Getting around Lombok

The lay of the land

Kuta (Mandalika) is the base for South Lombok. Within 45 minutes you have a dozen beaches and surf breaks; the airport is 35 minutes north; Mataram an hour; Senggigi 90 minutes; the Gili boats 2 hours; Rinjani 3.5 hours. Roads in the south are mostly sealed and quiet, with cows, dogs and potholes as the main hazards.

Scooter

IDR 60,000–100,000 per day. The default for backpackers and surfers, and great for short hops around Kuta. The honest downsides: no licence checks at rental time but police checkpoints on the airport road do check (you need an international permit with a motorcycle endorsement), surfboards on racks in crosswinds, and Lombok’s hospitals are far from the south coast. Most travel insurance will not cover you without the correct licence.

Private driver

Priced per car by the half or full day, fuel included. For anything beyond Gerupuk or Tanjung Aan, a car with driver splits four ways to less than scooters, carries boards and bags, has aircon, and comes with someone who knows the tracks to Mawi and where the checkpoint is today. See private driver hire.

Grab and Gojek

Work well in Mataram and Senggigi, patchily in Kuta town (a few cars, longer waits), and not at all on the beaches or at the airport. Useful for a short ride to dinner, not for a plan.

Bemo and DAMRI

Bemos (shared minivans) link villages and markets but do not go where tourists go and stop by mid-afternoon. DAMRI runs airport buses to Kuta, Mataram and Senggigi. That is about it for public transport.

Boats

Gerupuk, Ekas and the Sekotong breaks need a local boat (IDR 100,000–600,000). Bangsal is the harbour for the three Gilis; Tawun for the secret Gilis in the south-west; Lembar for the Bali ferry.

Distances from Kuta

Our honest take

Rent a scooter for Kuta town and the two nearest beaches if you are licensed and confident. For everything else, four people in a car with a local driver is cheaper, safer and you see more.