Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Lombok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lombok or Cairns?
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 Cairns. 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 Cairns?
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.
Cairns
Most travelers go to Cairns specifically to visit Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is surprisingly large and cosmopolitan with a population of approximately 140,000. The city's economy is almost exclusively based on tourism, although you will find some jobs centered around agriculture, or more specifically sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, wine, and some tropical fruits. The city itself is surrounded by rainforest and makes a great base for exploring Kuranda, with the Barron Gorge National Park and the Daintree offering a quieter tropical getaway than Cairns.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLombok $52Cairns $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $52, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $94. 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 Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLombok $29Cairns $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLombok $58Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Lombok or Cairns? 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 Cairns Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lombok $11Cairns $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lombok
Also for Lombok, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Service to Lombok Airport : $22
- Private Transfer from Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ) to Wisata Alam Semongkat: $210
- Private Transfer from Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ) to Lopok: $152
- Private Transfer from Sokong to Lombok Airport (LOP): $50
- Private Transfer from Sigar Penjalin to Lombok Airport (LOP): $50
- Private Transfer from Senggigi to Lombok Airport (LOP): $32
- Private Transfer from Mataram to Lombok Airport (LOP): $32
- Private Transfer from Mangsit to Lombok Airport (LOP): $32
- Private Transfer from Lombok to Lombok International Airport: $39
- Private Transfer from Lombok hotels to Lombok Cruise Port: $36
- Private Transfer from Lombok Island Hotels to Lombok Cruise Port: $33
- Private Transfer from Lombok Cruise Port to Lombok Airport (LOP): $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hot Air Balloon Flight with Transfers: $653
- Cairns to Mission Beach (ONE WAY) Private Transfer 1 to 6 pax: $277
- Cairns Airport(CNS) to Port Douglas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $268
- Mercedes-Benz S Class Transfers Cairns Airport - Port Douglas : $254
- Luxury Van, Private Transfer, Cairns Airport - Port Douglas.: $254
- Cairns Airport(CNS) to Cairns City - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $247
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Cairns city hotels: $241
- IMAX Private Transfer 7 Guests Cairns Airport to Hotels in Port Douglas : $225
- Cairns Airport Private Transfers: $184
- Cairns Airport to Luxury Transfers Port Douglas: $170
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Palm Cove hotels: $168
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Transfer to Port Douglas hotels: $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Lombok or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns 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 $12Cairns $28
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 Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cairns Luxury Catamaran Harbor and Dinner Cruise: $85
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $91
- Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $117
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $149
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lombok $10Cairns $37
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: $169
- 2D/1N (Hostel) Backpacker Lombok Tour Package: $205
- 3 Days Mount Rinjani Complete Tour @All In One Price: $221
- 3 Days Tour in Mount Rinjani Summit with Lake Hiking : $269
- 3D 2N Mount Rinjani Trekking Tour To Summit And Lake: $185
- Beach Tour in Lombok Indonesia: $51
- Benang Kelambu Waterfall And Culture Full Day Tour : $75
- Best Lombok Rice Terrace Walking Tour With Waterfall & Monkey: $60
- Camping Tour in Sasak Mountain Lombok Island: $89
- Complete your Lombok Holiday with Lombok Instagram Tour: $50
- Cultural Tour of Lombok with English Speaking Guide: $63
- Daily Tour: $70
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairns
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Scuba Diving$36
Tours and Activities in Cairns
For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kuranda Rainforestation Nature Park Ticket (BNP): $43
- 3B Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, Crocodile Wildlife Cruise: $188
- Atherton Tablelands, Waterfalls and Rainforest Tour from Cairns: $98
- Atherton Tablelands: Lakes, Waterfalls, Rainforest Day Tour: $97
- Authentic Indigenous Cultural Tour Including Scenic River Cruise: $92
- Barron Gorge and Kuranda National Park Half Day Rainforest and Waterfall 4WD Tour from Cairns: $120
- Cairns 4WD Rainforest Waterfall Tour Including a GBR Island Tour: $242
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission & Coral Conservation Tour: $52
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission Ticket: $34
- Cairns Aquarium Turtle Hospital and City Sightseeing Tour: $116
- Cairns Aquarium and small group City Sightseeing Tour: $125
- Cairns Botanic Gardens: Mushroom Photography Tour: $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLombok $8.15Cairns $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- Cairns Brewery Tours: $139
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $160
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Cairns, we can see that Cairns 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 Cairns 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 Cairns would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cairns 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 Cairns Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lombok or Cairns?
Cairns 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 Cairns in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Cairns. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Also, many travelers come to Cairns for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Lombok is cooler than Cairns. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lombok in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Cairns averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.
Cairns receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Lombok usually receives less rain than Cairnsin January. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLombok 26°C (79°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Cairns in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Cairns. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Cairns in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Lombok is generally around the same temperature as Cairnsin April. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite rainy in Cairns. Lombok receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lombok usually gets less rain in October than Cairnsin April. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLombok 28°C (82°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Cairns in the Winter?
Both Cairns 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, most visitors come to Cairns for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Lombok is a little warmer than Cairns in the winter. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.
In January, Lombok usually receives more rain than Cairnsin July. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLombok 28°C (82°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Cairns in the Spring?
Both Cairns 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. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Cairns because of the beaches.
In the spring, Lombok is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lombok in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.
Lombok usually gets more rain in April than Cairnsin October. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. April to October is the dry season in Cairns. November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLombok 28°C (82°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Lombok
| Lombok | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 211 mm (8.3 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.