How to get from Bali to Lombok

Why visit Lombok?

Lombok is the more serene island paradise version of its neighbour Bali. Here you’ll find long, often near-deserted stretches of white sand beaches, amazing waves, beguiling waterfalls, and the majestic Mt. Rinjani — one of Indonesia’s highest volcanoes.

The South Lombok coastline is a true surfing mecca, while the main tourist hub Kuta is more peaceful than its hectic namesake in Bali. On the northern part of the island, you’ll see the heavenly Gili Islands, a group of three small islands that you can reach via a 30-minute boat ride from Lombok.

Want to go to the Gili Islands first? Check out our guide to find the best ferry from Bali to the Gili Islands.

Flight or ferry to Lombok?

Most travellers visiting Lombok either stay in Senggigi or Kuta, Lombok. Senggigi is a port town in West Lombok and is a popular choice to stay in if you want to trek Rinjani Volcano.

Kuta, in the south of Lombok, is more popular with surfers and travellers who want to enjoy Lombok’s beautiful beaches.

Staying in Senggigi: Take the ferry

If you stay in Senggigi, we recommend taking the ferry from Bali instead of flying.

The drive from Praya Airport to Senggigi takes more than an hour. Including the 40-minute flight and the extra time you need to get through the airport, this trip will easily take more than 2 hours.

With the fast ferry, you can get from Bali to Senggigi in just 1.5 hours. Only Eka Jaya offers ferries from Padang Bai to Senggigi Pier. Trips are limited so book this trip in advance.

If the ferry to Senggigi is fully booked, you’ll need to take a fast boat to Bangsal Pier, 40 minutes from Senggigi.

Staying in Kuta Lombok: Flying is faster

Thanks to a new expressway, the drive from Praya Airport to Kuta Lombok takes about 30 minutes. With a flight time of only 40 minutes, this is by far the fastest option to get from Bali to Lombok if you stay in Kuta.

If you take the ferry from Bali to Senggigi, it will take another 1.5 hours to reach Kuta from the pier.

See below the durations of all options to travel from Bali to Kuta, Lombok:

• By flight: 40 minutes + 30 minutes
• By fast ferry: 1.5-5 hours + 1.5 hours
• By slow ferry: 5-8 hours + 1.5 hours

There are 3 ways to travel the 180 kilometres (112 miles) from Bali to Lombok. You can choose between the flight, fast ferry and slow ferry. The journey takes 40 minutes to 6 hours 45 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by slow ferry with tickets starting at 160,000 IDR ($9.60).

When travelling from Bali to Lombok by fast ferry, you have several options. A number of companies operate on this route, but they don’t all leave from the same port in Bali or arrive at the same port in Lombok.

Ferry ports in Bali

From Bali, you can leave from three different ports: Padang Bai, Serangan Port and Sanur Harbour.

Although the locations of Serangan and Sanur look more convenient when you are staying in the south of Bali, there are fewer ferry companies operating from these ports. These ferries also have longer travel times and are generally more expensive than the ones departing from Padang Bai.

Another important thing to know is that ferries to Senggigi only depart from Padang Bai and not from Serangan or Sanur.

Padang Bai (Northeast of Bali)

Most ferries from Bali to Lombok depart from Padang Bai. Therefore, you can find the most competitive ticket fares from this port and more regular departures.

Padang Bai is also the best departure port if you’re prone to motion sickness. Many ferries departing from Padang Bai can get you to Lombok in just 1.5-2 hours.

Note that you need to pay a terminal fee of 10,000 IDR ($0.60) upon entry at this port.

Serangan (Southeast of Bali)

Serangan Port is closer to many tourist areas in Bali like Kuta, Seminyak and Bali Airport. However, ferry tickets from Serangan are almost double the price compared to ferries leaving from Padang Bai.

Also, the ferry journey from Serangan can be twice as long as the ferry trip from Padang Bai.

Sanur (Southeast of Bali)

Sanur Harbour is 12 km north of Serangan Port. This new pier is one of the most modern ports in Southeast Asia.

From Sanur, a ferry ride to Lombok takes about 5 hours.

Ferry ports in Lombok

The two main arrival ports in Lombok are Senggigi Pier and Bangsal Pier.

Senggigi Pier (West Lombok)

Senggigi Pier is the most popular port to arrive at in Lombok. Many travellers choose to dock at Senggigi Port as it’s right next to some well-maintained beaches and just a short stroll to many of its hotels.

Senggigi is the perfect base for exploring Lombok. It’s the most developed tourist town on the island — packed with bars, restaurants, and beachside spots. If you’re planning to trek Mount Rinjani, Senggigi is also the best place to organise your trip.

With dozens of tour companies based here, it is the island’s main gateway to the abundant natural attractions in the west and central areas.

PRO TIP: Senggigi is a great place to stay if you’re planning to climb Rinjani. Visiting Lombok for its beaches and relaxation? We recommend staying in its southern towns like Kuta.

Private taxi fares from Senggigi Pier to Kuta cost approximately 300,000 IDR ($18.10).

Bangsal Pier (North Lombok)

Bangsal Pier, also called Teluk Kode, is just across the strait from the three offshore Gili Islands where most boats call before reaching the mainland. From Bangsal to the Gilis, tickets for the slow ferry start from 20,000 IDR ($1.20).

This port is the gateway to North Lombok, known for the Mount Rinjani volcano. It also offers a few diving opportunities. If you’ve already booked a Rinjani trek online, your trekking company might include free pick-up from Bangsal Harbour.

If you’re heading to Kuta from Bangsal Pier, taxi fares start from 400,000 IDR ($24). A sort of taxi mafia prevents taxi-hailing apps like Gojek from operating directly at the harbour, but you might be able to book one if you walk to the main street.

Maarten's none

Senggigi is a great place to stay if you are planning to climb Rinjani, while southern Lombok is better for relaxation and the beaches surrounded by cliffs are simply stunning.

Padang Bai Port

Speedboat

Bangsal Warung Sasak

13:00

2h 30m

15:30

Bluewater Express

From 710,000 IDR ($43)

Compare prices

Bluewater-express

710,000 IDR ($43)

13:00

2h 30m

15:30

Check on Bluewater-express

• 24/7 customer support

768,000 IDR ($46.50)

13:00

2h 30m

15:30

Check on BookAway

Serangan Pier Gili Getaway

High Speed

Bangsal Pier

09:00

2h 15m

11:15

09:00

2h 45m

11:45

Gili Getaway

From 720,000 IDR ($43.50)

Compare prices

Giligetaway

720,000 IDR ($43.50)

09:00

2h 15m

11:15

Check on Giligetaway

• 24/7 customer support

863,000 IDR ($52)

09:00

2h 45m

11:45

Check on BookAway

Serangan Pier

Speedboat

Bangsal Warung Sasak

08:00

3h 55m

11:55

08:00

4h

12:00

11:00

3h 55m

14:55

Bluewater Express

740,000 IDR ($44.50)

Compare prices

Bluewater-express

740,000 IDR ($44.50)

08:00

3h 55m

11:55

11:00

3h 55m

14:55

Check on Bluewater-express

• 24/7 customer support

826,000 IDR ($50)

08:00

4h

12:00

Check on BookAway

Besides the fast ferries, there’s another way to get from Bali to Lombok by sea — the slow ferry.

This isn’t the quickest option out there. The crossing usually takes around 4 to 6 hours, but it can stretch to 8 hours if the sea’s acting up.

We only recommend the slow ferry if you’re bringing a car or motorbike across to Lombok. It’s the only roll-on/roll-off vehicle ferry between the two islands. It’s also a safer bet than the fast boats when the ocean gets rough.

The ferry departs from Padang Bai in East Bali and docks at Lembar Port in West Lombok. From there, it’s about 1.5 hours south to Senggigi or 1.5 hours west to Kuta, Lombok.

Schedules of the slow ferry

The slow ferry runs every 1.5 hours during the day and every 2 hours overnight, so there are plenty of options.

Ticket prices start at:

• 160,000 IDR ($9.60) for a motorbike (includes 2 people)

• 1,130,000 IDR ($68) for cars

• Around per passenger if you’re not bringing a vehicle

You’ll also pay a small fee of around 10,000 IDR ($0.60)–12,000 IDR ($0.70) for processing.

Where to buy tickets for the slow ferry?

The easiest way is to get your tickets at Padang Bai Port or through one of the nearby vendors. Don’t forget to bring your passport — it’s required for booking as you will cross the ocean to a different island.

Locals can also book online through the Ferizy website. Just a heads-up: it’s a bit slow and requires an Indonesian ID number, so it’s not really set up for tourists.

Good to know: Until 2024, you needed a separate travel card to board. That’s no longer the case.

What’s the ferry like?

This really depends on the boat.

Some of the larger ferries have comfy air-conditioned seating and even rest areas with mattresses. But on the older or smaller ferries, seating is basic and AC can be pretty weak.

If comfort matters to you, make sure to check out the ferry in advance. Here’s how…

Pro Tips for Taking the Slow Ferry

• Check out this Instagram account — they post updates on ferry schedules and which boats are operating.

• Remember: the listed times are boarding times. For example, 00:00–01:30 means you board at midnight, but the ferry leaves at 1:30.

• Once you know the ferry name, Google it to find photos, videos or reviews. It’ll give you a good idea of the boat’s condition — especially the AC and comfort levels. Some of the older ones are much slower and not exactly a breeze to ride.

Taking the slow ferry from Bali to Lombok definitely isn’t about speed — but if you’re travelling with a vehicle or just want a more local experience, then it can be a great way to cross the oceans between Bali and Lombok.

The slow ferry from Bali to Lombok departs from Padang Bai, northwest of Bali. Padang Bai is Bali’s largest port and also the only port from where the slow ferry leaves.

How to get to Padang Bai Port

To get to Padang Bai Port, you have two options. You can take a minivan departing from Kuta or Ubud, or more conveniently, a taxi from your hotel.

Taxi fares to Padang Bai

You’ll find an estimation of the taxi fares from Bali’s most popular tourist destinations to Padang Bai in the table below. When sharing the costs with your travel buddies, it will be around the same price or cheaper than paying a higher-priced ticket including pickup.

An important advantage compared to a shared pickup service is that your transfer won’t be delayed by picking up other passengers. This alone could already add 1 hour extra time to get to Padang Bai.

Estimated taxi fares to Padang Bai Port

Minivan to Padang Bai Port

As an alternative, you can also take the minivan operated by Perama Tour & Travel. The minivans depart at 07:00 from their offices in Kuta and Ubud.

See here the costs of the minivan tickets:

• From Kuta 137,000 IDR ($8.30)
• From Ubud 112,000 IDR ($6.80)

The price of this minivan ride is quite high and we think you’ll be better off sharing a taxi when you are travelling with two or more people.

All flights from Bali depart from Denpasar Airport. The plane lands at Praya Airport in the south of Lombok, also known as Lombok International Airport.

The flight only takes about 40 minutes and fares start from 1,000,000 IDR ($60). Airlines serving the route include Citilink, Lion Air, and Wings Air.

Getting to Denpasar Airport

Note that the airport in Bali, also known as Ngurah Rai International Airport, is not actually in Denpasar. Ngurah Rai Airport is located just south of the beach resort town of Kuta. It’s about a 30-minute drive away from Kuta or an hour from Canggu.

Depending on your departure point, the easiest way to get to Denpasar Airport in Bali is to book with taxi-hailing apps like Grab and Gojek.

However, be aware that these taxi apps are not allowed in some areas of Bali. We recommend asking your hotel or guesthouse if it’s possible or asking them to arrange the transport.

Arrival at Praya Airport

Lombok (Praya) Airport is only a 30-minute drive from Kuta in the south of Lombok — the main tourist destination in Lombok for most travellers.

Only taxis are available from Lombok Airport to Kuta because buses do not operate on this route. Taxi fares start from 120,000 IDR ($7.20) with Grab and Gojek.

Shuttle buses departing from Praya Airport

At Praya Airport, two main airport shuttle lines are operated by DAMRI bus company. One bus serves the route between Mataram-Ampenan-Senggigi-Bangsal. The other bus service operates between the airport and Selong in East Lombok.

See here the fares from Lombok Airport to these destinations on the island:

• 3-hour ride to Bangsal Harbour – 50,000 IDR ($3)
• 1.5-hour ride to Senggigi – 50,000 IDR ($3)
• 1-hour ride to Ampenan – 45,000 IDR ($2.70)
• 1-hour ride to Mataram – 35,000 IDR ($2.10)
• 1.5-hour ride to Selong – 40,000 IDR ($2.40)

The shuttle buses depart every hour from 07:00 to 22:00. You can buy your tickets at the DAMRI counter in the outdoor arrivals concourse or on the bus itself.

Visit our page on Lombok Airport for more info.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.