Which place is cheaper, Nara or Lombok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lombok or Nara?
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 Nara. 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 Nara?
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.
Nara
As Japan's first capital, Nara offers a world of tradition and culture second only to the city of Kyoto. It is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are largely concentrated in the area of Nara Park. Here, it is also common to see many deer wandering freely amongst the temples and shrines.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLombok $52Nara $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $52, while the average daily cost in Nara is $86. 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 Nara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLombok $29Nara $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLombok $58Nara $104
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Nara
Looking for a hotel in Lombok or Nara? 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 Nara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lombok $11Nara $5.83
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nara:
- Kansai Airport (KIX)：Private One-Way Transfer to/from Nara: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Lombok or Nara?
Prices for flights to both Nara 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 $12Nara $28
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nara.
- Eel Fishing and Cooking Experience in Kyoto: $72
- Cooking class, learning how to make authentic sushi: $111
- Full Day Nara E bike Tour and Osaka History Food Tour: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lombok $10Nara $7.81
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 Nara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nara are as follows:
- 1 Day Walking Tour in Nara Palace Deer and Inkstick: $166
- 1-Day Walking Tour in Palace, Deer and Inkstick: $147
- All must-sees in 3 hours - Nara Park Classic Tour! From JR Nara!: $42
- EBike Eco Chic Tour Explore 1300 Year Old Primeval Forest: $88
- Eigo Tour - Walk in Nara City: $65
- Experience Authentic Sushi making in Nara: $115
- Guided Tour of Todai ji and Nara Park: $83
- Guided Uji Anime Walking Tour: $31
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour : Nara Imperial Palace: $95
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour to Nara City: $95
- Immersive Experience Tour in Totsukawa village: $3,202
- Katsuragi: Unique Sumo Experience: $195
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLombok $8.15Nara $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Nara, we can see that Nara is more expensive. And not only is Lombok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Nara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nara 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 Nara Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lombok or Nara?
Nara 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 Nara in the Summer?
Both Nara 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. Also, many travelers come to Nara for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Lombok is around the same temperature as Nara in the summer. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Nara fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lombok usually gets less rain in July than Nara. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Nara receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLombok 26°C (79°F)Nara 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Nara in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Nara. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Also, many visitors come to Nara in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Lombok is much warmer than Nara. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lombok in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Nara averages at about 17°C (63°F).
Nara receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lombok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Lombok usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nara. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Nara receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLombok 28°C (82°F)Nara 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Nara in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Nara. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Nara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Nara can be very cold during winter. In January, Lombok is generally much warmer than Nara. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Nara fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Lombok often gets more sunshine than Nara. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 140 hours of full sun.
Lombok usually gets more rain in January than Nara. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Nara receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLombok 28°C (82°F)Nara 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Nara in the Spring?
Both Nara 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, the spring months attract visitors to Nara because of the natural beauty.
Lombok is much warmer than Nara in the spring. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Nara fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. In April, Lombok usually receives less rain than Nara. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Nara receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLombok 28°C (82°F)Nara 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Nara and Lombok
| Lombok | Nara | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 128 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 214 mm (8.4 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.