How to Get Around Lombok: Transportation, Scooters and Boats
- Mar 6
- 3 min read
Updated: May 1
If you’ve already read our guide about how to get around Bali, you’ll notice that Lombok is quite similar in many ways.
Lombok is a large island, so understanding how to get around is key to making the most of your trip.
There are scooters everywhere, it’s very common to see multiple people riding on the same scooter (sometimes even three people!), and the traffic can feel a bit chaotic at first.
Traffic can feel chaotic at first, so we always recommend driving carefully and wearing a helmet, even for short distances.
In this guide we explain how to get around Lombok, the main transportation options available, and what works best depending on your travel style.
How to Get Around Lombok
Scooter Rental 🛵
We rented a scooter, which is the most common and practical way to get around the island. It’s the option most travelers choose because it allows you to explore Lombok with complete freedom, without depending on schedules or public transportation.
Things to keep in mind when renting a scooter:
📍 Rental locations: you’ll find them everywhere.
💰 Price: prices can vary quite a bit, so it’s worth comparing at least two or three places.
🏠 Accommodations: many hotels and guesthouses offer scooters directly to their guests.
🪪 License: they usually don’t ask for a license, but we highly recommend bringing an international driving permit.
💵 Approximate price: between 70,000 and 150,000 IDR per day (€3.56 – €7.63), depending on the scooter model.
Ride Apps and Taxis 🚗
Grab / Gojek: These apps work in some areas such as Mataram, Senggigi, or Kuta Lombok, but availability can be limited in more remote parts of the island.
Taxi: Taxis are available at ports and airports, but they’re usually more expensive than ride apps.
⚠️ Important tip: Sometimes drivers try to charge more by saying your accommodation is far away or located on a hill, so always check the route and price before getting in.
Private Car with Driver 🚙
This option is:
more expensive than renting a scooter
ideal if you don’t feel comfortable driving
great if you prefer a more relaxed and comfortable trip
very useful for long distances or mountainous areas
To give you a better idea, here’s an example of a private car with driver in Lombok:
How to Travel from Lombok to Other Islands ⛵
Getting from Lombok to nearby islands is quite easy, and there are several options depending on your destination.
Fast boat 🚤
This is the most common and fastest option.
To the Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno)
Departures from:
Bangsal
Teluk Nare
Senggigi
⏱️ Travel time: 10–30 minutes
OUR EXPERIENCE
✔️We bought our tickets through 12GO, a very convenient platform for booking transportation in Southeast Asia.
💵 Approximate price: €6 per person.
✔️ The process was simple and, although things may seem a bit chaotic at the port at first, the trip was on time and completely smooth.
To Bali (Padang Bai, Sanur, Serangan)
Departures from:
Bangsal
Senggigi
⏱️ Travel time: 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on the port and weather conditions.
Public Ferry ⛴️
This is the cheapest and slowest option, mostly used by locals.
Bali (Padang Bai) → Lombok
Departure from:
Lembar
⏱️ Travel time: 4–5 hours
Very affordable, but also quite basic.
Sumbawa → Lombok
Also departing from:
Lembar
⏱️ Travel time: 1.5–2 hours
🇮🇩 Still planning your trip to Lombok?
Getting around Lombok efficiently can make a big difference in your trip, especially since distances are long and public transportation is limited.
To continue planning your itinerary, we recommend checking these guides:
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