While most backpackers will follow the traditional Indonesian travel route to Bali, Nusa Islands and Gili Islands. Unfortunately, many skip Lombok due to the need for more infrastructure or a lack of knowledge of sights. If you have the time, Lombok is a diverse, off-the-beaten-track backpacking destination in Indonesia. Popular with surfers and avid hikers headed for Mount Rinjani, Lombok is a large island (nearly the size of Bali) with much to see and barely any crowds.
How to get to Lombok
There are two main methods of transport to reach Lombok Island. You can either catch a ferry from the Nusa Islands, Bali or the Gili Islands or fly into Lombok International Airport from another country or another airport in Indonesia. While generally, catching a ferry will be the most cost-effective method of transport to Lombok, you also have to factor in the cost of getting to and from the port on Lombok. Most ferries arrive at Bangsal Port in the north of the island. However, the popular area to stay is in Kuta Lombok, which is 2 hours from the port.
Never caught a ferry in Indonesia? Check out my full transport guide for everything you need to know to get around Indonesia here. On the other hand, Lombok International Airport is only a short 25-minute drive to Kuta Lombok. If you can get a decently priced flight into or out of Lombok, it may be a better option to save on time and the cost of taxis to and from the ports. You can book all transport online at 12GOAsia.
How to get to Lombok from Gili Islands
If you’re coming from either of the 3 Gili Islands, you have two different ferry options to get to Lombok. The most popular option is a speedboat with Karya Bahari ferry company. This only takes around 45 minutes to get to Bangsal Pier in Lombok. The ferry departs every hour on the hour from Gili T (shortly after from Gili Air and Gili Meno) from 10-5. The ferry costs around 146k Indonesian Rupiah ($9.50 USD).
The second option is a local boat that departs on a demand basis from Gili T to Lombok. This costs only 20k Indonesian Rupiah ($1.40 USD). You can get the boat from the main port on Gili T, but you may have to wait for it to hit the minimum number of people. I only waited around 20 minutes, but others waited 2 hours. If you arrive at the port in Gili T in the morning between 9 am-10:30 am, you’re likely to have a shorter wait for the local boat. A word of warning, the local boat is super basic and essentially just a fishing boat.
How to get to Lombok from Uluwatu, Kuta and Canggu
If you’re coming from Bali mainland, you can reach Lombok from either of the large ports, such as Sanur or Padangbai, but also from smaller coastal towns, such as Amed. Which port you disembark from will depend on where you stay in Bali.
If you’re coming from Uluwatu, Kuta, Seminyak or Canggu, Sanur will be your closest port. A couple of companies offer ferry transfers to Lombok, such as Semaya One, Scoot Fast Cruises and Starfish Fast Boat. Most companies only run one ferry a day departing in the morning between 8:30-9:30. The journey can take between 2.5- 3 hours and will cost between 334k-574 Indonesian Rupiah ($22 USD- $37 USD) depending on which company you choose.
How to get to Lombok from Ubud, Sidemen and Amed
From the north of Bali, Ubud or Sidemen, Padangbai will be the closest major port. Ferry companies operating this route include Eka Jaya, Semaya One, Ostina, Kurnia Jaya Fast Boat, Golden Queen Fast Boat, DPrabu Fast Boat and Gili Gili Fast Boat. The first boat departs at 8:30 am, and the last boat leaves at 1:30 pm daily. The journey takes anywhere between 1.5 hours-3.5 hours and will cost between 120-400k Indonesian Rupiah ($16-26 USD) depending on the ferry company.
Arguably the best way to get from Bali to Lombok is via Amed. The bigger ports of Sanur and Padangbai are chaotic and confronting and generally not a nice place to transit through. On the other hand, Amed is a chilled, beachy town that is a perfect base to see the East of Bali. I highly recommend making your way to Amed from Ubud, spending a day or two exploring the East of Bali and then catching the ferry over to Lombok. For a full guide into the best things to do in Amed, read my guide here. There is only one ferry from Amed to Lombok with Amed Freebird Express, which departs at 9:30 am daily. It costs 365k Indonesian Rupiah ($24 USD) and takes around 2 hours.
How to get to Lombok from Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan
Many ferry companies operate from Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan Islands to Lombok, such as Eka Jaya, Scoot Cruises, Sunfish Fast Boat and Caspla Bali Sea View. Depending on the boat’s speed and whether they make additional stops at other ports, the journey can take between 2 hours and four and a half hours to get to Bangsal Port on Lombok. Ferries depart in the morning between 9 am and 10:45 am and cost anywhere between 175k Indonesian Rupiah ($18 USD) to 534k Indonesian Rupiah ($35 USD), depending on what type of ferry you go with and with which company.
How to get around Lombok
Lombok is still an up-and-coming backpacking destination, so it is not the most accessible island to get around. Also, it is deceptively large, and many roads are narrow and not in good condition, meaning it takes longer to get between places than you would think.
Getting around Lombok with a scooter
One of the most convenient and cost-effective ways to get around Lombok is by renting a scooter. Most people rent a scooter when they arrive at the ferry port of Bangsal due to the distance and cost of getting a shared shuttle or taxi from Bangsal in the north to Kuta-Lombok in the south. However, another essential aspect to consider is how bad the roads are. For example, the road to Mawi Beach, a popular surf beach in Lombok, is treacherous, with many travellers falling off or getting their bikes stuck in massive potholes and crevices. If you’re considering renting a scooter in Lombok, read my full guide with tips on scooter rental in Indonesia here.
Getting around Lombok by Taxi or private driver
There’s no Grab or Gojek in Lombok, so if you don’t have a scooter, you’ll need to use taxis or hire a private driver for the day to get around. As there are no rideshare companies, the cost of Taxis or private cars is much higher than in other parts of Indonesia. For example, hiring a private driver for the day will cost around 400k Indonesian Rupiah ($28 USD).
Generally, I found that drivers were less willing to haggle on the price, as they know travellers have no other alternative if they don’t have a scooter. I also found that drivers just drove you from Point A to Point B and weren’t very talkative. This was a stark contrast to drivers on Bali and other Islands who doubled as tour guides- who were happy to give recommendations, tell you information about the island and would often hike to waterfalls with us and be our photographer.
Getting around Lombok on Foot
Given Lombok Island’s size, you can only get so far on foot. That being said, if you stay in Kuta-Lombok, you are within walking distance of Kuta-Lombok beach and many popular restaurants, cafes and bars. Much like the rest of Indonesia, there are no footpaths, so you will have to walk on the side of the road. There are also more stray dogs in Lombok than in Bali, and they can be pretty aggressive at night.
How many days to spend in Lombok
This depends greatly on whether you plan on doing a multi-day hike of Rinjani, whether you want to do a surf camp or whether you’re just sightseeing and backpacking Lombok like I was. Surf camps can be anywhere from 3-14 days, depending on your chosen school. The Mount Rinjani Hike can take either three days (2 nights) or four days (3 nights), depending on which trek tour you choose. Whether you are in Lombok for a surf camp or to hike Rinjani, you’ll want to allow an additional 2-4 days to explore the other sights the island offers.
The other factor to remember is the distance and time it takes to get to Kuta-Lombok from anywhere else in Indonesia. I wouldn’t find it worth visiting Lombok and only spending two days exploring. As a non-Rinjani hiker and non-surfer, I spent a full four days in Kuta Lombok (not including travel days), which was the perfect amount.
Where to stay in Lombok
Lombok is still an up-and-coming backpacking destination, so there are few hostel options. Most of the well-rated hostels are in Kuta-Lombok, the most touristic part of Lombok. However, some people backpacking opt to stay a few days in Kuta-Lombok and a few days in budget villa accommodation in other parts of Lombok, such as Senggigi or Mataram. You could spend the entirety of your time in Lombok in Senggigi, Mataram or another town. However, you probably would only meet a few other people backpacking in these parts of Lombok. I stayed only in Kuta-Lombok as I was travelling solo. I wanted to be within walking distance of cafes, restaurants, the beach and bars in Lombok. So my hostel recommendations will be based only on this area. You can book all accommodations here.
Mad Monkey Hostel
If you’ve been backpacking in South East Asia, you’ll probably know they are generally a party hostel. However, due to the quietness of Lombok, I would not consider this hostel a party hostel. There is a bar on-site, and they run social events and activities. However, most people get up early for surfing or hiking, so they are respectful of noise and their dorm mates’ sleep.
They have a great pool, a nice common area to chill in, and reasonably priced, good food available all day. The beds were comfortable, and the bathrooms were the cleanest I had seen in Lombok. It’s also in a great location in Lombok, only 2 minutes from the main street, 5 minutes to the beach and around a 5-minute walk to the nightlife.
Botchan Hostel
Botchan is a hidden gem of a hostel in Kuta-Lombok, which has a great social vibe. It’s a small, family-run hostel with a great pool and a common area with pool tables. They also include complimentary breakfast in the morning. The dorms and bathrooms are basic (compared to Mad Monkey) but in line with the price per night.
One thing to consider before booking this hostel, it is not in a very walking-friendly location. Botchan is down a small, dark laneway where there tend to be packs of street dogs at night. It’s okay if you’re in a big group or on a scooter. However, walking after dark can be pretty daunting for a solo traveller. It is around a 10-minute walk to where the restaurants and cafes in Lombok are, a 15-minute walk to the bars and a 20-minute walk to the beach.
LMBK Surf House
If you’re coming to Lombok purely for surfing and want to be right in the thick of it, this is where you should stay. I did not stay here as I’m not a surfer, but many people backpacking I met in Lombok did. It is in a great location, right in the centre of town. From what I’ve heard, the instructors are great, and the amenities at the hostel are top-tier.
Best things to do in Lombok
While Lombok is known for its world-famous surfing and hiking Mount Rinjani, there are many more things to do and see in this upcoming backpacking spot. If you are heading to Lombok for hiking or surfing, make sure you spend at least a couple extra days getting off the beaten track and exploring Lombok.
Sunset at Bukit Merese
One of the best sunsets in Indonesia, just a short drive from Kuta-Lombok! You can get here either by scooter (there is a small parking fee) or by taxi. Once you arrive in the parking lot, it is about a 5-minute walk up a grassy hill to the sunset spot. There are a couple of temporary shops in the parking lot where you can buy snacks, drinks and other souvenirs.
Bangkang Bat Caves
About a 10-minute drive from Kuta-Lombok is Bangkang Bat Caves (on Google Maps as Goa Bangkang Prabu). There are two popular times to go; either at 12 midday to catch the sun’s rays filtering through the opening in the cave roof or at sunset to watch the mass exodus of bats into the night sky. At either time, expect to spend around 30-45 minutes at the caves. The entry fee for Bangkang is 60k Indonesian Rupiah ($4.10 USD). You don’t need to bring anything with you as the guide provides helmets. However, be prepared to be smelly after, mainly if you go for sunset time. The bats urinate on you as they fly out (and there are millions of bats). So you will want to change your clothes, shower and wash your hair when you get back.
Benang Stokel Waterfall and Benang Kelambu Waterfall
You can’t visit Lombok Island without checking out their famous waterfalls in Geopark Rinjani. Inside the park are five waterfalls to hike to; however, Benang Stoken and Benang Kelambu are the two must-sees. Benang Stokel is a long waterfall with one single stream of water you can swim under. Benang Kelambu, on the other hand, has multiple streams of water flowing into multiple multi-level rockpools. You can swim in the rock pools, with greenery growing in between, making it incredibly picturesque.
The entry fee for Geopark Rinjani is 70k Indonesia Rupiah for two waterfalls without a guide ($4.65 USD). Alternatively, you can pay 130k Indonesian Rupiah ($8.70 USD) for two waterfalls with a guide. Although they have printed sheets with prices, you can haggle. Otherwise, they will rip you off. Also, they will tell you that you can only go to the waterfalls with a guide, but this is a lie. The pathways are well-signed and easy to find your way around. The hike is not very strenuous to the main two waterfalls, so can wear sandals. One tip, try not to go on a weekend, as it gets jam-packed with locals picnicking with their families.
Visit a traditional Sasak Village
Like many places in Indonesia, Lombok has traditional villages open to tourists to visit. Visiting a traditional village will give an idea of how local Sasak people live and work. There are two famous villages, Beleq and Sukarara. You can visit for free, speak to local Sasak people, see traditional housing and watch a demonstration on traditional weaving. While both villages are free to visit, you should buy something from the gift shop or donate a few dollars for their time.
Tanjung Aan Beach
Another must-do backpacking bucket-list item in Lombok! And you’re probably thinking, just another beach, why bother? Tanjung Aan is not only a beautiful beach with super white sand and clear, blue water, but it has buffalos. Tanjung Aan Beach in Lombok is best known for the pack of local buffalos crossing the beach in the late afternoon. If you head to Tanjung Aan, I highly recommend the food and drinks at Turtle Warung. They also have plenty of free loungers and bean bags as long as you purchase something from their Warung.
Where to eat in Lombok
Despite how quiet Lombok is (compared to the rest of Indonesia), there are quite a few cute cafes and restaurants in Kuta Lombok, offering both local and international cuisines.
El Bazar Cafe and Restaurant
Great for breakfast, lunch and dinner. El Bazar has great-tasting Mediterranean cuisine and Western options such as Eggs Benedict. They have inside seating, and a cute internal courtyard area decked out in Moroccan-style decor.
Bush Radio Cafe
An excellent cafe for people-watching! Try and get a window seat to watch the comings and goings (and crazy scooter traffic) at the main intersection in Kuta-Lombok. Excellent breakfast and brunch options and top-tier coffee.
Kenza Cafe
The most aesthetic cafe in Lombok! They have heaps of seating indoors, outdoors and in the back garden. Everything I ate here was perfection; it was a great, comfortable place to work for a few hours.
Terra Cafe
Right next to Mad Monkey Hostel, Terra Cafe is a cute small, two-story cafe serving great breakfast foods, coffee and cakes. They make amazing smoothie bowls and cater for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary requirements.
Rocksalt
Tasty burgers and Korean-style fried chicken, what more could you ask for? Rocksalt is a great boutique burger restaurant on the main street in Kuta-Lombok.
Sapori
Sapori Restaurant is the best spot on Lombok Island for great creamy Italian pasta and cheesy pizza. They have a large indoor seating area with comfy vibes.
That Mexican In Town
One of the best restaurants in Lombok! That Mexican In Town offers authentic Mexican food and tasty margaritas. Every Monday night, they do Mexican Mondays, where all their meals are just 50k Indonesian Rupiah ($3.30 USD).
Boom Burger
A cult classic among those backpacking in Lombok, Boom Burger is a local family restaurant that offers cheap yet tasty burgers. Seating is outdoors on the main road, and the service can take some time. However, it is well worth the wait, especially for the price.
Treehouse
Treehouse is a cute upstairs bar and restaurant, great for pre-drinks and a nice dinner. They have rope swings, booth seating and a cute ambience, particularly on a Friday or Saturday night for pre-drinks.
Nightlife in Lombok
Given most people venture out to Lombok to surf or hike Mount Rinjani, it’s no surprise Lombok isn’t known for its backpacking party scene. During the week, there’s not much going on apart from some casual drinks at Mad Monkey Hostel or Treehouse. On the weekend, it gets a little more lively, but nothing compared to the likes of Canggu or Gili T. On a Friday night, everyone backpacking heads to Lombok Surfer Bar for drinks and dancing until the early hours of the morning. Whereas on a Saturday night, Rasta Bar has live music and fire shows, so everyone heads there for dancing and drinking.
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