Bali to Lombok: Fast Boat or Ferry? Senggigi vs Bangsal Explained
GiliBaliBoat · 21 October 2026
Lombok sits just east of Bali across the Lombok Strait, and there are really only two ways to cross by sea: the public car ferry from Padang Bai to Lembar, or a fast boat that drops you on Lombok's west coast at Senggigi or Bangsal. Which one is right depends on your budget, your luggage and — most of all — where on Lombok you're actually going. This guide lays out both options honestly, then helps you pick the right harbour.
Want to compare boats straight away? Every operator and departure is on the Bali → Lombok page.
Fast boat vs public ferry at a glance
| Public ferry | Fast boat | |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Padang Bai → Lembar (south-west Lombok) | Padang Bai, Sanur, Nusa Dua or Serangan → Senggigi or Bangsal |
| Crossing time | About 4–6 hours | About 1¼–3 hours from Padang Bai; longer from south Bali |
| Price | Around Rp 65,000 on foot (about Rp 170,000 with a motorbike) | From around Rp 450,000 per adult |
| How often | Roughly every 30–60 minutes, day and night | Several departures each morning and early afternoon |
| Vehicles | Cars and motorbikes carried | Passengers and luggage only |
| Best for | Tight budgets, travelling with your own car or scooter | Saving most of a day, arriving close to the beaches and the Gilis |
Public ferry figures are indicative — we sell fast boats only, so check fares at the port.
When the public ferry makes sense
The ferry is a slow, no-frills car ferry: you buy a ticket at Padang Bai, board with trucks and motorbikes, and arrive at Lembar in Lombok's south-west. It's cheap and it runs around the clock, which makes it the obvious choice if you're riding your own scooter or driving across.
The catch is time and position. The crossing alone takes most of a morning, Lembar is a working port with little around it, and you'll still need a car to reach Senggigi, the Gilis or the south-coast beaches. For most visitors with a backpack or suitcase, the time saved by a fast boat is worth more than the fare difference.
Where the fast boats leave from in Bali
- Padang Bai (east Bali) — the shortest sea crossing and the most departures. Boats to Bangsal leave through the morning and early afternoon and take roughly 2–2¾ hours; the run to Senggigi is quicker, about 1¼–1½ hours. Compare them on Padang Bai → Bangsal and Padang Bai → Senggigi.
- Sanur (south Bali) — handy if you're staying in Sanur, Ubud or the south, but the boat calls at other islands on the way, so expect 3½ hours or more on the water. See Sanur → Senggigi.
- Nusa Dua and Serangan (far south, near the airport) — there are departures from both, ideal if you're coming straight from a resort in the Bukit or the airport area. See Nusa Dua → Senggigi.
The trade-off is simple: Padang Bai = less time at sea, more time on the road (it's about 1½–2 hours' drive from the airport or Seminyak). Sanur, Nusa Dua and Serangan = a short drive, a longer boat ride. Our Padang Bai vs Sanur guide goes deeper on that choice.
Senggigi or Bangsal: which Lombok harbour?
This is the question that actually decides your booking.
Choose Senggigi if you're staying on Lombok itself. Senggigi is the island's west-coast beach town, with hotels, restaurants and drivers right there. It's also the better jumping-off point for the rest of Lombok — the airport, Mataram and the south coast around Kuta Lombok are all a road trip from here. Browse Bali → Senggigi.
Choose Bangsal if you're heading to the Gili Islands or north Lombok. Bangsal is the small harbour on the north-west coast facing the Gilis, and it's where boats for Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno run from. It's a working port rather than a place to stay, so have your onward transport arranged. See Padang Bai → Bangsal.
Going to the Gilis anyway? Then skip Lombok altogether — most fast boats from Bali stop at the Gilis directly. See Bali → Gili Trawangan and our guide on how to get from Bali to the Gili Islands.
What a fast-boat ticket costs
Fares from Padang Bai start from around Rp 450,000 per adult each way; departures from Sanur are similar, while the Nusa Dua and Serangan services sit higher (roughly Rp 850,000–1,000,000) because they save you the long drive east. Prices vary by operator and date, so we show the live from-price for every boat on the Bali → Lombok page rather than fixing a number here. For a full breakdown of what's included, see what a fast-boat ticket really costs.
Which operators run Bali to Lombok?
Several operators cross to Senggigi and Bangsal, including Semaya One, Wijaya Buyuk, Wahana Virendra, Eka Jaya, Gili Gili Fast Boat and BlueWater Express. Each operator page shows its boats, safety rating and full timetable. Not sure how to judge them? Read is the fast boat safe?.
Tips for a smooth crossing
- Take a morning boat. The Lombok Strait is deep open water and usually calmest early in the day. If you get seasick, read our seasickness tips.
- Pick the harbour before the boat. Decide Senggigi or Bangsal first, then choose the departure time and price that fit.
- Mind the seasons. Some departures only run part of the year — our search only shows boats that sail on your date, so book through the date you'll actually travel. See the best time of year to cross.
- Book the way back too. Afternoon boats back to Bali fill up in high season — see Lombok → Bali.
Quick summary
- Budget or travelling with a vehicle? Public ferry, Padang Bai → Lembar, 4–6 hours.
- Everyone else: fast boat, about 1¼–3 hours from Padang Bai.
- Staying on Lombok → Senggigi. Going to the Gilis or north Lombok → Bangsal (or straight to the Gilis).
Ready to go? Compare Bali → Lombok fast boats and book an instant e-ticket.