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 40 – 50 minutes and will set you back about 1.1 million IDR (around US $68 – $75).
If you are traveling with surfboards, an extra fee of 250K to 1 million IDR (approximately $17 – $65 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).
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
A popular route is to take a fast boat from Padang Bai on the east coast of Bali, to Bangsal in North Western Lombok. This journey costs around 508K IDR (approximately $33 USD) and takes about two hours. This route also allows you to stop off and explore the Gili islands located just off shore from Bangsal.
One recommended company where you can book online, as suggested by Lonely Planet, is Gili Bookings. If you take this route it takes around 2 hours by taxi from Bangsal to Kuta.
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 North Western shore of Lombok it’s a perfect place to spend a few days having a special extra adventure.
Spend your time in the Gili Islands snorkeling and swimming and enjoying the crystal-clear waters before jumping on one of the regular boats that travel the short distance (8/9km) from Gili Islands across to Bangsal port on Lombok.
Bangsal Lombok to Kuta Beach
From Bangsal, it is around a 2-hour drive down south to Kuta, Lombok. You can find a taxi at the harbor, book a drop-off service with the transport agent that you organised your fast boat with or contact us to help you organize transport down to Kuta.
Alternatively, there is also a daily departure from Padang Bai to Senggigi which takes around 2 hours and will also cost around 450-500K.
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!
