A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lombok vs. Railay Beach for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lombok or Railay Beach?

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 Railay Beach. 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 Railay Beach?

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.

Railay Beach

If you're looking to scale great heights and add more achievements to your list during your vacation, consider a trip to the peninsula of Rai Leh, or more commonly Railay Bay or Railay Beach, in the Krabi region of Thailand. This swimming and rock climbing hotspot is known for its towering limestone peaks and gorgeous surrounding scenery.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Railay Beach or Lombok?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $52, while the average daily cost in Railay Beach is $105. 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 Railay Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lombok $29
    Railay Beach $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lombok $58
    Railay Beach $126
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Railay Beach

Looking for a hotel in Lombok or Railay Beach? 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.

Hotels in Lombok


Hotels in Railay Beach


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 $11
    Railay Beach $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lombok

Also for Lombok, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer Service to Lombok Airport : $22
  • Airport transfer from Lombok Airport to Kuta Mandalika : $23
  • Gili Trawangan, Air, or 1-Way Boat Transfer to Bali: $25
  • Airport Transfer: Airport To Kuta/kuta To Airport: $27
  • Lombok Airport Transfer : $27
  • Lombok Int. Airport LOP to Lombok - Arrival Private Transfer: $29
  • Lombok to Lombok Int Airport (LOP) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • Private Transfer from Senggigi to Lombok Airport (LOP): $31
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Bintaro: $31
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Senggigi: $31
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Mataram: $31
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Island Hotels to Lombok Cruise Port: $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Lombok or Railay Beach?

Prices for flights to both Railay Beach 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 day
    Lombok $12
    Railay Beach $22

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 Railay Beach

Some typical examples of dining costs in Railay Beach are as follows:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $5.46
  • Pizza
    $4.64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lombok $10
    Railay Beach $23

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
  • Half-Day Mataram City Tour: $44
  • Lombok City Tour combination With Temple Tour : $49
  • Mataram Lombok Historical City tour: $49
  • Complete your Lombok Holiday with Lombok Instagram Tour: $50
  • Beach Tour in Lombok Indonesia: $51
  • Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile Waterfall Trekking Tour: $55
  • Daily Sasak Tour Lombok: $57
  • Private Lombok Cycling Tour : Lingsar Temple, Rice Field, Village & Market Tour: $59
  • Best Lombok Rice Terrace Walking Tour With Waterfall & Monkey: $60
  • Snorkeling 3 Gili West Lombok Daily Tour (Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, Gili Kedis): $61

Typical Entertainment Prices in Railay Beach

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Railay Beach are as follows:


  • Rock Climbing (for Two)
    $19

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lombok $8.15
    Railay Beach $15

Typical Alcohol Prices in Railay Beach

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Railay Beach are as follows:


  • Beer
    $1.64


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach 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 Railay Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Railay Beach 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 Railay Beach Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Lombok or Railay Beach?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Lombok or Railay Beach in the Summer?

Both Railay Beach 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.

August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach. Railay Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lombok usually gets less rain in July than Railay Beach. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In July, Lombok is generally around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 26°C (79°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lombok 26°C (79°F) 
    Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Lombok or Railay Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Railay Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach. Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lombok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Lombok usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Lombok is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lombok 28°C (82°F) 
    Railay Beach 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Lombok or Railay Beach in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Railay Beach. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.

Also, December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season. Lombok usually gets more rain in January than Railay Beach. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. In the winter, Lombok often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 287 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Lombok is around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lombok in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 28°C (82°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lombok 28°C (82°F) 
    Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Lombok or Railay Beach in the Spring?

Both Railay Beach and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. In April, Lombok usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In April, Lombok is generally around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lombok 28°C (82°F) 
    Railay Beach 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Lombok

Lombok Railay Beach
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 28°C (83°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 29°C (84°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Apr 28°C (82°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 29°C (84°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 318 mm (12.5 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 279 mm (11 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 262 mm (10.3 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 399 mm (15.7 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 109 mm (4.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 304 mm (12 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 216 mm (8.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 165 mm (6.5 in)
Dec 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)


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