How to get from Bali to Lombok: Which of the 3 Ways is Best for you?

Last updated: March 2026

Getting from Bali to Lombok is easier than ever in 2026, with fast boats running daily and short flights from Denpasar. I’ve done this trip multiple time starting with my first trip in 2013.

That was quite the journey and that’s why I’ve created this post.  I think my maiden voyage from Bali to Lombok is illustrative how if you get it wrong, this can be a long and tortuous trip. Get it right and you’ll be sipping a cold Bintang after your first Lombok surf in no time.

My sister, our high school girlfriend, and my mom spent a few days on Nusa Lembongan when we decided to check out Lombok.  We had booked to go back to Bali but instead wanted to go directly from Nusa Lembongan to Lombok.  In the normal Indo fashion, this wasn’t possible.  We also couldn’t get a boat from Nusa Lembongan back to Bali in time to catch the fast ferry to Lombok that day. 

Due to time constraints, we decided to hire a local boat captain to take us back to Bali so we could catch a speedboat to from Bali to Sengiggi, Lombok later that day. The captain showed up in what was basically a raft, wearing, I kid you not, Lululemon yoga pants.  We had a super rough and wet hour long ride across the Lombok Straight.

Next we boarded a speed boat at Padang Bai and made our way to Sengiggi. While we’re at it, you can skip Sengiggi (which seemed like Lombok’s Phuket, known for its bar girls) and Bensal (the other port in Lombok where we heard guys almost were jumped by their driver).  

We arrived to Sengiggi at about 4PM and found out that we had arrived on the culmination of Ramadan and the start of Idul Fitri, the holiday following all the fasting of Ramadan.  We finally found a driver who would take us 4 hours south to Kuta, Lombok.  The traffic was horrendous, every mosque on the island was celebrating, and we moved at snails pace. 

All up it took us from 9:00 AM to well after 9:00 PM to get from Nusa Lembongan to Kuta, Lombok.  That was fun.  Let me spare you the torture and give you a heads up on the options for getting from Bali to Lombok and back from Lombok to Bali.  If you’re looking for more info on Lombok, please check out our Lombok surf and travel guide.

I’ve done this trip pretty much every year since 2013, most recently in January 2026, flying on Wings Airlines after staying in the Bali Airport Novotel. I prefer to fly with Garuda where possible because they are the most likely to be on time but they have fewer flights to Lombok these days. I always fly because I have young kids and the hassle of ferries and speed boats just isn’t worth the complaining. Check out all our Lombok travel information.

This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission to help us keep producing amazing surf content—at no extra cost to you.

Bali to Lombok in two minutes…

How to get from Bali to Lombok

What Your Options for Getting from Bali to Lombok?

Today, getting from Bali to Lombok is easy, but there are quite a few different transport options to choose from. Depending on if you’re looking for the cheapest, fastest or most comfortable way to get from Bali to Lombok, you can either catch a flight, a fast boat or a ferry to take you from one island to another.

The best way to get from Bali to Lombok for you might not be the same for others so compare your choices and think about how long and how much you want to spend.

Bali is Indonesia’s most popular tourist destination and its quieter neighbor Lombok is just as beautiful. Visit both islands and make the most of your time in Indonesia.  Note the differences and fall in love with the two unique cultures and landscapes.

Your options are:

1. Public ferry
2. Fast boat
3. Flight 

Where is Lombok in Indonesia?

Lombok is a large island located between Bali and Sumbawa, with which it forms the province of West Nusa Tenggara. At their closest points, the distance between Bali and Lombok is only 35 kilometres, and the island of Nusa Penida, which is a part of Bali, is only 20 kilometres from Lombok. 

Still, getting from one island to the other can take quite some time, since the Lombok Straight is often rough with strong currents affecting travel by sea.  By the way, the Lombok Straight is a body of water that not only separates Bali from Lombok, but also separates the two different climates and types of flora and fauna.  Bali is lush and tropical, while Lombok is drier and has a climate more similar to Northern Australia.  This is known famously as the Wallace Line.

Both Lombok and Bali are well worth visiting for tourists, with incredible beaches and beachfront hotels, waterfalls and plenty of opportunities for surfing.

Just be aware that there is now a tourist tax for Bali, which doesn’t apply for Lombok.

How are Lombok and Bali different?

Lombok and Bali are very different islands with separate cultures and religions. Over 87% of Indonesians are Muslim, which is also the primary religion of Lombok. Bali, in contrast, is 86% Hindu, which has become a unique version of the religion, turning into Balinese Hinduism which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. 

You’ll notice a big difference between Lombok and Bali, especially if you visit the two islands back to back. Bali is all about offerings in the streets, thousands of temples, and traditional clothing, while Lombok has its mosques, halal food and much less nightlife, without such a strong presence of alcohol.  Local life in Lombok is different from Bali and there is a new generation of surfers changing the culture as you read this.

Lombok also has a much smaller community of foreigners and digital nomads who have taken up permanent residence in Indonesia. While hundreds of thousands of remote workers and expats live in Bali, Lombok’s community is more tightly-knit, but growing steadily. 

How to Get to Lombok Indonesia

There are several ways you can get to Lombok in Indonesia. Firstly, there is Lombok International Airport, which is located southeast of the capital Mataram. The airport is not the largest, but it has flight connections to many important hubs nearby like Denpasar, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta and Surabaya. It also offered flights to places across South East Asia like Bangkok, Siem Reap or Ho Chi Minh in the past, but in recent years has mostly focused on offering more regional connections. Most people come from Bali, so here’s our recent Bali Checklist, which will explain everything you should do at home before you arrive in Indonesia like visas, health declarations, dealing with money and your bank.

You can also get to Lombok by boat, either from Bali or from Sumbawa, with options for both fast boats and slow car ferries to choose from.

This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission to help us keep producing amazing surf content—at no extra cost to you.

How to get to Lombok From Bali

There are essentially three ways to get to Lombok from Bali. You can either get a fast boat, catch the slow ferry or jump on a flight.

The cheapest way to get from Bali to Lombok is definitely the ferry, which departs from Padang Bai and arrives in Lembar, but it’s also the longest, so not ideal if you’re in a rush. How long does the ferry take from Padang Bai to Lombok?  Between four and six hours.  I highly recommend using 12Go to check the schedules and book the fast boat from Padang Bai in Bali to Bangsal in Lombok.

The flight will probably be the most comfortable way to get from Bali to Lombok, and is definitely the fastest in terms of airtime (20 minutes), but it’s also the most expensive transport method for the route.  Plus, you need to factor in getting to the airport and waiting for your flight.  

The best way to get from Bali to Lombok will also depend on where exactly you’re starting out in Bali and where in Lombok you want to go. Both islands are quite large, so don’t forget to factor in travel times to and from the harbour or airport. Bali and Lombok both have several harbours, so make sure to double-check which one is closest to you.  If you are heading to Kuta Lombok to surf, the airport is only 20 minutes away.  

Bali to Lombok ferry

• Cost: IDR 400,000 – 635,000 ($25-40 USD)
• Duration: 6 hours + transport time to and from ports
• Leaves from: Padang Bai Harbour
• Goes to: Lembar Harbour

A budget and cultural way to get from Bali to Lombok is by ferry. The big car ferry departs from Padang Bai, which is located in northwest Bali. This small town is known for scuba diving, but many tourists tend to only come here to hop on a boat to Lombok and the beautiful Gili Islands. It takes around 2 hours to get here from southern Bali areas like Seminyak or Canggu, and traffic can be quite heavy, so factor in plenty of time for the trip.

The ferry from Bali to Lombok departs at regular intervals throughout the day and will take you from Padang Bai to Lembar, a harbour located in southwest Lombok. 

The crossing takes approximately four to six hours, depending on the weather and tides. Tickets only cost around IDR 60,000, and for a small extra fee, you can even take your motorbike or a car. We’ve heard of people taking their bikes to Lombok to do a bit of touring but just be aware that most bike rentals in Bali do not allow you to take bikes to Lombok, or you’ll need permission from them. Tourists are often asked to show the ownership papers of motorbikes before boarding the ferry, so make sure you’re prepared.

You can easily purchase tickets on arrival and will almost always get a space, especially if you’re not traveling by car. The ferry to Lombok from Bali itself has space for trucks and bikes on the bottom level and seating areas on the top. These fill up quickly, but there are several decks and rooms, so you can always find somewhere to squeeze in.

While this might not be the most comfortable mode of transportation, it’s very affordable and can feel a bit adventurous. The ride is usually smooth and you can sometimes even spot dolphins along the way. 

There is almost always a little convenience shop on board where you can buy snacks, drinks and instant noodles, so you won’t have to go hungry during the trip.

You’ll be dropped off in Lembar, which is located just south of Mataram and around 1 hour and 15 minutes from Kuta in Lombok. Since Grab and Gojek don’t work reliably in the area, you’ll have to take a taxi on arrival, which can get expensive, so definitely consider bringing your own motorbike or inquiring with your accommodation if they offer a pickup service.

Note that Lembar is quite far from Bangsal, Sengigi and the Gili Islands, so if you’re headed up there, you might be better off taking a fast boat instead.

Bali to Lombok fast boat

• Cost: IDR 900,000 to 1,200,000 IDR ($55-70 USD)
• Duration: 2-4 hours + transport time to and from ports
• Leaves from: Padang Bai Harbour, Sanur
• Goes to: Bangsal, Sengiggi

Another option to get to Lombok is by fast boat Bali to Lombok, which you can also look up the schedule for and book on 12G0. These depart from either Padang Bai or Sanur and will take you to Lembar or Bangsal. There are also fast boat connections from Serangan in Bali to Bangsal, but they often go via Nusa Lembongan.

The crossings from Sanur (Bali) to Senggigi Harbour in Bali can take between 3 to 4.5 hours depending on ocean conditions. Similarly, a fast boat from Sanur to Bangsal Harbour in Lombok typically takes 3.5 to 4.5 hours.

Tickets range from approximately IDR 100,000 to 200,000 one-way, depending on the route and boat company. Return tickets are often more affordable, going as low as IDR 180,000.

Depending on where in Bali you’re staying, you can get on a fast boat in Sanur or Padang Bai, which will then take you to Lombok. However, the Padang Bai boats almost exclusively all go to Gili Trawangan and Gili Air first, before heading to Bangsal and then completing the loop back to Padang Bai. This means, you’ll get a direct boat trip from Lombok to Bali, but will have to make several stops on the reverse route. 

The fast boats from Sanur have the benefit of departing from a very modern harbour, while Padang Bai is far more chaotic and unorganised. Sanur is also much closer to popular places like Uluwatu, Canggu or Seminyak, so you’ll have less driving time to get to the harbour. 

But, the route from Sanur to Lombok takes longer and the boats are often smaller, leading to bumpy rides. You can head to the Gili Islands and then Bangsal, or directly to Sengigi from here, which might be a good option if you’re staying in the area. 

Consider carefully where you are trying to go in Lombok. If you’re arriving in Bangsal, it will take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours to drive down south to Kuta Lombok for example and finding transport can be tricky. Bangsal is well-known for its scams, which include overcharging for horse carts and taxis and asking for large amounts of money for carrying baggage. If possible, arrange your transport in advance via your hotel or book fast boat tickets that include transport to your next destination.

Other other hand if you travel by fast boat from Sanur to Senggigi Harbour, expect 1.5 to 2 hours drive time to get to Kuta Lombok depending on traffic conditions. Senggigi is slightly closer than Bangsal. The ride from Senggigi to Kuta should cost about IDR 340,000 to 680,000 ($20-$40 USD).

Flying Bali to Lombok

• Cost: IDR 680,000 to 1,600,000 IDR IDR ($40 – $95 USD) + board bag fees
• Duration: 40 minutes + transport time to and from airports
• Leaves from: Ngurah Rai International Airport
• Goes to: Lombok Praya International Airport

Finally, the most comfortable, but also most expensive way to get from Bali to Lombok is by plane. You can compare Bali to Lombok flights using WayAway’s flight search tool — and earn cashback on bookings. You can fly between Denpasar and Praya Lombok Airport, which takes only around 35 minutes. This is very convenient if you’re staying close to either of the two airports and don’t mind spending a little bit more. 

Flights to Lombok start at approximately IDR 1 million per person, but you might have to pay extra to add additional luggage.

While the flight itself takes only a little bit more than half an hour, you’ll have to factor in travel time to and from the airport, and time spent waiting at the gate and security. While it’s usually sufficient to get to the airport an hour or less before your flight if you’re flying regionally in Indonesia, you have to factor in Bali’s unpredictable traffic, which can often mean it’ll take hours to cover small distances, especially around Kuta, Seminyak and Canggu. 

Catching a flight between Bali and Lombok might be fastest, but don’t underestimate the total time it will take you to get from one island to another.

Flying between Bali and Lombok is recommended for those who struggle with seasickness or those who can’t sit in the cramped conditions of the fast boats for extended time periods. 

This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission to help us keep producing amazing surf content—at no extra cost to you.

Which Airlines Fly from Bali to Lombok? 

Your airlines options for flying from Bali to Lombok include Lion Air, Wings Air, Batik Air, Garuda Indonesia, and Citilink Airlines. The check-in process at domestic airlines is often hectic and there will be limited space for surfboards, so arrive at least 1.5-2 hours ahead of time.  The best airline Bali to Lombok is tough to say… Of course we want the one with the lowest boardbag fees, but I usually choose Garuda when available because it is just a little nicer and more reliable than the rest.

Also if you are transiting through Bali and your flight arrives late or you just want to take the travel slowly (because you have little people in tow or aren’t in a hurry), our family stays at the Novotel Bali Ngurah Rai Airport after our flight from Australia. Then we book an early or mid-morning flight to Lombok and enjoy the extensive buffet breakfast.

Board Bag Charges for Indonesian Airlines From Bali to Lombok

If you are going surfing in Lombok for the first time, you need to consider the board bag fees.  Be especially careful if you ride a board over seven feet.  

Lion Air Group

Lion Air Group includes Lion Air, Batik Airlines, and Wings Air.  Wings Air has the highest board bag fees, so we recommend Lion or Batik.  

• Surfboards must be packaged neatly and safely in a surfboard bag, with a maximum weight of 23kg.
• The length of board permitted is based on the aircraft type so be sure to check what aircraft you are on if you’re travelling with a mid-length board or longer. 
• If you are flying on the Jet Type Aircraft (JT/ID) the maximum length is 230cm (about 7 feet 6 inches). If flying on a propeller-type aircraft (IW), the maximum length is 200cm (about 6 feet 6 inches).  
• You will be charged a handling fee per surfboard (per board not per bag), which is dependent on the Point of Sale.

The Batik Air and Lion Air surfboard fee for flights originating from Indonesia is IDR 200,000. 

For Wings Air, effective July 31, 2023 the airline handling fee for Wings Air surfboard fee has increased to IDR 500,000. 

Garuda Indonesia

The Garuda surfboard policy offers a free additional 23kg of baggage for sporting equipment subject to space availability. Be sure to check about length if you are traveling with mid-length surfboards or longboards. 

Garuda Indonesia Surfboard Bag and Baggage Information

Citilink Airlines

• For passengers who are not Citisport members, sports baggage will incur an additional fee. 
• The number and dimensions of surfboards allowed on the flight are dependent on the aircraft.
• For the Airbus 320, a maximum of ten surfboards is permitted and the length cannot exceed 227cm (about 7 feet 5 inches).
• For the ATR 72-600, a maximum of two surfboards is permitted, with a length that cannot exceed 170cm (about 5 feet 7 inches). 
• The Citilink surfboard policy fees are provided in the table below (fee not including Value Added Tax).
• There is also an excess fee for weight over 30kg. 

Citilink Boardbag Information

What’s the best way to get from Lombok to Bali?

The best way to travel from Lombok to Bali will depend on what type of traveller you are, what your budget is and what you’re looking for. If comfort is your number one priority, definitely get a flight and avoid the cramped and hot fast boats which leave most people feeling nauseous.

If you’re on a budget, you might like the slow ferry, which is very budget-friendly and an overall adventurous experience.

Your exact destination in Lombok and route will also have an effect, and catching a fast boat might be most convenient if you’re short on time and don’t want to spend the money on a flight. It’s a quicker journey than the ferry, especially if you’re headed to the Gili Islands or Sengigi, but much more affordable than flying. 

What I can recommend 100% is not getting tangled up in a twelve hour shit fight like I did back in 2013.  Today, I fly from Bali to Lombok every single time.  

Total Travel Time from Kuta, Bali to Kuta, Lombok

• Public Ferry: approximately 8 hours
• Fast Ferry: approximately 7 hours 
• Flight: approximately 3.5 hours 

So go ahead, lock in your favourite route from Bali to Lombok, the best place to book flights is on WayAway and ferries on 12Go.

Now that you know how to get to Bali to Lombok, why not read up on the best surf camps in Lombok for women. If you’re heading straight to the surf scene, read my full guide to Kuta Lombok.

Want more information about Bali and using Bali as a launchpad for other islands? Check out our Bali surf travel hub.

Bali to Lombok 2026 Update

• Fast boats running daily from Padang Bai
• Flights still the most reliable option in windy season
• Prices slightly higher in peak season
• Morning departures recommended
• Flights cheapest mid-week