A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lombok vs. Picton for Beaches, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Lombok or Picton?

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 Picton. 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.

Lombok

Lombok is a stunning, peaceful, and laid back island. You'll find world class beauty in Lombok as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Lombok travel costs.

Picton

Picton is a picturesque, scenic, and quaint town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Picton travel costs.

Lombok and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lombok or Picton?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lombok. Although Lombok and Picton are both popular with visitors, Lombok has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lombok is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Picton is known for its small town charm. Lombok is popular for its striking natural beauty, pristine beaches, and local culture. It is also home to Mount Rinjani. Picton is popular for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails.

How is Lombok different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Picton and Lombok. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lombok or Picton?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Lombok and Picton.

Lombok offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The island has many traditional villages that let you glimpse the fascinating Sasak Tribe's culture. This is the largest tribe on the island and it makes up about 85% of the island's population. Sasak Sade Village is large and popular to visit. A visit offers a unique experience and helps you understand more about the island's culture.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Picton. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

Is the Food Better in Lombok or Picton? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Lombok and Picton both to be excellent destinations.

Lombok has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The island is considered world renowned for its Halal cuisine, and there are many popular local dishes that you should try. Ayam Taliwang is a grilled chicken dish, Satay Rembiga is grilled meat served over rice, and Bebalung is a soup that's made with goat or cow ribs.

Dining out in Picton is an experience not to be missed. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

Is Lombok or Picton Better for Nightlife?

Lombok is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Lombok. While the island is quieter than nearby Bali, it does still have an active nightlife scene. In particular, head to the areas around Senggigi Beach and Kuta Lombok for the most active bars and live music. With the more populated tourist areas and hotels come the more active clubs, bars, and evening entertainment.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Picton. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Lombok or Picton Better for Resorts?

Lombok is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Picton is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Lombok to choose from. The island is filled with luxury resorts, villas, and hotels. You'll want to think about your priorities before booking your hotel. There areas that are better for beaches, hiking, culture or sightseeing, and each has its own personality and style.

Picton is not a resort destination.

Is Lombok or Picton Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lombok is very popular for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Picton is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Lombok. The island is surrounded by clear waters and colorful coral, making it a superb snorkeling and diving destination. For some of the best dive spots head to the Gili Islands. Around the island you'll find places where you can see turtles, colorful fish, and possibly even Hammerhead Sharks.

Picton is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lombok or Picton Better for Beaches?

Lombok is very popular for the beach. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its beaches.

Lombok offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Kuta, Senggigi, and the Gili Islands offer some of the area's best beaches. Many beaches have white sand, clear water, beautiful snorkeling, or fun surfing. Mawun Beach and Pandanan Beach are among the most beautiful beaches, while Selong Belanak Beach is very photogenic with its water buffalo. Tanjung Aan Beach has surfing and Kuta Beach Lombok is the most popular beach, but not among the best.

Picton is considered a top beach destination. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

Is Lombok or Picton Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Lombok and Picton, and they are excellent.

Many visitors go to Lombok for the hiking trails. There are many walking and hiking trails around the island, but the most well known is the three day hike to the peak of Mount Rinjani. This is the large and active volcano on the island. The hike is truly beautiful and spectacular, but it's also a challenging climb and the difficulty level should not be underestimated.

Picton is a popular spot for hiking. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Lombok or Picton?

Lombok is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Lombok. There are many traditional markets and villages around the island where you can buy Sasak crafts. These items are characterized by bright colors and elaborate patterns. You'll find pottery, fabrics, clothing, and hand-woven baskets.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Picton. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Lombok or Picton More Beautiful?

Lombok is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, Picton is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Lombok as well. The island is filled with stunning beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and colorful marine environments.

Picton is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Lombok or Picton Better for Families?

Both Lombok and Picton are excellent family-friendly destinations.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Lombok is very family-friendly. The island is filled with natural beauty, waterfalls, beaches, swimming spots, traditional villages and wildlife. This makes it an idyllic destination for families, whether you're traveling with toddlers or older kids.

Picton is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

Is Lombok or Picton Better for Couples?

Lombok is very popular for couples. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Lombok is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The island has grown into a world renowned honeymoon destination. It has a more laid back vibe than nearby Bali, and you'll find pristine beaches and a tropical paradise. There are luxury hotels, stunning natural settings, and plenty of romantic or adventurous activities.

Picton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

Is Lombok or Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lombok is very popular for backpackers. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lombok is a very popular island to visit for backpackers. This island is often compared to Bali 30 years ago. It's a much quieter island, but there are still bars and towns that attract a crowd. If you're looking for a party, then you'll likely still be able to find one, but if you want a laid back retreat, that's available as well.

Picton is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

Is Lombok or Picton Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Picton is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Lombok is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Picton offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Lombok. The island is spread out, so many visitors prefer to hire a car of motorbike. There are also public buses, minibuses, and taxis available.

Is Lombok or Picton a more walkable city?

Picton is great for its high level of walkability. However, Lombok is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

Picton is a very walkable town. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

Lombok is generally not very walkable. There are towns on the island that are relatively walkable and there are hiking and walking paths in different places.

For even more information, also check out Is Lombok Worth Visiting? and Is Picton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Picton or Lombok?

How long in Lombok or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lombok or Picton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lombok than Picton because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 10-14 days is a good amount of time for Lombok, and 1-2 days is enough time in Picton.

Families should spend more time in Lombok than Picton. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lombok, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Lombok than Picton. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lombok that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lombok than Picton if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Lombok.

One day in Lombok or Picton?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Lombok. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Picton. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Lombok or Picton?

Lombok is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Picton is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Lombok or Picton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lombok. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With so much to do, five days is probably not enough time to see everything. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Picton. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Lombok or Picton?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the peaceful destination of Lombok. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One week is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Picton. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.

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

When is the best time to visit Lombok or Picton?

Picton 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 Picton in the Summer?

Both Picton 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, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Picton this time of year.

In the summer, Lombok is a little warmer than Picton. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lombok in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Picton averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.

Lombok usually gets less rain in July than Pictonin January. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. May to September is the dry season in Lombok.

Should I visit Lombok or Picton in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Picton. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Picton for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Lombok is generally much warmer than Pictonin April. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Picton fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Lombok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Lombok usually receives more rain than Pictonin April. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, November to April is the rainy season in Lombok.

Should I visit Lombok or Picton in the Winter?

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

Lombok is much warmer than Picton in the winter. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Picton. Lombok usually gets less rain in January than Pictonin July. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lombok or Picton in the Spring?

Both Picton 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 Picton for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, Lombok is much warmer than Picton. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lombok in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Picton averages at about 13°C (55°F)in October.

In April, Lombok usually receives around the same amount of rain as Pictonin October. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Lombok is May to September. The rainy season in Lombok is November to April.

Typical Weather for Picton and Lombok