Lombok is easier to reach than most people expect. You can fly straight in from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and a dozen Indonesian cities, hop across from Bali in a little over half an hour, or take a fast boat that drops you on the sand in the Gili Islands. This guide covers every practical route in 2026, what each one costs, and which suits your trip.
The short version
- Coming from abroad: fly direct to Lombok International Airport (LOP) from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, or connect through Jakarta or Bali.
- Coming from Bali and heading to the Gilis: take a fast boat from Padang Bai or Serangan. It is usually around two hours and lands you on the island.
- Coming from Bali and heading to Kuta, Selong Belanak or Senggigi: fly Bali to Lombok (30 to 40 minutes), then drive.
- On a tight budget or bringing a scooter: the public ferry from Padang Bai to Lembar runs around the clock and costs only a few dollars, but allow most of a day.
Flying to Lombok
Lombok International Airport (code LOP) is near Praya in the south of the island, about 25 minutes from Kuta and the Mandalika coast. It is a modern, single-terminal airport that is easy to get through.
Direct international flights
- Singapore: Scoot flies Singapore to Lombok, and increased the service to up to ten flights a week from June 2026.
- Kuala Lumpur: AirAsia and Batik Air fly from KL, and Lion Air added a daily KL to Lombok flight from 1 July 2026. The flight takes about three hours.
Flights to Australia (Darwin and Perth) have been discussed for several years. Check before relying on them; most Australian visitors still connect through Bali or Singapore.
Domestic flights
- Jakarta: the busiest route, with Garuda Indonesia, Batik Air, Citilink, Lion Air, Super Air Jet, Pelita Air and TransNusa. About two hours.
- Bali (Denpasar): about 30 to 40 minutes, with Wings Air and TransNusa among the operators. Some services are seasonal, so check dates.
- Surabaya and Makassar: about 1.5 hours each.
- Labuan Bajo: about an hour, handy if you are combining Lombok with Komodo. Seasonal.
- Smaller routes include Bima, Sumbawa Besar, Waingapu and seasonal flights to Yogyakarta and Balikpapan.
Tip: if you are arriving in Bali on a long-haul flight and staying in south Lombok, the short flight across is usually faster and less tiring than the boat. For the Gilis, the fast boat wins, because the airport is two hours' drive from the boat harbours.
Arriving at the airport
- Arrival card: international arrivals must complete the All Indonesia Arrival Card, which combines immigration, customs and health declarations. Fill it in on the official site (allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id) or app up to three days before you fly and keep the QR code handy.
- Visa: many nationalities need a visa on arrival, which costs IDR 500,000 for 30 days and can be extended once. Some nationalities get visa-free entry, but that cannot be extended. Your passport needs at least six months' validity. Rules change, so check the official immigration site before you travel.
- SIM cards: counters are in the arrivals hall. Telkomsel has the best coverage across Lombok, including the north and the Rinjani villages.
- Cash: there are ATMs at the airport. Take some cash before heading to rural areas or the Gilis, where card payment is less common.
From the airport to your base
The official taxi counter in arrivals sells fixed-price tickets, so there is no haggling. Grab and Gojek also work, with a signed pick-up zone in the car park a short walk from arrivals; fares are usually cheaper, but waits vary. Rough taxi-counter prices for a standard car in 2026:
- Kuta and Mandalika: around IDR 100,000 to 150,000, about 25 minutes
- Selong Belanak: around IDR 150,000 to 200,000, about 40 minutes
- Mataram: around IDR 200,000 to 250,000, about 45 minutes
- Senggigi: around IDR 300,000 to 350,000, about 1.5 hours
- Bangsal harbour (for the Gilis): around IDR 400,000 to 450,000, about 2 hours
A DAMRI airport bus runs to Mataram's Mandalika bus terminal for a fraction of the taxi price, but departures are infrequent. Many hotels and villas also arrange pick-ups, often for a similar price to the taxi counter.
Fast boat from Bali
Fast boats are the most popular way to travel between Bali and the Gili Islands, and many also stop on mainland Lombok.
- Where from: Padang Bai in east Bali is the main departure point; some operators leave from Serangan near Sanur. Most tickets can include a hotel pick-up in south Bali or Ubud for an extra fee.
- Where to: Gili Trawangan and Gili Air on most sailings, Gili Meno on some, and Bangsal or Teluk Nara on the Lombok mainland. Ask which stops your sailing makes before you book.
- How long: usually around 1.5 to 2.5 hours on the water, longer on multi-stop routes or in rough seas. Add pick-up, check-in and transfer time on top.
- Cost: roughly IDR 350,000 to 700,000 one way per person, depending on operator, season and pick-up. Returns are usually cheaper per leg.
- Operators: established names include Eka Jaya, BlueWater Express and Gili Getaway. Book directly or through a reputable platform and check recent reviews, especially for safety.
Weather matters. The Lombok Strait can be rough at any time of year, and crossings are bumpier and more often delayed in the wet season, roughly November to March. Sailings are cancelled when the harbour master decides conditions are unsafe. Leave a buffer of at least a day before an international flight, and take seasickness tablets if you are prone to it.
Public ferry from Bali
The government-run car ferry links Padang Bai in Bali with Lembar on Lombok's west coast. It is slow but cheap, runs day and night, and is the only option if you are travelling with a car or motorbike.
- How often: around the clock, with a departure roughly every one and a half to two hours.
- How long: about four to six hours, sometimes longer when the sea is rough or the port is busy.
- Cost: about IDR 65,000 for an adult foot passenger in 2026. Motorbike and car fares are higher and include the driver.
- Tickets: sold online through ASDP's Ferizy platform. There are no cash ticket counters at the port, so book before you arrive and bring your booking code.
Expect touts offering onward transport when you arrive at Lembar. Agree a price before you get in, or order a Grab once you are out of the port area. From Lembar it is roughly an hour to Mataram and Senggigi, and longer to Kuta or Sekotong.
Getting to the Gili Islands from Lombok
If you are already on Lombok, the Gilis are a short boat ride from the north-west coast.
- Bangsal harbour: the main departure point. Public boats leave for Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan at a fixed low fare, either on a timetable or when the boat fills up. Buy tickets only at the official ticket office inside the harbour and ignore anyone selling "tickets" on the road outside.
- Private boats: you can charter a boat from Bangsal, or take a speedboat from Teluk Nara or Teluk Kodek nearby, which is faster and avoids the wait.
- From Senggigi: some operators run boats straight from Senggigi to the Gilis, and many hotels can arrange them.
Pack light: there are no cars on the Gilis, and you may need to wade from the boat to the beach.
Overland from Java or Sumbawa
Travelling overland is possible but slow. From Java you can take the train or bus to Banyuwangi, the short ferry to Gilimanuk in Bali, cross Bali, then take the Padang Bai to Lembar ferry; allow 12 to 18 hours. From the east, ferries link Poto Tano on Sumbawa with Kayangan on Lombok's east coast in about two hours.
Which option is right for you?
- Staying in Kuta, Selong Belanak or Ekas: fly into Lombok. The airport is close to the south coast.
- Staying on the Gilis: take a fast boat from Bali, or fly in and transfer to Bangsal or Teluk Nara.
- Climbing Rinjani: fly in, then allow about two and a half to three hours by road to Senaru or Sembalun.
- Bringing a scooter or car from Bali: take the public ferry.
- Combining Lombok with Komodo: fly Lombok to Labuan Bajo, or join a multi-day boat trip.
Plan the rest of your trip
Once you know how you are arriving, pick a base. Browse places to stay in Kuta and Mandalika, Selong Belanak, Senggigi, Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno, or see every hotel, warung, dive centre and trekking operator on the island map.
Last checked in October 2026. Routes, schedules and prices change often, especially for seasonal flights and boats, so confirm with the airline or operator before you book.