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

Should you visit Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu 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: Kathmandu or Lombok?

Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Lombok or Kathmandu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $59, while the average daily cost in Lombok is $59. 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 Kathmandu and Lombok in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kathmandu $38
    Lombok $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kathmandu $76
    Lombok $56
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Lombok

Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu 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.

Hotels in Kathmandu


Hotels in Lombok


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: Kathmandu Hotel Prices and Lombok Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kathmandu $6.56
    Lombok $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:

  • Kathmandu to Lumbini or Sunauli Border Transfer by Luxury Private Vehicle: $300
  • Private Transfer by Car from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $210
  • Private Transfer to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu or Pokhara: $170
  • Everest Scenic Flight By Buddha Air with Free Hotel Transfers: $165
  • Yoga Experience Day Trip with Private Transfer From Kathmandu: $152
  • Private Car Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara or To Chitwan or To Lumbini & V V: $145
  • Pokhara:Paragliding & River Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $139
  • Kathmandu to Manthali Private Transfer Service: $130
  • Private Sunrise or Sunset Tour of Dhulikhel with return transfers from Kathmandu: $124
  • Private Car Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara or Chitwan or Vv: $90
  • Private Luxury Car Transfer all over Nepal: $88
  • Kathmandu to Bandipur One Way Transfer by Private AC Car : $85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lombok

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

  • Kuta Lombok Transfer: $12
  • Private Transfer International Airport Lombok (LOP) To Hotel: $17
  • Gili Trawangan, Air, or 1-Way Boat Transfer to Bali: $28
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Lombok Cruise Port: $29
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Cruise Port to Lombok island hotels: $29
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Island Hotels to Lombok Cruise Port: $29
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Koeta : $29
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Batu Payung: $30
  • Private Airport Lombok Transfers to or from Gili Islands: $32
  • Private Transfer from Mataram to Lombok Airport (LOP): $35
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Mangsit: $35
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Bintaro: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Lombok?

Prices for flights to both Lombok and Kathmandu 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
    Kathmandu $14
    Lombok $20
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Dessert
    $1.28
  • Dinner for Two
    $2.84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.

  • Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $8.00
  • Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
  • Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights in Kathmandu: $27
  • Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu in Peace & quiet place: $30
  • Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
  • Kathmandu Food Tour : $32
  • Cook and Eat: Cooking Class in Kathmandu near Thamel: $34
  • Walking Street Food Tour in Kathmandu: $48
  • Cooking Class with Vyas: $49
  • Half Day Nepal Cooking Class in Thamel: $60
  • Cooking Class with HSJ: $60
  • Local Cooking Class in Chitwan with Local Style Wood Fire: $65

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kathmandu $7.58
    Lombok $9.90
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Monkey Temple for Two
    $1.42
  • Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two
    $3.54
  • Swayambhunath Stupa
    $1.42

Tours and Activities in Kathmandu

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:

  • 4 Days Kathmandu Nagarkot Tour : $235
  • 4-Hour Private Car Sunrise tour over Mount Everest in Nagarkot: $129
  • Discover Kathmandu Valley: A Day Tour Through Time and Tradition: $96
  • Hire Tour Guide Nepal : $81
  • Manakamana Darshan- Day Tour: $180
  • Nagarkot & Bhaktapur Tour with Private Transport: $60
  • One Day Tour inside Chitwan National Park: $116
  • "Off-The-Beaten-Path" Tour around Kathmandu : $70
  • 1 Day Gay Tour Nepal: $155
  • 1 Day Valley Rim Biking Tour in Kathmandu: $160
  • 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Kathmandu: $155
  • 1 Night 2 Days Daman Tour: $215

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 Tour-Car Hire With Full day Customize Trip: $33
  • Lombok Customize Tour with Private Driver: $35
  • Lombok Private Custom Tour - Lombok Car Hire with Driver : $36
  • Half-Day Mataram City Tour: $45
  • Lombok Private Customize Tour: $45
  • Lombok Customize Tour: $45
  • Lombok White Water Rafting and Pura Lingsar Private Full Day Tour: $48
  • Gili Nanggu Snorkeling Tour to a Tropical Paradise: $49
  • Mataram Lombok Historical City tour: $49
  • Lombok City Tour combination With Temple Tour : $49
  • Benang Stokel, Benang Kelambu, Culture, & Beach Tour: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kathmandu $5.45
    Lombok $7.84

Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:

  • Local Food and Wine Tasting in Kathmandu : $65


When comparing the travel costs between Kathmandu and Lombok, we can see that Kathmandu 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. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kathmandu Expensive? and Is Lombok Expensive?.