Transport guide · How to get from Senggigi to Lembar Ferry Port
Senggigi to Lembar harbor is 35 km and takes 60 minutes by car via Mataram. Private driver costs 200,000-300,000 IDR. Lembar is the main passenger ferry port for Bali (Padang Bai), so this route serves travelers using public ferries instead of fast boats. Allow 90 minutes total transfer time including ferry check-in.
| Method | Time | Cost | Comfort | Frequency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private driver | 60 minutes | 200,000-300,000 IDR | On demand | All travelers heading to ferry departures | |
| Grab car | 60 minutes | 180,000-280,000 IDR | App-based, OK Senggigi pickup | Solo travelers without much luggage | |
| Public bemo | 1.5-2 hours | 30,000-50,000 IDR | Daytime, multiple connections | Budget solo travelers without much luggage | |
| Hotel shuttle (Senggigi luxury hotels) | 60-90 minutes | Free or 200,000 IDR | Some hotels run scheduled ferry shuttles | Luxury hotel guests |
60 minutes · 200,000-300,000 IDR
Tip: Drivers know the back-route shortcut around Mataram congestion that saves 10-15 min versus Google Maps.
60 minutes · 180,000-280,000 IDR
Tip: Grab from Senggigi works fine for Lembar. Some drivers add 'long trip' surcharge if no return fare expected — verify before agreeing.
1.5-2 hours · 30,000-50,000 IDR
Tip: Wait times between bemos can be 20-40 minutes. Plan a 3-hour buffer before ferry departure.
60-90 minutes · Free or 200,000 IDR
Tip: Higher-end Senggigi hotels (Sheraton, Holiday Resort) run free shuttles for guests catching specific ferries. Confirm at front desk.
Take a private driver — at 200,000-300,000 IDR for 60 minutes, it's the right balance of cost and reliability for ferry-bound travelers. Allow at least 90 minutes total before your ferry departure: 60 min drive + 20 min check-in/parking + 10 min walk to boarding gate. Avoid bemos because the multi-connection wait times make missing your ferry too easy.
# Senggigi to Lembar Harbor: The Ferry-Bound Route
Lembar is Lombok's main public ferry harbor for Bali — slow, cheap passenger ferries to Padang Bai cross 4-5 times per day. The 35 km trip from Senggigi takes 60 minutes by car via Mataram, making this a standard transfer for budget travelers and locals.
This route is distinct from the Senggigi-to-Bangsal route (for fast boats to Gili Islands) — different harbor, different boat type, different traveler profile.
Most foreign tourists use Bangsal harbor and fast boats for Bali because:
Lembar makes sense when:
The slow ferry takes 4-5 hours versus the fast boat's 2-3 hours, but the cost difference is dramatic.
Phase 1 — Senggigi → Mataram (15 km, 25 min)
The coast road from Senggigi south through Mangsit, Batu Layar, and Meninting. Light traffic except at Meninting market mornings.
Phase 2 — Mataram → Sekarbela (10 km, 15 min)
Through Mataram's southern districts (Cakranegara, Karang Pule). Drivers familiar with the area use back roads to avoid main road congestion.
Phase 3 — Sekarbela → Lembar (10 km, 20 min)
Standard Lembar bypass road through Gerung. Final approach to harbor zone.
Note: The actual ferry terminal is 1 km past Lembar town center. Some drivers drop passengers at the town and don't drive into the harbor area without instruction.
The harbor has two zones:
Tourists almost always want the passenger terminal. The buildings are clearly signed but adjacent.
Ticket purchase:
Departure schedule (subject to change):
For 11 AM ferry: Leave Senggigi by 9 AM (gives 2-hour buffer)
For 3 PM ferry: Leave by 1 PM
For 7 PM ferry: Leave by 5 PM (Mataram rush traffic)
Avoid 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM departures — Mataram rush adds 30 minutes.
Lembar is a working port, not a tourist facility. Expect:
Bring water, snacks, headphones. The wait can be 30-90 minutes if your driver got you there early.
| Method | Cost (driver) | Cost (ferry tickets) | Total |
|--------|---------------|---------------------|-------|
| Private driver + passenger ferry | 200,000-300,000 | 50,000 | 250,000-350,000 |
| Grab + ferry | 180,000-280,000 | 50,000 | 230,000-330,000 |
| Bemo + ferry | 30,000-50,000 | 50,000 | 80,000-100,000 |
| Hotel shuttle + ferry | 0-200,000 | 50,000 | 50,000-250,000 |
Compare to fast boat from Bangsal: 1,000,000-1,500,000 IDR total (driver + fast boat ticket).
If you're shipping a scooter or car:
This is the standard route for travelers shipping their own scooter between islands.
The ferry arrives at Padang Bai in east Bali. From there:
Padang Bai has its own taxi mafia — agree on price before boarding.