Bali to Lombok by Ferry and Fast Boat
Time to figure out if the grass is greener on the other side of the Lombok Strait by changing the scenery from Bali to Lombok. But what is the best way to get there? Getting from Bali to Lombok by ferry can be lengthy, but the price is oh so appealing. By fast boat, it is… well, fast – and who wouldn’t rather spend time at the beach instead of on public transportation? And let’s not forget, there are also flights!
These might seem like a lot of options, but once you have all the right information (which we are about to give you), the perfect fit for your budget, time availability, and Lombok itinerary will become clear. Get ready to embark on a journey from Bali to Lombok.
How To Get From Bali To Lombok
There are three ways to travel from Bali to Lombok, but crossing the Lombok Strait by boat is the most popular option. Here is a quick breakdown of your transportation options:
Bali to Lombok by Fast Boat: This is the most popular choice, with a journey time of roughly 1.5 to 3.5 hours, arriving at either Senggigi or Bangsal Harbor.
If you are short on time and just want to book the best value for money option, click here to check the available departure times, harbors and prices for the Bali to Lombok fast boat*.
Bali to Lombok by Ferry: The public ferry from Padang Bai to Lombok is the most budget-friendly option, but also the most lengthy. It docks at the southernmost harbor, making it a good choice for those starting their Lombok itinerary in Kuta or the Secret Gilis. You can take your scooter on board with you.
Bali to Lombok by Plane: A flight from Bali to Lombok is undoubtedly the fastest option, taking about 45 minutes. The airport is only a 30-minute drive from Kuta.
In this post, we will focus on going from Bali to Lombok by ferry and fast boat. However, if flying makes more sense for you, go ahead and check flight prices and available times here*.
Bali to Lombok by Fast Boat
The Bali to Lombok fast boat is the most popular option for this journey as it is convenient, pretty comfortable, most of the routes provide very competitive prices, and you can book the tickets online guaranteeing a spot on the boat of your choice. Be sure to book in advance, especially during high season, as tickets sell out quickly.
It is common to see the Bali to Lombok speedboat referred to as a “ferry”, both online and by locals. However, this is just a term for “boat”. The only actual ferry on this route is the public ferry departing from Padang Bai.
There are a total of 3 harbors in Bali – Padang Bai, Sanur and Serangan – that operate fast boat routes to Lombok. You simply need to choose the combination that best suits your needs, considering both your accommodation in Bali and the starting point of your Lombok itinerary.
Lombok Fast Boat Harbors
Bangsal Harbor
The most popular harbor, offering the largest number of Bali to Lombok fast boat routes. It is located on the northwest side of the island, close to the Gili islands. This harbor is perfect if you want to start your Lombok route by exploring the north of the island, challenging yourself in the Rinjani trek, or chasing waterfalls.
*
Tickets for the fast boat from Bali to Bangsal start from 13€.
Click below to see the alternatives that suit you best:
Senggigi Harbor
This harbor is located only 40 minutes south of Bangsal, on the west coast of Lombok. It is the most convenient option for those starting their Lombok itinerary in either the beaches of Senggigi or Kuta, which is 1.5hours away, but easy to reach with a transfer.
.png)
Tickets for the fast boat from Bali to Senggigi start from 26€.
Click below to see the alternatives that suit you best:
Gili Gede Pier
This is a small pier used almost exclusively by those planning to explore the Secret Gilis. Only one company operates this route, offering a single trip per day. While it may seem closer to Kuta at first glance, since it is located in the south, don't be misled—that is not the case. Senggigi remains as the best option if your accommodation is in Kuta.
Tickets for the fast boat from Bali to Gili Gede start from 52€.
Click below to see the alternatives that suit you best:
Bali to Lombok by Ferry
Getting from Bali to Lombok by ferry is the best alternative if you are on a budget, have some time to spare, and want to start your Lombok itinerary in the south of the island. Another advantage of the public ferry from Bali to Lombok is that you can bring your scooter along for an extra fee.
Make sure your scooter includes all its necessary paperwork, as you might get stopped when entering or exiting the ferry.
There are quite a few types of ferry boats connecting Bali to Lombok, so you never know what you are going to get. You might get one with TVs, power outlets, tables and comfy seats, or one that is mostly outdoor space, with rows of seats that are as good as sitting on the floor and debatable cleaning. We suggest you prepare for the worst so whatever comes feels like good news.
Bali to Lombok Ferry Harbors
Traveling from Bali to Lombok by ferry involves departing from Padang Bai and arriving in Lembar. Both harbors have a bit of a taxi mafia going on, so we strongly recommend arranging your transfers in advance to avoid hassles and significantly inflated prices.
Padang Bai Harbor
The Padang Bai harbor is fairly central, and with plenty of affordable transfer options from cities such as Sanur, Ubud, Seminyak, Canggu, and even the airport. Alternatively, you can use Grab (the equivalent to Uber in Indonesia) to get there, though they will not pick you up from this harbor if you're doing the route in reverse, as Grabs are not allowed to pick up customers at the harbour and its surroundings.
Lembar Harbor
Lembar is not particularly appealing as a destination on its own. Therefore, if you are not driving a scooter, ensure someone is waiting to take you to your final destination. Finding a fair taxi price here can be challenging.
Feel free to drop us a message on Instagram if you need the contact information for the local driver we used.
The Lombok public ferry harbor is about 1 hour away from both Kuta and Senggigi, and 45 minutes from the airport. If your plan is to start your Lombok itinerary in Senggigi or the north of the island, we strongly suggest taking the fast boat to the Senggigi or Bangsal harbor*. This will help you avoid a taxi fare that might make you regret the time spent traveling from Bali to Lombok by ferry.
Bali to Lombok Ferry Duration
The Bali to Lombok ferry time is an absolute wild card, as it can take anywhere from 4 to 7.5 hours. This unpredictability is the main reason most people choose the speedboat instead. If you only have a week or two in Indonesia, you don’t want to risk spending a full day on a boat.
To be fair, the public ferry from Bali to Lombok usually takes 5.5 hours or less when the weather conditions are ideal.
Bring all your devices fully charged, plenty of snacks (there is a small bar with snacks on board, but the variety is limited and the prices are higher than on land), a long sleeve because it might get windy, and if it doesn’t you can use it as a pillow to take a nap on one of the benches.
Bali to Lombok Ferry Price
The Bali to Lombok ferry price is 75.000 IDR (4.40€) for tourists and the ticket can only be purchased in person at the harbor – unless you have an Indonesian bank account, in which case you can buy it online. To buy the ticket, look for the small kiosk before you enter the harbor, on the opposite side of the main gate – click here for exact location. Chances are, as soon as you step out of the taxi, you will be approached by people selling you tickets for 100 000 IDR or more. Needless to say, these are not official sellers, so just go to the kiosk.
After obtaining your ticket, go inside the building on your left upon entering the harbor and approach the check-in counter. Only after checking in can you board the boat. Be prepared to squeeze in between trucks and scooters to reach the stairs leading to the seating areas on the upper levels. There are no designated seating areas.
Bali to Lombok Ferry Schedule
The Bali to Lombok ferry schedule includes, in theory, the following departure times: 00:00; 01:30; 04:00; 06:30; 09:00; 11:30; 13:30; 15:00; 16:30; 18:00; 19:30; 21:00; 22:30. Now, why “in theory”? Because they are not known for their punctuality – they barely ever leave on time. They usually wait to be as full as possible before departing, which can result in delays of 1 to 2 hours. So, traveling from Bali to Lombok by ferry “kind of fast”, involves a luck factor.
Please note that official departure times change often, and service might be reduced or completely halted due to the weather conditions or during public holidays, such as the Hindu Nyepi Day in Bali.
Bali to Lombok FAQ
How to get from Lombok to Gili Islands?
Getting from Lombok to the Gili islands, and vice versa, is super easy with boats running regularly from Bangsal Port. Online tickets for the fast boat start at 7€, and the trip takes about 20 to 50 minutes, depending on which Gili island you are heading to. You can also go by public boat (tickets can be purchased at the port), which is quite affordable but not super comfortable especially if you have large luggage or are traveling during peak times. Get your fast boat tickets here:
How to get from Nusa Penida to Lombok?
Traveling from Nusa Penida to Lombok takes about 3.5 hours by boat, with tickets starting at 14€. All boats on this route stop at Bangsal harbor in Lombok. Check the best times and fares here:
Do I need to book the Bali to Lombok ferry or fast boat in advance?
For the Bali to Lombok ferry, you need to book in person at the ticket office, and you can do it right before the boat leaves. The fast boat we suggest you book in advance to travel with peace of mind. The price online doesn’t differ much, or at all, from the ticket office, and booking in advance ensures you get a seat on your preferred boat.
Are the speedboats or ferries from Bali to lombok impacted by the weather?
Yes, the Lombok Strait can be rough, especially during the wet season (October to April), which can make the journey quite bumpy. In extreme cases, this may lead to significant delays or cancellations. Always take a seasickness pill for the Bali to Lombok speedboat, regardless of the time of the year, but if you are particularly prone to seasickness, consider flying during the wet season.
What is the best way to get to the harbors in Bali?
Book your boat ticket as part of a package that includes a transfer, or get a Grab. Click here to see Bali to Lombok speedboats with possible transfers*.
Grab doesn’t operate in most of Lombok, so plan ahead and book transfers from the pier, either online or through your hotel before your arrival, to avoid being charged very inflated prices.
The ferries from Bali to Lombok are notoriously unpredictable time-wise, how about the fast boat?
The Bali to Lombok fast boat, while it has a more structured schedule, often departs late. To avoid disappointments, don’t book a flight too close to the expected arrival time at the harbor.
Should I carry cash when catching a boat from Bali to Lombok?
Indeed, you should. You will be required to pay a 10.000 IDR (0.60€) harbor tax at the Padang Bai Terminal, and it is never a bad idea to have some cash for snacks in your pocket.
Planning Time
If you are ready to start planning your next trip, here you have all the usefull links you need to make it happen! By using them you are supporting our work as we might get a small fee from it. But hey! You pay the same (or might even get a discount), so is a win-win situation!
.png)
This applies to all the links in this website marked with a *