A photo D'Camel speed boat, one of the ferry's that will take your from Bali to Lombok or visa versa. — Traveling from Bali to Lombok by ferry might not be the most exciting part of your trip, but it is undoubtedly one of the most practical and budget-friendly. Whether you are heading to Lombok to conquer Mount Rinjani, catch some waves, or simply enjoy its laid-back vibe, the ferry is the most affordable way to get there. In this guide, I will break down everything you need to know about traveling from Bali to Lombok by ferry, including what to expect, how to book, and tips to make the journey as smooth as possible.
Of course, this can be reversed to travel from Lombok to Bali.

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Bali To Lombok Ferry Guide

Traveling between Bali and Lombok by ferry is much simpler than it appears to be. You have two ferry options for going between the two islands. Option one is the speed boat, and the second is the public ferry. I will describe each ferry option in depth below.

Option 1: The Speed Boat

The Sanur, Bali ferry terminal where you can get a ferry to Lombok.

The fastest ferry from Bali to Lombok is the passenger-only speed boat run by local companies. The speed boats leave from two ports in Bali, Padang Bai and Sanur. I will be honest with you, no matter which company you go with, the boat will be hot, sweaty, packed as full as possible with people, and very bumpy. So bear that in mind if you are easily seasick. Some ferry companies will hand out sea-sickness medication and sick bags before the ride begins. Some of the seats have windows which can help with sickness, however, sometimes too much water will splash in through the windows and you will have to close them.

The flights between Bali and Lombok are a quick 50 minutes to 1 hour and cost around 60-70 USD if booked early. This could be the better option for sea-sick-prone individuals.

Speed Boat: Padang Bai (Bali) to Bangsal (Lombok)

Inside view of the ferry from Bali to Lombok.

Ferry Time: 2.5 to 3 hours, sometimes longer depending on stops and weather.

Ferry Cost: 15 to 30 USD

An additional 20,000 IDR harbor tax is sometimes not included in the ferry price when traveling between Bali and Lombok. I almost always book the ferries on 12GoAsia or by messaging the companies directly. Always book ahead in case ferries fill up.
Luggage is included in the price but is usually limited to 1 or 2 pieces. Larger luggage will be tagged and placed in a different part of the boat.
Seats are first come first serve.

Ferry Companies: Wijaya Buyuk, Semaya One, Gili Gili Fastboat, Ekajaya (I have taken this one a few times), Karunia, Golden Queen, and a few others.

How To Get To Padang Bai:

Motorbike: You can drive yourself to Padang Bai Port. I have never left my bike there, but I assume you can park for around 10,000-15,000 IDR per day (1 USD). You can always confirm with your ferry company!
Taxi: You can hire a driver from your accommodation, Grab or Gojek (the Uber of Indonesia), or Bluebird (Public Taxi). The Padang Bai Port sits on the East coast of Bali about 1 hour from Denpasar, Kuta, Ubud, or Sideman. Some ferry companies will help you schedule transport to Padang Bai if you message them on WhatsApp!

Stops Along Ferry Route: Gili T and sometimes Gili Air

My Experience: The speedboat ride was incredibly rough and bumpy. It felt like the boat was bouncing off the waves, landing hard on the right side before hitting another wave and tilting to the left. I took seasick medication on this boat and wore the seasick bracelets. Luckily, I made it without becoming ill, but I cannot say the same about the other people on the ferry. The boat ride was around 3 hours, with one stop in Gili T.

From Bangsal Harbor, many taxis and drivers are waiting for your arrival. To travel from Bangsal down to Kuta is around 400,000 IDR (25 USD). There are bike rentals in Bangsal, but I have never rented from here myself.

Speed Boat: Sanur (Bali) to Bangsal (Lombok)

I do not recommend this route, as it is the longest and also the bumpiest of the fast ferries. Honestly, I would even prefer taking the slow ferry (explained below) over this one.

Ferry Time: 4 to 5.5 hours, sometimes longer with stops. Do not be fooled by the ferry times claimed by the companies.

Ferry Cost: Prices vary between companies, but average between 20 USD and 50 USD. I almost always book the ferries on 12GoAsia or by messaging the companies directly. Always book ahead in case ferries fill up.

Luggage is included in the price but is usually limited to 1 or 2 pieces. Larger luggage will be tagged and placed in a different section of the boat.
An additional 20,000 IDR harbor tax is sometimes not included in the ferry price traveling between Bali and Lombok.
Seats are first come first serve.

Ferry Companies: Wijaya Buyuk, Buyuk Fast Cruise, Semaya One (I have taken this one a few times), Starfish Fast Boat, The Tanis Express (best rated), Einstien Fast Boat, and more.

How To Get To Sanur Port:

Motorbike: You can drive yourself to Sanur Port and park your bike in the lot for 15,000 IDR (less than $1) nightly.
Taxi: You can hire a driver from your accommodation, Grab or Gojek (the Uber of Indonesia), or Bluebird (Public Taxi). The Sanur port sits on the East Bali coast near Denpasar (20-40 minutes) and Kuta (30-40 minutes). Some ferry companies will help you schedule transport to Sanur if you message them on WhatsApp!

Stops Along Ferry Route: Nusa Penida, Gili T, and sometimes Gili Air—each stop adds travel time onto your ferry.

Pro Tip: You can also book a ferry from Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan to The Gili Islands or Bangsal. The ferry time is around 3-4 hours, depending on the waves.

My Experience: Similar to the speed boat from Padang Bai, this ride was incredibly rough and bumpy—even worse than Padang Bai. I took seasick medication on this boat and wore the seasick bracelets. I did feel slightly unwell from the roughness of the waters and the boat hitting it. My boat was a long 4 hours. I have only completed this journey one time and would not opt for it again. We stopped twice, once in Nusa Penida and once in Gili T.

From Bangsal Harbor, many taxis and drivers are waiting for your arrival. To travel from Bangsal down to Kuta is around 400,000 IDR (25 USD). There are bike rentals in Bangsal, but I have never rented from here myself. The ride from Bangsal to Kuta is around 2 hours.

Option 2: The Public Ferry

The view from the public ferry you can take from Bali to Lombok.

The cheapest option for traveling from Bali to Lombok (or visa versa) is with the public ferry. The public ferry runs from Padang Bai Harbor (Bali) and Lembar Harbor (Lombok) and runs 24 hours, every hour on the hour. The boat is much larger and can accommodate motor vehicles, motorbikes, vans, buses, trucks, and more, all of which are parked in the hull.

This ferry is how most locals of Indonesia prefer to travel since it is the most cost-effective option.

I recommend sitting inside for the comfiest seating and always keeping your bags with you. There are sometimes small packaged food and beverage options on this boat available for purchase. They also have a toilet.

I do not recommend taking this ferry outside of daylight hours for safety concerns.

Ferry Time: The average ferry time is around 5 hours, but can increase depending on weather and delays.

Ferry Cost: Around 80,000 IDR per motorbike, or a little less per person without a motorbike.

Tickets are purchased at the terminal and are first come first served. The harbor workers will direct you where to go once you purchase your ticket.

How To Get To Padang Bai:

Motorbike: You can drive yourself to Padang Bai Port. You can park your motorbike in Padang Bai, however, this public ferry allows you to bring your bike onto the boat!
Taxi: You can hire a driver from your accommodation, Grab or Gojek (the Uber of Indonesia), or Bluebird (Public Taxi). The Padang Bai Port sits on the East coast of Bali about 1 hour from Denpasar, Kuta, Ubud, or Sideman.

Stops Along Ferry Route: None!

My Experience: I have taken this route many times, both on my own and with a friend, and I prefer it because I can bring my motorbike along. I find the larger public ferry to be much smoother than the speedboat. In fact, I never needed seasickness medication on any of my trips and always felt perfectly fine. Some of the newer ferries have an air-conditioned interior seating area making it easy to relax and even take a nap. However, some of the older ferries do not have air conditioning, but the breeze from the boat is enough to keep cool. All seating is first come first serve.

When you are ready to step outside, you can enjoy incredible views of Bali and Lombok. The ferry’s slower pace and minimal rocking make appreciating the landscapes easier.

If you choose this ferry option and decide to ride without a motorbike or car, be sure to arrange your pick-up in Lembar Harbor (Lombok) before you arrive. I have never seen taxis or bike rentals available in the harbor, and Grab nor Gojek are available here. The ride from Lembar to Kuta (Lombok) is around 1 hour.

Frequently Asked Questions

IS the ferry SAFE?

Yes, the ferries are relatively safe. However, always watch the weather and avoid sailing during rough seas and weather. Do not sail outside of daylight hours for the public ferry, and keep all belongings with you. As always, follow general travel safety practices.
Never travel without the right insurance in case of any sickness, injuries, or theft. Safety Wing is by far the best travel insurance. It has saved me numerous times by covering hospital visits when I was sick during my travels in Asia. Safety Wing even offers theft protection for an additional fee.

Do you have any ferry tips?

Pack food and water for the journey, especially for the public ferry.
If you are easily seasick, plan accordingly and pack motion sickness medications or other prevention methods.
I always find sitting in the middle of the boat is better for less impact when the boat hits waves.
Dress comfortable. The public ferry is cold if you sit inside, where it is air-conditioned. On the other hand, the speed boats can get extremely hot and sweaty, as most do not have air conditioners that work. So be sure to dress in loose, breathable clothing.
Download a book, podcast, music, etc., to keep you busy during your journey. If you choose music or a podcast, be sure to pack earphones.

How long is the ferry trip from Bali to Lombok?

Sanur to Lombok: 4 to 5 hours minimum.
Padang Bai to Bangsal Harbour, Lombok: 2.5 to 3 hours minimum
Padang Bai to Lembar Harbor, Lombok: 5 hours minimum

Is it easy to travel from Bali to Lombok?

Yes, it is straightforward. However, if you do not mind spending a bit extra, I reccomend flying instead of taking the ferry. It is faster and much easier than sitting on a bumpy ferry ride.

Is Lombok less touristy than Bali?

Yes, Lombok is much less developed and Westernized than Bali is. There are some more touristy areas like the Gili Islands and Kuta, but they are still nothing compared to the tourism in Bali.