How to Get From Bali to Lombok: Ferry, Fast Boat & Flight
I have made the crossing from Bali to Lombok more times than I can count. Traveling from Bali to Lombok by ferry might not be the most exciting part of your trip, but it is undoubtedly one of the most practical and budget-friendly. Whether you are heading to Lombok to conquer Mount Rinjani, catch some waves, or simply enjoy its laid-back vibe, the ferry is the most affordable way to get there. But it may not be the most pleasant and it is definitely not the easiest if you are comparing it to flying. In this guide I will break down every option for traveling between the two islands honestly so you can choose what works best for you.
Oh & as always practice sustainable tourism while traveling please :)
Last updated: June 2026
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How to get from Bali to Lombok
Traveling between Bali and Lombok by ferry is easier than it might seem; it is simply deciding between the ferry and flying.
For the ferry, you have 2 main options: the speedboat and the public ferry. You can purchase your tickets through platforms like Ferryhopper or 12GoAsia. Ferryhopper is an online platform that allows you to book ferry tickets for routes across Southeast Asia, including Bali and Lombok. 12GoAsia is a travel booking site that offers tickets for various transportation options in Asia, including ferries, buses, and trains.
If neither sounds appealing, flying is always an option too and is my preferred method. I always check Skyscanner for the best routes and deals. Not all regional airlines in Asia will populate on Google Flights.
Travel Tip: During peak season from June to September and around Christmas, boats and flights can fill up quickly, especially morning departures. Always book ahead if traveling during this time.
OPTION 1: THE SPEEDBOAT (Fastest Route)
Sanur port is one of two departure points for the Bali to Lombok ferry and is much more organized than I expected!
The fastest ferry from Bali to Lombok is the locally run passenger-only speedboat. The speedboats leave from two ports in Bali, Padang Bai Port and Sanur Harbor. I will be honest with you: no matter which company you go with, the boat will be hot, sweaty, packed as full as possible with people, and very bumpy. So bear that in mind if you are easily seasick. Some ferry companies will hand out sea-sickness medication and trash bags before the ride begins. Some of the seats have windows which can help with sickness; but, sometimes too much water will splash in through the windows, and you will have to close them.
The flights between Bali and Lombok are a quick 50 minutes to 1 hour and cost around 60-70 USD if booked early. This could be the better option for sea-sick-prone individuals.
SPEEDBOAT: PADANG BAI Port (BALI) TO BANGSAL Harbor (LOMBOK)
Ferry Time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours, sometimes longer depending on stops and weather.
Bali To Lombok Ferry Ticket Cost: 20 to 40 USD
An additional 20,000 IDR harbor tax is sometimes not included in the ferry price when traveling between Bali and Lombok. I almost always book through 12GoAsia or Ferryhopper, or by messaging the companies directly.
Always book ahead as ferries do fill up, and avoid buying at the dock since walk-up prices at Padang Bai Port can be double the online rate due to ticket sellers at the port overcharging tourists.
Luggage is included in the price but is usually limited to 1 or 2 pieces. Larger luggage will be tagged and placed in a different part of the boat.
Seats are first come first serve.
Ferry Companies: Wijaya Buyuk, Semaya One, D'Camel, Gili Gili Fastboat, Ekajaya (I have taken this one a few times), Karunia, Golden Queen, and a few others.
How To Get To Padang Bai Port:
Motorbike: You can drive yourself to Padang Bai Port. I think you can park for around 5,000-15,000 IDR per day (1 USD). I have never left my bike there myself, so confirm the current parking fee with the port or your ferry company before you go.
Taxi: You can hire a driver from your accommodation, Grab or Gojek (the Uber of Indonesia), or Bluebird (Public Taxi). The Padang Bai Port sits on the East coast of Bali, about 1 hour from Denpasar, Kuta, Ubud, or Sideman. Some ferry companies will help you schedule transport to Padang Bai Port if you message them on WhatsApp!
Stops Along Ferry Route: Gili T and sometimes Gili Air. Remember, each stop will add time to your journey.
My Experience: The speedboat ride was incredibly rough and bumpy. It felt like the boat was bouncing off the waves, landing hard on the right side before hitting another wave and tilting to the left. I took seasick medication on this boat and wore the seasick bracelets. Luckily, I made it without becoming ill, but I cannot say the same about the other people on the ferry. The boat ride was around 3 hours, with one stop in Gili T.
From Bangsal Harbor, taxis and drivers are waiting for your arrival. Traveling from Bangsal to Kuta costs around 400,000 IDR (25 USD) for a private car. I have read there are shared shuttles now too for around 175,000-200,000 IDR (9-11 USD) per person (though I have not taken them myself). Grab and Gojek are still limited in this area of Lombok; I would recommend either booking ahead of time or being ready to barter for the best price at the ferry port. Many accommodations can help you book your taxi down to Kuta or wherever is next for you as well. There are bike rentals in Bangsal, but again I have never rented from here myself.
SPEEDBOAT: SANUR Harbor (BALI) TO BANGSAL Harbor (LOMBOK)
D’Camel fast boat, one of the ferry options from Bali to Lombok.
I do not recommend this route, as it is the longest and also the bumpiest of the fast ferries. Honestly, I would even prefer taking the slow ferry (explained below) over this one.
Ferry Time: 4.5 to 5.5 hours, sometimes longer with stops. Do not be fooled by the ferry times claimed by the companies.
Bali To Lombok Ferry Ticket Cost: Prices vary between companies, but average between 20 and 40 USD. I almost always book my ferries through 12GoAsia or by messaging the companies directly. Always book ahead in case ferries fill up.
Luggage is included in the price but is usually limited to 1 or 2 pieces. Larger luggage will be tagged and placed in a different section of the boat.
An additional 20,000 IDR harbor tax is sometimes not included in the Bali to Lombok ferry price.
Seats are first-come, first-served.
Ferry Companies: Wijaya Buyuk, Buyuk Fast Cruise, Semaya One (I have taken this one a few times), Starfish Fast Boat, The Tanis Express (best rated), Einstein Fast Boat, and more.
How To Get To Sanur Harbor:
Motorbike: You can drive yourself to Sanur Harbor and park your bike in the lot for 15,000 IDR (less than $1) nightly.
Taxi: You can hire a driver from your accommodation, Grab or Gojek (the Uber of Indonesia), or Bluebird (Public Taxi). The Sanur Harbor sits on the East Bali coast near Denpasar (20-40 minutes) and Kuta (30-40 minutes). Some ferry companies will help you schedule transport to Sanur Harbor if you message them on WhatsApp!
Stops Along Ferry Route: Nusa Penida, Gili T, and sometimes Gili Air. Each stop adds travel time onto your ferry.
Pro Tip: You can also book a ferry from Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan to the Gili Islands or Bangsal Harbor. The ferry time is around 3-4 hours, depending on the waves.
My Experience: Similar to the speedboat from Padang Bai Port, this ride was incredibly rough and bumpy; even worse than Padang Bai. I took seasick medication on this boat and wore the seasick bracelets. I did feel slightly unwell from the roughness of the waters and the boat hitting it. My boat was a long 4 hours. I have only completed this journey one time and would not opt for it again. We stopped twice, once in Nusa Penida and once in Gili T.
From Bangsal Harbor, many taxis and drivers are waiting for your arrival. The taxi from Bangsal Harbor to Kuta, Lombok is under 2 hours and costs around 400,000 IDR (25 USD). Grab and Gojek are still limited in this area of Lombok, so I would recommend either booking ahead of time or being ready to barter for the best price at the ferry port. Many accommodations can also help you book a taxi to Kuta or wherever your next destination is.
There are bike rentals in Bangsal, but I have never rented from here myself.
Option 2: Bali to Lombok Public Ferry via Lembar Harbor (Cheapest Route)
The views from the public ferry make the longer journey completely worth it.
The cheapest option for traveling from Bali to Lombok (or vice versa) is with the public ferry. The public ferry runs from Padang Bai Harbor (Bali) to Lembar Harbor (Lombok) and runs 24 hours, every hour on the hour. The boat is much larger and can accommodate motor vehicles, motorbikes, vans, buses, trucks, and more, all of which are parked in the hull.
This ferry is how most locals prefer to travel since it is the most cost-effective option.
I recommend sitting inside for the comfiest seating and always keeping your bags with you. Sometimes there are small packaged food and beverage options available for purchase on the boat. Luckily, there is a toilet, though it is not glamorous.
I do not recommend taking this ferry outside of daylight hours for safety concerns.
Ferry Time: The average ferry time is around 5+ hours, but can increase depending on weather and delays.
Bali To Lombok Public Ferry Ticket Cost: Around 80,000 IDR (4.50 USD) per motorbike, or a little less per person without a motorbike.
Tickets are purchased at the terminal and are first-come, first-served. The harbor workers will direct you where to go once you purchase your ticket.
How To Get To Padang Bai:
Motorbike: You can drive yourself to Padang Bai Port. You can park your motorbike in Padang Bai; however, you can bring your motorbike on the boat!
Taxi: You can hire a driver from your accommodation, Grab or Gojek (the Uber of Indonesia), or Bluebird (Public Taxi). The Padang Bai Port sits on the East coast of Bali, about 1 hour from Denpasar, Kuta, Ubud, or Sideman.
Stops Along Ferry Route: None!
My Experience: I have taken this route many times, both on my own and with a friend, and I prefer it because I can bring my motorbike along. You ride your bike onto the bottom level of the ferry and park it there, while continuing up the stairs to find seating. I never leave anything in my bike.
I find the larger public ferry to be much smoother than the speedboat. In fact, I never needed seasickness medication on any of my trips and always felt perfectly fine. Some of the newer ferries have an air-conditioned interior seating area, making it easy to relax and even take a nap. However, some of the older ferries do not have air conditioning, but the breeze from the boat is enough to keep you cool.
When you are ready to step outside, you can enjoy incredible views of Bali and Lombok. The ferry’s slower pace and minimal rocking make appreciating the landscapes easier.
If you choose this ferry option and decide to ride without a motorbike or car, be sure to arrange your pick-up in Lembar Harbor (Lombok) before you arrive. I have never seen taxis or bike rentals available in the harbor, and neither Grab nor Gojek is available here. The ride from Lembar Harbor to Kuta (Lombok) is around 1 hour.
Option 3: Flying from Bali to Lombok (Fastest & Easiest)
One of the perks of flying; catching Mount Rinjani like this on a clear day. Worth the window seat every single time.
Flying is hands down the easiest option for traveling between Bali and Lombok. Unless you are already in Nusa Penida or the Gilis, the flight is faster, calmer, more spacious, and sometimes even cheaper. You also get to enjoy a beautiful view of Mount Rinjani on the way in if it is a clear day. No seasickness, no sweaty boats packed with people, and no long taxi rides since the airport sits much closer to most destinations in Lombok. The only caveat is checked luggage fees if you are traveling with a lot, which is something the ferries do not charge for. Just be sure to arrive at the airport at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before boarding, especially during the high season.
My Experience:
I have always found flying to be the best option. From Bali, the airport tends to be a lot closer to wherever I am on the island. In Lombok, I am usually heading to Kuta first, and the airport is only 30 minutes away. You can book a taxi or even a Grab from the airport for around 150,000 IDR (8 USD). Even with extra time at the airport beforehand, the entire travel time to get between my destinations is drastically shorter than the ferry. AND I do not have to come off the ferry a seasick sweatball.
Should You Fly or Take the Ferry From Bali to Lombok?
So which option is right for you?
If you are tight on time, get seasick easily, or just want an easy travel day, flying is the best option.
If you are on a tight budget and traveling with a motorbike, take the public ferry.
If you are coming from Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, or the Gilis and want to save money, the fast boat is usually the most convenient option.
Quick overview:
Best if you are short on time: Fly
Best budget option (with motorbike): Public ferry
Best overall balance of time and cost: Fast boat
Frequently Asked Questions:
IS THE BALI TO LOMBOK FERRY SAFE?
Yes, the ferries are relatively safe. However, always watch the weather and avoid sailing during rough seas and weather. Do not sail outside of daylight hours for the public ferry, and keep all belongings with you. As always, follow general travel safety practices.
Some of the smaller ferry operators have been suspended due to a breach in safety, so do yourself a favor and stick to the well-reviewed companies, rather than just going with the cheapest option at the dock.
Never travel without the right insurance in case of any sickness, injuries, or theft. Safety Wing is by far the best travel insurance. It has saved me numerous times by covering hospital visits when I was sick during my travels in Asia. Safety Wing even offers theft protection for an additional fee.
DO YOU HAVE ANY FERRY TIPS?
Pack food and water for the journey, especially for the public ferry.
If you are easily seasick, plan accordingly and pack motion sickness medications or other prevention methods.
I always find sitting in the middle of the boat is better for less impact when the boat hits waves.
Dress comfortably. The public ferry is cold if you sit inside, where it is air-conditioned. On the other hand, the speed boats can get extremely hot and sweaty, as most do not have air conditioners that work. So be sure to dress in loose, breathable clothing.
Download a book, podcast, music, etc., to keep you busy during your journey. If you choose music or a podcast, be sure to pack earphones.
HOW LONG IS THE FERRY TRIP FROM BALI TO LOMBOK?
Sanur Harbor to Bangsal Harbor, Lombok: 4.5 to 5.5 hours minimum.
Padang Bai Port to Bangsal Harbor, Lombok: 2.5 to 3.5 hours minimum
Padang Bai Port to Lembar Harbor, Lombok: 5+ hours minimum
IS IT EASY TO TRAVEL FROM BALI TO LOMBOK?
Yes, but easy depends on the weather that day. If you do not mind spending a bit extra (sometimes not even that much more), I recommend flying instead of taking the ferry. It is faster and much easier than sitting on a bumpy ferry ride.
IS LOMBOK LESS TOURISTY THAN BALI?
Yes, Lombok is much less developed and Westernized than Bali is. There are some more touristy areas like the Gili Islands and Kuta, but they are still nothing compared to the tourism in Bali. Though, this is quickly changing.
