Traveling across Bali is becoming easier by the day…OK…we won’t mention the traffic jams. But, bear with us, once upon a time, it was super tricky to coordinate travel across Bali and even more of a logistical nightmare trying to coordinate crossings to the outlying islands.
With more fast boats available now than ever before, and with short hopper flights becoming increasingly affordable, we now almost have the opposite problem…is there such a thing as too much choice?
There are many travel trends that we have been keeping a close eye on here at The Bali Sun, but one in particular has really been calling out to our wanderlust. That is the rise of the multi-stop Bali itinerary. With so many incredible destinations across Indonesia to explore, Bali is increasingly serving as both a destination and a launchpad. One of the most popular multi-stop vacations is the Bali-Lombok Loop.
With the best value international flights coming in and out of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International in Denpasar, it’s safe to say that a loop-style itinerary is best. But what is the best way to travel to Lombok from Bali? Well, with short hopper flights departing multiple times a day, and with dozens of fast boat crossings morning, noon, and night, tourists aren’t exactly short of options.
The fast boat is by far the most popular way to travel from Bali to Lombok. With crossings available from Sanur and Padangbai to Lombok’s Mataram, Mandalika, and Senggigi, it’s really a take your pick kind of situation.
The choice between a departure point of Padangbai or Sanur is something worth taking some time over. Sanur is the busiest tourist harbour in Bali and offers routes to Lombok, the Gili Islands, and the Nusa Islands. This means that it can get pretty busy indeed, especially during the morning and evening rush hours.
If you’re not fussed about what time you arrive in Lombok, then departing from an off-peak crossing from Sanur is a smart choice, especially if you’re ready to stay in a resort nearby. For those who want to skip the traffic jams and the crowds, departing from Padangbai could be the right option.
Although it seems counterintuitive, as Padangabi is located further from top resorts like Kuta and Legian than Sanur, the stress and hassle saved is not to be sniffed at.
Sometimes it’s even quicker to drive to Padangbai than to be stuck in traffic accessing Sanur…food for thought.
In weighing up whether to travel by fast boat or flight to Lombok, factors such as baggage and travel time are worth serious consideration. If you have plenty of bags, then flying may be the easier option.
It’s always worth checking in with a fast boat provider as to how many bags you’re allowed to bring. Many fast boat providers have strict bag limits, whereas airlines can not only accommodate bigger and heavier bags, but you can also buy more luggage allowance if needed.
In terms of travel time, we have touched on the potential for traffic jams around the harbors in Bali, but the overall travel time is an important consideration.
Flight time between Bali and Lombok is 40-55 minutes, and fast boat times can range from 90 minutes to 4 hours, depending on whether the vessel is making stops at the Gili Islands. While air passengers have to be at the airport at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight, for the most part, flying is quicker when assessing door-to-door travel time.
Of course, no consideration of flight vs fast boat for the Bali-Lombok Loop style vacation would be complete without an assessment of the costs. Airfares can be surprisingly cheap.
With average flight costs of USD 45-65 one-way, including one checked bag. Fast boat crossings range from USD 30-60, and while this can seem steep, many do include a free pick-up shuttle service.
Tourists traveling to Bali have so many different options available, and what is a relief is that there is a route to Lombok (and back again!) that suits every possible travel budget, itinerary intention, and personal travel preference.
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