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Getting There & Away in Lombok

How do you get to Lombok?

Getting There4.4/10Harder to reach than about 65% of cities
Main airport
Lombok International Airport (LOP/WADL)

Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: flightradar24.com, lombokairportonline.com

Good to Know

  • If heading straight to Bangsal harbour for the Gilis, look for the shared 'travel' desk—it's a fraction of a private taxi and leaves once full
  • The Bali to Lombok fast boat from Padang Bai to Bangsal is the best option for a same-day return, with travel times of approximately 2 hours 30 minutes depending on sea conditions; the Bali to Lombok ferry schedule offers multiple morning departures
  • Public ferry departures are not known for punctuality—they barely ever leave on time; they usually wait to be as full as possible before departing, which can result in delays of 1 to 2 hours
  • Lombok Taxi (Blue Bird) is the most convenient taxi operator throughout Lombok as you can order them using their MyBluebird App; note that Blue Bird Taxis cannot pick up passengers from inside the airport grounds

Day Trips Access

  • Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, Gili Air)
    From City
    Bangsal or Senggigi
    Travel Time
    20-50 minutes by boat
    Description
    A trio of small tropical islands famous for their crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life; a snorkeling trip offers the chance to glide over vibrant coral gardens teeming with colorful fish and perhaps even encounter sea turtles
  • Pink Beach
    Description
    One of the few beaches in the world with blush-colored sand, a natural phenomenon due to the mixture of white sand and red coral fragments; an island-hopping tour usually includes stops at nearby islands for more snorkeling and exploration; the translucent waters offer great visibility for spotting marine life
  • Mount Rinjani
    Travel Time
    Takes around 3 hour's drive from Lombok International Airport to Senaru Village in the north of Lombok Island; takes around a 2.5-hour drive to Sembalun village in the east of Lombok Island
    Description
    The second highest volcano in Indonesia; a trek to its summit is a challenging but rewarding experience, offering breathtaking views of the island and the surrounding sea; the journey typically starts from Senaru or Sembalun and leads through diverse landscapes, including rainforest, volcanic terrain, and the stunning Segara Anak Crater Lake
  • Waterfalls (Benang Stokel, Benang Kelambu, Tete Batu)
    Description
    Located in Central Lombok, these hidden gems offer lush surroundings and tranquil spots for swimming and relaxation; the trek to the falls isn't overly strenuous, making it suitable for most fitness levels
  • Kuta Lombok
    Travel Time
    Just 20 minutes from the airport by car now that the Mandalika bypass is finished
    Description
    Surrounds several top beaches such as Mawi, Gerupuk, and Selong Belanak, each offering waves suitable for different levels of surfers; beyond surfing, Kuta Lombok fascinates visitors with its pristine white sand beaches and clear turquoise waters
  • Mataram City Center
    Description
    Lombok's low-key hub with Sasak culture, lively markets, and temples like Pura Meru and Mayura; it's a handy base for Senggigi's beaches, the Gilis, and day trips before or after a Rinjani adventure

Airport To City Transfer

  • Prepaid Taxi (Official)
    Details
    The prepaid taxi counter inside the terminal is the only official ride; ignore the freelance touts outside
    Estimated Time
    20-40 minutes to main areas
    Notes
    Use metered Kotama or Kotasi taxis
  • DAMRI Bus (Budget)
    Details
    Use the yellow Damri airport bus from Lombok Praya International to Senggigi; the trip takes around 90 minutes and costs Rp 40,000 per person (Rp 30,000 to Mataram and Rp 35,000 to Selong)
    Frequency
    Scheduled departures occur every hour for shuttle buses to the city of Mataram and every 1.5 hours to Senggigi from 3 am until 8 pm
  • Rideshare Apps
    Details
    Download Gojek or Grab before arrival for reliable scooter taxis and car rides across Lombok
  • Pre-booked Private Transfer
    Details
    Hotel pickups and airport shuttle services available through multiple operators (Jayride, GetTransfer, Green Rinjani)

Airport

Name
Lombok International Airport (LOP/WADL)
Location
Located in the central southern part of the island, approximately 40 kilometers south of the island's capital, Mataram
IATA Code
LOP
Major Carriers
Indonesia AirAsia, Scoot, and Garuda Indonesia operate to and from Lombok International Airport
International Status
Handles domestic flights between Bali, Jakarta and other Indonesian cities and international flights to and from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur

Ground Transport

Public Buses
Public buses exist but stop running by late afternoon
Shuttle Vans
Shuttle vans called 'travel' ply the main tourist corridors; shuttle vans booked through your accommodation are usually cheaper than taxis for the Senggigi-Mataram-Kuta triangle
Metered Taxis
Blue Bird taxis use meters in Mataram and Senggigi; avoid unmarked taxis that refuse to use them
Gili Islands Transport
In the Gilis, there are no motorized vehicles at all; walk, cycle, or hail a cidomo, agree the fare before you climb in

Car Rental

Daily Rate
IDR 350,000
Type
Modern, air-conditioned cars (5 seats including driver) with basic insurance
Requirement
Carry your international driving permit
Cost Range USD
30

Motorbike Rental

Daily Rate
IDR 50,000
Note
Motorbikes are small 125cc with automatic gears; modern and economic scooters such as a Yamaha Mio are easy to ride; expect to pay between Rp 50,000-60,000 per day depending on age and type

Ferry Connections

To Sumbawa
Ferry connection available from Kayangan port to Poto Tano

To Bali

Routes
Most ferries departing from all 3 Bali ports dock at Bangsal port, located on Lombok's northwest coast; this port is a convenient gateway for travelers heading to nearby destinations like Pemenang and Tanjung
Frequency
Ferries from Bali to Lombok operate all year round with over 10 daily crossings from the ports of Padang Bai, Serangan and Sanur to Bangsal and Senggigi
Operators
BlueWater Express, Gili Gili Fast Boat, Golden Queen Fast Ferry, Semaya Darmajaya Fast Ferry, and Starfist Fastcruise
Travel Time
Ferry time from Bali to Lombok ranges between 1 hr 30 min and 5 hr 20 min, depending on the route you choose for your trip and the operator
Ticket Price USD
IDR 210,000
Departure Ports Lombok
You can travel from Bangsal and Senggigi on Lombok to the ports of Serangan, Sanur and Padang Bai in Bali
Note
Ticket prices start at € 14

To Gili Islands

Travel Time
About 20 to 50 minutes, depending on which Gili island you are heading to
Departure Port
Bangsal (main), Senggigi (secondary)
Public Boat Cost
IDR 20,000
Note
Public boats connect Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air to Teluk Nare or Bangsal Harbor on Lombok; these crossings are short—roughly 10-20 minutes—and tickets are around IDR 20,000-25,000
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

  1. 1.flightradar24.com
  2. 2.lombokairportonline.com
  3. 3.thingstodoinlombok.com
  4. 4.wewillnomad.com
  5. 5.gettransfer.com
  6. 6.myguidelombokandgilis.com
  7. 7.jayride.com
  8. 8.ferryhopper.com
  9. 9.ferryhopper.com
  10. 10.directferries.com
  11. 11.chasinggambozinos.com
  12. 12.ferryhopper.com
  13. 13.directferries.com
  14. 14.giligate.com
  15. 15.lombokloop.com
  16. 16.travelsetu.com
  17. 17.tradingeconomics.com

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.