Overall1.4/10Among the 5% hardest cities to reach
Good to know
Good to Know
- Book ferry tickets online in advance during high season to secure a spot; return tickets often provide 25% savings
- Sanur is the most convenient departure point from Bali (30 minutes from Kuta/Seminyak); arrive at port 45 minutes early to avoid delays
- Fast boats can be choppy—consider motion sickness medication if you're prone to seasickness
- Motorcycle rental on Nusa Penida is popular but risky; roads are steep, narrow, and poorly maintained with frequent potholes and blind turns; accidents are common; only recommended for experienced riders
- No ride-hailing apps (Grab, Gojek) operate on the island; arrange transport in advance or book a driver at the harbour (note: drivers use fixed lump-sum pricing, not meters)
- Island road distances are deceptive—Google Maps often underestimates travel time by 30+ minutes; plan accordingly
- Check weather forecasts before travel; sea conditions can change rapidly, especially May to November
- Harbour tax (10,000 IDR) and island entrance fee (25,000 IDR) payable upon arrival; bring cash
- If flying into Denpasar same day, afternoon/evening boats are safe; avoid timing a boat departure on the same day as an outbound international flight due to cancellation risk
Nearest Airport
- Code
- DPS
- Name
- I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar International Airport)
- Location
- Bali, Indonesia
- Distance From Nusa Penida Km
- 41
- Notes
- No airport on Nusa Penida; all international flights arrive in Bali
Island Entrance Fees
- Harbour Tax
- IDR 10,000
- Tourist Retribution Fee
- IDR 25,000
Adults; children 15,000 IDR
Weather And Cancellations
- Rough Season
- November to April (rainy season; potential cancellations/delays)
- Cancellation Risk
- Bad weather can cause ferry delays or same-day cancellations
- Peak Travel Season
- May to October (dry season; calmest seas)
Ground Transport On Island
- Overview
- No public transportation, taxis, Grab, or Gojek; roads are rough and narrow
- Road Conditions Note
- Main routes increasingly paved; remote areas still rough/unpaved; steep, narrow roads with blind turns; sand and gravel patches common
Options
Scooter/Motorbike Rental
- Daily Rate
- IDR 75,000
- Suitability
- Experienced riders only; roads are steep, narrow, and pothole-riddled
- Availability
- Widely available at harbour and tourist areas
- Rental Company Example
- Bikago (2024 location at Toyapakeh port)
Private Car with Driver
- Daily Rate
- IDR 500,000
2019 price; may vary
- Trip Rate Example
- IDR 200,000
Average trip cost to common tourist sites
- Premium Rate Example
- IDR 300,000
Premium destinations (e.g. tree house near Sekartaji)
- Booking
- Arrange at harbour, through hotel, or online (Klook, GetYourGuide)
- Suitability
- Safest and most comfortable option
Guided Day Tours
- Inclusions
- Hotel pickup from Bali (if booked as full-day), fast boat tickets, island tour, same-day return
- Suitability
- Includes transportation, guide, and major attractions
Booking Platforms
- GetYourGuide
- Klook
Connection To Other Islands
Lombok
- Route
- Ferry to Bangsal Harbour
- Available
- Yes
Gili Islands
- Route
- Ferry from Nusa Penida to Gili Trawangan and Gili Air
- Available
- Yes
Nusa Lembongan
- Fare
- IDR 60,000
- Route
- Public/private boat from Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Penida
Ferry And Speedboat Connections
- Overview
- Island accessible only by water; multiple fast boat operators serve the route daily
Main Route
- To
- Nusa Penida (multiple ports)
- From
- Sanur Harbour, Bali
- Ticket Price
- IDR 200,000
- Operators Count
- 7
- Daily Departures
- Over 30 per day (high season)
- Travel Time Minutes
- 45
- Travel Time From Kusamba Minutes
- 25
- Description
- Primary and most convenient connection
Ticket Price Range
- Low USD
- 8
- High USD
- 14
- Low Local
- 150000
- High Local
- 250000
- Currency Local
- IDR
Departure Ports Bali
- Sanur (most popular)
- Padang Bai
- Kusamba
- Serangan
Arrival Ports Nusa Penida
- Banjar Nyuh (Toyapakeh)
- Buyuk Harbour
- Sampalan
- Toya Pakeh (occasional)
Amenities On Ferries
- Indoor air-conditioned areas
- Outdoor deck seating
- Ticket includes standard seating
- No cabins or premium classes
- Pets not allowed
Alternative Slow Ferry
- Route
- Padang Bai to Nusa Penida (Roro/vehicle ferry)
- Booking
- Arrive early (9 AM recommended); purchase tickets on-site from agents
- Capacity
- For vehicles and passengers
- Frequency
- Twice daily (10:00 AM and 2:00 PM), except Sundays (10:00 AM only)
- Vehicle Fare
- IDR 120,000
Approx. price for scooter and 2 passengers
- Travel Time Minutes
- 90
- Reliability Note
- Ferry often delayed; not recommended for time-sensitive connections
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Nusa Penida
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.