Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Lombok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Lombok or Saint Thomas?
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 Saint Thomas. 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 Saint Thomas?
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.
Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia.
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Lombok Prices
Indonesia PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLombok $59Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $59, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $258. 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 Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLombok $28Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLombok $56Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Lombok or Saint Thomas? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lombok $11Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lombok
Also for Lombok, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Wisata Alam Semongkat to Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ): $230
- Private Transfer from Lopok to Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ): $165
- Private Transfer from Brang Biji to Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ): $101
- Private Transfer from Lempeh to Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ): $101
- Private Transfer from Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ) to Lempeh: $101
- Private Transfer from Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ) to Pekat: $101
- Private Transfer from Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ) to Brang Bara: $101
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Sokong: $77
- Private Transfer from Sokong to Lombok Airport (LOP): $77
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Sigar Penjalin: $77
- Eka Jaya Boat Transfer from Lombok to Serangan: $73
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Pengawisan: $73
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie RoundTrip Transfer: $204
- Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $200
- Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Westin : $180
- Prince Taxi USVI-ST.Thomas Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton : $180
- ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers: $180
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
- Private Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay: $175
- Prince Taxi ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Yacht Haven/Bluebeards: $175
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Lombok or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas 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 $20Saint Thomas $94
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 Lombok Cooking Class : $25
- Kids Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $63
- Love and Legends: The Ultimate Romantic Dinner on the beach : $65
- Amazing Lombok BBQ Beach Sunset Dinner: $86
- Lombok Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $100
- Royal Dinner Experience in Lombok at Royal Tugudom: $119
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flavors: Cultural Cooking Class, St Thomas, USVI, USA : $81
- St. John Sail with Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres to Lovango Dinner: $119
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $119
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $120
- Local Experience, St. John U.S. Virgin Islands Food Tour: $125
- Pizza Pi Shuttle (Official) - Jet Ski Trip St Thomas: $148
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
- Turtles, Pizza Pi & Sunset trip: $295
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lombok $9.90Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Lombok
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lombok.
- Waterfall Tour And Sasak Traditional Tour: $77
- "Private 2D1N Adventure: Explore Pergasingan Hills": $163
- 1 Day Pink Beach Tour in East Lombok: $92
- 3 Days Tour in Mount Rinjani Summit with Lake Hiking : $285
- 3D 2N Mount Rinjani Trekking Tour To Summit And Lake: $195
- Best Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep Waterfalls Tour: $70
- Best Waterfall Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep Private Tour: $59
- Car Hire Lombok tradition village tour: $99
- Dirt Bike Adventure at Kuta Lombok: $135
- Dolphins Cruise: $154
- Excursions for Cruise Ship Passengers : $71
- Exotic Lombok's Pink Beach Private Tour: $78
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Island Icons & Treasures Tour - St. Thomas USVI : $199
- Magens Bay Trail Hiking Tour: $60
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours USVI-Coki Beach Snorkeling Tour : $68
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $169
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $159
- 1.5 Hour Private Mini Jeep Tour on St. Thomas: $220
- 3 Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $139
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Best of Mangrove Lagoon Kayak, Hike and Snorkel Adventure with Picnic Lunch: $159
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLombok $7.84Saint Thomas $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Saint Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lombok or Saint Thomas?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Lombok or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Lombok is May to September. In July, Lombok usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Lombok is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLombok 26°C (79°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Lombok during the autumn 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 Saint Thomas year-round.
November to April is the rainy season in Lombok. Saint Thomas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Lombok. Lombok usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Lombok is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLombok 28°C (82°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Saint Thomas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Lombok usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Lombok usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Lombok is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lombok in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLombok 28°C (82°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Saint Thomas. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Also, May to September in Lombok is the dry season. November to April in Lombok is the rainy season. Lombok usually gets more rain in April than Saint Thomas. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Lombok is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLombok 28°C (82°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Lombok
| Lombok | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.