Transport guide · How to get from Padang Bai Bali Port to Lombok / Gili Islands
Padang Bai is Bali's east coast port serving public ferries to Lembar (Lombok mainland) and fast boats to Gili Trawangan. From central Bali (Ubud, Seminyak, Canggu), it's a 1.5-2 hour drive. Used by most Bali-based travelers heading to Lombok or the Gili Islands.
| Method | Time | Cost | Comfort | Frequency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast boat to Gili Trawangan | 2 hours | 350,000-550,000 IDR | Multiple morning and afternoon departures | Bali travelers heading to Gili Islands | |
| Public ferry to Lembar (Lombok) | 4-5 hours | 70,000-110,000 IDR foot passenger | Multiple daily departures | Vehicle transport, extreme budget travel |
2 hours · 350,000-550,000 IDR
Tip: Pre-book reputable operators only. Avoid no-name boats with safety question marks.
4-5 hours · 70,000-110,000 IDR foot passenger
Tip: Used primarily by vehicle transport and budget travelers. Slower but cheaper than fast boats.
From Padang Bai, fast boats to Gili Trawangan are the right choice for tourist trips (2 hours, 350-550k IDR). Use the public ferry to Lembar only for vehicle transport or extreme budget travel. Pre-book fast boat tickets through reputable operators (Eka Jaya, Blue Water Express, Wahana Express) — avoid no-name boats.
# Padang Bai Bali Port: Lombok Gateway from East Bali
Padang Bai is the east coast Bali port that handles boat transport to Lombok and the Gili Islands. For Bali-based travelers planning a Lombok trip without flying, Padang Bai is the standard departure point. Located on Bali's east coast, it's 1.5-2 hours from central Bali destinations like Ubud, Canggu, Seminyak, and Sanur.
Two main transport types:
Fast boats to Gili Trawangan: 2-hour direct crossings on modern speedboats. Multiple operators (Eka Jaya, Blue Water Express, Wahana Express) with morning and afternoon departures. Cost 350,000-550,000 IDR per person. The standard tourist route.
Public ferry to Lembar: 4-5 hour crossings on basic Indonesian inter-island ferries. Vehicle transport, budget travelers. Cost 70,000-110,000 IDR per person.
The drive from central Bali to Padang Bai takes 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic and starting point:
Pre-book a Bali driver for the morning transfer. Most boat departures are between 8 AM and noon, requiring a 6-7 AM Bali departure. Bali driver cost: 400,000-600,000 IDR for the one-way transfer.
Three main operators dominate the Padang Bai → Gili Trawangan route with reasonable safety records:
Eka Jaya: Largest fleet, multiple daily departures, well-known brand. Fares 350,000-450,000 IDR.
Blue Water Express: Premium service, better boats, slightly higher fares. 400,000-550,000 IDR.
Wahana Express: Established operator, good reputation. 350,000-450,000 IDR.
Avoid smaller no-name operators with cheap fares (200,000-300,000 IDR) — they often have older boats, single engines, and questionable safety standards. The 100-150k IDR savings isn't worth the risk on open water crossings.
Bali-Lombok fast boat safety has improved significantly since incidents in the mid-2010s drew international attention. Today, reputable operators have:
Red flags for unsafe operators:
Stick to the named operators above and check recent reviews before booking.
The port is functional but not particularly comfortable. Expect:
Arrive at the operator office 30-45 minutes before departure for check-in and boarding. Boat departures are scheduled but flexible — sometimes 15-20 minutes late depending on conditions.
The same operators run reverse routes from Gili Trawangan or Senggigi/Bangsal/Teluk Nare back to Padang Bai. Pre-book at your Lombok accommodation or at boat operator offices on the islands.
When you arrive back at Padang Bai, you'll need a Bali driver to take you to your next destination. Pre-book this from Lombok before departure to avoid the Padang Bai taxi tout scene on arrival.
Most international travelers structure their Indonesia trip as combined Bali + Lombok visits. Typical flow:
This combined approach justifies the long-haul travel investment by giving exposure to two distinct destinations.