Which place is cheaper, Tanah Rata or Lombok?
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 Lombok or Tanah Rata?
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 Tanah Rata. 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 Tanah Rata?
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.
Tanah Rata
Tanah Rata is one of the main tourist towns in the Cameron Highlands. The Cameron Highlands are in western Malaysia and are a popular retreat for Malaysian residents and international travelers alike. The area's higher elevation offers an often much needed break from the country's oppressive heat. It also has a beautiful setting that is rich in agriculture and has rolling hills that are beautifully covered in tea plantations. Tanah Rata has many of the area's tourist amenities. ATMS, banks, and the area's main hospital are all found in town. For some, the area feels too touristy, but if you linger longer, and explore on your own, you can easily escape the mass tourism and see the area for what it is.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
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Lombok Prices
Indonesia PricesTanah Rata Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLombok $59Tanah Rata $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $59, while the average daily cost in Tanah Rata is $192. 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 Tanah Rata in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLombok $28Tanah Rata $76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLombok $56Tanah Rata $152
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Tanah Rata
Looking for a hotel in Lombok or Tanah Rata? 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: Lombok Hotel Prices and Tanah Rata Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lombok $11Tanah Rata $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lombok
Also for Lombok, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: Airport To Senggigi/senggigi To Airport: $70
- Airport transfer from Lombok airport to Sembalun Rinjiani area: $60
- Eka Jaya Boat Transfer from Lombok to Serangan: $73
- Gili Trawangan, Air, or 1-Way Boat Transfer to Bali: $28
- Kuta Lombok Transfer: $12
- Lombok Int Airport (LOP) to Lombok - Round Trip Private Transfer: $50
- Private Airport Lombok Transfers to or from Gili Islands: $32
- One way Private Airport Transfer To Mataram & Senggigi Area: $40
- Private Transfer International Airport Lombok (LOP) To Hotel: $17
- Private Transfer from Airport to or from Gili Asahan/ Gili Gede: $51
- Private Transfer from Batu Bolong to Lombok Airport (LOP): $67
- Private Transfer from Bintaro to Lombok Airport (LOP): $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:
- Private Transfer Service Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur: $229
- Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
- Cameron Highland to Kuala Besut Jetty One Way SIC Transfer: $154
- Shared Transfer : Cameron Highland to Taman Negara via Kuala Tembeling Jetty: $154
- Cameron Highland to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $153
- Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $125
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $110
- CameronHighland CityHotel to KualaLumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $109
- Cameron Highlands City To Kuala Lumpur City Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Lombok or Tanah Rata?
Prices for flights to both Tanah Rata 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
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Food Meals for one dayLombok $20Tanah Rata $87
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
Typical Food Prices in Tanah Rata
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Tanah Rata:
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Dinner for Two$6.42
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Dessert$0.71
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Lunch$4.52
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Afternoon tea$4.40
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lombok $9.90Tanah Rata $39
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tanah Rata
Here are a few typical costs in Tanah Rata for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Tea Factory Visit$6.42
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Tour of Orang Asli Village$24
Tours and Activities in Tanah Rata
Here are a few actual costs in Tanah Rata for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cameron Highlands Sightseing Tour: $35
- Cameron Highlands City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
- Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $109
- Cameron Highlands Full Day Join in Tour: $49
- Cameron Highlands Full Day Tour: $75
- Cameron Highlands Private Sightseeing Tour : $211
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur International Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
- Cameron Highlands: Agro Tour: $61
- Cameron Highlands: Mossy Forest Tour: $30
- Special Cameron Highlands ~ Day tour;Solo;Couple;Group: $292
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLombok $7.84Tanah Rata $21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Tanah Rata, we can see that Tanah Rata 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 Tanah Rata would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tanah Rata 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 Tanah Rata Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lombok or Tanah Rata?
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 Lombok or Tanah Rata in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Tanah Rata. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year.
Also, May to September in Lombok is the dry season. Lombok usually gets less rain in July than Tanah Rata. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Lombok is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lombok in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Tanah Rata averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLombok 26°C (79°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Tanah Rata in the Autumn?
Both Tanah Rata and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tanah Rata because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Lombok is November to April. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tanah Rata. It's quite rainy in Lombok. In October, Lombok usually receives less rain than Tanah Rata. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Lombok is generally around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLombok 28°C (82°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Tanah Rata in the Winter?
Both Tanah Rata and Lombok during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round.
Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lombok usually gets less rain in January than Tanah Rata. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Lombok is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata in the winter. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLombok 28°C (82°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Tanah Rata in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Tanah Rata. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
May to September in Lombok is the dry season. Also, November to April is the rainy season in Lombok. Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Lombok usually receives less rain than Tanah Rata. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Lombok is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lombok in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Tanah Rata averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLombok 28°C (82°F)Tanah Rata 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Tanah Rata and Lombok
| Lombok | Tanah Rata | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 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.