Heading to Lombok in Indonesia? Awesome choice!
It’s a slice of paradise that’s just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Bali.
But like any hidden gem, getting there is part of the adventure!
So how do you make your way to this tropical surfing haven and home of LMBK Surf House? It’s pretty straightforward – you’ve got two main options: it’s either by air or sea.
Whether you’re coming from Bali or further afield, and no matter what your budget looks like, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s dive into your travel options and find the perfect route for your Lombok journey.
The information in this post was last updated Sept 26th 2024. Prices may change and new routes may become available in the future.
Fly from Bali to Lombok
The fastest way to get to Lombok is to fly from Denpasar.
There is one international airport in the south of the island of Lombok and there are regular flights from the morning to the early afternoon. The flight from Denpasar is approximately 35 – 50 minutes and will set you back about 1.2 million IDR (around US $73).
Surfboard Transportation
If you are traveling with surfboards, an extra fee of 250K to 1 million IDR (approximately $16 – $61 USD) may be charged per board (not per bag).
You could save on this charge by pre-paying for your luggage when you book your flight.
It is also worth noting that the local airline that runs flights between Bali and Lombok won’t accept longboards with a maximum length of 230cm (around 7 feet 6 inches).
Getting from Airport to Kuta Beach
Lombok airport is small and easy to navigate. It is about a 20-minute drive from the airport to Kuta beach. If you’re staying with us, a free airport pick-up is included in your package. If not, numerous taxi drivers are available at the airport exit, eager for your business.
The fare to Kuta should be around 120K IDR (approximately $8 USD) and the trip takes about 20 minutes.
Fast Boat from Bali to Lombok
One very popular option is to take a fast boat / ferry from Padang Bai (east Bali) to Bangsal in northwest Lombok.
Journey times are usually in the 2- to 2½-hour range, sometimes less if direct and conditions are good.
Pricing and Schedule
The cost tends to be around US$30-$37 (i.e. 500-600K IDR depending on operator/season). Many fast-boat/ferry companies have several departures per day, usually more in the morning.
Gili Islands Connection
Boats often stop at the Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan / Air), so this route is convenient if you plan to visit the Gilis.
Getting from Bangsal to Kuta
After arriving in Bangsal, the overland journey down to Kuta, Lombok is about 2 hours by taxi or shuttle, depending on road/traffic.
Additional Costs and Considerations
Some include transfer from selected locations in Bali to Padang Bai; if you’re outside those zones you may need to pay extra. Also, if you have surfboards or large boards, expect extra charges with certain boat operators. It’s good to check their board-policy in advance.
Recommended Booking Companies
Gili Bookings is still recommended by Lonely Planet and remains a trusted online booking system where you can check live seat availability and make immediate confirmed bookings. They’ve issued over a million tickets since 2011 and only work with leading fast boat companies in the region.
There are multiple departures a day with various transport companies but most leave in the morning.
Most companies that you book with will include transport to the harbour from selected areas in Bali or charge an extra fee if you’re outside of these areas.
An extra fee will typically be added for surfboards you may be travelling with.
This route travels via the Gili Islands so is particularly convenient if you’re planning a stopover.
Gili Islands Stop Off Enroute to Lombok
Located just off the northwest shore of Lombok, the Gili Islands are a great place to spend a few days snorkeling, relaxing, and enjoying crystal-clear waters.
From there, you can easily catch a short boat (often ~20-40 minutes depending on which Gili) over to Bangsal port on Lombok.
From Bangsal, the drive down to Kuta (south Lombok) is about 2 hours by taxi or shuttle.
Many fast boat operators or transport agents can arrange onward transport from Bangsal.
Route Option 1: Padang Bai to Senggigi
An alternative route is via Padang Bai → Senggigi (on Lombok’s west coast). Fast-boats on that route take ≈1.5-2.5 hours and in many cases cost around IDR 400,000-500,000 (approximately $25-$31 USD) depending on the operator and season.
Route Option 2: Padang Bai to Lembar (Budget Ferry)
The slow public ferry from Padang Bai to Lembar (southwest Lombok) is much cheaper — about IDR 75,000/person (approximately $5 USD) for foot passengers — but takes 4-5 hours, sometimes longer if there is port congestion or bad weather. It also allows vehicles (motorcycles etc.), though you’ll need the proper documentation.
Getting from Lembar to Kuta
Once you arrive at Lembar, the drive to Kuta is usually just over an hour, but costs depend on vehicle type, negotiation, distance. Budget more than the bare minimum, expect possibility of IDR 200-400K (approximately $13-$25 USD or more) for car transfers.
Ferry Schedule Information
Ferries from Padang Bai to Lembar depart many times per day, including early in the morning. But schedules vary, sea/weather conditions can delay departures, and sometimes you may need to wait. Be sure to check the operator’s current timetable.
Ferry from Bali to Lombok
The cheapest and slowest option is the public ferry from Padang Bai to Lembar on Lombok Island. This takes approximately 4 hours but can take up to 6 hours if the harbor is congested or poor weather threatens.
It is the only option if you are planning on travelling with a scooter or car.
It costs 75K per person, or 130K with a scooter, larger bikes cost more.
The ferry is scheduled to depart every hour and a half from around 6:30 am.
However, these times vary greatly and can change month by month. So, it comes down to luck whether you depart quickly or have to wait an hour or two so bring some snacks and prepare to be patient.
Be aware that you will need to travel with some documentation if travelling with a vehicle including scooter registration papers which you should get when you rent your scooter, driver’s licence, ID and your ticket.
If you want to get to Kuta Beach from Lembar Port, the taxi ride takes just over an hour and costs around 250K IDR (approximately $16 USD).
If you have any further questions on how to get to Kuta Lombok, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
FAQ – Getting From Bali To Lombok
The quickest option is to fly from Denpasar Airport (DPS) to Lombok International Airport (LOP). The flight takes around 40–50 minutes.
Flights generally cost around 1.1 million IDR (roughly $68–$75 USD). Additional surfboard fees may apply.
Yes, but airlines may charge 250K to 1 million IDR per board (not per bag). It’s recommended to pre-pay for luggage to reduce costs. Longboards over 230 cm (7’6″) are not accepted.
Lombok Airport is only 20 minutes from Kuta Beach. If you’re staying at LMBK Surf House, we offer free airport pickup. Otherwise, taxis are available for around 120K IDR ($8 USD).
You can take a fast boat from Padang Bai (Bali) to Bangsal (Lombok). It costs around 508K IDR ($33 USD) and takes about 2 hours, with optional stops at the Gili Islands.
Yes, but most companies charge an extra fee for surfboards. Always confirm during booking.
From Bangsal, it’s about a 2-hour drive to Kuta. You can take a taxi, book a transport package, or ask LMBK to help organize it.
Yes, a public ferry runs from Padang Bai to Lembar Port, Lombok. It’s the cheapest option at 75K IDR per person, or 130K IDR with a scooter, but it takes 4–6 hours depending on conditions.
You’ll need your driver’s license, ID, ferry ticket, and the vehicle registration papers (which should come with your rental).
A taxi from Lembar to Kuta takes just over 1 hour and costs about 250K IDR ($16 USD).
Useful Resources & Related Reads
Surf Lessons in Lombok: Everything You Need to Know
What to Expect from a Surf Camp in Lombok
