A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lombok vs. Reykjavik for Hiking, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Lombok or Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik. 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.

Lombok

Lombok is a peaceful, laid back, and cultural island. Lombok is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Lombok travel costs.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a friendly, clean, and green city. Many visitors also come to Reykjavik because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Reykjavik travel costs.

Lombok and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lombok or Reykjavik?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lombok. Although Lombok and Reykjavik are popular destinations, Lombok has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lombok is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Reykjavik attracts visitors for its hiking. Lombok is famous for its striking natural beauty, pristine beaches, and local culture. It is also well known for Mount Rinjani. Reykjavik is famous for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.

How is Lombok different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Reykjavik and Lombok. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lombok or Reykjavik?

Lombok is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Lombok is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The island has many traditional villages that let you glimpse the fascinating Sasak Tribe's culture. This is the largest tribe on the island and it makes up about 85% of the island's population. Sasak Sade Village is large and popular to visit. A visit offers a unique experience and helps you understand more about the island's culture.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Lombok or Reykjavik? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lombok is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Lombok. The island is considered world renowned for its Halal cuisine, and there are many popular local dishes that you should try. Ayam Taliwang is a grilled chicken dish, Satay Rembiga is grilled meat served over rice, and Bebalung is a soup that's made with goat or cow ribs.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Lombok or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Lombok and Reykjavik.

If you're looking for night time activities Lombok has a few options to choose from. While the island is quieter than nearby Bali, it does still have an active nightlife scene. In particular, head to the areas around Senggigi Beach and Kuta Lombok for the most active bars and live music. With the more populated tourist areas and hotels come the more active clubs, bars, and evening entertainment.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Reykjavik. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Lombok or Reykjavik Better for Resorts?

Lombok is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Reykjavik is not a resort destination.

Lombok is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. The island is filled with luxury resorts, villas, and hotels. You'll want to think about your priorities before booking your hotel. There areas that are better for beaches, hiking, culture or sightseeing, and each has its own personality and style.

Reykjavik is not a resort destination.

Is Lombok or Reykjavik Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lombok is an amazing island to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Reykjavik is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Lombok specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The island is surrounded by clear waters and colorful coral, making it a superb snorkeling and diving destination. For some of the best dive spots head to the Gili Islands. Around the island you'll find places where you can see turtles, colorful fish, and possibly even Hammerhead Sharks.

Reykjavik is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lombok or Reykjavik Better for Beaches?

Lombok is an amazing island to visit for its beaches. However, Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Lombok are among the best in the world. Kuta, Senggigi, and the Gili Islands offer some of the area's best beaches. Many beaches have white sand, clear water, beautiful snorkeling, or fun surfing. Mawun Beach and Pandanan Beach are among the most beautiful beaches, while Selong Belanak Beach is very photogenic with its water buffalo. Tanjung Aan Beach has surfing and Kuta Beach Lombok is the most popular beach, but not among the best.

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Lombok or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is a world-class destination for hiking. Also, Lombok is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the nearby hiking options.

Reykjavik is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Lombok is a popular spot for hiking. There are many walking and hiking trails around the island, but the most well known is the three day hike to the peak of Mount Rinjani. This is the large and active volcano on the island. The hike is truly beautiful and spectacular, but it's also a challenging climb and the difficulty level should not be underestimated.

Is the Shopping Better in Lombok or Reykjavik?

Lombok is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Lombok. There are many traditional markets and villages around the island where you can buy Sasak crafts. These items are characterized by bright colors and elaborate patterns. You'll find pottery, fabrics, clothing, and hand-woven baskets.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Lombok or Reykjavik More Beautiful?

Lombok and Reykjavik are somewhat similar when it comes to the world-class scenery.

Many visitors also come to Lombok because of it's amazing beauty. The island is filled with stunning beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and colorful marine environments.

You'll find world class beauty in Reykjavik as well. The city offers the perfect gateway to world-renowned natural beauty including waterfalls, hot springs, and active volcanoes.

Is Lombok or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Both Lombok and Reykjavik are great family-friendly destinations.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Lombok is very family-friendly. The island is filled with natural beauty, waterfalls, beaches, swimming spots, traditional villages and wildlife. This makes it an idyllic destination for families, whether you're traveling with toddlers or older kids.

Reykjavik is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Is Lombok or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Lombok is an amazing island to visit for romance. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Lombok has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The island has grown into a world renowned honeymoon destination. It has a more laid back vibe than nearby Bali, and you'll find pristine beaches and a tropical paradise. There are luxury hotels, stunning natural settings, and plenty of romantic or adventurous activities.

Couples visit Reykjavik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Lombok or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lombok is an amazing island to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Lombok. This island is often compared to Bali 30 years ago. It's a much quieter island, but there are still bars and towns that attract a crowd. If you're looking for a party, then you'll likely still be able to find one, but if you want a laid back retreat, that's available as well.

Reykjavik is a good island to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Lombok or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Reykjavik is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Lombok is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Lombok is not popular with students.

Is Lombok or Reykjavik Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Reykjavik is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Lombok is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Reykjavik offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Lombok. The island is spread out, so many visitors prefer to hire a car of motorbike. There are also public buses, minibuses, and taxis available.

Is Lombok or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Reykjavik is great for its high level of walkability. However, Lombok is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

Reykjavik is a very walkable city. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

Lombok is generally not very walkable. There are towns on the island that are relatively walkable and there are hiking and walking paths in different places.

For even more information, also check out Is Lombok Worth Visiting? and Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Lombok?

How long in Lombok or Reykjavik?

In either Lombok or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Lombok than Reykjavik because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 10-14 days is a good amount of time for Lombok, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

Families should spend more time in Lombok than Reykjavik. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lombok, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Lombok than Reykjavik. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lombok that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lombok than Reykjavik if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Lombok.

One day in Lombok or Reykjavik?

You'll find nightlife and food around the island of Lombok. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Lombok or Reykjavik?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the stunning destination of Lombok. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Lombok or Reykjavik?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the stunning island of Lombok. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reykjavik. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Lombok or Reykjavik?

Lombok is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one week exploring. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the green destination of Reykjavik. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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 Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

When is the best time to visit Lombok or Reykjavik?

Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Reykjavik. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Lombok is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 26°C (79°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In July, Lombok usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer. May to September in Lombok is the dry season.

Should I visit Lombok or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Reykjavik. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. Lombok is much warmer than Reykjavik in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Lombok receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lombok usually gets more rain in October than Reykjavik. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April in Lombok is the rainy season.

Should I visit Lombok or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik 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, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the winter. In the winter, Lombok is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lombok in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Reykjavik averages at about -0°C (32°F).

Lombok usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Lombok usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lombok or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In April, Lombok is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Lombok usually gets more rain in April than Reykjavik. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year. May to September is the dry season in Lombok. November to April is the rainy season in Lombok.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Lombok