Just like any paradise that is slightly off the beaten track, there is travel involved.
There are a number of routes and methods to travel from Bali to Lombok.
To put it simply, you will either need to fly or catch a boat.
This post will explore some of your options, depending on where you are coming from and your budget.
Fly to Lombok from Denpasar Indonesia
The fastest way to get to Lombok is to fly from Denpasar in Bali.
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 to Lombok is approximately 30 minutes and will set you back about 1 million IDR (around US$64).
If you are travelling with surfboards, an extra 200K IDR is charged per board (not per bag).
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.
If you’re staying with us at LMBK Surf House, a free airport pick up is included in your package. Otherwise, there are plenty of taxi drivers waiting at the exit keen for your business. It shouldn’t cost you more than around 150K to get to Kuta.
Fast Boat from Padang Bai Bali to Lombok
A popular route is to catch a fast boat from Padang Bai in Bali to Bangsal in Lombok which will cost around 400-500K.
There are multiple departures a day with various different 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. Spend a day or two snorkelling and enjoying the crystal-clear waters before jumping on one of the regular boats that travel the short distance (8/9km) across to Lombok.
From Bangsal, it is around a 2-hour drive down south to Kuta, Lombok. You can find a taxi at the harbour, book a drop off service with the transport agent that you organised your fast boat with or contact us to help you organise transport down to Kuta.
Alternatively, there is also a daily departure from Padang Bai to Senggigi which take around 2 hours and will also cost around 400-500K.
Public Ferry from Padang Bai Bali to Lembar Lombok
The cheapest and slowest option is the public ferry from Padang Bai to Lembar.
This takes approximately 6 hours, but can take longer depending on how long boarding takes and the weather.
It is the only option if you are planning on travelling with a scooter or car. It costs 62K per person, or 160k with a scooter.
The ferry is scheduled to depart every hour and a half from around 6:30am in the morning. 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, drivers’ licence, ID and your ticket.
If you have any further questions on how to get to Kuta Lombok, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
The information in this post was gathered in December of 2022.
Prices may change and new routes may become available in the future.
