Which place is cheaper, Lombok or Zanzibar?
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 Zanzibar or Lombok?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Lombok can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Zanzibar or Lombok?
Zanzibar
Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesLombok Prices
Indonesia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Lombok $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Lombok is $55. 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 Zanzibar and Lombok in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Lombok $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Lombok $52
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Lombok
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Zanzibar Hotel Prices and Lombok Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Lombok $9.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Zanzibar VIP Transfer in Range Rover Sport: $300
- Zanzibar JetCar ride with drone video and transfer included: $168
- The Top Best Tour in Stone Town and Prison Island with Transfer: $130
- Private Nakupenda Beach Day with Seafood Lunch and Transfers: $126
- Zanzibar Tour in Secret Beach, Kuza Cave and Jozani with transfer: $120
- Private Transfer from Kizimkazi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $98
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Makunduchi: $98
- Zanzibar Quad Adventures from Nungwi or Kendwa & Hotel Transfer: $95
- Zanzibar Ferry Terminal Departure Transfers.: $90
- Jet Ski to Zanzibar with photos and video and transfer included: $90
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Kiwengwa: $88
- Private Transfer from Bwejuu to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $88
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lombok
Also for Lombok, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: Airport To Kuta/kuta To Airport: $27
- Airport transfer from Lombok Airport to Selong Belanak: $33
- Airport transfer from Lombok airport to Sembalun Rinjiani area: $60
- Airport transfer from lombok Airport to Praya: $22
- Bangsal Port Transfer: $10
- Gili Trawangan, Air, or 1-Way Boat Transfer to Bali: $28
- Kuta Lombok Transfer: $10
- Lombok Airport Transfer: $9.35
- Lombok Int Airport (LOP) to Lombok - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
- One way Private Airport Transfer To Mataram & Senggigi Area: $50
- Private Transfer International Airport Lombok (LOP) To Hotel: $17
- Private Transfer from Airport to or from Gili Asahan/ Gili Gede: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Lombok?
Prices for flights to both Lombok and Zanzibar 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 dayZanzibar $28Lombok $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
- Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
- Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
- Cooking Class Tour: $90
- A private half day spice farm with a cooking lesson: $90
- A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $107
- Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
- Zanzibar Full-Day Tour Jozani Forest and Swahili Cooking Class: $130
- Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lombok
For Lombok, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lombok Cooking Class by Mas Oppa: $19
- Kids Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $52
- Babah Peranakan Chinese Cuisine Dinner in Lombok: $66
- Traditional Cooking Class Experience With Recipes From The Past Generations: $70
- Amazing Lombok BBQ Beach Sunset Dinner: $88
- Royal Dinner Experience in Lombok at Royal Tugudom: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Lombok $9.21
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Days Tour In Zanzibar: $180
- 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- 3 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
- 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island: $25
- 4h Quad Adventures in Nungwi / Kendwa: $135
- A Full Day Private Tour To Prison Island + Nakupenda + Stone Town: $150
- A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba Island: $95
- A Half Day Private Nungwi Village Tour (With Turtles Aquarium): $78
- A Half Day Private Prison Island Tour: $106
- A Half Day Private Stone Town Tour: $85
- A Half Day Private Tour To Jozani Forest: $87
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
- Sendang Gile Waterfall, Malimbu, & Pusuk Pass Panorama Tour: $33
- Lombok Sasak Culture and Village Tour: $35
- Gili Nanggu, Sudak and Kedis Snorkeling Tour and Island Hopping: $40
- Lombok Biking Tour: $41
- Lombok Private Day Tour with Local Mate: $43
- Half-Day Mataram City Tour: $45
- Lombok Customize Tour: $45
- Lombok Private Customize Tour: $45
- Lombok Private Tour City, Heritage, Culture and Beach: $46
- Benang Kelambu & Stokel Waterfalls and Handweaving Village Tour: $48
- Lombok City Tour combination With Temple Tour: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75Lombok $7.29
When comparing the travel costs between Zanzibar and Lombok, we can see that Zanzibar is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Zanzibar is in Africa and Lombok is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Lombok Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar or Lombok?
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.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Lombok in the Summer?
Both Lombok and Zanzibar during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round.
May to September is the dry season in Lombok. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in July than Lombok. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Lombok. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Lombok fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Lombok 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Lombok in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Lombok. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, November to April is the rainy season in Lombok. Lombok receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Lombok. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Lombok in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Lombok fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Lombok 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Lombok in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Lombok. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year.
Zanzibar usually gets less rain in January than Lombok. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 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 Zanzibar this time of the year. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Lombok. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lombok receives 188 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Lombok. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Lombok averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Lombok 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Lombok in the Spring?
Both Lombok and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Lombok is May to September. The rainy season in Lombok is November to April. It's quite rainy in Zanzibar. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Lombok. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Lombok. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Lombok fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Lombok 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Lombok and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Lombok | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 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.