28°C (82°F) 
    Byron Bay 19°C (67°F)

Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Lombok

Lombok Byron Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 23°C (74°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 24°C (74°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 28°C (82°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 20°C (69°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 14°C (58°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 32 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 109 mm (4.3 in) 19°C (67°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 216 mm (8.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)


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