West Lombok

Public buses and bemo run to and from the west coast and the city of Mataram.The northern areas feed in through Tanjung with limited services further north from Bayan connecting down the west coast.Other northern services connect through Tanjung, then onward via Pemenang, through Pusuk pass and onward via Gunung Sari to Mataram, Sweta and to the Central region and on to the south and the east of the island.From the central areas toward Praya, the eastern coast and the southern beaches including Kuta and Sekotong the bus and bemo system can be a little complex and bewildering.A bus terminal in the the Sweta district just east of the main city of Mataram and Cakranegara serves West Lombok but there are also many smaller regional bemo hubs such as that found at the Ampenan pasar and other regional markets.As the system feeding into and traversing the West Lombok region is somewhat confusing most visitors choose private car options, minibus operators, boat services or Lombok's quite reliable radio despatched taxi service to get from point to point on the island.

Fast ferry services are increasing in number with several operators providing a crossing from Pandangbai in Bali to Gili Trangawan. Many Lombok visitors are now using this alternative to the larger and slower vehicular ferries and the aircraft services arriving at Lombok's airport in Ampenan.Many are new start ups and there have recently been some operational safety issues with some of the entrants to this Lombok Strait sea route. Potential users of these services should research their options well.

Speedboats to Teluk Nare and Senggigi provide quick and expedient onward services from the Gili islands to the Lombok mainland.

Traditional outrigger boat charters also provide connections through to Bangsal, Mangsit beach and Senggigi beach from the three Gili Islands.

A public ferry service run by a local co-operative travels between the Gilli Islands and Bangsal harbour.Please see the Bangsal article for more detail on those services.Limited charter operations also move people between the Medana peninsular to provide services to the 5 star Oberoi Resort and the new Lombok Lodge, both whom have basic landing facilities.

Public vehicular and passenger ferries

Lombok strait

Lembar Lombok - from: Padangbai, Bali, with 12 ferries providing crossings once every hour.

Alat Strait: Labuhan Lombok

from: Pototano, Sumbawa with 8 ferries providing 18 crossings per day.

Disruptions and re-scheduling can occur on any of these sea crossings as the shipping operators may suspend services due to breakdown or heavy seas.

Lembar arrivals by ferry from Bali may find that only limited services are available to connect to through to Praya in Central Lombok, southeast toward Kuta or north toward the city of Mataram and the West Lombok tourism precincts of Senggigi, Gili Islands Tanjung and on to North Lombok.Taxis service the port area and bemo run during the day. Some visitors prefer to make prior arrangements for onward connections to their final destination in Lombok.Please see the Lembar article for details.

Selaparang Airport AMI is on the north west edge of the city of Mataram.Please see the main Lombok article for more detailed information on the current airport.

Airport taxis travel into West Lombok and are available to arriving passengers at Selaparang Airport. Payment is by pre-purchase of a fixed price coupon at a dedicated Airport Taksi desk at both the domestic and the international terminals. Make sure to be clear about your exact destination and to select the correct zone and payment for the prepaid vouchers. Only the Airport Taksi service are permitted to provide services to arriving passengers from within the airport grounds.

Airport pick-up, the established hotels and resorts of the West Lombok area may offer pick up's and transfers to and from the airport or other locations in Lombok. You will need to enquire at the hotels for this service and ensure you book ahead.