When people look up the cost of a Lombok trip, the question that comes up most often is about open trips: how much does an open trip cost per person? Online, almost nobody answers this specifically for Lombok. Open trip pricing for Komodo or Raja Ampat gets plenty of coverage, but for this island the information is scarce and inconsistent.
This guide fills that gap. Every figure below is real pricing from a local operator with 14 years of experience serving travelers across Mandalika, Gili Trawangan, and the rest of Lombok. You will get direct answers, comparison tables, and the hidden costs that usually blow up a budget. For a full picture of overall trip costs, read the Lombok tour cost and budget guide, which covers hotels, meals, and transport.
Quick Answer: How Much Does a Lombok Open Trip Cost?
Per-person Lombok open trip pricing, excluding flights:
- 1-day tour: from IDR 350,000 per person
- 3-day 2-night open trip: from IDR 850,000 per person
- 4-day 3-night open trip: IDR 850,000 to 2,500,000 per person
The lowest price in each category is a package without hotel (you book accommodation yourself). The highest price includes a hotel. For comparison, a private tour for 2-3 people over 4 days 3 nights ranges from IDR 1,800,000 to 5,000,000 per person.
The open trip concept is simple: you join a group of other travelers, and all transport, driver, and ticket costs are split evenly. The more participants, the cheaper per person. That is why open trips are the most budget-friendly option for solo travelers and couples who want to keep costs in check.
What Determines the Price of a Lombok Open Trip
There is no single benchmark price for open trips. These four factors decide the final per-person cost.
Trip duration. The longer the trip, the higher the total price, but the cost per day tends to drop because fixed costs such as the vehicle and driver spread across more days. A 3-day 2-night open trip is more efficient per day than a 1-day tour.
Route and destinations. Routes covering Gili Trawangan add a boat fee. Routes to Senaru waterfall or Pink Beach require longer drives and more fuel. Southern coast routes such as Kuta and Mandalika are relatively cheaper because the distances are short.
Travel season. Hotel, transport, and Gili boat prices climb sharply during peak season. Low season can be up to 30% cheaper than normal rates, while peak season can cost up to twice as much.
Group size. Open trips divide fixed costs across all participants. A fuller group means a lower per-person price. If only a few people join, the operator adjusts pricing to keep the trip viable.
Open Trip Price Table by Duration
Here are the per-person open trip benchmarks by duration. All prices exclude flights.
| Duration | Price per Person | Destinations Typically Covered |
|---|---|---|
| 1-day tour | from IDR 350,000 | 2-3 destinations in one area, e.g. Kuta Mandalika, Tanjung Aan, and Bukit Merese |
| 3 days 2 nights | from IDR 850,000 | Southern beaches, Gili Trawangan snorkeling, Sasak culture |
| 4 days 3 nights | IDR 850,000-2,500,000 | All of the above plus Senaru waterfall, Pink Beach, or an extension to Sumbawa |
The 4-day 3-night range is wide because hotel class and route choices vary a lot. The IDR 850,000 price is a no-hotel package with a standard itinerary. The IDR 2,500,000 price usually includes a 3-star or 4-star hotel and a fuller route.
As a comparison, a private tour for 2-3 people over the same duration ranges from IDR 1,800,000 to 5,000,000 per person. That gap is what you will weigh when choosing between open trips and private tours, and we break it down in the comparison section below.
What Is Included and Excluded in an Open Trip Price
Every operator has a different package breakdown, but in general the composition of a Lombok open trip looks like this.
| Included | Excluded |
|---|---|
| Land transport (car + driver) | Flights to Lombok |
| Fuel and parking fees | Dinners |
| Destination entry tickets | Snorkeling gear rental (IDR 50,000-100,000 per person per day) |
| Gili boat (round trip) | Extra activities such as banana boat or bike rental |
| Lunch and mineral water | Tips for the driver and guide |
| Photo documentation | Personal shopping and souvenirs |
Always ask for the package breakdown in writing before you pay. The main differences between operators usually come down to three points: whether the Gili boat is included, whether snorkeling gear is provided for free, and whether lunch is really part of the deal. Confirm all three when booking so there are no surprises on the ground.
Hidden Costs to Budget For
A cheap open trip price often makes travelers forget to budget for expenses outside the package. Here are the items that show up most often.
- Dinners: IDR 35,000-150,000 per person per meal. Open trip packages generally include lunch only. For 3 days, set aside IDR 105,000-450,000 per person.
- Tips for driver and guide: IDR 50,000-100,000 per day. Not mandatory but customary, especially after good service.
- Snorkeling gear rental: IDR 50,000-100,000 per person per day if not included.
- Souvenirs: Lombok pearls, woven textiles, and Lombok coffee can take IDR 200,000-500,000.
- Flights: Jakarta-Lombok flights usually run IDR 700,000-1,500,000 one way, depending on season and booking time.
With all of the above, total spending outside the package can reach IDR 1,000,000-2,500,000 per person for a 3-4 day trip. Do not treat the open trip price as the total cost of your holiday. For a full budget breakdown, see the Lombok tour cost guide.
Seasonal Price Multipliers
Open trip pricing is not static through the year. Here is the multiplier benchmark relative to normal season.
| Season | Months | Price Multiplier | Market Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (rainy) | December-February | 0.7x-0.9x | Few tourists, discounted hotels, some limited access |
| Shoulder (transition) | March-April, October-November | 1.0x | Mixed weather, most reasonable prices |
| Dry | May-June, September | 1.1x-1.3x | Great weather, prices rising gradually |
| Peak | July-August, Lebaran, MotoGP in October | 1.3x-2.0x | Very crowded, hotels fill fast, book far in advance |
Tip: for the best open trip price, choose May or September. The weather is still excellent, destinations are not overly crowded, and prices stay at normal levels. Avoid July-August on a tight budget. If you happen to plan a visit around the MotoGP Mandalika race in October, check the open trip packages for event-specific deals.
Open Trip vs Private Tour: Which Is Cheaper?
Choosing between an open trip and a private tour is the second biggest decision after setting your budget. Here is the per-person comparison for a 4-day 3-night duration.
| Group Size | Open Trip per Person | Private Tour per Person | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person (solo) | IDR 850,000-2,500,000 | IDR 2,500,000-5,000,000 | Open trip is far cheaper |
| 2 people | IDR 850,000-2,500,000 | IDR 1,800,000-3,500,000 | Open trip cheaper, private more flexible |
| 3 people | IDR 850,000-2,500,000 | IDR 1,500,000-3,000,000 | Private becomes comparable |
| 4-6 people | Not available as one group | IDR 1,200,000-2,700,000 | Private tour required for your own group |
The conclusion: solo travelers and budget-conscious couples almost always do better with an open trip. But remember, an open trip means following the group schedule. If you want the freedom to choose your route, departure time, and how long you stay at each destination, a private tour for 2-3 people is still worth considering. Compare all options on the Lombok tour packages page.
Tips for Saving on a Lombok Open Trip
Here are practical steps to get the best open trip price:
First, book 3-4 weeks before departure. Tour operators give better rates for early bookings than for last-minute ones. Second, choose dates outside peak season. The price gap between July and May for the exact same package can reach 30-40%. Third, pick a no-hotel package if you already have accommodation preferences or want to use loyalty program points. Fourth, check departure schedules with confirmed quotas. A fully booked open trip usually works out cheaper per person. Fifth, combine a land open trip with the public ferry to Gili Trawangan. The public boat costs only IDR 30,000-50,000 round trip, while a private boat runs IDR 100,000-250,000 and a speedboat IDR 350,000-500,000.
Why an Open Trip Package Beats DIY
Many travelers assume arranging everything yourself is cheaper than joining an open trip. In Lombok, that assumption is often wrong. Renting a car with a driver averages IDR 350,000-750,000 per day, excluding fuel and parking. Add entry tickets for each destination (IDR 5,000-25,000), the Gili boat, and lunch. Once everything is added up, DIY costs per person for 3 days can exceed the open trip price, especially if you are only traveling as a pair.
An open trip also removes the burden of coordination. No route research, no price negotiation, no juggling schedules between destinations that are far apart. You just join, enjoy the journey, and come back with full photo documentation.
Sungkar Group has served domestic and international travelers for 14 years with a 5-star rating on Google. All our open trip packages are transparent: no hidden fees, and support is available in Indonesian, English, Arabic, Malay, and Mandarin. For itinerary consultation and the latest quotes, contact us via WhatsApp. If you want to understand how open trips work from preparation to return, read our complete open trip guide on the blog.
Questions Travelers Ask About Lombok Open Trip Costs
Does the open trip price include flights?
No. Almost no open trip includes flights because airfares fluctuate heavily. You pay for your ticket separately, and the operator picks you up at Lombok International Airport (Praya) according to your arrival time. Jakarta-Lombok flights usually run IDR 700,000-1,500,000 one way.
What is the minimum number of participants for an open trip to run?
Most operators run an open trip with a minimum of 2-4 participants, depending on the route and season. Outside the busy season, schedules can be merged or postponed until the quota is met. Ask about quota status and schedule-merging policy when booking so your plans are not disrupted.
Can the open trip price be negotiated?
Open trip prices are generally net with a fair margin because costs are split across participants. Negotiation is more likely for large groups or far-in-advance bookings. Be careful with operators who hand out big discounts too easily, service quality can suffer.
What is the difference between a land open trip and a boat open trip?
A land open trip uses a car with a driver and covers destinations on Lombok island itself. A boat open trip, such as those heading to Sumbawa or the Gili Islands, uses a vessel as the main transport and is priced separately. Make sure you know which type you are booking so your price and route expectations match.
When is the best time to book an open trip for the lowest price?
Book 3-4 weeks before departure for normal season and 6-8 weeks ahead for peak season (July-August, Lebaran, MotoGP in October). Early-bird rates are usually cheaper. Traveling in May or September gives you the best combination of weather and pricing.
