Which place is cheaper, Lijiang or Lombok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Lombok or Lijiang?
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 Lijiang. 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 Lijiang?
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.
Lijiang
Lijiang is a city in Southwestern China with a history of rule under the Mu family during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It played a key role along the Ancient Southern Silk Road, which started from Burma, crossed Lijiang, Shangri-La County, Tibet, journeyed through Iran, the Fertile Crescent, and ultimately to the Mediterranean Sea. The area was once a center for trade, politics, culture, and education, which is still evident in the rich culture seen today. Lijiang has also been the home of centuries to the Naxi people who still inhabit the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
-
Lombok Prices
Indonesia PricesLijiang Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLombok $59Lijiang $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $59, while the average daily cost in Lijiang is $55. 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 Lijiang in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLombok $28Lijiang $16
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLombok $56Lijiang $32
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Lijiang
Looking for a hotel in Lombok or Lijiang? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lombok $11Lijiang $5.67
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): $230
- Private Transfer from Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ) to Pekat: $101
- Private Transfer from Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ) to Lempeh: $101
- Private Transfer from Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ) to Brang Bara: $101
- Private Transfer from Sokong to Lombok Airport (LOP): $77
- Private Transfer from Mataram to Lombok Airport (LOP): $35
- Private Transfer from Lopok to Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ): $165
- Private Transfer from Lombok Island Hotels to Lombok Cruise Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Lombok Cruise Port to Lombok island hotels: $29
- Private Transfer from Lombok Cruise Port to Lombok Hotels: $58
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Sokong: $77
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Sigar Penjalin: $77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lijiang
Also for Lijiang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Dali and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
- Private Transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $159
- Private Transfer from Lijiang hotel/airport(LJG) to Dali : $149
- Ethnic Costume Photoshoot with Hotel Transfers: $131
- Lijiang Sanyi International Airport Chauffeur Service,Lijiang Airport Transfer: $57
Is it cheaper to fly into Lombok or Lijiang?
Prices for flights to both Lijiang 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 dayLombok $20Lijiang $30
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 Lombok Cooking Class : $25
- Kids Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $63
- Love and Legends: The Ultimate Romantic Dinner on the beach : $65
- Amazing Lombok BBQ Beach Sunset Dinner: $86
- Lombok Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $100
- Royal Dinner Experience in Lombok at Royal Tugudom: $119
Typical Food Prices in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch for Two$4.21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lijiang Naxi Cuisine Cooking Class & Market Visit: $59
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lombok $9.90Lijiang $20
Tours and Activities in Lombok
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lombok.
- Waterfall Tour And Sasak Traditional Tour: $77
- "Private 2D1N Adventure: Explore Pergasingan Hills": $163
- 1 Day Pink Beach Tour in East Lombok: $92
- 3 Days Tour in Mount Rinjani Summit with Lake Hiking : $285
- 3D 2N Mount Rinjani Trekking Tour To Summit And Lake: $195
- Best Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep Waterfalls Tour: $70
- Best Waterfall Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep Private Tour: $59
- Car Hire Lombok tradition village tour: $99
- Dirt Bike Adventure at Kuta Lombok: $135
- Dolphins Cruise: $154
- Excursions for Cruise Ship Passengers : $71
- Exotic Lombok's Pink Beach Private Tour: $78
Tours and Activities in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Baisha Village Private Tour: $245
- 1 Day Private Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang or Dali: $165
- 1 Day Tiger Teaping Gorge Private Tour from Lijiang or Shangri-La: $170
- 1-Day Private Tour to Lijiang Highlights: $297
- 2 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour by public coach: $189
- 3days Dali Lijiang highlights tour start from Kunming: $700
- 4 Hour Private Lijiang City Highlights Walking Tour: $72
- 7-Day Yunnan Culture & Nature Tour: $1,008
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang: $221
- Beautiful Country road Biking tour to Xinhua village Heqing start from Lijiang: $173
- Biking tour&guide visit Lijiang baisha village market park: $50
- Flexible Lijiang City Highlights Private Day Tour with Lunch: $208
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLombok $7.84Lijiang $7.98
When comparing the travel costs between Lombok and Lijiang, 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 Lijiang Expensive?.
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.