What to expect when visiting 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.
2 ways to get from Lombok Airport
There are 2 ways to travel the distance of 25 kilometers (16 miles) from Lombok Airport by bus (1 to 3 hours) and Taxi (2 hours). The journey duration ranges between 1 to 3 hours and the quickest way is by bus. The lowest priced tickets start from 20,000 IDR ($1.30) for the bus.Where to stay in Lombok?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Lombok at the bottom of this page.
Lombok Airport by Bus
The bus is the cheapest option to get from Lombok Airport to your destination on the island.
The main routes available are to Bangsal, Senggigi, and Mataram with fares starting from 20,000 IDR ($1.30).
Arrival stations
DAMRI offers bus trips to Bangsal Harbour if you plan on visiting the Gili Islands. There are boats from Bangsal Harbour going to Gili Air, Meno, and Trawangan for 20,000 IDR ($1.30) per person.
Tickets to Bangsal cost 50,000 IDR ($3.20) if you buy them at the airport, but Traveloka offers cheaper tickets at just 20,000 IDR ($1.30). To find this trip, you’ll have to search for “Lombok International Airport (LOP)” to “Lombok (all terminals).”
If you’re hiking Mt. Rinjani, then you can take the 1.5-hour bus from Lombok Airport to Senggigi. Fares start from 50,000 IDR ($3.20).
There are also buses to the capital city of Mataram. DAMRI buses make a stop at Terminal Mandalika, where you can take a connecting bus to other destinations in Lombok. It also heads to POOL DAMRI and Epicentrum Mall in the city.
Bus schedule from Lombok Airport
There are also DAMRI buses going to Ampenan and Selong, with tickets costing 45,000 IDR ($2.90) and 40,000 IDR ($2.60), respectively. Tickets are available at the DAMRI Bus counter inside the arrivals hall, on the left side.
Lombok Airport by Taxi
If you’re heading to Kuta, the most popular destination in Lombok, a taxi is your only choice as buses are not available for this route.
Taxis are available at the airport from 07:00 to 22:00 daily. You’ll find plenty of them just outside both the domestic and international terminals.
There are four types of taxis that you can choose from at Lombok Airport:
Lombok Airport by Klook and Traveloka taxi
If you want to book your private transfers in advance, you can do so via Klook and Traveloka.
You can arrive knowing that you have a reliable driver and a comfortable car when you book with them. Also, your driver will be waiting for you at the airport, so no need to line up in taxi queues.
Rates with Traveloka start from 150,000 IDR ($9.60).
Lombok Airport by taxi-hailing apps
Taxi-hailing operators like Grab and Gojek used to be prohibited from picking up passengers at Lombok Airport.
Now, you can book them at the airport to get to your destination on the island. See below sample fares for Grab and GoJek:
Estimated taxi fares from Lombok Airport
| Destination | Duration | Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Bangsal Harbour | 1.5 hours | 310,000 IDR ($19.80) |
| Senggigi | 1 hour | 190,000 IDR ($12.10) |
| Mataram | 45 minutes | 135,000 IDR ($8.60) |
| Kuta | 30 minutes | 120,000 IDR ($7.70) |
Note that Gojek and Grab have a specific pick-up point at Lombok Airport, located near KFC. Taxi fares do change depending on the time that you book the taxi.
Lombok Airport by metered taxi
Metered taxis are parked on the right side of the arrivals hall. Kotama and Kotasi are the two operators available at the airport. You shouldn’t have any problem with them, as long as you make sure the metre is on.
Fares to Kuta start from 100,000 IDR ($6.40), to Mataram 160,000 IDR ($10.20), and to Senggigi 220,000 IDR ($14).
Lombok Airport by fixed price airport taxi
If you prefer to pay a fixed price from the airport to your hotel, you can book your ride from the official taxi counter inside the arrivals hall.
They have similar rates as metered taxis. However, they charge an additional airport fee of 18,000 IDR ($1.10).
Best places to stay in Lombok
Lombok is a magnificent and diverse island with so much to offer. Most people visiting Lombok tend to base themselves in Kuta or Sengiggi.
Kuta — Not to be confused with Kuta in Bali, is a paradise for surfers and beach lovers. Located on the south coast it boasts a laidback and relaxing vibe that some refer to as Bali 10 years ago
Sengiggi — is a popular basecamp for visiting Mount Rinjani. Its location on the west coast of Lombok, next to the port makes it a popular destination to stay. We don’t think you should spend too much time here. Sure, it has a nice beach, plenty of restaurants and some nightlife, but you’ll find all of this in and around Kuta, but ten times better.
Check out our favourite accommodations in both of these places:
Rascals Hotel - Treating Yourself
Rascals Hotel is one of the most popular places to stay in Kuta and it’s easy to see why. There’s a beautiful swimming pool area fitted with sun loungers, bean bags and cabanas. Their onsite restaurant serves some of the best food in Kuta — it’s so good you won’t want to eat anywhere else. And their coffee is great!
The rooms are spacious, bright and designed with a Balinese flair. Some of the rooms even have a dreamy outdoor bathroom where you can shower under the stars. As if it couldn’t get any better, the staff are some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet.
- Amazing swimming pool
- Beautiful and spacious rooms
- Onsite delicious restaurant and bar
- Exceptional breakfast included
Double rooms start from $50+ per night
Sunset Lavinia - Mid Range
If you decide to stay in Senggigi, Sunset Lavinia is the place to stay. It’s a small five-room boutique hotel situated in Sengiggi that will guarantee you a comfortable stay. The size of the hotel creates an intimate atmosphere where the staff welcome you like family.
The views of the ocean and mountains are unbeatable. And they can be enjoyed from the swimming pool or your private balcony. The rooms are bright, spacious and very clean. Plus, the beds are huge! Before you leave, you have to enjoy a meal in the delicious onsite restaurant.
- Amazing staff
- Swimming pool
- Beautiful views
- Delicious breakfast included
Double rooms between $30-50 per night
Cewin's Homestay - Budget Friendly
Located in Kuta, in the south of Lombok, Cewin’s Homestay offers incredible value for money, with rooms starting from $16. The stunning Indonesia-style bungalows boast high ceilings made from bamboo and the bathrooms are decorated with stone walls, making you feel like you are in nature when you’re showering.
Here you’re located a few minutes from the main street and less than 1km from Kuta Beach. The staff here are incredibly friendly and will help you with anything you need.
- Great location
- Amazing value for money
- Spacious and clean rooms
- Awesome staff
Double rooms between $15-30 per night
Frequently Asked Questions about Lombok Airport
What is the distance from Lombok Airport?
The distance from Lombok Airport is 25 kilometers (16 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Lombok Airport?
The fastest way to get from Lombok Airport is by bus and takes 1 hour.
What is the cheapest way to get from Lombok Airport?
The cheapest way to get from Lombok Airport is by bus with ticket costs starting from 20,000 IDR ($1.30).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Lombok Airport. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Routes from Lombok
Most popular routes in Indonesia
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
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.
Bonjour, nous sommes un couple de 76 ans, nous arrivons sur lombok en avion depuis Bali. Pouvez vous nous conseiller un itinéraire pour un voyage tranquille entre plage sans vagues et découverte de villages pour une petite semaine.
Un grand merci
Maryse
Hi Maryse,
We love that you’re going on such a fun adventure at 76 years old! Unfortunately, we don’t plan trips for people. We provide helpful information to aid people in planning their travels. We hope you work out an awesome itinerary that fits your needs and use Gecko Routes to figure out how to travel around Indonesia. Happy travelling!
Hallo, mijn naam is Harry Zanoli. Mijn vrouw heet Nicole.
We hebben het idee opgevat om onze laatste jaren door te brengen in Indonesië. Lombok en Sumatra hebben in aanvang onze voorkeur.
Dus we zijn op zoek naar zoveel mogelijk info omtrent. Van behuizing tot, noem maar op.
We zijn zestiger.
Hi Harry and Nicole, it sounds like a wonderful adventure to enjoy your life to the most. Unforunately we can’t give you any legal advice about moving to Indonesia. For questions about moving to Indonesia, it would be best to consult with a travel agent or the embassy. Bali legals is a trusthworthy company that helped me with my my visa in Indonesia, but it might be easier to find a Dutch agent. I hope you will have an amazing time in Indonesia.
PS: Dit antwoord is in het Engels geschreven zodat we ook andere reizigers van andere nationaliteiten kunnen helpen. U kunt Google Translate gebruiken om dit antwoord naar het Nederlands te vertalen.