Logistics in Lombok and the Gili Islands break down into two distinct systems depending on whether you are on the main island or on the atolls.
On Lombok, distances are significant and public transport is essentially non-existent for visitors. The most flexible option is renting a scooter (80,000-120,000 IDR per day, USD 5-8) from Mataram or Senggigi — but be careful: roads outside the tourist zones can be in poor condition, and accident rates among visiting riders are non-trivial. For day trips to the southern beaches, count on 1 to 1h30 from Mataram or Senggigi. Hiring a car with driver (600,000-800,000 IDR per day) is the most comfortable choice for families and small groups. Grab and Gojek work in the urban areas (Mataram, Senggigi) but are absent in the south and on the mountain roads to Rinjani.
Fast boats link the three Gili Islands several times a day: Gili Trawangan to Gili Air in 10-15 minutes, Gili Trawangan to Gili Meno in 10. Cidomos (horse carts) and bicycles are the only allowed forms of transport on each island — no cars, no scooters. Renting a bike costs 50,000-80,000 IDR per day on Gili Trawangan. The full bike loop of Gili Trawangan takes about 45 minutes.
From Bali, fast boats (Gili Cat, Eka Jaya) leave Padangbai, Serangan or Sanur and arrive directly at Gili Trawangan or Gili Air. The crossing takes 1h45 to 2h30 and costs 400,000-700,000 IDR (USD 25-45) per person. Book online in advance during July and August. The alternative is a 30-minute flight from Denpasar to Lombok and then a local fast boat from Bangsal (the northern Lombok port, 30 minutes from the Gilis).
For a sense of distances on Lombok: airport (LOP) to Mataram, 25 minutes by taxi. Mataram to the port of Bangsal (north, where Gili boats leave), 1 hour. Mataram to the southern beaches (Kuta Lombok, Tanjung Aan), 1h15 to 1h30. Senggigi to Bangsal, 45 minutes. From Bangsal to Gili Trawangan, the public boat (cidomo boat) takes 30-40 minutes for 15,000 IDR; a private speedboat covers the same crossing in 20 minutes for 150,000-200,000 IDR. The port of Bangsal is the main transit hub between Lombok and the Gilis — beware of touts trying to sell tickets at inflated prices outside the official booking office.
For reaching the Rinjani trailheads, two gateway villages exist. Senaru, in the north-west (2 hours from Mataram), is the more popular launch point and offers a gradual ascent through tropical forest. Sembalun, on the east side (2h30 from Mataram), sits at higher elevation and gives more direct access to the summit — often the choice for 2-day climbs. Most agencies route the climb up via Sembalun and down via Senaru (or vice versa), which lets trekkers cross two contrasting landscapes.
For travellers stitching Bali, the Gili Islands and Lombok together in a single itinerary, the smoothest logistical loop is: arrive in Bali → fast boat from Padangbai to Gili Trawangan (2h30) → inter-island boats around the Gilis → fast boat from Gili Trawangan to Bangsal on Lombok → explore southern Lombok and the Rinjani trek → fly from Lombok (LOP) back to Bali (30 minutes) for the return long-haul. This circuit avoids backtracking and maximises time at each stop.
Read also
- Gili Trawangan, the jewel of the Gilis — Sea turtles, crystal-clear diving and a festive vibe on the car-free coral atoll.
- Lombok, the wild island — Mount Rinjani, empty southern beaches and Sasak culture far from the Bali crowds.
- Bali — The Island of the Gods, 35 km to the west: culture, surf and temples at sunset.
- Indonesia — Complete guide to the archipelago: visa, best season and unmissable islands.