Which place is cheaper, Lombok or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Lombok, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Phuket Island is the tourist mecca of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $106, while the average daily cost in Lombok is $53. 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 Phuket and Lombok in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Lombok? 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
Also for Lombok, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Lombok and Phuket 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
For Lombok, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lombok.
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Lombok, we can see that Phuket 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 Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket 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 Phuket Expensive? and Is Lombok Expensive?.
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Both Lombok and Phuket during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in July than Lombok. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Phuket is around the same temperature as Lombok in the summer. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Lombok fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Lombok. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to March in Phuket is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. Lombok receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Lombok. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Phuket is around the same temperature as Lombok. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Phuket in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Lombok averages at about 28°C (82°F).
The winter brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Lombok. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year.
Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season. Phuket usually gets less rain in January than Lombok. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phuket this time of the year. In the winter, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Lombok. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lombok receives 188 hours of full sun.
In January, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Lombok. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Lombok fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Both Lombok and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Phuket is June to October. It's quite rainy in Phuket. In April, Phuket usually receives more rain than Lombok. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Phuket is around the same temperature as Lombok in the spring. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Lombok fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Phuket | Lombok | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) |
Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |