Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Lombok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lombok or Koh Tao?
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 Koh Tao. 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 Koh Tao?
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.
Koh Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLombok $52Koh Tao $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $52, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $37. 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 Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLombok $29Koh Tao $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLombok $58Koh Tao $28
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Lombok or Koh Tao? 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 Koh Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lombok $11Koh Tao $8.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lombok
Also for Lombok, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Wisata Alam Semongkat to Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ): $209
- Private Transfer from Dusun Setangi to Lombok Airport (LOP): $92
- Private Transfer from Lempeh to Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ): $92
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Dusun Setangi : $92
- Private Transfer from Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ) to Brang Bara: $92
- Private Transfer from Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ) to Brang Biji: $92
- Lombok Airport Private Transfer by Car: $75
- Airport Transfer: Airport To Senggigi/senggigi To Airport: $70
- Airport transfer from Lombok airport to Sembalun Rinjiani area: $60
- Lombok Airport to Gili Islands - Private Shuttle & Transfer: $59
- Eka Jaya Boat Transfer from Lombok to Padang Bai: $58
- Lombok Private Airport Transfers To Bangsal Port Lombok and Gili Trawangan: $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
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Motorbike Rental$5.18
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$18
Is it cheaper to fly into Lombok or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao 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 $12Koh Tao $9.21
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
- Kids Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $63
- Amazing Lombok BBQ Beach Sunset Dinner: $86
- Lombok Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $100
- Royal Dinner Experience in Lombok at Royal Tugudom: $117
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
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Sit Down Lunch (for One)$5.46
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Breakfast$4.09
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.27
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$13
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Pancake$1.91
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American Breakfast (for Two)$7.64
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$7.36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lombok $10Koh Tao $26
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: $168
- 2D/1N (Hostel) Backpacker Lombok Tour Package: $205
- 3 Days Mount Rinjani Complete Tour @All In One Price: $222
- 3D 2N Mount Rinjani Trekking Tour To Summit And Lake: $185
- Beach Tour in Lombok Indonesia: $51
- Benang Kelambu & Stokel (Waterfall Tour) : $67
- Benang Kelambu Waterfall And Culture Full Day Tour : $75
- Best Lombok Rice Terrace Walking Tour With Waterfall & Monkey: $60
- Best Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep Waterfalls Tour: $70
- Car Hire Lombok tradition village tour: $150
- Complete your Lombok Holiday with Lombok Instagram Tour: $50
- Daily Sasak Tour Lombok: $57
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental (One Hour)$6.82
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Snorkel Rental$2.73
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$2.73
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $24
- Advanced Adventurer - 2 days ( Advanced Open Water): $280
- Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $126
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $22
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $23
- Koh Tao Cliff Jumping Snorkeling Experience: $135
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $29
- Koh Tao Snorkeling and Island Hopping Tour (Private) : $175
- Koh Tao Viewpoint and Snorkeling Tour: $55
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $33
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLombok $8.15Koh Tao $7.14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
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Beer$1.77
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Bottle of Wine$10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Koh Tao, we can see that Lombok is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Lombok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lombok than you might in Koh Tao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lombok Expensive? and Is Koh Tao Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lombok or Koh Tao?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Lombok or Koh Tao in the Summer?
Both Koh Tao and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. In July, Lombok usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Lombok is around the same temperature as Koh Tao in the summer. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLombok 26°C (79°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
Both Koh Tao and Lombok during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
October and November is the rainy season in Koh Tao. Koh Tao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Lombok. Lombok usually gets less rain in October than Koh Tao. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Lombok is a little warmer than Koh Tao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lombok in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLombok 28°C (82°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Koh Tao in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Koh Tao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season. In January, Lombok usually receives around the same amount of rain as Koh Tao. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Tao this time of the year. Lombok usually receives less sunshine than Koh Tao during winter. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Lombok is generally a little warmer than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLombok 28°C (82°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Koh Tao in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Koh Tao. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
Also, February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season. Lombok usually gets more rain in April than Koh Tao. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Lombok is a little warmer than Koh Tao in the spring. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLombok 28°C (82°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Lombok
| Lombok | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.