Travelling to and from Kuta Lombok
Ten years ago, Lombok was only served by a number of flights from Jakarta and Bali and the local network of ferries, fast boats, and charter boats.
With a massive push from the central government into Lombok tourism and the addition of the International Mandalika Street Circuit, we have seen a huge increase in accessibility to the island.
Getting to Lombok from within Indonesia and outside Indonesia has never been easier, and it looks like it’s getting better.
Prior to the COVID pandemic, international flights were extended on a monthly basis to the new Lombok International Airport, which is located 25 minutes away from the town of Kuta and Villa Amani.
We have summed up a list of transport essentials for you when planning your journey; please bear in mind that some of these roots and itineraries may be affected by COVID-19 restrictions, so check first with your embassy or travel agent.
By Air
Lombok now has an international airport, and prior to the pandemic it was welcoming flights from Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Qatar, and mainland China.
Most of these international flights were operating on a daily basis, and we hope for them to resume shortly.
Airlines serving Lombok airport up until the pandemic were AirAsia, Garuda, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Tiger Airways, and Virgin Blue.
A common way to get to Lombok is also to fly via Jakarta or Bali and take a connecting domestic flight, which takes between 30 and 1.5 hours.
There are a range of domestic airlines in Indonesia; however, we suggest using the national flag carrier Garuda as they are generally on time, have a better service experience, and have better international connections.
Domestic rates have continued throughout the pandemic, and we now see tens of flights a day coming from Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Jogja, and other key Indonesian cities.
By Sea
Indonesia has a good network of local ferries, which you can travel on by foot, car, or public transport. The ferries leave from Bali and neighboring islands for Lombok, and times vary depending on weather and tidal conditions. The ferry is a cheap and memorable way to travel; if you intend to drive from BALI, this is your only option.
When in Lombok
Traveling in Lombok with public transport is very limited, so we always suggest that you either self-drive on a bike or car or rent a car and driver for the duration of your trip, which can be arranged by the team at Villa Amani.
When in Kuta, the easiest way to travel is by motorcycle or car. Be sure to carry an international driving license in case you get stopped by the police. The police are less aggressive than the police in Bali, where there are far more road users.
Continue your journey from Lombok.
Lombok is a great staging post to explore the other islands in the southern archipelago, such as Sumba, Sumbawa, and Flores.
It is possible to take ferries on bikes or cars from Lombok, and there are also a number of domestic flights leaving from Lombok to other islands.
