Information as of August 2026
This article covers how to get around once you have arrived in Bali. So how do you get from Bali to Lombok? There are three options, the plane, the fast boat and the public ferry, and they differ completely in where they leave from, how long they take and what they cost. Here we compare the three routes from Bali to Lombok from the point of view of us at Semelar Beach Village, who are based in Sekotong on Lombok.
What you’ll learn in this article
- ✓The three ways to get from Bali to Lombok, with departure points and journey times
- ✓Things you need to know, such as cancellation risk and baggage limits
- ✓How to choose by purpose: saving time, island-hopping or keeping costs down
- ✓How to think about the trip if you are heading to Sekotong (southwest Lombok)
The short answer
For a first trip to Lombok, take the plane (about 25 to 50 minutes in the air). If you also want to visit the Gili Islands, take the fast boat. If keeping costs down matters, or you want to take a motorbike or car across, the public ferry is an option.
Three ways from Bali to Lombok: quick comparison
First, let’s look at all three options side by side in a comparison table.
Figure: Approximate journey time by mode
From leaving Bali to arriving in Lombok. Journey times do not include getting to the departure point (as of August 2026)
← Scroll the table sideways
| Mode | Main departure and arrival (Bali → Lombok) | Approximate journey time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plane | Denpasar / Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) → Lombok International Airport (LOP, Praya) | About 25 to 50 minutes in the air (around 2 to 3 hours including procedures) | Those who put time first, or who get seasick |
| Fast boat | Serangan / Sanur / Padang Bai / Amed and others → Gili Islands, Bangsal / Teluk Kode and others (north Lombok) | About 1.5 to 5 hours (varies by port and operator) | Those who want to stop at the Gili Islands and enjoy the boat trip |
| Public ferry | Padang Bai → Lembar (southwest Lombok) | About 4 to 6 hours (varies with sea conditions) | Those keeping costs down, or taking a motorbike or car across |
* A guide based on general travel information (as of August 2026). Boats in particular vary greatly with weather and sea conditions. Fares are not listed here because they change with operator, season and booking site, so please check the latest information on each operator’s official site.
1. By plane
If you fly, you leave from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar on the Bali side, and arrive at Lombok International Airport (also known as Praya Airport, airport code LOP) on the Lombok side. Praya Airport is in central Lombok. It takes about an hour by car to reach the provincial capital, Mataram, or the Senggigi area, and getting to Sekotong requires a further journey overland.
The straight-line distance between Denpasar and Lombok is a little over 100km, and the actual flight time is very short, at about 25 to 50 minutes. However, even on a domestic flight you need time for boarding procedures and security screening, so once you allow for the margin between reaching the airport and boarding, it is reassuring to plan for around 2 to 3 hours in practice. Several airlines fly this route, with multiple flights a day. Routes, frequencies and fares change easily, so we recommend checking the latest flights and fares on a booking site.
Flying suits people with a limited number of days, and people who get seasick. On the other hand, Bali’s airport itself gets crowded, and traffic can delay your arrival at the airport, so it is important to build in a schedule with some room to spare.
2. By fast boat
The fast boat is the route with the most variations linking Bali and Lombok (and the Gili Islands in between). The main departure ports on the Bali side are the four of Serangan, Sanur, Padang Bai and Amed. Most of the arrival ports on the Lombok side are the Gili Islands in the north (Gili Trawangan and Gili Air), or ports such as Bangsal, Teluk Nare and Teluk Kode on the northwest of the main island. In other words, note that most fast boats arrive on the north side of Lombok.
Typical operators include Gili Getaway, BlueWater Express, Eka Jaya and Scoot Fast Cruise. Even for the same “Bali to Lombok” trip, the departure port, journey time and onboard facilities (such as whether there is a toilet, and the extent of hotel pickup) differ by operator, so we recommend comparing them beforehand.
← Scroll the table sideways
| Operator | Departure port in Bali | Arrival port in Lombok | Approximate journey time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gili Getaway | Serangan | Bangsal / Teluk Nare (via the Gili Islands) | About 2 hours 45 minutes |
| BlueWater Express | Serangan / Padang Bai | Bangsal / Teluk Kode | About 2 hours 45 minutes from Serangan / about 1 hour 45 minutes from Padang Bai |
| Eka Jaya | Padang Bai | Gili Islands / Bangsal area | Please check the official site |
| Scoot Fast Cruise | Sanur (via Nusa Lembongan) | Gili Islands area | Please check the official site |
* Fares are not listed because they vary with the booking site and season. Please check the latest fares on each operator’s official site.
The fast boat suits people who want to enjoy the journey as part of the activities, and people who want to call at the Gili Islands on the way to Lombok. However, most services arrive around the Gili Islands and Bangsal in the north of Lombok. If you are heading to Sekotong (southwest of the island), where we are based, you then cross the island overland after arriving, so we are upfront that the journey takes considerably longer.
3. By public ferry
The public ferry links Padang Bai port on the Bali side with Lembar port on the Lombok side, a crossing that local people also use every day. It is run by ASDP, Indonesia’s state-owned ferry company, and rather than following a fixed timetable, it is basically said to sail when the boat is full or at regular intervals.
What is interesting is that the arrival port, Lembar, is in southwest Lombok. While the planes and many of the fast boats arrive in central and northern Lombok, the public ferry is also one of the few routes that goes directly to an area geographically close to Sekotong (for the specific journey time and means of getting from Lembar to Sekotong, please check with your accommodation beforehand).
The journey time depends on sea conditions, but is generally said to be around 4 to 6 hours, considerably longer than by plane or fast boat. On cost, passenger fares are often described as very low, and if you take a motorbike or car across, a separate fare applies for each vehicle class. Being able to take your motorbike or car across as it is is a big merit that only the public ferry offers. On the other hand, the facilities on board are not as comfortable as on a fast boat, and it can be hard to secure a seat when busy, so it is not well suited to people who put comfort first.
Caution
- Cancellation risk: The Lombok Strait has fast currents, and cancellations and delays occur when the sea worsens, mainly in the rainy season (around November to March). Avoid boat journeys on days when you connect to an onward or international flight, and leave some room before and after.
- Departure times: Because the public ferry operates by sailing when full, the waiting time can be hard to predict.
- Baggage: Many fast boats have a weight limit (around 25kg as a guide), and the excess may be charged extra. On ferries, looking after your own baggage on board tends to be your own responsibility.
- Getting to the port: Please also allow for the travel time from your hotel to the port and for traffic on the Bali side.
- Delays: Flights are not free of airport congestion and the delays that are typical of domestic routes either. Be especially careful with itineraries that involve a connection.
Which one is right for you?
- ✅ You want to put time first, or you are prone to seasickness → Plane
- ✅ You want to enjoy the journey too, or stop at the Gili Islands → Fast boat
- ✅ You want to keep costs down, or take a motorbike or car across → Public ferry
- ✅ Your destination is Sekotong or southwest Lombok, and you want to cut the overland distance → The public ferry (arriving at Lembar) is geographically advantageous, but the journey takes longer. If you put time first, a combination of plane plus overland travel is also worth considering
🏝️ A word from Sekotong
If you are heading to Sekotong (southwest Lombok), the Lembar port where the public ferry arrives is the closest point geographically. But given how long the boat takes, going into Lombok Airport by plane and then heading to Sekotong overland is also a strong option.
Frequently asked questions
Q. I’m worried about seasickness. Is the fast boat rough?
The Lombok Strait has fast currents, and on some days, depending on sea conditions, it can be rough. If you are worried, please consider measures such as bringing seasickness medication, or choosing the plane, which shakes less.
Q. When should I buy tickets?
In the dry-season high season, booking online in advance is said to be the safe option. Seats can fill up on the day, so once your dates are fixed, we recommend arranging them early.
Q. What happens if my sailing or flight is cancelled?
Handling differs by operator, but rebooking onto another sailing or a refund is generally said to be offered. It is reassuring to check each operator’s rules when you book, and to leave some room in your schedule.
Related reading
- Lombok: The Complete GuideA pillar article giving the overall picture of climate, safety and areas.
Summary: the journey to Sekotong is part of the trip
Which of the plane, fast boat and public ferry you choose from Bali to Lombok changes how your trip begins. Do you value speed, the feel of a boat trip, or cost? There is no single right answer.
We at Semelar Beach Village run a stay programme rooted in local life in Sekotong, in southwest Lombok. Sekotong is a little way from the north and centre of the island, where the planes and many of the fast boats arrive, but that is also why it is an area where, including the journey there, it is easy to feel that you have come to an island different from Bali. Your trip has already begun at the stage of choosing how to travel. Try choosing the route that suits your own style of travel.
SEMELAR BEACH VILLAGE
There’s a place to stay in the Sekotong village we call home
About 1 hour 10 minutes by car from Lombok International Airport. Stay in a beachfront villa, explore the coastline by local boat, and watch the sunset at SAKURA CAFE.
Sources for this article
- General travel information and each operator’s official website (as of August 2026)
