Bali to Lombok by ferry: Padang Bai to Lembar and the fast boats

Lombok begins across a narrow, deep strait from Bali, and the crossing is one of the easiest inter-island journeys in Indonesia. The slow ferry from Padang Bai to Lembar runs around the clock and carries everything from scooters to trucks. Fast boats do the same trip in a fraction of the time for a much higher fare.

Which one you choose depends on how much time you have and how well you handle the sea. The slow ferry is an authentic slice of island life and rarely cancelled; the fast boats are comfortable but stop when the Lombok Strait turns rough, which it does most reliably between December and March.

Two crossings, two very different trips

The ASDP roll-on roll-off ferry is the workhorse. It takes four to five hours, leaves roughly every hour, and runs through the night. Foot passengers pay a few dollars, vehicles pay by length, and the atmosphere is a mix of commuters, families and traders. There is a small canteen and basic seating, but most passengers find a spot on the deck.

Fast boats cut the crossing to one and a half or two hours and leave from Padang Bai or Serangan. They are enclosed, air-conditioned and more expensive, and they are the better choice if you are connecting to the Gilis or have a tight itinerary. The trade-off is a rougher ride in bad weather and a higher chance of cancellation.

Padang Bai harbour and boarding

Padang Bai is a small port town on Bali's east coast, about ninety minutes from Ubud and two hours from Kuta. The ferry terminal is at the northern end of the bay, with ticket windows, a waiting hall and food stalls. Arrive an hour before departure, buy a ticket at the counter, and follow the crowd onto the vehicle deck.

If you are travelling with a car or motorbike, the paperwork takes longer and you may be weighed. Foot passengers walk on last, after the vehicles are loaded. Keep your ticket handy for inspection and secure your bags, because the deck can be crowded and the crossing is not always smooth.

The crossing and arrival at Lembar

The ferry leaves Padang Bai and heads east across the strait, with Bali's volcanoes receding behind you and the green hills of Lombok growing ahead. The sea is usually calm in the morning and can pick up in the afternoon. Dolphins sometimes follow the boat, and the approach to Lembar passes fishing villages and fish farms.

Lembar is a working port about thirty minutes south of Mataram. Disembarking is quick on foot but slow with a vehicle. Taxis and bemos wait outside the gate, and ride-hailing apps work intermittently. Agree on the fare before you get in, especially if you are heading to Senggigi or Kuta Lombok.

Getting onward from Lembar

From Lembar, the road north leads to Mataram, the provincial capital, and then to Senggigi, the main tourist strip on the west coast. The drive takes about an hour to Senggigi and two hours to Kuta Lombok on the south coast. Buses and shared taxis are cheaper than a private car but slower and more crowded.

If you are heading to the Gilis, the fast boats from Bali often continue directly to Gili Trawangan, which saves the detour through Lembar. Otherwise, take a taxi to Bangsal harbour, about an hour and a half north, where local boats cross to the islands in twenty to forty minutes.

Tickets, luggage and the usual scams

Buy ferry tickets at the official ASDP counter, not from touts who approach you at the entrance. The price is fixed and printed on the ticket. Fast-boat tickets are sold online and through agents, and the price should include luggage and sometimes a hotel transfer.

Watch for unofficial porters who grab your bag and then demand a large tip, and for taxi drivers who claim the ferry is cancelled and offer a private boat instead. Confirm departure times at the ticket window. Keep small notes for porters and food, and do not leave bags unattended on the vehicle deck.

Weather, seasons and combining the crossing with the Gilis

The dry season, April to October, brings calm seas and reliable schedules. The wet season can make the strait uncomfortable, and fast boats are more likely to cancel than the slow ferry. If your plans are tight, the ferry is the safer bet even though it takes longer.

Many travellers use Lombok as a bridge between Bali and the Gilis: fast boat from Bali to Gili Trawangan, a few nights on the islands, then a local boat to Bangsal and onward to Senggigi or Kuta Lombok. The slow ferry is better for those continuing overland to Sumbawa and Flores.

The ferry at night

The Padang Bai ferry runs through the night, and the midnight and early morning sailings are quieter than the daytime ones. The waiting hall is basic, with fluorescent lights and food stalls, and the boat itself is dim and crowded with trucks. It is not an experience for everyone, but it is efficient if you want to arrive in Lombok at dawn.

If you take a night sailing, bring a light blanket, an eye mask and earplugs. The seating is bench-style, and the best spots are near the windows. Keep your bags with you rather than in the luggage area, and set an alarm for the arrival announcements.

The night ferry is also the best option if you are continuing to Sumbawa and Flores, because it connects with the morning buses from Lembar. Check the schedule at the port, since the departures are not always aligned with the printed timetable.

Questions people actually ask

How often does the Padang Bai ferry run?

Roughly every hour, around the clock, though the schedule depends on vehicle loading. Early morning and late evening are usually quieter.

Can I take a car on the ferry?

Yes, vehicles are carried by length and the paperwork is done at the port. Arrive at least an hour early and expect to be weighed and inspected.

Is the fast boat worth the extra cost?

If you are short on time or heading to the Gilis, yes. In rough weather the ferry is more reliable, even though it takes four to five hours.

How do I get from Lembar to Kuta Lombok?

A private car takes about two hours. Shared taxis and buses go via Mataram and are cheaper but slower. Agree the fare before departure.