Transport guide · How to get from Padang Bai (Bali) to Lembar (Lombok)
ASDP operates overnight passenger ferries from Padang Bai (Bali) to Lembar (Lombok) departing approximately 7 PM and 11 PM, with the crossing taking 4-5 hours. Economy class costs 50,000 IDR, business class 70,000-80,000 IDR. The night ferry is preferred by budget travelers, scooter shippers, and travelers wanting to save a hotel night, though sleep quality is poor.
| Method | Time | Cost | Comfort | Frequency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Night ferry — economy class | 4-5 hours | 50,000 IDR per person | Approx. 7 PM and 11 PM departures | Budget backpackers, sleep-anywhere travelers | |
| Night ferry — business class | 4-5 hours | 70,000-80,000 IDR per person | Same departures, separate seating | Couples, light sleepers, those willing to pay slightly more | |
| Vehicle ferry (with overnight option) | 4-5 hours | 50,000 IDR scooter / 200,000-400,000 IDR car | Same departures, vehicle deck loading | Scooter and car owners crossing between islands |
4-5 hours · 50,000 IDR per person
Tip: Bring earplugs, eye mask, and a sweater — air conditioning runs cold. Sleep quality is poor but possible.
4-5 hours · 70,000-80,000 IDR per person
Tip: The 20,000-30,000 IDR upgrade is worth it for the seat alone. Still not comfortable but markedly better than economy.
4-5 hours · 50,000 IDR scooter / 200,000-400,000 IDR car
Tip: Best option for travelers shipping scooters or cars between islands. Vehicle deck has limited space — arrive early in peak season.
Take business class — the 20,000-30,000 IDR upgrade transforms a brutal night into a tolerable one with reclining seats. Bring earplugs, eye mask, and a sweater (air conditioning runs cold). Avoid the night ferry if you're seasickness-prone — fast boats run during the day for a reason. Best use case: budget travelers saving a hotel night, or scooter/car shippers needing the cheaper rate.
# Night Ferry Bali to Lombok: The Budget Crossing Strategy
The overnight ferry from Padang Bai to Lembar is one of Lombok's least-discussed transport options, but it's a fixture for budget travelers, scooter shippers, and anyone trying to save a hotel night. The 4-5 hour crossing means you depart Bali in the evening and arrive Lombok overnight — saving accommodation cost at the trade-off of poor sleep.
This is the practical guide.
ASDP (Indonesian state ferry operator) runs scheduled passenger ferries 24/7 between Padang Bai (East Bali) and Lembar (West Lombok). Standard daytime departures are roughly 7 AM, 11 AM, 3 PM. Night departures are typically 7 PM and 11 PM.
Schedule reality:
Schedules shift seasonally and can be canceled in rough weather. Always confirm same-day at terminal or via ASDP customer service.
Reason 1: Save a hotel night
Hotel in Bali night before fast boat departure costs 200,000-1,000,000 IDR. Night ferry departure 7 PM means you skip that night entirely.
Reason 2: Cheap vehicle shipping
Scooters cross for 50,000 IDR, cars 200,000-400,000 IDR. Same as day ferries but no daytime queues.
Reason 3: Avoid daytime travel time
Day ferry takes 4-5 hours of your active travel day. Night ferry uses sleep time instead.
Reason 4: Calmer sea (sometimes)
In dry season trade-wind months (June-September), evening winds drop. Night crossings are often calmer than 2-4 PM departures.
Reason 1: Poor sleep
Plastic seats or reclining seats aren't beds. You arrive Lombok exhausted.
Reason 2: Awkward Lombok arrival
Arriving Lembar at 11 PM or 4 AM is logistically painful. Drivers, hotels, and transport options are limited.
Reason 3: Air conditioning
Indonesian ferries run AC at full blast on overnight crossings. Wear long sleeves or bring a sweater.
Reason 4: Limited food
Onboard food vendors close after 9 PM. Buy snacks at Padang Bai before boarding.
### 7 PM departure (most popular)
Pros:
Cons:
### 11 PM departure
Pros:
Cons:
Padang Bai is a 90-minute drive from south Bali (Kuta/Seminyak). Plan transit:
Arrive at terminal at least 60 minutes before departure for ticket purchase, security, and boarding. 90 minutes recommended for the 7 PM ferry (terminal gets busy with Gili-bound day-trippers returning).
Where: ASDP counter inside the passenger terminal (look for blue "ASDP" branding)
Payment: Cash IDR only — no cards, no foreign currency
ID required: Yes, passport or KTP (Indonesian ID)
Walk-up purchase: Always available, no advance booking needed
Class options:
Essential:
Optional:
11 PM-12 AM arrival:
3-4 AM arrival:
Pre-arrange your Lembar pickup: Tell your Lombok accommodation your ETA. Most can arrange driver pickup for 250,000-450,000 IDR.
| Option | Total cost (Bali → Senggigi) | Time | Sleep quality |
|--------|------------------------------|------|---------------|
| Night ferry + driver | 350,000-500,000 IDR | 8-9 hours | Poor |
| Day fast boat + Bali hotel | 800,000-1,500,000 IDR | 1 day + transit | Excellent |
| Flight Denpasar-LOP + driver | 1,200,000-2,000,000 IDR | 2 hours | N/A |
| Day slow ferry + Bali hotel | 400,000-600,000 IDR | 1 day + transit | Excellent |
Take the night ferry if you're:
Skip the night ferry if you're:
There are no scheduled night fast boats from Bali to Gili Islands. Some operators occasionally run private night charters at high cost (5,000,000+ IDR) for emergency or special requests, but standard scheduled fast boats only run during daylight hours due to navigation hazards in the Lombok Strait.
If you need to reach Gili overnight from Bali, the only option is night ferry to Lembar, then driver Lembar to Bangsal (1 hour), then morning fast boat Bangsal to Gili.
Same logistics in reverse. Night ferries depart Lembar at similar times (7 PM, 11 PM, sometimes additional 9 PM). Arrival in Padang Bai is around midnight or 4 AM. Same low-comfort, same cost, same logistical considerations.
If you have a morning flight from Bali (Denpasar), the 11 PM Lembar departure works — arrive Padang Bai 4 AM, driver to airport 6 AM, check-in for 9-10 AM flight.
The night ferry is a budget-traveler tool, not a tourist convenience. Use it when the cost savings or vehicle shipping requirement justifies the discomfort. Otherwise, the day fast boat is dramatically more pleasant for 600,000-800,000 IDR more total.