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

Should you visit Lombok or Wellington?

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 Wellington. 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 peaceful, laid back, and cultural island. Lombok is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Lombok travel costs.

Wellington

Wellington is a compact, laid-back, and funky city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Wellington travel costs.

Lombok and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lombok or Wellington?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lombok than Wellington, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lombok is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Wellington is more popular for its nightlife. Lombok is well known for its striking natural beauty, pristine beaches, and local culture. Also, Lombok is famous for Mount Rinjani. Wellington is well known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

How is Lombok different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Wellington 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 Wellington?

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

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 Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

Foodies will find both Lombok and Wellington both to be superb 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 Wellington is an experience not to be missed. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Is Lombok or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Wellington is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Lombok is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Wellington for the nightlife scene. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

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.

Is Lombok or Wellington Better for Resorts?

Lombok is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Wellington is not a resort destination.

Lombok is known as a popular and fun resort destination. 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.

Wellington is not a resort destination.

Is Lombok or Wellington Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lombok is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Lombok a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. 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.

Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lombok or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Lombok is a must-visit destination for the beach. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Lombok. 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.

Wellington is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Is Lombok or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Lombok is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Lombok. 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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Wellington. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Is the Shopping Better in Lombok or Wellington?

If you're looking to go shopping, Lombok and Wellington both offer plenty of superb spots.

Lombok is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Wellington. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Is Lombok or Wellington More Beautiful?

Lombok is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Wellington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Lombok is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The island is filled with stunning beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and colorful marine environments.

Wellington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Lombok or Wellington Better for Families?

Both Lombok and Wellington are superb 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.

Wellington is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Is Lombok or Wellington Better for Couples?

Lombok is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Lombok makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Wellington is a good island for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Lombok or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lombok is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Lombok is extremely popular 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.

Wellington is a very popular island for backpackers and budget travelers. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

Is Lombok or Wellington Better for Students?

Wellington is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Lombok is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Wellington. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Lombok is not popular with students.

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

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

The public transit in Wellington can get you around easily. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

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 Wellington a more walkable city?

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

Wellington is a very walkable city. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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 Wellington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Lombok?

How long in Lombok or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lombok and Wellington. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lombok than in Wellington. Usually, 10-14 days is a good amount of time for Lombok, and 2-3 days is enough time in Wellington.

Families should spend more time in Lombok than Wellington. 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 Wellington. 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 Wellington 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 Wellington?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the laid back island of Lombok, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Wellington. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Lombok or Wellington?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Lombok, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Wellington 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 Wellington?

Lombok, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. With so much to do, five days is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Wellington?

Lombok is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the compact destination of Wellington. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

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

When is the best time to visit Lombok or Wellington?

Wellington 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 Wellington in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Wellington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Lombok is a little warmer than Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

In July, Lombok usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin January. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. May to September in Lombok is the dry season.

Should I visit Lombok or Wellington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Wellington. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Wellington in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Lombok is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lombok in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Wellington averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

Lombok receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lombok usually gets more rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April in Lombok is the rainy season.

Should I visit Lombok or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Lombok is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Lombok usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. In January, Lombok usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lombok or Wellington in the Spring?

Both Wellington and Lombok during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches.

Lombok is much warmer than Wellington in the spring. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

Lombok usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Wellingtonin October. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. May to September is the dry season in Lombok. November to April is the rainy season in Lombok.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Lombok