Lombok to Sumbawa: Ferry and Flight Options Heading East

Lombok is the last well-touristed island heading east through Indonesia's Lesser Sunda chain. Beyond Lombok lies Sumbawa, then Flores, and then the scattering of small islands stretching toward Papua. For adventurous travelers, crossing from Lombok to Sumbawa is the first step on one of Southeast Asia's great overland routes — the road to Komodo National Park and beyond.

The Alas Strait between Lombok and Sumbawa is only about 15 km wide, making this one of the easiest inter-island crossings in Indonesia. Regular car ferries make the 1.5-hour hop throughout the day.

### Who Makes This Crossing

• Overland travelers heading to Flores and Komodo National Park via the trans-Sumbawa highway
• Surfers heading to Sumbawa's legendary breaks at Lakey Peak and Supersuck
• Adventurers exploring eastern Indonesia's less-visited islands
• Budget travelers continuing east without flying

### The Route Context

The full overland route from Bali to Komodo looks like this:

Bali → (ferry) → Lombok → (ferry) → Sumbawa → (overland 400 km) → (ferry) → Flores → Labuan Bajo (Komodo gateway)

Total overland time: 3-5 days depending on pace and stops. Total cost: under $50 USD in transport. It is not fast, but it is one of the most scenic and culturally rich overland routes in Indonesia.

### The Basics

| Detail | Information |

|--------|-------------|

| Route | Kayangan Port (Lombok) → Poto Tano (Sumbawa) |

| Operator | ASDP Indonesia Ferry (government) |

| Frequency | Every 1-2 hours |

| First ferry | Approximately 6:00 AM |

| Last ferry | Approximately 8:00-9:00 PM |

| Crossing time | 1.5 hours |

| Passenger fare | 25,000 IDR |

| Motorbike fare | 50,000-70,000 IDR (plus passenger ticket) |

| Car fare | 200,000-300,000 IDR (plus passenger tickets) |

| Booking | Not required — walk-up tickets |

### The Ferry Experience

These are large roll-on/roll-off car ferries similar to the Bali-Lombok ferries at Lembar Port. The lower deck holds vehicles; upper decks have passenger seating. Facilities include basic bench seating (some ferries have a small air-conditioned section), a canteen selling instant noodles, coffee, and snacks, open-air deck areas, and basic toilets.

The crossing is pleasant in good weather. The strait is relatively narrow and sheltered compared to the Lombok Strait between Bali and Lombok, so seas are generally calmer. Views of Lombok's Mount Rinjani behind you and Sumbawa's rugged coastline ahead are rewarding.

### Buying Tickets

Walk up to the ticket counter at Kayangan Port. No advance booking is needed. Pay cash. The counter opens before the first ferry and closes after the last departure. During major holidays (Eid, Christmas), ferries can be crowded — arrive early to avoid long waits.

Kayangan Port is on Lombok's east coast, in the Labuhan Lombok area. It is not near any major tourist center, so you will need to arrange transport.

### From Kuta Lombok

Drive time: approximately 2-2.5 hours via the south coast road or inland through Praya. Cost by private taxi: 250,000-350,000 IDR. This is a scenic drive through rice paddies and tobacco fields, with views of Rinjani appearing as you head north.

### From Mataram

Drive time: approximately 1.5-2 hours heading east through Lombok's interior. Cost by private taxi: 200,000-300,000 IDR. The route passes through local market towns and agricultural areas.

### From Senggigi

Drive time: approximately 2-2.5 hours. Cost by private taxi: 250,000-350,000 IDR. Head south through Mataram and then east.

### By Public Transport

Bemo (public minibuses) run from Mataram's Mandalika terminal to Labuhan Lombok town, from where you can take an ojek or walk to the port. Cost: approximately 15,000-25,000 IDR. Total time: 2.5-3.5 hours including connections. Budget travelers use this route, but allow extra time for irregular schedules.

### Planning Tip

If heading to Sumbawa via the ferry, consider spending the night in Labuhan Lombok or nearby Tetebatu the night before. This avoids a very early morning start from the south or west coast and lets you catch an early ferry with a fresh start.

### Lombok (LOP) to Bima (BMU)

Wings Air (Lion Air Group) operates flights from Lombok International Airport to Sultan Muhammad Salahudin Airport in Bima, on the eastern side of Sumbawa. Flight time is approximately 30-40 minutes. Fares start from 400,000 IDR one way.

This flight is useful if you want to skip the overland Sumbawa crossing entirely and jump directly to Bima, which is the base for Lakey Peak surf breaks and the jumping-off point for the ferry to Flores.

### Flight Considerations

• Flights are on small turboprops (ATR 72) and can be bumpy
• Schedules are limited (1-2 flights per day) and sometimes cancelled due to low passenger numbers
• Book through Traveloka for the best prices
• Check current schedules before planning around a flight — Wings Air routes to small airports change frequently

### Flying vs Ferry

The ferry is reliable, cheap, and part of the adventure. Flying saves time (especially if heading to eastern Sumbawa) but costs significantly more and requires airport transfers on both ends. For most travelers doing the overland route, the ferry is the natural choice. Flying makes sense only if you are short on time and heading specifically to the Bima area.

### Poto Tano to Points East

From Poto Tano port on Sumbawa, the trans-Sumbawa highway stretches approximately 400 km east to the Sape ferry terminal (for Flores/Komodo). Major stops along the way:

Sumbawa Besar — The main town in western Sumbawa, about 2.5 hours from Poto Tano. Has hotels, restaurants, ATMs, and basic services. The former Sultan's palace (Dalam Loka) is worth a stop. A reasonable overnight stop.

Dompu — Central Sumbawa, about 5 hours from Poto Tano. Gateway to Lakey Peak surf breaks (30 minutes south of Dompu). Budget accommodation available.

Bima — Eastern Sumbawa, about 7-8 hours from Poto Tano. The largest town in the region with the best facilities. Home to the Bima airport for those flying in.

Sape — The ferry port for Flores, about 9 hours from Poto Tano. Basic town with minimal facilities. The ferry to Labuan Bajo departs from here.

### Transport Through Sumbawa

By rented motorbike: The most flexible option. The trans-Sumbawa highway is in reasonable condition, though sections can be rough. Fuel stations exist in all towns but can be sparse between them. The ride from Poto Tano to Sape takes a full day of riding (8-10 hours) or can be split over 2 days with an overnight stop.

By public bus: Long-distance buses run from Poto Tano and Sumbawa Besar east to Bima and Sape. Departures align roughly with ferry arrivals. Buses are basic but functional. Total Poto Tano to Sape: approximately 10-12 hours, 80,000-120,000 IDR.

By private car: You can arrange a driver or self-drive car from Lombok that includes the ferry crossing. This is the most comfortable option but also the most expensive. Negotiate the full route price in advance.

Timing: If heading east through Sumbawa to Flores, take an early morning ferry (6:00-7:00 AM) from Kayangan. This gives you maximum daylight hours for onward travel on Sumbawa. Arriving at Poto Tano mid-morning leaves time to reach Sumbawa Besar before dark.

Cash: Bring plenty of Indonesian Rupiah. ATMs exist in Sumbawa Besar and Bima but are unreliable in smaller towns. The port and ferry have no ATMs.

Food and water: Buy snacks and water at Kayangan Port or on the ferry. If continuing overland through Sumbawa, stock up at the port town — roadside options thin out between towns.

Vehicle documents: If taking a motorbike or car on the ferry, have the STNK (vehicle registration) ready. Ferry staff will check it during ticket purchase.

Accommodation at Kayangan: If you need to overnight near the port, basic accommodation exists in Labuhan Lombok town (about 3 km from the port). Alternatively, the charming village of Tetebatu, about 40 minutes inland, offers much nicer guesthouse accommodation amid rice terraces and is worth a visit in its own right.

Return journey: The same ferry runs Poto Tano to Kayangan. If returning from Sumbawa, the same tips apply in reverse. Getting from Kayangan back to Kuta Lombok or Mataram requires a taxi or pre-arranged driver.

Weather note: The Alas Strait is generally calmer than the Lombok Strait (Bali-Lombok crossing), so weather-related cancellations are less common. Even during wet season, ferries usually run normally. Check locally if conditions seem severe.