How to get to Lombok from Bali is the next question, once you’ve decided to include this neighbouring island in your Bali holiday travel plans. It can be a great opportunity to discover the natural and cultural highlights of one of the most popular island destinations in Indonesia’s West Nusa Tenggara Islands. This island, half an hour’s flight or about 90 minutes by ferry or speedboat east of Bali, is often considered to be ‘how Bali was some decades ago’.
While Lombok’s famous three Gili Islands are often the short island-hop of choice from Bali, the main island of Lombok is worth exploring if you have an extra number of days on your holiday. Highlights include the magnificent Mount Rinjani, a collection of hidden waterfalls, quiet bays and pristine beaches – including its own ‘Kuta’ beach. Read on to learn how to get to Lombok from Bali, together with info on the island’s main attractions.

Getting to Lombok from Bali

We have a dedicated section with information on travelling to, staying at and what to see and do on the popular Gili Islands. For getting to Lombok from Bali, there are two main ways: by air or by sea.

By Air

Getting to Lombok from Bali by plane is the easiest and most convenient way, especially with Lombok’s new airport serving international flights and accommodating even commercial wide-bodied airliners. A flight from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) to Lombok International Airport (LOP) in Praya, south-central Lombok, varies between 25 to 45 minutes (though you will need to check-in an hour before your scheduled boarding time, extending your travel time). Airlines regularly flying directly to Lombok from Bali include:
  • Garuda Indonesia (GA), Indonesia’s national and international carrier, with its Boeing 737-800 156-seater twinjet. Ticket prices are from around US$32.
  • Lion Air (JT), with its fleet of Boeing 737-900s. Ticket prices are from around US$26.
  • Wings Air (IW), a domestic commuter passenger carrier, which departs daily with its 72-seater
ATR 72 short-haul, twin-engine turboprop. Tickets are from around US$25. Mataram, Lombok’s capital city, is about 37 km or an hour’s taxi ride northwest of the airport, while the popular main beach resort area of Senggigi is a 90-minute, 56 km transfer away, depending on traffic conditions. To get out of the airport, you can opt for one of several options available:
  • Hotel transfer services. It’s always good to check with your hotel beforehand, as most offer shuttle transfer services as part of your booking.
  • DAMRI Bus services are the cheapest way, which get you to Mataram from IDR 25,000 (under US$2) and to the Senggigi resort area from IDR 35,000 (under US$3).
  • Airport Taxi (Koperasi) services, the official airport taxis, are non-metered and offer fixed fares based on zones, which range between IDR 250,000 (US$19) to IDR 300,000 (US$23) for a ride to Mataram or Senggigi. Pay at the airport counter, not to the driver.
  • Metered Taxis, such as Bluebird and Express Taxi, do not operate within the airport grounds. They can be flagged down outside the airport, with fares from IDR 125,000 to 155,000. Despite being half the price of airport taxis, we don’t recommend it, as you’ll need to walk around a kilometre out of the airport to find one.

By Sea

You can get to Lombok from Bali’s main seaports, but the most common departure point is Padangbai Harbour in East Bali. Getting to Padangbai from the main southern beach resort areas like Kuta and Seminyak is about a 90-minute drive. Ferries land at Lembar Harbour on Lombok’s southwest coast, while fast boats harbour either at Bangsal in the north or right on Senggigi Beach on the west coast.
  • Public Ferries : depart from Padangbai almost hourly. They’re the cheapest, starting from under US$4 per person, but rides can take up to 5 hours, with delays common due to weather conditions.
  • Fast boat services : cut travel times in half, enabling you to reach Lombok from Bali within about two hours. They also often include snacks, refreshments and entertainment on board. Ticket prices vary between US$40 and US$50 per person, and some also include insurance coverage for passengers.