GETTING THERE and AWAY
Lombok and Sumbawa, the two main island of West Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara refers to the islands east of Bali) offer a charming variety of landscapes, place of interest and activities for the tourist.
At least five tropical islands (The Gillis; Trawangan, Meno, and Air, Gilli Nanggu, Moyo Island) and coastlines lined with pristine beaches and fabulous waters for swimming, sun baking, sailing, surfing, fishing and underwater activities await.
BY PLANE
There are regular daily flights from Bali, Jakarta, Surabaya, Sumbawa, Bima and from Singapore.
Merpati Nusantara Airlines, Trigana Air and Indonesia Air Transport serves daily flights from Bali to Lombok (roundtrip).
Effective April 1st - onward, Garuda Indonesia operates its Boeing 737-300 to serve Bali - Lombok - Bali daily, and 2 daily flights from Jakarta (CGK) to Mataram (AMI) roundtrip twice a day.
Lion Air serves 1 daily flights direct (nonstop) for Jakarta (CGK) - Mataram (AMI).
Batavia Air, serve 1 flight for Jakarta (CGK) - Mataram (AMI) via Surabaya (SUB)
Wings Air serves 2 daily flights for Surabaya (SUB) - Mataram (AMI) direct and Merpati Airlines serve 1 daily flight direct from Mataram Surabaya connect to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
Silk Air serves 3 flights a week direct from Singapore (SIN) to Mataram (AMI) on MPNDAY, THURSDAY, and SATURDAY. In addition, Trigana Air just open new routes from Mataram to Sumbawa (3 times a week): SUNDAY, TUESDAY AND THURSDAY and Mataram to Bima (3 times a week): MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.
BY PUBLIC FERRY FROM BALI
Alternative way to reach Lombok from Bali is by sea. The cheapest mode of transportation from Bali to Lombok (vice versa) is by Public Ferry. Public Ferry service departs from Padang Bai (East Bali) to Lembar (West Lombok) every 2 hours, operating 24 hours carrying passengers goods and vehicles. These ferries are quite basic and slow, taking between 4-5 hours for the crossing. While they are cheap, it can cost quite a bit extra to get to Padangbai so its worth comparing all alternatives.BY FAST BOAT
There are new private fast boats operates serving Bali - Lombok - Gili Islands; Blue Water Express (Benoa - Teluk Nare & Gili Islands) or Gili Cat Fastboat and Eka Jaya (Padangbay - Teluk Nare & Gili islands). This fast boat service only carry passengers with limited seats available. Pregnant women and child under 2 years old are not recommended to go with these fast boats.The Fast Boats using standard safety for passengers, making the sea transfer more efficient, comfortable and safe.
The fast boat's fare is quite expensive (almost doubled compare to flying), but if your destination is Gili Trawangan, then it's quite reasonable.
BY SHUTTLE BUS
Most travelers tend to take the tourist shuttle service from Bali which includes transfers to and from the harbors to the destination of their choice.
These shuttles charge an all inclusive price and vary depending on your start point in Bali & destination in Lombok. Unfortunately the vehicle/s used are often very old. If you travel with kids, we do not recommend to use this shuttle service as you'll be crammed into hot and stuffy minibus with no air-con or curtain to shade you from the noon sun.TRANSFER SERVICE WITH DELUXE AC COACH
A little bit of extra spending to get a smooth and comfortable air-con transfer service can be enjoyable during your vacation in Bali and Lombok.
