Lombok Ferry Guide: Bali Ferry, Fast Boat & Gili Routes

Which Lombok ferry do you need?

Three different trips hide behind this search. Bali to Lombok on the public ferry lands at Lembar in West Lombok. Bali to Lombok by fast boat lands at Senggigi or Bangsal, and sources disagree on which ports each operator uses. Gili Trawangan to Lombok is a short hop that arrives near Bangsal. Choose by destination first and price second. Our guide to wider Lombok arrival options covers the full set of routes.

• Heading to Senggigi: public ferry to Lembar, or a fast boat that lands at Senggigi (confirm the port when booking).
• Heading to Kuta or Mandalika: public ferry to Lembar, or a flight into the airport.
• Heading to the Gilis or Rinjani: a fast boat that lands at Bangsal.
• Bringing a motorbike or car: public ferry only.

Bali to Lombok: ferry, fast boat or flight

Sea time misleads, so budget the whole day. Public ferry crossings run roughly 4 to 6 hours, and some sources report up to 7. Fast boats run roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours, and a slower speedboat variant takes about 3 hours. Flights take about 40 minutes, with around 3 departures a day. Check current times with Lombok International Airport before you plan around them.

Public ferry: Padang Bai to Lembar

Ferries sail from Padang Bai in East Bali to Lembar in West Lombok. Competitor sources report round-the-clock service with departures every 1 to 2 hours. Confirm the current timetable on the ASDP Indonesia Ferry site. Expect 4 to 6 hours at sea, depending on conditions. Tickets are reportedly sold at the harbour only, so arrive 1 to 2 hours early in busy weeks. Onboard you will find benches, basic toilets and a snack kiosk selling instant noodles. One traveller report mentions bunk mats at about Rp 50,000 each. Seasick-prone riders do better outside near the middle of the vessel. Only this crossing takes vehicles. If you plan to ride on Lombok, compare bringing a Bali rental with a Lombok Scooter Rental: Costs, Licence & Safety Guide, and check the rental company's policy and paperwork first.

Fast boat from Bali: ports, durations and booking

Fast boats carry passengers only, which removes the vehicle loading wait. Sources name Padang Bai, Sanur and Serangan as Bali departure points. Arrival points named are Senggigi, Bangsal and Teluk Nara, and the sources conflict, so read your ticket for the exact pier. Crossings run roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Many routes charge a local harbour fee of Rp 10,000 to Rp 20,000, payable in cash at the departure port. Keep small notes for it. Book ahead from July to September. Check whether your ticket includes hotel pickup or only harbour boarding, because that changes your morning start time.

Gili Trawangan to Lombok: where boats land and what it adds

Boats from Gili Trawangan commonly arrive near Bangsal in North Lombok. Always confirm the harbour for your operator. The sea leg is short. The road leg after landing is the part that eats your day. Bangsal suits Senggigi and Rinjani-bound travellers best. Kuta and the airport mean a longer drive, so ask your driver for an estimate before you book. The route works in reverse too, from Bangsal out to the islands. Fast boats from Bali can also include Gili Islands arrivals, so check the destination pier when you buy.

Arrival port to your final stop

Landing is half the trip. Lembar to Senggigi and Lembar to Kuta are each reported at about 90 minutes by road. Treat the Kuta figure as unverified and confirm it with your driver. Ride-hailing exists on Lombok but is patchy, so line up a pre-booked transfer. At the airport, DAMRI buses reportedly do not serve Kuta. Arriving in Kuta means surf and sand, covered in our guides to Lombok Beaches: Best Spots by Area (2026 Guide) and Lombok surf breaks.

Costs and tickets: what to budget

Public ferry fares are reported at Rp 50,000 to Rp 60,000 per person by competitor sources. Treat that as a dated estimate and check the operator before you travel. Fast boats cost more, and fares vary by operator and by whether pickup is included. Add Rp 10,000 to Rp 20,000 in cash for the harbour fee on fast boat departures. Airport taxi estimates from one travel blog run about Rp 120,000 to Kuta and about Rp 180,000 to Senggigi. Verify these before relying on them. Cheapest overall is the public ferry. Fastest door to door is usually the flight, if your hotel sits near the airport.

Weather, peak season and timing buffers

Rough seas can delay crossings, mostly in the rainy season that competitors place from December to March. Read our notes on the Lombok Rainy Season: Months, Weather & What to Do before you commit. Check sea conditions with BMKG forecasts on the day. July to September is peak, so book fast boats early. Our Best Time to Visit Lombok: Month-by-Month Guide by Goal guide covers the wider calendar. Use a simple buffer rule. Never schedule a same-day international flight after any boat leg. Cross the day before, or sleep near the airport.

Best option by traveller type

Match the mode to the person, then recheck prices. Once you land, 8 Best Things to Do in Lombok, Organized by Area will fill the days. Short on time? Look at Day Trips From Lombok: Gilis, Pink Beach, Waterfalls or guided Lombok tours.

• Budget backpacker: public ferry, for the lowest fare.
• Family with luggage: fast boat with pickup, or a flight.
• Motorbike overlander: public ferry, the only crossing with vehicles.
• Flight-connection traveller: fly, or cross a day early.
• Seasickness-prone: flight first, then a fast boat in calm months.
• Rinjani trekker: fast boat landing at Bangsal.
• First-timer: fast boat to the pier nearest your hotel.

Mistakes to avoid

Most delays come from assumptions, not from the sea.

• Assuming the ferry and fast boats land at the same port. They do not.
• Planning to buy public ferry tickets online. Sources report on-site sales only.
• Forgetting the cash harbour fee of Rp 10,000 to Rp 20,000.
• Booking a same-day international flight after any boat leg.
• Skipping the road leg when counting door-to-door time.

Plan the full door-to-door journey

Compare the complete journey, not just the crossing. For the public ferry, allow 1 to 2 hours for harbour arrival and boarding. The Padang Bai to Lembar sea crossing takes roughly 4 to 6 hours. Add about 90 minutes by road to Senggigi, subject to traffic and driver confirmation.

A fast boat cuts the sea leg to roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours. However, hotel pickup, check-in and the onward transfer still matter. Confirm whether pickup is included before booking. Bangsal is practical for the Gilis and North Lombok. It adds a longer road journey for Kuta or the airport.

A flight lasts about 40 minutes, but airport transfers and check-in still apply. It is usually the simplest choice for tight schedules. Never connect a boat crossing to a same-day international flight. Travel the day before, or stay near the airport.