How to get to Lombok?
It is possible to reach Lombok by boat from Bali or by plane from most major cities in Indonesia. Personally, from Bali, I prefer to go to Lombok by boat.
Getting from Bali to Lombok by boat
Ferries and speedboats are available from several ports in Bali. The ferry is only advantageous if you want to travel with your car or motorcycle or if you are on a tight budget. Otherwise, the speedboats will be much faster. The journey takes about two hours, but the duration may vary depending on the weather conditions and the state of the sea.
There are several fast boat companies that connect Bali and Lombok. One of the best options is Eka Jaya, which offers daily service between these islands. Eka Jaya uses spacious and comfortable fast boats equipped with four powerful engines, allowing you to travel quickly and comfortably. The boats are 23 meters long and can accommodate up to 210 passengers. Eka Jaya offers a 20% discount on the ticket price if you book on a Friday!
From Bali to Gili Islands or Lombok
If you’re leaving from Bali, the best option is to depart from Padang Bai. The connections between Amed and Lombok or the Gili Islands are currently suspended. Eka Jaya also offers an option from Serangan, but you’ll pay an extra 200,000 rupiahs per passenger, and you’ll have to make a first stop at Nusa Penida, which will add about 2 hours to the journey. If you’re traveling with several people, it’s better to drive to Padang Bai. You’ll save time and money.
The fast boat Eka Jaya operates two daily connections to the Gili Islands and Lombok from Padang Bai. Sea conditions are usually better in the morning, but the journey is different for the two schedules.
The boat departing from Padang Bai at 9am stops at Gili Trawangan at 10:30am, Gili Meno at 10:45am, and Gili Air at 11am. It then arrives at Bangsal at 11:30am and departs at 12pm to return to Padang Bai at 1:30pm.
The boat departing from Padang Bai at 10:30am arrives at Senggigi at 11:50am, then at Gili Trawangan at 12:20pm, Gili Meno at 12:35pm, Gili Air at 12:45pm, and finally at Bangsal at 1pm. This boat then departs for Senggigi and arrives at Padang Bai at 3:30pm.
Semaya One and Golden Queen also offer connections between Padang Bai, the Gili Islands, and Lombok at lower prices, but the boats are smaller and you may experience more turbulence in rough seas.
From Nusa Penida to Lombok and the Gili Islands
Eka Jaya fast boat provides two daily trips from Nusa Penida to Lombok.
The first boat departs from Nusa Penida at 9:30 AM to reach Padang Bai and then continues on to Senggigi (11:50 AM), the Gili Islands (12:20 PM, 12:35 PM, 12:45 PM) before arriving at Bangsal at 1:00 PM.
Another boat leaves Nusa Penida at 10:30 AM and arrives in Senggigi at 1:00 PM. It departs from Senggigi at 2:00 PM to reach Nusa Penida at 4:30 PM via Padang Bai.
For the return trip, you can depart from Gili Trawangan at 12:20 PM, Gili Meno at 12:35 PM, Gili Air at 12:45 PM, Bangsal at 1:30 PM, and Senggigi at 2:00 PM to arrive at Nusa Penida at 4:30 PM via Padang Bai.
If you prefer a direct trip from Gili to Nusa Penida without stopping in Padang Bai, another good option is Semaya One. This boat also offers a daily service and can take you quickly and efficiently to the Gilis. The direct trip leaves Nusa Penida at 10:00 AM and arrives at the Gilis at 11:45 AM. For the return journey, the boat leaves the Gilis at 12:00 PM and arrives at Nusa Penida around 2:30 PM. Semaya One also offers an option with a stop in Padang Bai: departure from the Gilis at 9:00 AM and arrival in Nusa Penida around 11:50 AM. The boat leaves Nusa Penida at 1:00 PM and arrives at the Gilis at 3:15 PM.
Flying to Lombok
Another option is to take a plane. Several airlines offer direct flights from Bali to Lombok, with a flight time of about 30 minutes. However, the plane will be more expensive than the boat and the airport is quite far from Kuta and Bangsal anyway. So you may not necessarily save much time. To find the most affordable flights, consider checking out Trip.com.