Transport guide · How to get from Lombok to Bali / Sumbawa / Java (via ferry)
You can ship a scooter or motorbike on ASDP passenger ferries between Lombok and Bali (Lembar to Padang Bai), Lombok and Sumbawa (Kayangan to Poto Tano), or longer Pelni routes for around 50,000 IDR per scooter or 80,000-150,000 IDR per larger motorbike. Process requires arriving 90 minutes early, vehicle ticket counter, driving onto car deck, and vehicle inspection. STNK (vehicle registration) and driver's license required.
| Method | Time | Cost | Comfort | Frequency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lembar (Lombok) to Padang Bai (Bali) — ASDP passenger ferry | 4-5 hours crossing | 50,000 IDR scooter / 80,000-150,000 IDR larger motorbike + 50,000 IDR rider passenger ticket | 4-5 daily departures | Travelers shipping their own scooter to/from Bali | |
| Kayangan (East Lombok) to Poto Tano (Sumbawa) — ASDP | 1.5-2 hours crossing | 30,000 IDR scooter / 60,000-120,000 IDR larger motorbike + 25,000 IDR passenger | Multiple daily departures (every 1-2 hours) | Adventure riders heading east to Sumbawa, Komodo region | |
| Pelni passenger ship (longer routes) | 1-3 days at sea | 100,000-300,000 IDR vehicle + passenger fare | Irregular schedule | Long-distance riders moving across Indonesian archipelago | |
| Vehicle shipping (no rider — cargo only) | Same crossing time | 100,000-300,000 IDR depending on vehicle and route | Daily on major routes | Travelers flying separately from their bike |
4-5 hours crossing · 50,000 IDR scooter / 80,000-150,000 IDR larger motorbike + 50,000 IDR rider passenger ticket
Tip: Arrive early in peak season (June-August, December-January) — vehicle deck fills up.
1.5-2 hours crossing · 30,000 IDR scooter / 60,000-120,000 IDR larger motorbike + 25,000 IDR passenger
Tip: Most frequent vehicle ferry on Lombok. Easiest crossing for scooter/motorbike transport. Standard for Sumbawa overland trips.
1-3 days at sea · 100,000-300,000 IDR vehicle + passenger fare
Tip: Cheapest per-km option for long-distance vehicle transport. Schedule changes monthly.
Same crossing time · 100,000-300,000 IDR depending on vehicle and route
Tip: Use this if you're flying separately and shipping bike alone. Risk of minor scratches from handling — document condition before drop-off.
For most riders, the standard process is: arrive at Lembar (or Kayangan if going east) 90 minutes before departure, buy vehicle ticket and passenger ticket separately at the appropriate counters, show STNK and driver's license, then drive onto the ferry car deck. Total cost is 100,000-200,000 IDR for scooter + rider depending on route. Avoid Pelni unless you're doing long-distance Indonesia overland — for short Lombok-Bali or Lombok-Sumbawa hops, ASDP is faster and simpler.
# Motorbike Transport via Lombok Ferries: The Practical Guide
Many independent travelers explore eastern Indonesia by motorbike — Bali to Lombok, Lombok to Sumbawa, onward to Flores or Sulawesi. The ferries that connect these islands handle vehicles routinely, but the process isn't always obvious for first-time travelers.
This guide walks through everything: routes, costs, documents, and practical tips.
### Lombok ↔ Bali (Lembar ↔ Padang Bai)
### Lombok ↔ Sumbawa (Kayangan ↔ Poto Tano)
### Sumbawa ↔ Flores (Sape ↔ Labuan Bajo)
### Pelni long-distance routes
Mandatory:
Recommended:
If you're riding a rental scooter, you need the rental shop's authorization letter — most don't allow inter-island travel without explicit permission.
T-90 minutes: Drive to Lembar harbor. Park near vehicle gate (signed "Pelabuhan Truk" or "Pelabuhan Kendaraan").
T-75 minutes: Walk to vehicle ticket counter inside terminal. Cash payment. Show STNK and SIM. Receive vehicle ticket with ferry number.
T-60 minutes: Walk to passenger ticket counter (separate from vehicle counter — yes, awkward). Buy passenger ticket. Cash IDR.
T-45 minutes: Walk back to vehicle gate. Show ticket. Vehicle inspection (rough — they check tire condition, lights, basic safety).
T-30 minutes: Drive vehicle into staging area. Wait for boarding instruction.
T-15 minutes: Drive onto ferry car deck. Locals direct positioning — follow their hand signals.
Onboard: Park where directed. Lock vehicle. Take valuables (phone, wallet, helmet) to passenger area. Note your vehicle's deck location for disembarkation.
During crossing: Stay in passenger area. Vehicle deck is closed to passengers during transit (heat, fumes, safety).
Arrival: Announcement when 30 min from arrival. Return to vehicle deck only after announcement (or risk being injured by vehicle movement).
Disembarkation: Drive off in order. Show ticket at exit gate. Done.
Mistake 1: Buying only passenger ticket
Vehicle and passenger tickets are separate transactions. Easy to forget the vehicle one.
Mistake 2: Underestimating boarding time
The 90-minute buffer is real. Showing up 30 min before departure means you miss the boat.
Mistake 3: Not having documents ready
Inspection staff don't speak much English. Have STNK and SIM out and ready.
Mistake 4: Bringing fragile items strapped to bike
Vehicle deck is rough — bikes get bumped during loading/unloading. Remove valuables, secure top boxes.
Mistake 5: Forgetting bike location
Park in identifiable spot. Take photo of your bike + nearby reference point. Easy to lose your bike on a deck of 80+ vehicles.
For Lombok-Bali bike transport:
| Method | Cost (with rider) | Time |
|--------|---------------------|------|
| Lembar-Padang Bai ferry | 100,000 IDR | 4-5 hours + drive time |
| Cargo shipping (no rider) | 200,000-400,000 IDR | Same crossing + handling time |
| Sell in Lombok, buy in Bali | Loss + 5-10% transaction | Days |
For Lombok-Sumbawa:
| Method | Cost (with rider) | Time |
|--------|---------------------|------|
| Kayangan-Poto Tano ferry | 55,000 IDR | 1.5-2 hours + drive time |
| Cargo shipping | 150,000-300,000 IDR | Same crossing |
| Onward Pelni | 100,000-200,000 IDR | 1+ days |
The standard Lembar/Kayangan ferries are dramatically cheaper than alternatives — designed for everyday Indonesian commerce.
Bali to Lombok by bike:
Lombok to Sumbawa by bike (start of "ride east" Indonesia overland):
Adventure rider considerations:
This is technically possible with rental companies that have offices on both islands, but:
It's often cheaper to rent in each location separately rather than ship rental bikes.
International Driving Permit (IDP) + your home country license is theoretically valid for ferry boarding inspections, but enforcement varies:
If staying long-term in Indonesia, get an Indonesian SIM (relatively inexpensive, requires KITAS/visa).
| Route | Scooter ticket | Passenger ticket | Total (rider + bike) |
|-------|----------------|-------------------|----------------------|
| Lembar-Padang Bai | 50,000 | 50,000 | 100,000 IDR |
| Kayangan-Poto Tano | 30,000 | 25,000 | 55,000 IDR |
| Sape-Labuan Bajo | 80,000 | 80,000 | 160,000 IDR |
| Pelni long-distance | 100,000-200,000 | 200,000-500,000 | 300,000-700,000 IDR |
Vehicle transport via Indonesian ferries is one of the cheapest forms of overland travel in Southeast Asia. The system works well — just plan ahead, bring documents, and don't underestimate the boarding buffer.