Can You Drive from Bali to Lombok?
You cannot drive directly from Bali to Lombok — the islands are separated by the 35 km wide Lombok Strait. However, you can bring your car or motorbike on the public ferry from Padang Bai (Bali) to Lembar (Lombok). The crossing takes 4-5 hours and costs approximately 400,000 IDR for a car or 60,000 IDR for a motorbike, plus passenger tickets.
The Short Answer
No, you cannot drive from Bali to Lombok in the sense of a continuous road journey. The two islands are separated by the Lombok Strait, a 35 km wide body of water that is one of the deepest channels in the world (over 1,300 meters). There is no bridge, tunnel, or causeway connecting them, and none is planned.
What you can do is take your vehicle — car or motorbike — on the public car ferry from Padang Bai in east Bali to Lembar port in southwest Lombok. The ferry is specifically designed to carry vehicles and makes the crossing 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
The Ferry Option in Detail
The public car ferry is the only way to bring a vehicle from Bali to Lombok (or vice versa). Here is everything you need to know.
Route: Padang Bai (Bali) to Lembar (Lombok), or the reverse.
Frequency: Ferries depart approximately every 60-90 minutes, 24 hours a day. No advance booking is possible or necessary.
Duration: 4-5 hours depending on sea conditions and the specific vessel.
Vehicle costs:
- Motorbike: approximately 60,000 IDR ($4 USD)
- Car (sedan/SUV): approximately 400,000 IDR ($27 USD)
- Minibus: approximately 600,000 IDR ($41 USD)
- Truck: varies by size
Plus passenger tickets at 46,000 IDR ($3 USD) per person for everyone in the vehicle.
The process for cars: Drive to Padang Bai port and join the vehicle queue. Buy your vehicle ticket and passenger tickets at the counter. When boarding opens, drive down the ramp onto the lower vehicle deck. Park where directed. Turn off the engine, engage the handbrake, and leave your vehicle. Walk upstairs to the passenger deck. During the 4-5 hour crossing, you cannot access the vehicle deck. Upon arrival at Lembar, return to the vehicle deck before docking, start your engine, and drive off.
The process for motorbikes: Similar, but faster. Ride to the port, buy tickets, ride down the ramp, park where directed. Secure the bike on its center stand. Walk to the passenger deck. At Lembar, return to the bike and ride off.
Driving in Lombok: What You Need to Know
If you successfully bring your vehicle to Lombok, here is what driving on the island is like.
Road quality: Lombok's main roads are generally good. The south coast highway, the Mataram-Senggigi road, and the main cross-island routes are paved, well-maintained, and in better condition than many roads in Bali. Secondary roads to remote beaches and mountain villages can be narrow, potholed, and unpaved.
Traffic: Dramatically lighter than Bali. Outside of Mataram (the island's capital, population around 450,000), traffic is sparse. The south coast roads around Kuta have very little traffic. You can drive for kilometers without seeing another car. Coming from Bali's gridlock, this is a revelation.
Driving style: Indonesians drive on the left. Traffic rules exist but are followed loosely. Overtaking on blind corners is common. Horn use is standard and not aggressive — a quick beep means "I am here" rather than "get out of my way." Trucks, buses, and larger vehicles claim priority by size. Livestock wanders onto roads regularly.
Fuel: Pertamina gas stations are found in all towns and along main roads. Premium (Pertalite) costs around 10,000 IDR per liter. In remote areas without gas stations, roadside sellers sell fuel in glass bottles at a markup (12,000-15,000 IDR per liter). Keep your tank above quarter full when heading to remote areas.
Parking: Free and abundant almost everywhere outside of Mataram. In Kuta Lombok and Senggigi, parking near hotels and restaurants is generally free for guests. Some attractions charge a nominal parking fee of 5,000-10,000 IDR.
The Rental Car Alternative
For most travelers, renting a car in Lombok makes more sense than bringing one from Bali. Here is why:
No ferry time: You avoid 10+ hours of total ferry crossing time (5 hours each way).
Lower total cost: A day of car rental in Lombok costs 250,000-400,000 IDR ($17-27 USD) for a basic car without driver, or 500,000-700,000 IDR ($35-48 USD) with a driver. Even a few days of rental is cheaper than ferry crossings for a car.
No cross-island restrictions: Bali rental companies often prohibit their vehicles from leaving the island. Renting in Lombok avoids this issue entirely.
Local knowledge: If you rent with a driver, you get someone who knows Lombok's roads, can navigate unmarked turns, and can communicate with locals in Sasak or Indonesian.
Where to rent in Lombok: Lombok International Airport has several car rental counters. In Kuta Lombok and Senggigi, your accommodation can arrange rentals. Online platforms like Traveloka and Klook list options. For rentals with a driver, ask your hotel — they will have trusted drivers available.
Bringing Your Own Motorbike
This is where the ferry option makes the most practical sense. If you own a motorbike or have a long-term rental in Bali, bringing it to Lombok is cheap (60,000 IDR on the ferry) and gives you maximum freedom.
Long-term travelers and digital nomads who are based in Bali and want to explore Lombok for a few weeks regularly take their own bikes on the ferry. The process is simple, the cost is minimal, and you have a vehicle you know and trust.
The practical route: Ride from wherever you are in Bali to Padang Bai (allow 1.5-3 hours depending on your starting point). Take the ferry (4-5 hours). Arrive at Lembar and ride south to Kuta Lombok (30 minutes) or north to Senggigi (30 minutes) or Mataram (30 minutes).
What to bring: All vehicle documents (STNK registration), international driving permit, helmet, basic tool kit, and a lock. Fuel up in Bali before boarding — the ferry journey is long and you want to arrive with enough fuel to reach a gas station from Lembar.
The Legal Requirements
License: Indonesian law requires foreign drivers to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) matching their vehicle type (car or motorcycle). In practice, enforcement is inconsistent, but getting stopped without an IDP means a fine and, more critically, potential insurance complications if you have an accident.
Registration: Your vehicle must have valid Indonesian registration (STNK). Rental vehicles should come with this document. If you own a vehicle in Indonesia, carry the original STNK at all times.
Insurance: Check whether your vehicle insurance covers the vehicle on a different island. Some policies have geographic restrictions. Travel insurance should cover you as a driver if you have a valid IDP.
Comparison: All Bali-to-Lombok Transport Options
| Method | Time | Cost (car) | Cost (motorbike) | Cost (passenger) |
|--------|------|-----------|------------------|------------------|
| Ferry + vehicle | 4-5 hrs crossing | 400,000 IDR | 60,000 IDR | 46,000 IDR |
| Fast boat (no vehicle) | 1.5-2.5 hrs | N/A | N/A | 250,000-650,000 IDR |
| Flight (no vehicle) | 25 min | N/A | N/A | 400,000-800,000 IDR |
| Ferry foot passenger | 4-5 hrs | N/A | N/A | 46,000 IDR |
My Recommendation
Bringing a motorbike from Bali: Worth it if you are staying in Lombok for more than a few days and you are an experienced rider. The ferry is cheap, the process is simple, and having your own bike gives you unmatched freedom to explore.
Bringing a car from Bali: Rarely worth it unless you own the car and are staying in Lombok for an extended period. The 10+ hours of total ferry time, the cost, and the hassle outweigh the benefits when you can rent locally for very reasonable rates.
For most tourists: Fly or fast boat to Lombok, then rent a scooter or hire a driver locally. This combination is faster, often cheaper, and avoids the long ferry crossing entirely.