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

Should you visit Lombok or Yaeyama Islands?

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 Yaeyama Islands. 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 Yaeyama Islands?

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.

Yaeyama Islands

The Yaeyama Islands is a cluster of islands located in the southwestern part of Japan, close to Taiwan. There are nine different islands, varying from small islets to large holiday resort islands. The Yaeyama Islands are one of the most popular destination in Japan due to their beautiful beaches and underwater ruins. Yaeyama is also known for having their own language and writing system. For the most part, everyone on the Islands speak Japanese, but you'll often find the Yaeyama writing on T-shirts in souvenir shops or scattered around Yaeyama.

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 from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.


Which place is cheaper, Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lombok $29
    Yaeyama Islands $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lombok $58
    Yaeyama Islands $108
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Yaeyama Islands

Looking for a hotel in Lombok or Yaeyama Islands? 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 Yaeyama Islands


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 Yaeyama Islands Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lombok $11
    Yaeyama Islands $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lombok

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

  • Transfer Service to Lombok Airport : $22
  • Gili Trawangan, Air, or 1-Way Boat Transfer to Bali: $23
  • Airport transfer from Lombok Airport to Kuta Mandalika : $23
  • Private Transfer International Airport Lombok (LOP) To Hotel: $23
  • Airport Transfer: Airport To Kuta/kuta To Airport: $27
  • Lombok Airport Transfer : $27
  • Lombok to Lombok Int Airport (LOP) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Mataram: $32
  • Private Transfer from Mataram to Lombok Airport (LOP): $32
  • Private Transfer from Mangsit to Lombok Airport (LOP): $32
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Dusun Kerandangan: $32
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Senggigi: $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Lombok or Yaeyama Islands?

Prices for flights to both Yaeyama Islands 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
    Yaeyama Islands $28

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lombok $10
    Yaeyama Islands $8.62

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
  • Mataram Lombok Historical City tour: $49
  • Complete your Lombok Holiday with Lombok Instagram Tour: $50
  • Private Lombok Hidden Beach Tour: Elak Elak, Sekotong, and Mekaki Beach: $50
  • Beach Tour in Lombok Indonesia: $51
  • Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile Waterfall Trekking Tour: $55
  • Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep Waterfall Tour - Private Day Tour: $55
  • One Day Tour Pink Beach East Lombok Excursion: $55
  • Lombok Sasak Culture Tour from Mataram: $59
  • Private Lombok Cycling Tour : Lingsar Temple, Rice Field, Village & Market Tour: $59
  • Best Lombok Rice Terrace Walking Tour With Waterfall & Monkey: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lombok $8.15
    Yaeyama Islands $6.28


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



When is the best time to visit Lombok or Yaeyama Islands?

Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands in the Summer?

Both Yaeyama Islands 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. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Yaeyama Islands this time of year.

In July, Lombok is generally cooler than Yaeyama Islands. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 26°C (79°F), and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

Yaeyama Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lombok usually gets less rain in July than Yaeyama Islands. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lombok 26°C (79°F) 
    Yaeyama Islands 29°C (85°F)

Should I visit Lombok or Yaeyama Islands in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Yaeyama Islands. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Yaeyama Islands for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Lombok is around the same temperature as Yaeyama Islands in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lombok 28°C (82°F) 
    Yaeyama Islands 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Lombok or Yaeyama Islands in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Yaeyama Islands. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Yaeyama Islands in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

In the winter, Lombok is much warmer than Yaeyama Islands. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lombok in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Yaeyama Islands averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In the winter, Lombok often gets more sunshine than Yaeyama Islands. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yaeyama Islands receives 97 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. Lombok usually gets less rain in January than Yaeyama Islands. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lombok 28°C (82°F) 
    Yaeyama Islands 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Lombok or Yaeyama Islands in the Spring?

Both Yaeyama Islands and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Lombok is generally a little warmer than Yaeyama Islands. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. In April, Lombok usually receives less rain than Yaeyama Islands. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Yaeyama Islands is May to June.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lombok 28°C (82°F) 
    Yaeyama Islands 23°C (74°F)

Typical Weather for Yaeyama Islands and Lombok

Lombok Yaeyama Islands
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 19°C (65°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 20°C (69°F) 126 mm (5 in)
Apr 28°C (82°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 23°C (74°F) 147 mm (5.8 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 231 mm (9.1 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 203 mm (8 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 29°C (85°F) 179 mm (7 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 29°C (84°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 229 mm (9 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 109 mm (4.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 173 mm (6.8 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 216 mm (8.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Dec 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 20°C (67°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)


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