Which place is cheaper, Rotorua or Lombok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lombok or Rotorua?
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 Rotorua. 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 Rotorua?
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.
Rotorua
Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.
Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.
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 in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLombok $52Rotorua $93
The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $52, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is $93. 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 Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLombok $29Rotorua $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLombok $58Rotorua $96
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in Lombok or Rotorua? 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 Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lombok $11Rotorua $5.01
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 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
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport to Lombok Cruise Port: $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotorua
Also for Rotorua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rotorua to Auckland Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Glow Worms: $182
Is it cheaper to fly into Lombok or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua 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 $12Rotorua $29
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 Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet: $92
- Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner: $154
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lombok $10Rotorua $34
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Rotorua's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Lunch Out for Two$27
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua: $30
- Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū : $158
- From Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Festive Lunch: $154
- From Wai O Tapu & Waimangu Eco Thermal Morning Tour: $86
- From Wai-O-Tapu, Waimangu and Te Puia Full-Day Tour: $193
- Geothermal Adults Only Mineral Bathing - Pavilion Pools Bathing Ticket: $27
- Geothermal Lakeside Bathing Experience - Deluxe Lake Spa: $46
- Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+: $27
- Hells Gate Mud Bath and Sulphur Spa Experience: $50
- Hobbiton Day Tour from Rotorua with lunch at Hobbiton: $157
- Kaituna River: 3.5-Hour White Water Sledging Experience: $77
- Kaituna River: Whitewater Rafting Experience: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLombok $8.15Rotorua $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rotorua:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Rotorua, we can see that Rotorua 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 Rotorua 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 Rotorua would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotorua 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 Rotorua Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lombok or Rotorua?
Rotorua 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 Rotorua in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Rotorua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Lombok is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lombok in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.
In July, Lombok usually receives less rain than Rotoruain January. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLombok 26°C (79°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Rotorua in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Rotorua. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.
In October, Lombok is generally much warmer than Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Lombok receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lombok usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLombok 28°C (82°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Rotorua in the Winter?
Both Rotorua 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, many travelers come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Lombok is around the same temperature as Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.
In January, Lombok usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLombok 28°C (82°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Rotorua in the Spring?
Both Rotorua 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 visitors come to Rotorua in the spring for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Lombok is a little warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lombok in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.
Lombok usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLombok 28°C (82°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and Lombok
| Lombok | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 13°C (55°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.