How to Get to Lombok from Bali: Guide on the Best Ways

Bali is renowned for its food, culture, temples and nightlife, but it’s not the only island in the area worth visiting. Neighboring Lombok offers a quieter alternative, with stunning waterfalls, lush jungle, scenic hikes up Mount Rinjani and easy access to the crystal clear waters of the Gili Islands. The question is, how to get there?

The good news; it’s actually fairly easy to get from Bali to Lombok. To help with planning your trip, this guide breaks down some of the main ferry, fast boat and flight options between Bali and Lombok, including average travel times, costs, and departure points. We’ll also share practical tips to make your journey smoother, including how to manage your spending in Indonesia. You can also learn more about the Wise card, an easy way to stretch your dollars when paying in foreign currencies.

How Far Is Lombok from Bali?

The islands of Lombok and Bali are neighbours, separated by the Lombok Strait. The shortest distance between the west coast of Lombok and the east coast of Bali is around 35km (22 miles). Thinking about the distance you’re actually likely to travel though, it’s 68km (43 miles) from the ferry port in Padang Bai, Bali, to Port of Lembar in Lombok.

The total journey and how long it takes you to travel the distance depends on where you’re staying on each island, and the method of transport you choose.

How to Get to Lombok from Bali

There are three main ways to travel between Bali and Lombok.

• Fly
• Fast boat
• Public ferry

Before we delve into each choice in more depth, here’s a quick comparison of the average journey time and cost.

Taking a Bali to Lombok Flight

Both islands have airports and there are direct flights scheduled between Bali and Lombok that you can take.

To fly from Bali to Lombok you generally need to:

1. Book a flight with the airline of your choice
2. Go to the Domestic Terminal of Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar
3. Check yourself and any bags in
4. Clear security then board the plane when called
5. On arrival to Lombok International, collect any bags then head straight out of the airport

Currently, there are two commercial airlines offering direct flights between Bali and Lombok.²

• Wings Air
• TransNusa

The flight itself takes 25-50 minutes, but you should also factor in arriving at the Denpasar airport at least 1.5 hours before the flight to do check-in and bag drop.

Pricing for the trip fluctuates, but you can expect to spend around 780,000 IDR to 900,000 IDR for a direct, one-way flight from Bali to Lombok.¹

Fast Boat from Bali to Lombok

Another popular choice is to catch a fast boat from Bali to Lombok, travelling by sea at higher speeds than the public ferry.

If you want to do this, there’s only a few steps to take.

1. Decide which ports you’d like to depart from and arrive at
2. Book a ticket online or through a local agent
3. Arrive at the harbor at least 30 minutes before departure
4. Board the fast boat to Lombok
5. Disembark and collect your luggage if needed

One benefit of taking a fast ferry is you have choices for your departure and arrival ports. This means you can pick the location that is most convenient for your travel plans.

The cost and duration of the boat ride will vary depending on which route you take, and the company you choose. To give you an idea of what to expect, here’s a few options.

Keep in mind the fast ferry isn’t for everyone. Depending on the sea state the ride could get bumpy, and some operators may have weight and space restrictions for your luggage.

Bali to Lombok Ferry

The slowest but most affordable choice is the public ferry that operates between Bali and Lombok.

To catch the public ferry, you’ll need to:⁶

1. Travel to the ferry port at Padang Bai Harbour
2. Purchase a ferry ticket online or at the ticket booth
3. Board the ferry to Lembar Harbour in Lombok
4. Disembark and collect your luggage if needed

The ferry has sailings around the clock, going back and forth between Padang Bai Harbour in Bali, and Lembar Harbour in Lombok. Lembar Harbour is in southern Lombok, much further from the Gili Islands than the fast ferry ports are. This is something to consider if the islands are on your agenda.

The ferry ride takes around 4 hours and 30 minutes, but you’ll want to arrive early to board the boat. It costs around 94,000 IDR for a one-way trip, significantly less than flying or taking a fast ferry.

Choosing Your Departure Point from Bali

When deciding your departure and arrival points the main consideration is generally where you’re travelling to and from.

In Bali, it’s likely the airport or your accommodation, while in Lombok you’d generally be travelling on to the Gili Islands or your accommodation. Here’s an overview of the main departure points, and who they might be best for.

Tips for a Good Time in Bali and Lombok

Most people are heading to Bali and Lombok to have a holiday and enjoy themselves, so here’s a few tips to help ensure you can make the most of your time visiting these beautiful Indonesian islands.

• Consider the best time to visit Bali and Lombok, because that can mean clearer skies and calmer seas
• If you’re planning to get a visa on arrival for Bali, apply for it online to cut down on wait times at the airport
• Stick to drinking bottled water, as the tap water quality likely won’t be what you’re used to
• If you like using rideshares to get around, many Indonesians use Grab or Gojek
• Don’t forget to get the best travel insurance for Bali, and be sure to check whether activities like scuba diving and moped riding are covered

It’s also a good idea to decide in advance which card you want to use to pay and withdraw cash; a card like Wise where you can hold IDR and spend at mid-market rate with no foreign transaction fee can make a difference in what your trip costs

Bali & Lombok bound? Get Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) for your holiday with Wise

If you’re heading to Indonesia from abroad, having a travel card is essential for avoiding high bank fees. The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 7x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.

Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up AUD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in AUD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.

Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.

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Date: 25 February 2026