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What to expect when visiting Lombok
Unlike its busy neighbour Bali, Lombok has a more laid-back vibe.
This island is where 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.
Soaring cliffs, beaches and crashing surf make up much of the South Lombok coastline — a true surfing mecca. The main tourist hub is Kuta, which is more peaceful than its hectic namesake in Bali. Expect a vibrant holiday scene here, providing a perfect base for exploring the region and the many world-class surf breaks.
Senggigi on the west coast is the most developed area and makes a great base for an adventure trek to Mount Rinjani. Lombok’s capital Mataram is just a short drive away, while much of Lombok’s rural interior of artisan villages, waterfalls and hiking can be easily reached from Senggigi.
If you travel to the northern part of the island, you’ll see the heavenly Gili Islands, a group of three small islands that you can easily reach via a 30-minute boat ride from Lombok. Ferries coming from Bali also stop first at the Gili Islands before heading to mainland Lombok.
Want to go to the Gili Islands first? Check out our guide to find the best ferry from Bali to the Gili Islands.
Before you go to Lombok
- Accommodation in Lombok is limited. It’s best to book your accommodation early.
- Want a surf lesson? I can highly recommend taking a surf class with Bibi. From beginner to intermediate, he is an amazing teacher for all levels. You can contact him here via his Instagram page.
How to get from Bali to Lombok
There are 3 ways to travel the 180 km distance from Bali to Lombok: by flight (40 minutes), by ferry (1.5-5 hours), and by slow boat (5-8 hours). Tickets range between 60,000 IDR ($3.80) and 1,000,000 IDR ($64.00).
The best option to take depends on where you are staying in Lombok. Most visitors will either stay in Senggigi or in Kuta, Lombok, so we will focus on these two destinations.
Bali to Lombok on a map
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 the Rinjani Volcano.
Kuta, in the south of Lombok, is more popular with surfers and travellers who want to enjoy Lombok’s beautiful beaches.
Your preferences in accommodation can make an important difference in which transport option to take.
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, with one trip daily. It’s best to book this trip in advance.
If the ferry to Senggigi is fully booked, you will need to get a fast boat to Bangsal Pier, which is 40 minutes away from Senggigi.
Staying in Kuta Lombok: Flying is faster
Thanks to a new expressway, the drive from Praya Airport to Kuta Lombok takes only 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 here 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
3 ways to travel from Bali to Lombok
The flight from Bali to Lombok only takes 40 minutes, with airfares starting from 1,000,000 IDR ($64.00) — excluding luggage.
Ferries to Lombok take about 1.5 hours to Senggigi Pier and about 2-3 hours to Bangsal Pier. We recommend taking the ferry to Senggigi Pier because of its shorter travel time. It is also closer to Kuta, with just a 1.5-hour travel time by taxi or minivan.
Ferry prices start from 250,000 IDR ($16.00) for ferries going to Bangsal Pier on Lombok’s northwest coast. If you want a direct ferry to Senggigi, a ticket costs 405,000 IDR ($26.00).
PRO TIP: If you take the ferry to Bangsal Pier, consider spending a few nights in the Gili Islands before you head to Lombok. From the Gili Islands, public ferries to Lombok operate from 07:45 to 17:00 daily. Note that there is no schedule since ferries usually depart when the ferry is full. Travel time is just 30 minutes from Gili Islands to Lombok.
As an alternative to the fast ferry, you can also take the 5 to 8-hour slow ferry from Bali to Lombok. However, we would only recommend this ferry if you want to bring your motorbike or car.
Bali to Lombok by Flight
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 ($64.00). Airlines serving the route include Citilink, Lion Air, and Wings Air.
Getting to Denpasar Airport
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
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 ($7.50) with Grab and Gojek.
Shuttle buses departing from Praya Airport
At Praya Airport, there are two main airport shuttle lines 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 ($3.20)
- 1.5-hour ride to Senggigi – 50,000 IDR ($3.20)
- 1-hour ride to Ampenan – 45,000 IDR ($2.90)
- 1-hour ride to Mataram – 35,000 IDR ($2.20)
- 1.5-hour ride to Selong – 40,000 IDR ($2.50)
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.
You can also book in advance with Traveloka, where tickets only cost 20,000 IDR ($1.20) to Bangsal and 50,000 IDR ($3.20) to Senggigi. To find this trip, you’ll have to search for “Lombok International Airport (LOP)” to “Lombok (all terminals).”
Visit our page on Lombok Airport for more info on the transportation available.
Bali to Lombok by Fast Ferry
When travelling from Bali to Lombok by fast ferry, you have several options. There are a number of companies operating on this route, but they are not all leaving from the same port in Bali or arriving at the same port in Lombok.
Departure ports in Bali
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 fact 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 also find the most competitive ticket fares from this port, as well as 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 compared to 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.
Arrival ports in Lombok
Ferry ports in Lombok
There are two main arrival ports in Lombok: 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 because it’s right next to some well-maintained beaches and just a short stroll to many of its hotels.
Senggigi is the gateway to Lombok’s main tourist spots. Not only is it the best place to organise a Mount Rinjani trekking, but Senggigi is also Lombok’s most developed tourist town with the highest concentration of bars and restaurants.
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 are planning to climb Rinjani. On the other hand, South Lombok is better for relaxation and the beaches surrounded by cliffs are simply stunning.
As of August 2022, Eka Jaya has started to operate again on this route. This is your best option if you plan to stay in Senggigi or in Kuta, which is about 1.5 hours away by taxi. Private taxi fares to Kuta are approximately 300,000 IDR ($19.00).
Bangsal Pier (North Lombok)
Bangsal Pier, also called Teluk Kode, is situated just across the strait from the three offshore Gili Islands where most boats call before reaching the mainland. From Bangsal to the Gilis, boat tickets start from 20,000 IDR ($1.20).
This port is the gateway to North Lombok, which is dominated by the awesome Mount Rinjani volcano but also provides a few diving opportunities. If you have already booked Rinjani trekking online, your 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 ($25.50). Gojek is not available directly at the harbour, but you might be able to book one if you walk to the main street. Have you recently travelled this route? Share your updates through this form and help fellow travellers!
Fast ferry schedule
Ferry schedule from Padang Bai to Senggigi Pier (Recommended)
Ferry schedules from Padang Bai to Bangsal Pier
Ferry schedules from Serangan Port to Bangsal Pier
Ferry schedules from Sanur Port to Bangsal Pier
Bali to Lombok by Slow Ferry
Besides the fast ferries, there is another option to travel from Bali to Lombok by sea, which is the slow ferry.
However, the slow ferry is a highly time-consuming experience. The official schedule says it should take 5-6 hours, but more often, it’s closer to 7 or 8 hours.
Considering this long journey, we only recommended taking the slow ferry if you are bringing a car or motorbike across to Lombok. It’s the only roll-on-roll-off vehicle ferry connecting the islands. One other reason to take this slow ferry could be because the oceans are too wild for the smaller fast boats.
The slow ferry, also called a public ferry, departs from Padang Bai and arrives at Lembar Port in West Lombok. This port is about 1.5 hours south of Senggigi and 1.5 hours west of Kuta, Lombok.
Slow ferry schedule
Schedules of the slow ferry
Pre-pandemic, the public ferry used to operate each hour 24 hours a day. The last time we checked (July 2023), they only operate every 1.5 hours.
Rates start from 160,000 IDR ($10.00) for a motorbike and 1,130,000 IDR ($73.00) for cars. If you don’t bring a vehicle, it’s 60,000 IDR ($3.80) per passenger. To get your ticket, you’ll have to buy a travel card which can also be used at Bali’s tollway.
The sea crossing takes at least 5 hours, but it can take more, around 7-8 hours. The seating category varies a lot per ferry. The large ferries have different compartments including good aircon seats and even resting areas with mattresses. However, the smaller boats only have limited air-conditioned rooms and seating is basic.
We only recommend the slow ferry when you want to travel from Bali to Lombok with a motorbike or car.
Ferry ports in Bali
In Bali, you can choose from three ferry ports to reach Lombok: Padang Bai, Serangan Port and Sanur Harbour.
If your ticket doesn’t include hotel pick-up, you can use this guide to learn how to get to Padang Bai, Serangan Port or Sanur Harbour in Bali.
Padang Bai Port
Most of the fast boat companies depart 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
Padang Bai is located in the northwest of Bali and is the most popular ferry port for fast boats departing to the Gili Islands and Lombok. In addition, Padang Bai has a separate pier for large vehicle ferries which allows you to bring a motorbike or car to Lombok or Nusa Penida.
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 and time to Padang Bai
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 pick-up 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
| Departure point | Travel time | Taxi fares* |
|---|---|---|
| Canggu | 2-2.5 hours | from 280,000 IDR ($18.00) |
| Ubud | 1.5-2 hours | from 300,000 IDR ($19.00) |
| Kuta, Seminyak | 1.5-2 hours | from 330,000 IDR ($21.00) |
| Uluwatu | 2.5-3 hours | from 400,000 IDR ($25.50) |
– Minivan 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 225,000 IDR ($14.50)
- From Ubud 175,000 IDR ($11.00)
To be fair, the price of this ride is quite high and you’ll be better off sharing a taxi when you are travelling with two or more people.
Serangan Port
Keep in mind that there are more ferries departing from Padang Bai, and travel time is shorter from this port.
If you still want to take a ferry from Serangan, we explain here how to get to Serangan Port in Bali.
How to get to Serangan Port
There is no regular public transport going to Serangan. This means your only options are hailing a taxi or booking a private car via taxi apps like Grab and Gojek. The prices and duration are more or less similar to the ones going to Sanur Port.
See here the travel time and taxi fares when going to Serangan Port:
– Taxi fares and time to Serangan Port
Taxi fares to Serangan Port
| Departure point | Travel time | Taxi fares* |
|---|---|---|
| Canggu | 1-1.5 hours | from 100,000 IDR ($6.00) |
| Kuta, Seminyak | 30 minutes – 1 hour | from 110,000 IDR ($7.00) |
| Ubud | 1-1.5 hours | from 190,000 IDR ($12.00) |
| Uluwatu | 1.5-2 hours | from 200,000 IDR ($12.50) |
Sanur Harbour
Compared to Padang Bai, Sanur Port is closer to Bali’s tourist districts in the south like Seminyak and Kuta. But from Sanur, it takes longer to arrive at Lombok — about 5 hours.
How to get to Sanur Port
UPDATE: In November 2022 — just before the G20 — Sanur opened a new port. It’s one of the most modern ports you’ll find in Southeast Asia and all boats now conveniently depart and arrive from a pier instead of from the beach. The new port is equipped with a digital ticketing system and an air-conditioned waiting area with clean bathrooms. Just be aware that the new port is about a 5-10 minute walk from the old port.
To get to Sanur 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 and time to Sanur Port
Taxi fares to Sanur Port
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 that includes pick-up.
An important advantage compared to a shared pick-up 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 Sanur Port.
Estimated taxi fares to Sanur Port
| Departure point | Travel time | Taxi fares* |
|---|---|---|
| Canggu | 1-1.5 hours | from 100,000 IDR ($6.00) |
| Kuta, Seminyak | 30 minutes – 1 hour | from 110,000 IDR ($7.00) |
| Ubud | 1-1.5 hours | from 190,000 IDR ($12.00) |
| Uluwatu | 1.5-2 hours | from 200,000 IDR ($12.50) |
Minivan to Sanur Port
Minivan to Sanur 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: 65,000 IDR ($4.20)
- From Ubud: 100,000 IDR ($6.00)
Keep in mind that these minivans depart from Perama Tour & Travel Offices. This means you might need to take another taxi from your hotel to the departure point.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bali to Lombok
How far is Lombok from Bali?
Is it worth going from Bali to Lombok?
What's the cheapest way to get from Bali to Lombok?
What's the fastest way to get from Bali to Lombok?
Gili Islands or Lombok?
The Gili Islands are just 30 minutes away from Lombok by ferry and we recommend exploring both if you have the time.
The Gili Islands are known for their fine beaches, clear waters and coral reefs, making them great for swimming, snorkelling and diving. If you love turtles, you will enjoy the Turtle Sanctuary at Gili Meno.
Lombok, on the other hand, is a larger island that offers a bit of everything. On top of its beaches, Lombok also has mountains, forests, and a rich culture. It’s a good destination for those who want to explore beyond the beach.
Ultimately, both the Gili Islands and Lombok have a lot to offer, so consider what you want to do and see while on vacation before making a decision.
What are the best things to do in Lombok?
– Hike Mount Rinjani (the 2nd highest volcano in Indonesia) and see the beauty of the island 3,726 metres high.
– Go chasing waterfalls. Tiu Kelep is the most popular, but there are plenty of other waterfalls worth exploring — like Sendang Gile and Mangku Sakti.
– Walk the coastline and enjoy the sun. With a number of beautiful beaches, you can go beach-hopping from sunrise ’til sunset.
– Catch your own fish. Join one of many fishing tours offered on the island and learn local fishing traditions. You can also get fishing tips from the experts!
Where to surf in Lombok?
Like Bali, Lombok boasts of great swells, sans Bali’s crowds. You can find a good surfing spot here all year round.
During the dry season (May to September), you can get the best waves at Mawi and Dessert Point. When you’re visiting in the rainy season (October to April), the swells at Seger Reef and Are Guling are better.
Other popular surfing spots on the island include Ekas, Don-Don and Selong Belanak, among a few others.
How many days should I spend in Lombok?
Will I get seasick on the boat from Bali to Lombok?
Routes from Lombok
Most popular routes in Indonesia
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
hoi Maarten
Wij zijn van plan om in oktober vanaf Sanur naar Lombok te gaan met de snelle boot.
Kan je mij vertellen welke fastboat gaat en wat de tarieven zijn
Hey Eric, there are several fast ferry companies operating between Sanur Port to Lombok, however we recommend to travel via Padang Bai. The ferries from Sanur Port take about 5 hours, while you can reach Lombok from Padang Bay in about 2 hours. It’s always more comfortable to travel 1.5 hours more by car instead of 3 hours extra by ferry.
PS: Dit antwoord is in het Engels geschreven zodat we er ook andere reizigers van andere nationaliteiten mee kunnen helpen. Je kunt Google Translate gebruiken om dit antwoord naar het Nederlands te vertalen.
Hi, I had a question about the fast boats. Are there options for bigger fast boats for pregnant women and kids? I’m concerned the smaller fast boats will be very rough.
Hi Marie, the ride with smaller fast boats from Bali to Lombok can be quite bumpy, and it’s not the best option for pregnant women and children. While there are bigger fast boats, like the Eka Jaya Ferry, they don’t recommend pregnant passengers to take their fast ferry. This is specified on their Terms and Conditions page.
For a safer and more comfortable journey, consider taking a flight from Bali to Lombok instead.
Hi Marteen and Abegail,
It is probably not a really common question but I am landing very soon in Denpasar and will be backpacking solo with my hammock. I plan to walk from Denpasar to Padang Bai and go to Lombok with a fast boast. However, I do love snorkeling and I am contemplating going through Gili to spend one or two days before hoping to Lombok. I know that sleeping in a hammock in Indonesia is not a very common practice and that Gili is quite touristy compared to Lombok so I wanted to know if you feel that I should be able to find two or three trees on Gili to set up my hammock without getting in trouble? 🙂 Thanks. Pierre
Hello Pierre, as far as we know, there aren’t specific laws or regulations that strictly prohibit sleeping in a hammock in Indonesia. However, it’s important to consider the location where you want to set up your hammock. If you set up your hammock on someone else’s property, you will need to ask permission. To our knowledge, there are no designated areas to set up your hammock in the Gili Islands, and I’m not sure if the locals will be happy with this.
A reminder: Always be respectful of the environment and the local community. If you want to camp or save money, it’s best to book accommodation with camping facilities.
Hello, thanks a lot for your blog! Its really helping us in our itinerary. I do have a question, if we will be in Bali (not sure yet which part/port) and we are planning to go to Lombok and Gili Islans then head back to Bali. Which should be our arrival island and which our leaving island? to not repeat routes
Hallo,
We willen met de ferry boot naar Gili eilanden en naar Lombok.
Kan ik mijn koffer meenemen van 25 kg op de boot?
Las ergens dat je slechts 10 kg aan handbagage mee kunt nemen.
Wat is de beste manier om van Bali naar Lombok te gaan?
Hi Harrie, the fast ferry is a great way to travel from Bali to Lombok. You’ll avoid the long waiting times at the airport and it’s also better for the environment. If you are not planning to visit the Gili Islands and booked a stay in Kuta Lombok, however, then it might make more sense to book a flight as Praya airport is very close to Kuta, Lombok.
Regarding the fast ferries: The boat companies usually set their luggage policies. However, based on my own experience, the staff don’t really check the weight of the luggage. I regularly take my surfboard on board to different islands around Bali and it has never been a problem either. I don’t think it will happen, but the worst-case scenario would be that you need to pay a little additional charge for your oversized luggage, but this is very unlikely.
PS: Dit antwoord is in het Engels geschreven zodat we er ook andere reizigers van andere nationaliteiten mee kunnen helpen. We raden aan Google Translate te gebruiken om dit antwoord naar het Nederlands te vertalen.