Which place is cheaper, Melbourne or Lombok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Lombok or Melbourne?
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 Melbourne. 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 Melbourne?
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.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, after Sydney. It is also the capital city of the state of Victoria, in southeastern Australia. Melbourne is arguably the best city to experience culture and the arts in Australia. There is a friendly rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney over livability and popularity and Melbourne is definitely the city to visit for its parks, shopping, restaurants, galleries and theaters. Like Sydney, it is situated on the water, at the head of Port Phillip Bay. It's a beautiful city, and although it lacks the major sights that you'll find in Sydney such as the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge, you will never find yourself lacking for entertainment. It is also a wonderful base for exploring many of the nearby highlights, including Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island where you can view the penguin parade.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLombok $52Melbourne $176
The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $52, while the average daily cost in Melbourne is $176. 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 Melbourne in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLombok $29Melbourne $118
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLombok $58Melbourne $236
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Melbourne
Looking for a hotel in Lombok or Melbourne? 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 Melbourne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lombok $11Melbourne $19
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melbourne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:
-
Airport Bus$10
-
Tram Ride$2.47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne
Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Lake Mountain Ski Resort Tour with Transfers: $947
- Yarra Valley: Hot Air Balloon with Breakfast & CBD Transfers: $372
- Melbourne Airport (MEL): Private Transfer to Melbourne: $319
- MEL Airport: Minibus Private Transfer to Southbank: $212
- MEL Airport: Minibus Private Transfer to Melbourne CBD: $205
- Mornington Peninsula - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $198
- Melbourne Private Transfer to Melbourne Airport MEL in Luxury Car: $188
- Melbourne Airport MEL Private Transfer to Melbourne in Luxury Car: $188
- Ballarat - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $176
- Avalon Airport Transfers: $165
- Melbourne Airport MEL Private Transfer to Melbourne in Luxury Van: $163
- Departure Transfer from Melbourne to Melbourne Airport MEL in Van: $163
Is it cheaper to fly into Lombok or Melbourne?
Prices for flights to both Melbourne 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 $12Melbourne $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 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 Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Coffee$2.60
-
Pizza$4.54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Queen Victoria Market: 'Flavours of Australia' Food Tour: $52
- Eynesbury Homestead Dinner and Ghost Tour: $53
- Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $78
- Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner: $79
- Melbourne Private Multicultural Markets Food Tour: $86
- Pizza Making Party: $89
- Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $97
- Secret Food Tour: $109
- Chinese Cooking Class Master: $118
- Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise: $122
- Choose Your Asian Cuisine Cooking Masterclass: $129
- Street Food of Asia Cooking Class: $130
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lombok $10Melbourne $27
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
Tours and Activities in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Penguin Island Tour from Melbourne Penguins express: $79
- 1 day Puffing Billy Steam Train and Wildlife Tour from Melbourne: $125
- 12 Apostles Great Ocean Road Eco Tour with lunch from Melbourne: $109
- 2 Day Great Ocean Road Small Group Tour: $800
- 2-Hour Farm Experience in Gateway Yarra Valley: $66
- 2024 Mt Buller, Melbourne Snow and Sightseeing Day Tour: $92
- 3 Hour Rainforest Walking Tour in Badger Creek: $40
- 3-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Small-Group Tour: $1,486
- 3.5 Hours Group tour Melbourne trouble-makers tour: $44
- 3/4 Day Sports Lovers Bus Tour of Melbourne with Tour Options: $178
- 4 Hours Sightseeing Small Group Tour in Melbourne City: $40
- African Cat Experience at Werribee Open Range Zoo - excl. entry: $60
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLombok $8.15Melbourne $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Melbourne
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Melbourne from other travelers:
-
Bottle of Wine$5.03
Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne
Also in Melbourne, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Melbourne Pub Crawl: $17
- Weekly Bar Crawl: 5 Free shots, Club Entry: $19
- Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $25
- Melbourne Halloween Bar Crawl: $33
- Laid back,Small-Group Yarra Valley Wine Tour :Wine,Gin,Cider+more: $86
- Yarra Valley Day Trip with Local Wine Tastings from Melbourne: $102
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour inc lunch with a glass of wine, tastings and chocolate: $116
- Yarra Valley Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $127
- Southern Gippsland boutique Wine Tour with Tapas from Melbourne : $139
- Wine Tour Yarra Valley, Vic - inc. 2 course lunch + glass of wine: $165
- Mornington Peninsula Premium Tour with Wine Tasting at Yabby Lake : $172
- Yarra Valley Premium Tour Lunch and Sparkling Wine Tasting at Domaine Chandon: $178
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne 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 Melbourne 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne 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 Melbourne Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lombok or Melbourne?
Melbourne 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 Melbourne in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Melbourne. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Melbourne for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Lombok is a little warmer than Melbourne in the summer. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Melbourne fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.
In July, Lombok usually receives less rain than Melbournein January. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLombok 26°C (79°F)Melbourne 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Melbourne in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Melbourne. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Melbourne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Lombok is much warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lombok in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Melbourne averages at about 15°C (60°F)in April.
Lombok receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lombok usually gets more rain in October than Melbournein April. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLombok 28°C (82°F)Melbourne 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Melbourne in the Winter?
Both Melbourne 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 Melbourne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Lombok is generally much warmer than Melbournein July. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Lombok usually receives more sunshine than Melbourne during winter. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Lombok usually receives more rain than Melbournein July. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLombok 28°C (82°F)Melbourne 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Melbourne in the Spring?
Both Melbourne 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. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Lombok is much warmer than Melbourne in the spring. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Melbourne fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.
Lombok usually gets more rain in April than Melbournein October. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLombok 28°C (82°F)Melbourne 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Melbourne and Lombok
| Lombok | Melbourne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.