Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Lombok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lombok or Whitsundays?
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 Whitsundays. 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 Whitsundays?
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.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLombok $52Whitsundays $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $52, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $132. 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 Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLombok $29Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLombok $58Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Lombok or Whitsundays? 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 $11Whitsundays $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lombok
Also for Lombok, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 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 Dusun Setangi to Lombok Airport (LOP): $93
- Airport transfer from lombok airport to Senaru rinjiani area: $76
- Lombok Airport Private Transfer by Car: $75
- Lombok Airport to Gili Islands - Private Shuttle & Transfer: $59
- Lombok Int Airport (LOP) to Lombok - Round Trip Private Transfer: $59
- Eka Jaya Boat Transfer from Lombok to Padang Bai: $58
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Batu Bolong: $50
- Private Transfer from Bangsal to Lombok Airport (LOP): $50
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Sigar Penjalin: $50
- Private Transfer from Sigar Penjalin to Lombok Airport (LOP): $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whitsundays
Also for Whitsundays, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Whitsunday Islands: Whitehaven Beach Camping Transfer: $124
Is it cheaper to fly into Lombok or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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 $12Whitsundays $30
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 Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset BBQ Dinner Cruise: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lombok $10Whitsundays $25
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
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Private Guided 2-Night Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,941
- Daydream Island: Great Barrier Reef Adventure Cruise: $195
- From Daydream Is.: Whitsundays & Whitehaven Half-Day Cruise: $91
- Whitsundays Camira Sailing Adventure from Daydream Island: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLombok $8.15Whitsundays $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lombok or Whitsundays?
Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays in the Summer?
Both Whitsundays and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year.
In July, Lombok is generally around the same temperature as Whitsundaysin January. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 26°C (79°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. In July, Lombok usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin January. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLombok 26°C (79°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
Both Whitsundays 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.
Lombok is a little warmer than Whitsundays in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.
Whitsundays 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 Whitsundaysin April. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLombok 28°C (82°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Whitsundays in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Whitsundays. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round.
In the winter, Lombok is much warmer than Whitsundays. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lombok in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whitsundays this time of the year. Lombok usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during winter. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Lombok usually receives more rain than Whitsundaysin July. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLombok 28°C (82°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Whitsundays in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Whitsundays. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Lombok is generally a little warmer than Whitsundaysin October. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Lombok usually gets more rain in April than Whitsundaysin October. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLombok 28°C (82°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Lombok
| Lombok | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 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.