Which place is cheaper, Hongcun or Lombok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lombok or Hongcun?
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 Hongcun. 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 Hongcun?
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.
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLombok $52Hongcun $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $52, while the average daily cost in Hongcun is $52. 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 Hongcun in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLombok $29Hongcun $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLombok $58Hongcun $46
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Hongcun
Looking for a hotel in Lombok or Hongcun? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lombok $11Hongcun $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
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Lombok or Hongcun?
Prices for flights to both Hongcun 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 $12Hongcun $19
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 Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.83
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.07
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lombok $10Hongcun $17
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 Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLombok $8.15Hongcun $14
When comparing the travel costs between Lombok and Hongcun, we can see that Lombok is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lombok Expensive? and Is Hongcun Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lombok or Hongcun?
Hongcun 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 Hongcun in the Summer?
Both Hongcun 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.
In the summer, Lombok is cooler than Hongcun. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lombok in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Hongcun averages at about 29°C (85°F).
Hongcun gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lombok usually gets less rain in July than Hongcun. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLombok 26°C (79°F)Hongcun 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Hongcun in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Hongcun. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round.
In October, Lombok is generally much warmer than Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Lombok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Lombok usually receives more rain than Hongcun. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLombok 28°C (82°F)Hongcun 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Hongcun in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Hongcun. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hongcun. Lombok is much warmer than Hongcun in the winter. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Hongcun fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Lombok usually gets more rain in January than Hongcun. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLombok 28°C (82°F)Hongcun 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Hongcun in the Spring?
Both Hongcun and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year.
In the spring, Lombok is much warmer than Hongcun. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lombok in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Hongcun averages at about 17°C (62°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hongcun. In April, Lombok usually receives less rain than Hongcun. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLombok 28°C (82°F)Hongcun 17°C (62°F)
Typical Weather for Hongcun and Lombok
| Lombok | Hongcun | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.