If you’ve heard the stories about Lombok being like Bali 20 or 30 years ago, you’ve heard correctly.
This unspoilt island is home to stunning landscapes, a unique local culture and some of the most picturesque longboarding waves in Indonesia (and that’s not even including our secret spots)!
Of course, it’s not only a surfer’s paradise. It’s also a must-visit destination for intrepid souls and nature lovers too. But how does one go about travelling to Lombok from Bali, Jakarta or outside of Indonesia? It’s actually easier than you think so long as you know the right options.
With that in mind, we’ve put together this handy guide for reaching Lombok by air and sea. Check it out if you want to save yourself hassle and unnecessary costs when booking your trip to Lombok!
Contents
- About Lombok
- The best way to reach Lombok
- Flying from Bali to Lombok
- Online booking and ticket prices
- Travelling with longboards/surfboards
- Public ferry from Bali to Lombok
- Ferry schedule and ticket prices
- Travelling with longboards/surfboards
- Fast boat from Bali to Lombok
- Boat companies and ticket prices
- Travelling with longboards/surfboards
NOTE: All prices are current as of November 2023. For more accurate rates, please consult the relevant transport provider.
About Lombok
Located in the West Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia, Lombok boasts a blend of rich cultural heritage and beguiling nature. It’s slightly smaller than Bali and dominated by the majestic Rinjani volcano.
Home to around 3.35 million people, Lombok fosters a diverse mix of Sasak, Balinese and Sumbawa cultures (with the majority being Sasak). It hosts numerous traditional festivals and is home to several historical mosques, reflecting its predominantly Muslim population.
It’s also gaining a reputation for being one of the best travel options for longboarders in the world, but despite its burgeoning popularity, Lombok continues to retain its charm by offering a quaint and tranquil atmosphere largely untouched by modernisation.
The best way to reach Lombok
You can get to Lombok three different ways: plane, ferry or fast boat.
By plane is the fastest and best way to reach Lombok. When taking the plane you’ll fly into Lombok International Airport–located about 25 minutes from the popular surf town of Kuta and Xanadu.
Taking a ferry or fast boat are the more time-consuming and less convenient options. However, going by sea is significantly cheaper than flying and offers a unique experience for travellers.
Flying from Bali to Lombok / The fastest option
Flying from Bali to Lombok is a fast and straightforward process. The flight time is approximately 30 minutes depending on weather conditions and other factors.
CitiLink and Lion Air/Wings both operate daily flights from Bali to Lombok and vice versa. Just note that you’ll be flying in a propeller aircraft, so don’t expect the same level of luxury as you would on a larger plane.
You can also fly to Lombok from the following Indonesian and international airports.
- Kuala Lumpur (Air Asia) – 3 hours
- Singapore (Scoot) – 2 hours
- Jakarta (Garuda, Air Asia, SuperJet, CitiLink, Lion) – 2 hours
- Other Indonesian airports – Times vary
Online booking and ticket prices
As with all holiday destinations, prices can fluctuate based on seasons and demand. The prices below are to give you a rough idea.
For more accurate rates, check out Traveloka–the Indonesian version of Booking.com. Keep in mind that if you’re flying into Lombok we can arrange pickup from the airport and drop-off at Xanadu for IDR 200.000 ($13 USD).
- One way flights from Bali to Lombok = approx. IDR 1.000.000 ($65 USD).
- Round trip flights from Bali to Lombok = approx. IDR 2.000.000 ($130 USD)
Travelling with longboards/surfboards
Travelling with longboards to Lombok by plane isn’t possible due to length restrictions, but don’t stress!
We have plenty of boards for you to use during your longboarding trip to Lombok. If you want to bring a regular shortboard though, here’s what you need to know:
- Lion Air/Wings: Only 5 boards in total can fit on these flights, so arrive at the airport and check-in early if you plan on bringing more than one. Note that an IDR 200.000 ($13 USD) handling fee is applied to each board for Lion Air flights while Wings flights incur an IDR 500.000 ($30 USD) handling fee. They’re both operated by the same company, so don’t ask us why one is more expensive than the other! There’s also a 200 cm length restriction.
- CitiLink: CitiLink doesn’t have restrictions on the amount of boards per flight. They’re also cheaper than Lion Air/Wings when it comes to handling/baggage fees (see full table here). One thing to note is that you can only bring 2 boards per person (170 cm length restriction) on smaller propeller planes.
Public ferry from Bali to Lombok / The cheapest option
For those who want a typical Indonesian experience, travelling from Bali to Lombok by ferry is the way to go.
This journey will take nearly 5 hours to reach Lombok (on a good day!) as opposed to 40 minutes by plane and 2 hours by fast boat. You might call it the “scenic” option, but it’s also a great opportunity to experience a more authentic side of Indonesia and connect with locals during your voyage.
Ferry schedule and ticket prices
This is a public ferry operating 24 hours a day at 1-2 hour intervals. It leaves when it’s full from Padang Bai on Bali’s east coast and arrives at Lembar Harbour on Lombok’s west coast. Here’s what you need to know:
- You can only buy tickets at the ferry terminal (no pre-booking or reservations are possible)
- The cost of the tickets is based on whether you’re travelling on-foot or with a bike/vehicle
- Passenger-only tickets are roughly IDR 60.000 ($4 USD) while scooters cost around IDR 170.000 ($10 USD) with a rider included
- Note that arrivals and departures are highly dependent on the loading and unloading process, so don’t expect it to run like a Swiss watch
- We can pick you up from Lembar Harbour for a fee of IDR 550.000 ($36 USD)
Travelling with longboards/surfboards
The good news regarding sea travel is that you can bring your longboards on the ferry with no extra fees! Just make sure you don’t leave them lying about where they might be a trip hazard.
Fast boat from Bali to Lombok
Fast boats are essentially covered boats with seating, air-conditioning, TVs and multiple outboard motors that can seat around 30-40 people.
These boats can be boarded at ports in Bali such as Serangan, Sanur, Padang Bai and Benoa Harbour, and the trip takes around 2-3 hours by boat plus another 2.5 hours’ drive from the harbour to Xanadu.
The fact you can arrange pickup from your hotel in Bali and bring surfboards onboard (for an extra charge) makes this a relatively convenient way to travel.
Boat companies and ticket prices
The two best and longest-running fast boat providers offering daily services between Bali and Lombok are Eka Jaya, Gili Getaways and Blue Water Express.
- Gili Getaways offer daily departures from Serangan Harbor in southwest Bali (30 minutes from Kuta) and Bangsal in Lombok. The crossing takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes with Gili Getaways. Tickets cost around IDR 760.000 ($50 USD) for one way and IDR 1.520.000 ($98 USD) for a return trip from Bali to Lombok
- Blue Water Express offers daily departures from Serangan Harbor and Padang Bai in Bali to Bangsal on Lombok. The crossing takes around 3 hours depending on the weather. Expect to pay approx. IDR 790.000 ($51 USD) for one way or IDR 1.510.000 ($97 USD) for a return trip
- Eka Jaya offers daily departures from Padang Bai in Bali to Senggigi on Lombok. The crossing takes around 3 hours depending on the weather. The boat stops at Gili Islands on the way. Expect to pay approx. IDR 550.000 ($36 USD) for one way and IDR 1.100.000 ($72 USD) for a return trip.
- We can pick you up from Bangsal and drop you off at Xanadu for a fee of IDR 550.000 ($36 USD)
Travelling with longboards/surfboards
You can bring up to 25 kilograms plus a carry bag on all fast boats for free, however, surfboards will incur an additional cost.
The best bet here is to contact the fast boat company directly and ask about their policy. Be aware though that the crossing can be quite bumpy, so make sure to bring a surfboard bag to protect the rails, deck and nose/tail of your board.
Final thoughts
You have multiple options for transport when travelling from Bali to Lombok–it really depends on your personal preference and budget which one you take. Do you want a quick and convenient flight or a more leisurely sea voyage?
Whichever option you choose, just remember to plan ahead and make bookings in advance (when possible) during peak seasons. And don’t forget to enjoy the journey–after all, it’s part of the adventure of travelling to Lombok!
