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[dropcap]S[/dropcap]o, how to get from Bali to Lombok the cheapest way? A slow ferry from Bali to Lombok is a clear winner. It’s dirt cheap and it’s not that bad if you are used to travel like a local in Asia, using only or mostly public transportation. But it’s also super SLOW. It’s only about 70 kilometers (40 miles) long journey. But if you aren’t lucky and you have to wait until the journey actually starts you may end up spending up to 10 hours on the ferry.
Yes, you read it right, it may take you like a whole day to travel this short distance between the island. Not surprisingly everyone is talking mostly about fast ferries from Bali to Lombok and vice versa?
Bali to Lombok by Ferry (Fast and Slow)
Getting from Bali to Lombok by ferry is the easiest way to travel between these two islands (both ways).
As you don’t have to go the airport and you don’t have to go through the airport security. Accordingly you don’t have to think that much about your luggage, which might be particularly pleasant change if you are traveling with more than just one backpack.
However, you will still need to get to the ferry terminal / pier. Unless you are buying a package which includes transfer to ferry terminal / pier. That’s an option if you’ll decide to travel from Bali to Lombok by fast boat.
Slow boats from Bali to Lombok depart from: Padangbai.
Fast boats from Bali to Lombok depart from: Padangbai and Sanur Beach.
Price (slow ferry): 44 000 IDR or 2.5 EUR / 3 USD.
Buy a ticket from a ticket counter inside the terminal (in Padangbai, Bali) or by the entrance (in Lembar, Lombok).
Price (fast boat; including pickup): around 500 000 IDR or 28 EUR / 35 USD.
You can buy a ticket for fast boat online or from any of tour agents you see in Kuta, Denpasar, Ubud and in other places.
Note that slow boats are going to/from Lembar Port (Lombok), while fast boats are going to Sengigi Port (Lombok), which is approximately 30 kilometers away from each other.
When making a decision take into account also where are you staying in Bali and where are you gonna stay in Lombok. Because getting around these island, especially Bali, can take quite a lot of time. So sometimes it may make a lot of sense to pay extra and choose fast boat even if you don’t mind spending 4-6 hours on a boat.
One more thing: only instant noodles, snacks, soft drinks, tea and coffee are available for purchase on the board of a slow ferry. So you might want to bring some of your own take-away food.
Why slow ferry is so slow? Because even though it’s running round the clock (24 hours a day), it doesn’t depart immediately after arrival. Once we were very first passengers to board the ferry. And then we waited for about 2.5 hours for more passengers, cars and trucks to come until the journey actually started.
Until that time we were approached by countless sellers selling all kind of snacks and fruits.
Getting from Bali to Lombok by Plane
It’s another option, which might be great if you are staying not far away from the airport. Or if you don’t want to travel by boat.
Costs in this case are about the same like if traveling by fast boat.
Journey in total takes only about half an hour.
Book a flight from Bali to Lombok: momondo.com.
Cars and trucks on the Bali – Lombok ferry – Slow Ferry from Bali to Lombok
Wanna go to Indonesia, but don’t know where to start? If you want an easy choice – go to Bali. However if you are up to something a bit more adventurous, here is our 2-week Singapore – Java – Bali itinerary.