Lombok Airport (LOP) Guide: Transfers to Kuta, Senggigi and the Gilis

Featured image: Jeromi Mikhael, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Lombok Airport at a Glance

Bandara Internasional Lombok opened in 2011 and replaced Selaparang Airport in Mataram. Wikipedia's Indonesian entry places it at Tanak Awu in Central Lombok, about 8 km south of Praya. That puts it well outside the provincial capital, so budget transfer time before you book a hotel. Sources disagree on which direction the airport lies from Mataram, so check your mapping app for exact distances to your own hotel. Official flight and transport pages live on the airport's official site.

• Codes: LOP (IATA) and WADL (ICAO)
• Location: Tanak Awu, Pujut, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara
• Access road: Jl. Bypass BIL - Mandalika
• Replaced: Selaparang Airport in Mataram, which stopped handling flights when this airport opened
• Operator: listed as InJourney in recent sources; confirm on the official site

How to Get From Lombok Airport to Your Hotel

Pick your ride by destination, arrival hour and group size. One third-party listing gives DAMRI public bus fares of Rp 25,000 to Mataram, Rp 35,000 to Ampenan, Rp 35,000 to Senggigi and Rp 30,000 to Selong. That page says fares can change without notice, so confirm the fare and schedule with DAMRI or at the airport counters. Ride-hailing pick-up points were reported as set back from the terminal entrance, so expect a short walk. Groups of three or four with bags often find a private car competitive with several bus tickets. Quote the price before you load the car.

Airport to Kuta, Senggigi, Mataram and the Gilis

Kuta and Mandalika lie in a different direction from Senggigi and the northwest coast. If you stay south, book a car and skip Mataram altogether. For the first two hours in Kuta, drop your bags, then head to the coast. Our guide to south coast beaches shows where to start.

Senggigi suits DAMRI if you travel light, since the bus serves it by way of Mataram. Eat near your hotel and save sightseeing for the next day. Planning the wider trip? Our Lombok activity guide covers the island.

For the Gilis, you have two sea routes. The public boat leaves from Bangsal, and speedboats leave from Teluk Nare. Schedules and cut-offs change, so verify times with the operator before you fly. If your flight lands late or runs behind, assume you may miss the last boat. Book a night near the harbor or in Senggigi instead of gambling on the crossing. Our Lombok ferry guide covers the sea routes in more detail.

Flights to Lombok: Airlines and Routes

Bali is the busiest link. Sources describe a 25-minute flight from Denpasar. Add check-in, boarding, baggage and the road transfer, and the door-to-door time grows well beyond that figure. A live arrivals board snapshot showed Denpasar arrivals from 07:55 through 13:20, plus services from Jakarta, Surabaya, Bima, Labuan Bajo, Sumbawa Besar and Kuala Lumpur. Carriers on that board included Wings Air, TransNusa, Citilink, Lion Air, Super Air Jet, Garuda Indonesia, Batik Air, Pelita Air and AirAsia. Schedules shift often, so confirm routes on each airline's own site. Older route lists still online include carriers that no longer appear on current boards. Compare all your options on our ways to reach Lombok page.

Arrivals: Immigration, Baggage, SIM, ATM and Pick-up Points

International and domestic areas are separate, and reviewers describe a bright, spacious terminal. Immigration timing varies, so leave slack before any onward boat. One Google review reported about 1 hour to receive luggage, which is a single account rather than a typical wait. Our sources do not confirm SIM counters or ATM locations, so check the airport site or ask staff after you land. Entry rules change, so use the official Wonderful Indonesia visitor information and the immigration authority for current visa guidance. Ignore COVID-era testing rules on older pages. If you plan to rent wheels, read our scooter rental guide first.

Departures: When to Arrive, Terminals and Food

We found no sourced check-in or security cut-off, so follow your airline's instructions. Reviewers say departures have a Starbucks, Indonesian and Western restaurants, and some shops. Domestic and international waiting areas are separate, with places to charge phones. One reviewer mentioned live performances, though that is not guaranteed. Leave extra time during the wet months. Check our Lombok Rainy Season: Months, Weather & What to Do notes and best months to visit before locking in tight connections.

Common Mistakes at Lombok Airport

Boat timing causes the biggest losses, so allow a buffer between landing and the last crossing. Unplanned payment is next. Agree the fare before you get into a taxi, and prefer a prebooked transfer if you arrive after dark. Luggage security matters too. One Google reviewer reported a forced-open suitcase and missing items. Treat that as a single review, not a pattern. Still, keep valuables, cash, medication and electronics in your carry-on. Photograph your bag before check-in, and choose a sturdy lock. Book transfers before you fly, since last-minute arrangements leave fewer choices.

Accessibility and Family Travel

One reviewer said the escalator and elevator were unusable when arriving from the domestic terminal, forcing a climb by stairs to baggage claim. We could not verify this, so treat it as a lead. Passengers with reduced mobility, heavy bags or strollers should contact the airport or airline before travel and request assistance. Families should favor a prebooked car with space for strollers and car seats if needed. Ask the driver about seat availability in advance.

Airport Names and Codes Explained

Several labels point to the same airport. BIL stands for Bandara Internasional Lombok, and LIA is the English-style abbreviation. LOP is the IATA code used on tickets, replacing AMI, which belonged to Selaparang. On 5 September 2018, the airport was renamed Zainuddin Abdul Madjid, honoring a West Nusa Tenggara hero. Wikipedia's Indonesian entry says the older name stays in commercial use. Match your booking code, not a name, when searching for flights. Planning a first trip? Our guide on whether Lombok is worth visiting helps with the decision.