Which place is cheaper, Katoomba or Lombok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lombok or Katoomba?
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 Katoomba. 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 Katoomba?
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.
Katoomba
Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.
This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.
The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLombok $52Katoomba $134
The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $52, while the average daily cost in Katoomba is $134. 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 Katoomba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLombok $29Katoomba $77
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLombok $58Katoomba $154
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Katoomba
Looking for a hotel in Lombok or Katoomba? 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 Katoomba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lombok $11Katoomba $50
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 Katoomba?
Prices for flights to both Katoomba 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 $12Katoomba $17
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lombok $10Katoomba $53
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 Katoomba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katoomba are as follows:
- 4Hrs at Wolgan Valley Birdwatching Experience: $129
- Army Truck Adventures - 3 Hour Guided Tour: $98
- Army Truck Adventures - 90 Minute Guided Tour: $66
- Blue Labyrinth PRIVATE Tour: Sydney Blue Mountains by E-Bike : $248
- Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $107
- Blue Mountains 3 Hour Army Truck Adventures: $97
- Blue Mountains 90 Minute Army Truck Adventures: $65
- Blue Mountains BarNSW Local Produce Tasting Experience: $37
- Blue Mountains Full Day Guided Tour : $192
- Blue Mountains Hop On Hop Off Tour: $32
- Blue Mountains Private Tour From Sydney, & Featherdale Aussie Animal Park Option: $248
- Blue Mountains: Private Scenic Tour with Optional Stops: $245
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLombok $8.15Katoomba -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba 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 Katoomba 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba 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 Katoomba Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lombok or Katoomba?
Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the Summer?
Both Katoomba 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 hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.
In July, Lombok is generally a little warmer than Katoombain January. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 26°C (79°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
Katoomba gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lombok usually gets less rain in July than Katoombain January. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLombok 26°C (79°F)Katoomba 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Katoomba in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Katoomba. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Katoomba for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Lombok is much warmer than Katoomba in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (65°F)in April.
Lombok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Lombok usually receives more rain than Katoombain April. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLombok 28°C (82°F)Katoomba 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Katoomba in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Katoomba. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Katoomba in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Lombok is much warmer than Katoomba. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lombok in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Katoomba averages at about 11°C (51°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. In the winter, Lombok often gets less sunshine than Katoombain July. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 208 hours of full sun.
Lombok usually gets more rain in January than Katoombain July. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLombok 28°C (82°F)Katoomba 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Katoomba in the Spring?
Both Katoomba 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 Katoomba for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Lombok is generally much warmer than Katoombain October. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In April, Lombok usually receives more rain than Katoombain October. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLombok 28°C (82°F)Katoomba 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Katoomba and Lombok
| Lombok | Katoomba | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 70 mm (2.8 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.