travel wise lombok

Katie Caf Travel

How to Take a Komodo Boat Trip from Lombok to Flores: AKA the “Backpackers Boat”

Taking an ultra-budget Komodo Boat Tip from Lombok to Flores should be a part of every backpacker’s Bali itinerary. The boat from Lombok to Flores is bare-bones, with absolutely no frills – I can’t state this enough! There’s no AC, you sleep on a mat on the floor with 20-something other people, and the toilet has to be flushed with a bucket of water, (there are also only two toilets, for 30-some people!). That being said, it’s a lot of fun and the #1 tour I recommend to everyone traveling in Indonesia.

✔️ Essential Info

• 💵 Price: 3,200,000 IDR – 3,600,000 IDR including Komodo National Park fee
• 📍 Location: Boats sail to/from Lombok and Labuan Bajo, Flores
• ⏳ Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
• 👉 Note! Tours don’t run from January-March (Rainy Season)
• 📆 Departures from Lombok: Every Monday and Thursday
• 📆 Departures from Flores: Every Monday and Friday
• ✈️ ⛴️ Getting to Lombok from Bali: 1-hour flight or speed boat/local ferry
• ✈️ Getting to Flores from Bali: 1-hour flight
• 🏆 Best tour company: I recommend Wanua Adventure
• 📧 How to book: [email protected] m

Where Is Komodo Island Located?

Komodo Island is located in Komodo National Park, which is a cluster of islands off the coast of Flores. Flores is an island in the Indonesian Archipelago that belongs to the East Nusa Tenggara Province. You can see on the map that Komodo & Flores are far east of the island of Bali, where most travelers fly to. The islands of Lombok and Sumbawa lie between Bali and Komodo National Park, making overland transport between the two islands difficult.

How To Get To Komodo From Bali

The Backpackers Boat departs from Lombok or Labuan Bajo, Flores. You can choose between sailing from Flores to/from Lombok, depending on what fits your itinerary better. 👉 Read my more detailed guide on how to get to/from Bali to the Komodos

• Departing from Lombok , You can get to Lombok from Bali by ferry, fast boat, or flight. If you’re flying into Lombok Airport, it’s located outside of Kuta Lombok, which is a nice surfer town. I recommend visiting the Komodos after the Gili Islands, so the itinerary would look like Bali > Fast boat to the Gili Islands > Ferry to Lombok > Embark for Komodo .

👉 Note: Your overland shuttle transfer through Lombok from Kuta or the Gilis should be organized by your Komodo Boat Tour provider.

• Departing from Labuan Bajo, Flores: You can only get from Bali to Flores by flight, but the flights are inexpensive (typically less than $50) and less than 1 hour.

👉 Note! Because the cruise is not round trip, you will have to fly between Flores and Bali once regardless of which port you depart from.

Best Time To Visit Komodo National Park

Komodo Cruises typically don’t run during the peak of the wet season, Jan – March.   Indonesia doesn’t have winter, spring, summer, and fall – instead, they only have two seasons: the dry and the wet. You’ll want to visit Komodo National Park during the dry season which stretches from April – to October. I sailed in Komodo at the beginning of the wet season in November and didn’t have any problems with the weather personally, but the people who sailed the weekend before me in mid-November had it rain the whole weekend! 

Do You Need A Tour To Visit Komodo?

YES – You 100% need a tour to enter Komodo National Park. It’s actually  illegal  to visit the Komodo Islands without a guide, plus they can only be accessed via boat. So, it’s not a DIY kind of tourist location and you need a tour. 

Is Komodo worth visiting from Bali?

Komodo National Park is not an  easy  place to visit from Bali, since you need multiple days to explore the Komodo Islands + you have to take a short flight to Flores. But, in my personal opinion, it’s one of the most worthwhile things you can do in Indonesia.

12 Reasons You Should Take A Komodo Boat Tour from Lombok To Flores 

I have been full time traveling for over a year at the time of writing this and there have been so many “Instagram vs. Reality” disappointments that I felt myself getting  kinda  jaded. I’m happy to report that not only did the Komodo National Park sailing trip live up to my expectations, but it also  surpassed  them.

The trip to Komodo from Lombok is now my favorite tour I’ve ever taken in a year and a half of full-time travel! Every. Single. Day of the 4-day tour was a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience – I’ve never done anything like it before, and it’s left me with a need to start exploring Indonesia’s other amazing islands outside of Bali stat .

1. You Get To Swim With Whale Sharks (!!!) 

Swimming with the wild whale sharks was the highlight of the whole trip for me, and the reason I originally picked the tour that goes from Lombok to Flores over the tour that only sails within Komodo National Park (and then I did that one right after !). At 6 in the morning, the whole boat wakes up to the most GORGEOUS sunrise and a  giant  whale shark swimming around the boats. Our tour guide was honest with us, these are wild animals – sometimes they’re there, sometimes they’re not. Occasionally there will be up to 5 whale sharks at once, other times none! 

I think we were pretty lucky because there was one whale shark present for our encounter, and one was honestly enough for me! Even though whale sharks are considered “gentle giants”, I think having a 5 swimming all over would have been kinda intimidating because they are  huge . The whale shark was very curious and was swimming up to get fed and then going all around the boats and people snorkeling. 

🚩  Ethical Issues  – About animal welfare, know that the whale sharks are fed for this experience. I’m always conflicted about “animal encounter” things. It’s slightly comforting that Whale Sharks aren’t predatory animals, they filter plankton and other super small fish, so by feeding them people aren’t  necessarily  making them unequipped to survive in the wild – but it’s still something to keep in mind when deciding to participate in the activity or not! 

2. Visit the Pink Beach 

Komodo’s Pink Beach gets its candy-hued sand from the ground-up coral. The pink color is made bolder when it’s wet, so you’ll find the most beautiful pink sand at the ocean’s edge. In addition to being pink, I found Pink Beach was all-around one of the nicest beaches I’ve visited in Indonesia. There’s great snorkeling off the coast of the beach, and the white/pink sand coupled with  impossibly blue  water made for the perfect setting. 

Everyone gets disappointed when we first see the beach because it looks like normal white sand from the boat, but as you get closer you can see the whole strip of beach by the water is  bright pink!  If you want to find a good snorkel spot at Pink Beach, once you dock you’ll want to go towards the right of the beach. If you want to see where the sand is the pinkest, go more towards the left side.

🛶 When I took the nicer Komodo Cruise my second time going they had kayaks available for us to use at Pink Beach and it was  so much fun! 

3. Get  Really  Close With 30-ish People 

If you take the backpacker’s Komodo Cruise from Lombok to Flores you will be sleeping on a mat on the floor with  roughly  30 other people. There are around 6 private cabins available on each boat for a small additional fee (I think it was around $30 per person to get a private cabin), but they’re right above the engine and most people report a better sleeping experience in the common room. 

There’s no AC, and while the cabins and common room are unbearably hot in the daytime, you will be doing activities outside of the boat anyway! The good thing about the kinda cramped conditions on the boat is that it allows you to make friends  fast  with your boat mates. That’s why I recommend taking the Backpackers’ Boat from Lombok to Flores to solo travelers! 

4. It’s An Extremely Cheap Trip (Even By Bali Standards!) 

💰For my 4-day / 3-night Komodo Islands Cruise from Lombok to Flores, I only paid around $50 per day. This included all meals, accommodation, tour guides, activities, and the entrance fee to Komodo National Park. Of course, it was so cheap because I was sleeping on a mat with 30 other people, the toilet flushed with a bucket, and we were eating mostly rice, tofu, and cabbage,  but still!!!!  Taking the backpackers’ cruise from Lombok to Flores is a very affordable option.

Budget Tip:  My Komodo boat trip from Lombok to Flores actually included a ferry ticket from Gili Air and Gili T, and then cross-island van transportation to the port in Lombok where the tour set off – making it the  perfect  addition to any Bali > Gilis > Komodo itinerary. 

5. You Can Sleep Under The Stars On The Open Ocean 

So, the sleeping arrangements on the backpackers’ boat aren’t ideal – I’ll admit that. The mats have 0 space between them, so unless you sleep like a mummy with your hands crossed over your chest or by your side it can get a  little  cramped. After the first night, people started bringing their mats outside to sleep on the deck, which freed up some (much-needed) space in the main room for everyone else and was also a  super cool  way to spend the night.  

💸 When I took the nicer Komodo Island Cruise a few weeks later I had a proper comfy bed  with  AC , but no option to sleep under the stars. If comfort is a priority for you I would recommend booking a 🚢 Luxury Komodo Cruise for around the same price! (I paid $50 more for a bunk-bed room).

6. They Let You Jump Off The Boat! 

My favorite part about the backpackers’ cruise from Lombok to Flores is that they didn’t really care what you did. Is that bad to say??? Haha. Basically, it went like this: 

“Can I jump off the boat?”

*Shrug*”sure” 

“Can I jump off the roof of the boat?”

“Go for it”. 

On some nicer (i.e. more expensive) boat tours, they might be fretting about the passengers’ safety, worried about bad reviews, etc, but on the backpackers’ boat, they  just didn’t care . 

As long as you weren’t going to do something  really  stupid or dangerous, the tour operators were chill about things like jumping off the boat, which wound up being one of the most fun memories from the trip! 

7. See Komodo Dragons Up-Close 

This is part of every Komodo tour, and I’m going to be 100% honest – I t’s the most disappointing part of the trip.   I’ve been to Komodo Island to see the dragons  twice  now and I can say with complete and total honesty that it’s the  worst  activity you do on a Komodo Island Cruise. People come from all over the world to see the dragons, but they’re mostly just sleeping on the beach while throngs of tourists line up to pose behind them for a photo op. 

The locals on Komodo Island have  really  leaned into tourism, so after your photo opportunity you get harassed endlessly to buy some dragon-shaped trinkets, overpriced Bintangs, or t-shirts that say  “I survived Komodo Island.” 

It’s a cool experience to tick off a list, but if you’re going to do a Komodo National Park boat trip, do it for the amazing nature; swimming with whale sharks, giant manta rays, and sea turtles – the Komodo Dragons are kinda just  there . 

8. Enjoy Ice-Cold Bintangs In Beautiful Places!

Okay, so the super-cheap, super-dinky boat that goes from Lombok to Flores is known as the “Backpackers’ Komodo Cruise” as well as the “Party Komodo Cruise”. Enjoying an ice-cold Bintang while playing cards on the roof of the boat with Komodo National Park on either side is a fantastic memory I have of the trip. 

🍻 Fun Fact:  Bintang beer is essentially just Heineken beer that’s produced in Indonesia. 

9. Hike To The Viewpoint At Padar Island 

Very few places in the world actually look as amazing as the photos on Instagram, but Padar Island is one of them! We got to climb to Padar Island’s viewpoint, which is about a 20-minute trek straight up, at sunset on our second day. The view from the top of Padar Island is AMAZING, I really can’t overstate it. 

Tip: Pack decent shoes for this! People who just bought flip-flops were struggling on this half-hour hike.

10. Take a Short Hike to Kanawa Island’s Peak 

Kanawa Island is one of the most underrated in the whole of Komodo National Park (in my opinion). It’s super tiny viewpoint trek that only takes around 5-10 minutes and looks great in photos.

11. & Watch an Unreal Sunset

We climbed to the viewpoint at Kanawa Island at dusk and then watched the sunset from the boat. Kanawa Island at sunset looks unreal, like a screensaver that’s an AI-generated photo of paradise. 

12. Take in the Sights of Komodo One Last Time at Kelor Island

Kelor Island is the closest to Flores, where the boat tours start or end. Although Kelor doesn’t look like the most exciting island in Komodo, its viewpoint has a truly jaw-dropping view of the neighboring islands that looks exactly like the photos above. By the end of the trip, we were all tired from 4-days of activities, but I highly recommend mustering up the energy for this last hike – It’s so worth it!

4-Day / 3-Night Boat Trip Itinerary

• Set off from Lombok ferry port
• Hike to Kanawa Island’s viewpoint
• watch the sunset on Kanawa Island from your boat
• Wake up at 6 AM to snorkel with the wild whale sharks!
• Free time to swim and jump off the boat
• Komodo Island to see the Komodo dragons in the morning
• Swimming at Pink Beach in the afternoon 
• Hike to Padar Island’s viewpoint for sunset 

Day 4 

• Snorkeling in the morning 
• Climb to the Kelor Island viewpoint
• Dock at Labuan Bajo

How To Book The Backpackers’ Boat & How Much It Cost

The Backpackers’ Boat sailing trips that go from Lombok to Flores do not have an online booking option. They operate through word of mouth and usually only accept cash. I recommend the company Wanua Adventure, which you can email to reserve a spot. You have the option to book a general admission spot, which is basically just a mat on the deck, or a private cabin. The private cabins only cost $30-60 more than sleeping on the deck with everyone else, but they’re right above the engine and can get really hot and noisy.

📧 >>[email protected]

💰 Cost: The Komodo Tour from Lombok to Flores costs 3,200,000 Indonesian Rupiah in total, and includes entry tickets to Komodo National Park.

Which Tour Company to Use?

In general, the experience is 80% similar across all the companies that do the route. I did the tour with the company Travel Wise, and while I don’t regret it, there were some small issues like not having enough cups and snorkels for all the passengers. ➡ I recommend booking with Wanua Adventure, which is the most famous company.

My full review of travelwise

The backpackers’ boat is supposed to be a less glamorous and rough time, but there were a few times during our tour that just made me sigh. For example, there weren’t enough cups on board – there were only like 8 cups for 30+ people. 

So, in the morning everyone would want coffee and tea they put out for the passengers, but you couldn’t have any… because there were no cups. Similarly, there weren’t enough (working) snorkels for all the passengers – which really sucked because snorkeling was a huge part of the trip! 

We also had a bit of a problem with the alcohol people brought to the store in the cooler. Travel-Wise was having people operate on the honor system, as in “if you put 10 beers in the cooler, please just only take out 10 beers”, which is a bit hard to uphold with 30+ people drinking on a boat. 

On the last day, some Dutch passengers were very upset when they found out someone had drunk their Bintangs. On the other boats, there was a system where you write your name on your items in the cooler that seemed to work better. 

I was talking to a friend who did the tour with Wanua Adventure, and he said that his tour had none of these problems. 

It’s hard to know which company to go with because there’s very little written online about the Backpackers’ Boats that sail from Lombok to Flores. They’re not advertised online and mostly operate through word of mouth.  For the reasons I list above, if I were to do the tour again I would chose the company Wanua Adventure.

What To Bring

✅ Bintangs!  They don’t sell alcohol onboard the ships, and it’s quite a party boat – so you’ll want to bring your own Bintang beers and other drinks if you want to enjoy them onboard. I also recommend bringing a Sharpie to write your name on them so they don’t get confused with other passengers. 

✅  Reef-Safe Sunscreen  – I can’t overstate how  crazy  sunny it is in Komodo National Park, you’ll want to bring some high-strength sunscreen from home. They sell sunscreen in Labuan Bajo, but it’s insanely expensive and they don’t have any reef-safe options (which is necessary to protect the wildlife in Komodo).

✅  Snacks  – The food on the boat wasn’t great, I was skipping the breakfasts they were providing because I thought they were kinda nasty (one day was just pineapple on wonderbread covered in cold margarine 🤢). I recommend bringing some good snacks with you! 

✅  A Towel  – There’s a shower on board but towels aren’t provided. I’ve been using an XL Microfiber Camping Towel for two years and it’s big enough to use as a beach towel.

✅  Flippers + snorkel set  – If you’re taking the Backpackers’ Boat from Lombok to Flores they had  terrible  snorkels! And no fins. Sometimes the current is strong in Komodo and pretty much everyone wishes they brought their own fins.

✅ Proper shoes!!!  You don’t need trekking shoes for the Komodo Island Nature Walk or the trek up to the viewpoint on Padar, but I really wouldn’t suggest only bringing flip-flops! The people on the boat who only brought flip-flops were  really  struggling on these small hikes.

Katie Caf, founder of Katie Caf Travel, is a seasoned travel expert who has explored over 30 countries and lived abroad in places like Egypt, Morocco, Mexico, India, Indonesia Thailand, Europe, and the USA. Her goal is to help other traveler see the world by providing first-hand accounts of what to expect on the road.

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DETAILED Lombok Itinerary For The BEST Places to Visit in Lombok!

Categories Asia , Indonesia , Itinerary

Lombok Island is much less known and visited than its next-door neighbour of the Island of Bali but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t visit Lombok. In fact, this is the reason why you should visit Lombok and follow this Lombok itinerary!

Lombok feels wild and still untouched by tourism , however, there are still many things to do in Lombok and places to visit in Lombok for tourists.

This, combined with the fact that the roads are good meaning it’s great to explore Lombok by moped, and prices are much cheaper than Bali, makes Lombok the best and most underrated island in Indonesia I think. 

To help you see the best of Lombok here is my Lombok blog on the places you should visit in Lombok, whether you’re planning your 1 week Lombok itinerary or 2 week Lombok itinerary!

Lombok Itinerary

• Related Lombok Posts:
• How to Extend Your VOA in Lombok to a 60 Day Visa!
• The Perfect Bali, Gili Islands and Lombok Itinerary!
• How to Spend 3 Days in Gili Trawangan!
• 30 THINGS TO DO IN GILI TRAWANGAN!

Find What You're Looking For Easily Here:

Best time to visit Lombok

When is the best time to visit Lombok? Well, the first thing to know is that Lombok has 2 seasons.

Wet Season is from November to March and Dry Season is from April to October . You may think that dry season sounds more appealing but this means it is high season in Lombok during these months so it depends what you want when you’re thinking about when to visit Lombok.

Personally, I’d recommend the shoulder months as the best time to visit Lombok , because November, December and April bring less rain and also fewer tourists! I was in Lombok in December and we saw a bit of rain each day but it didn’t rain all day and is avoidable.

Related Post: If you want to see some of Bali and Lombok, here’s my 2 Week Bali, Gili Islands and Lombok itinerary!

Best Places to visit in Lombok

Gili islands.

3 – 7 Days

The Gili Islands of Gili Trawangan , Gili Air and Gili Meno and part of Lombok, not Bali which is often what people think. Therefore the Gili islands have to be included on this Lombok trip itinerary!

On your Gili Islands and Lombok itinerary , I suggest spending at least  3 nights on the Gili Islands , either by spending all nights on one island or 2 nights on Gili T and 1 night on Gili Air for example.

With that being said, it’s also easy to spend 1 week in Gili Trawangan and 1 week in the Gili islands because there are so many things to do, but it is also really chilled so if you have time, plan to spend a good few days here on your itinerary for Lombok.

RELATED POST: YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE 3 GILI ISLANDS!

Things to do in Gili Islands

Getting in the crystal clear water is one of the best things to do in the Gili island s so be sure to go out snorkelling or diving .

Hiring a bike is the best way to see Gili T and you can cycle around the island in just a few hours. Be sure to look out for the Instagram famous Gili T Swings .

Come evening, be sure to watch the sunset  on this Gili islands itinerary. The Gili islands are known for their sunsets and then head out for a drink to see some live music on the beac h or get ready for a big night out because the nightlife in Gili T is famous!

Related Post: 30 THINGS TO DO ON GILI T FOR EVERYONE!

PLANNING YOUR GILI ISLANDS TRIP

I lived on Gili Trawangan island for 6 months so I know it well! Here are my top posts to help you plan your trip:

• 30 TOP Things to do on Gili Trawangan !
• 3 Day Gili Trawangan Itinerary !
• 2 Week Gili Islands, Bali and Lombok itinerary !
• How to get around Gili T, Gili Air and Gili Meno by Boat ! Where to stay in Gili Trawangan – Best Hotels, Hostels & Villas !

How to get to the Gili Islands?

There are a few ways to get to the Gili Islands on this Lombok itinerary, you can come from Bali, Bali Airport, Lombok or Lombok Airport.

Bali to Gili Trawangan

The most popular route that people do is to land in Bali International Airport and then travel to Gili Trawangan.

There is only one port and pier in Bali where the boat from Bali to Gili Islands runs and that’s from Padang Bai in the North.

You can book a minibus and boat package which will pick you up from your Bali Hotel, take you to Padang Bai and then will take you to your boat over to the Gili Islands. The whole journey takes about 5 hours depending on where you’re staying in Bali and they leave 2 or 3 times a day. 

Lombok to Gili Trawangan

The Gili Islands are much closer to the island of Lombok than Bali so it is quicker and easier to get to Gili T, Gili Air and Gili Meno from Lombok than Bali.

Where to stay in the Gili Islands?

There is so much accommodation on Gili Trawangan and Gili Air for all budgets, from hostels to high-end beach resorts. 

Here is my guide to the best accommodation on the Gili Islands !

Bookig.com is also a great place to look for homestays and private Villas on the Gili Islands.

Senggigi and Klui

2 – 3 Days

After visiting the Gili Islands which are arguably the best place to visit in Lombok on your Lombok itinerary. Head to mainland Lombok .

There are regular boats leaving all 3 Gili islands to Lombok , the best thing to do is to get a local boat to Lombok early in the morning as this is the cheapest option and only takes 20 minutes. The pier in Lombok is called Bangsal Harbour .

From Bangsal, head slightly South staying along the West coast to Klui and/or Senggigi.

Where to stay in Senggigi?

If you want to stay in a really quiet place with a nice, wild beach, perfect for surfing, stay in Klui.  I recommend staying at  Diva Lombok Resort  or Jeeva Klui Resort as the best hotel in Klui.

If you want to stay somewhere with a holidaymaker feel to it with more hotels, restaurants and bars, but still with a nice beach, stay in Senggigi .

Things to do in Senggigi

If you want a surf lesson on this Lombok itinerary, go see my friends at Lombok Wave Surf Shack  in Klui for a lesson and a sunset chill, these are the best things to do in Klui and best things to do in Senggigi.

Related Post: Here’s my full blog post on things to do in Senggigi !

Most people think that the Gili islands are just Gili T, Gili Air and Gili Meno, but this is incorrect, there are lots more Gili islands, they just aren’t as popular.

From Senggigi, on this Lombok itinerary you can take a day trip to the really unknown Gili Islands of Gili Nanggu, Gili Kedis and Gili Sudak.

Gili Nanggu is known as a Paradise Island and the snorkelling is fantastic, this 7 hour day tour will pick you up in Senggigi and take you to white sand beaches, bays and crystal clear water:

Benang Stokel & Benang Kelambu Waterfalls

For a day trip in Lombok on your Lombok itinerary, head to  Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu Waterfalls . These are located close to Mount Rinjani and you have to travel through the lush green-ness of Central Lombok to see them including lots of rice terraces in Lombok. They will only take up half a day as the walk around these Lombok Waterfalls is not too long or too intense. 

Mount Rinjani

If you’re up for a challenge on your Lombok itinerary and want to go hiking in Lombok, Mount Rinjani is the answer! Mount Rinjani is the second-highest volcano in Indonesia and it is an active volcano. You have to hike up Mt Rinjani with a guide and it takes 2 nights and 3 days so be sure to plan this into your Lombok itinerary as you can’t do it in any less time.

It is a strenuous hike, but totally worth it! Here’s a look at a tour of Mount Rinjani that you can do:

If you don’t want to hike, going to Northern Lombok and staying in the area of Mount Rinjani is still a nice thing to do. Rinjani Lodge is a beautiful hotel with views over Mount Rinjani and they can help you with day tours to see the local area. Check out rates and availability for Rinjani Lodge here!

Kuta Lombok

2 – 5 Days

Kuta is the main backpacker hub on mainland Lombok so it when planning your backpacking Lombok itinerary, you should plan to spend a few days here! And if you backpacking Lombok, Pipes Hostel is a really great hostel in Kuta Lombok!

GETTING FROM BALI TO THE GILI ISLANDS

There is only one way to get from Bali to the Gili Islands and that’s my fast boat from Padang Bay.

You can wait until you arrive to book your boat or be organised and book it in advance here. Booking in advance is especially good during the summer and Christmas months!

BUY HERE: From Bali: 1-Way Boat Transfer to Gili Trawangan/Gili Air/Lombok

BUY HERE: From all Gili Islands: 1-Way Boat Transfer to Bali

How to get to Kuta Lombok?

Due to Kuta being the main hub, there are lots of taxis and buses available to take you there. If you have just hiked Mount Rinjani, your guide or hotel will be able to help you get to Kuta afterwards.

If you decide to visit Kuta first in Lombok, it is just a 30-minute journey from Lombok Praya International Airport to Kuta town.

Things to do in Kuta Lombok

If you are confident in riding a moped , this is by far the best way to get around Lombok and see all of the places near Kuta Lombok.

Surfing is one of the top things to do in Lombok and South Lombok is no different, you can go surfing on Kuta Beach which is close to the town.

These days there alongside the local warung restaurants in Kuta, there are lots of nice cafes and restaurants in Kuta serving Bali style Smoothie Bowls and avocado on toast so be sure to spend some time eating in the many cafes in Kuta Lombok.

The best Kuta tourist attractions are the beaches near Kuta Lombok .

For a unique surfing experience on your Lombok itinerary, head to Gerupuk where you take a boat out into the ocean and surf in the middle of the sea , it’s such a cool experience and tourist attraction in Lombok. When you arrive in Gerupuk you’ll see lots of shops offering lessons. This is the only place you can do this in Indonesia!

Tanjung Aan Beach

Tanjung Aan Beach is a beautiful white sand beach and is just 20 minutes from Kuta town. There are some swings on the beach which make for great photos and plenty of sunbeds to sunbathe on. This beach is a must-visit on your Lombok itinerary!

From Tanjung Aan Beach you can see smaller beach coves to the right and you can actually walk up the hill and down to them if you fancy adventuring to a private beach!

Make sure you also stick around for sunset and head up Merese Hill for sunset.

Selong Belank Beach

1 – 2 Days

For another beautiful quiet beach to visit on your Lombok itinerary , drive from Kuta to Selong Belank. The drive takes about 40 minutes and it is a beautiful drive, especially on a moped!

Selong Belank Beach is a white sand beach, also with plenty of sunbeds but what I love most about this beach is only part of the beach has restaurants a long it and you can easily walk to the end and be totally on your own.

Surfing in Selong Belank Beach is the most popular things to do in Selong Belank because the waves are good and there is no coral in the ocean meaning it’s super soft when you fall off! Go and see my friends at Aqia Surf Shop in Selong Belank Beach for a lesson with a great surf teacher!

Be sure to stay on Selong Belank until sunset because not only is the sunset amazing, just before sunset, you’ll see some farmers taking their water buffalo along the beach which is a pretty iconic scene and Selong Belank Beach is only 1 of 2 beaches you can see the water buffalo at sunset in Lombok .

When you are finally ready to leave Lombok whether thats after 5 days in Lombok, 1 week in Lombok, 10 days in Lombok or 2 weeks in Lombok, you can easily fly out of Lombok .

Lombok Praya International Airport is just 30 minutes away from Kuta in Lombok and you can book a transfer car to the airport here or once you are in Kuta. Lombok Airport and it is well connected to cities in Australia and South East Asia so I would recommend looking at flights on Skyscanner from here.

If there are no flights from Lombok to where you want to go, you can get cheap, internal flights from Lombok to Bali or elsewhere in Indonesia and fly elsewhere from there.

I hope you found this Lombok itinerary and the best places to visit in Lombok helpful!

• Here are more of my Indonesia blog posts to help you plan your trip:
• 2 Week Bali, Gili Islands and Lombok itinerary!
• Your Complete Guide To Visiting the Gili Islands!

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13 of the Absolute Best Things to do in Lombok Island, Indonesia!

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Home » 13 of the Absolute Best Things to do in Lombok Island, Indonesia!

Lombok Island in Indonesia surprised us. While exploring it, we wondered why so many tourists pass it by!

Honestly, it is such an easy and cheap destination to visit after your holiday in Bali; we do not understand why tourists still mainly undiscovered this island.

Not that we mind, as that was one of the things we loved about Lombok: the quiet, raw, wild island with its truly diverse landscape!

There are so many beautiful things to do in Lombok and incredible places to discover!

People there are on slow mode—except for when they are driving, maybe (which can be a little crazy)—so take your time as you check out all our suggestions of what to do in Lombok Island.

The Absolute Best Things to Do in Lombok Island, Indonesia!

It’s pretty easy to get from Bali to Lombok Island . You have the option of either taking a quick 30-minute flight or hopping on a fast boat ferry.

Once you arrive in Lombok, hiring a scooter to explore at your own pace is best.

We have grouped the activities and stops around two main locations in Lombok, Kuta and Senggigi. Let’s first look at the destinations and activities around Kuta.

 The Top Things to Do in Kuta, Lombok

The best way to explore the Kuta, Lombok region is, of course, by scooter. 

You will see loads of people buzzing around with scooters and surfboards, heading back and forth to some of the most beautiful beaches you might ever see.

We loved exploring this region and thought it was Lombok’s best area to explore with your kids.

And to add another note, the beaches here are much more beautiful than those in Bali! The colors of the water? All I can say is WOW!

1. Selong Belanak Beach (the Best Beach in Lombok) and Laut Biru Cafe Lombok

I reckon that Selong Belanak Beach is, without a doubt, the best beach in Lombok.

We were blown away by the colors of the water and the hilly landscape surrounding the edges of this fantastic mile-long beach. 

The beach has a peaceful vibe to it, with shallow, calm ocean water for the kids to play in. 

When I return to Lombok, this is definitely where I will base myself, at Sempiak Villas.

At this beach, you will also find a perfect cafe for lunch. The Laut Biru Cafe is on the ocean sand, with gorgeous decor and delicious food (try the Butter Chicken with Naan!). 

2. Mawun Beach

Another glorious, stunning beach is the Mawun Beach! This beach is another great beach to swim at. 

It’s very similar to Selong Belanak Beach but heaps smaller in size.  Here, you will find more local activity and maybe a few kids trying to sell you fresh coconut or handmade bracelets. 

Remember, if you use furniture, chairs, or loungers on the beach in Indonesia, someone will come around and charge you for them. Fortunately, they are pretty cheap to hire!

3. Ashtari Restaurant & Lounge

Ashtari is a pretty popular stopping point for travelers. Their atmosphere and views are hard to beat. 

It’s a great place for some mid-afternoon snacks and drinks. The breeze was heaven as well.

Do make sure you pop in to Ashtari, I bet you will enjoy your time relaxing there!

4. Kuta Beach, Lombok

Kuta Beach in Lombok is way better than Kuta Beach in Bali. 

However, it is probably my least favorite beach out of all the beaches that line the coast. 

It is worth stopping, walking, and enjoying the atmosphere, but I wouldn’t base myself here on this beach for the entire day! 

Of course, the main streets in Kuta, close to the beach, are lined with market stalls for tourists, and you will find loads of cafes and wood-fired pizza cafes there, too.

5. Tanjung A’an Bay

Tanjung A’an Bay is another stunner!  We loved the grass-topped beach-style pagodas, and of course, our kids totally enjoyed the swing located on the beach as well! 

It is another great beach area for swimming and chilling out. On our visit, there were literally about 6 other tourists there.

The rest of the people were locals trying to make a living by selling their wares to us, such as handmade sarongs, bracelets, etc.

We didn’t stay here very long, but it was great to walk around the beach!

6. Seger Beach

Seger Beach is probably the most unique beach out of all the beaches around this side of Lombok. 

The beach here is not really for swimming, but it is a perfect spot to visit in the late afternoon.

We climbed up the hill closest to the beach, and the views blew us away!

So either base yourself here for the beautiful sunset views or if, like us, you have small kids, why not venture over to Kuta Cabana for some sunset views from a further distance?

7. Kuta Cabana for Sunset

Kuta Cabana is set back behind Kuta up in the hills. It makes for a great stop at the end of a busy day, where you can grab a cocktail and watch the sunset with some cool breezes blowing through your hair. 

We also ordered some food here for dinner. It was a peaceful spot to rest after a busy day of exploring!

8. Pink Beach (Tangsi Beach), Lombok

If you are keen to go on a day trip from Kuta, you might also like to visit the beautiful Pink Beach (also known as Tangsi Beach) in Lombok. 

If you hire a scooter, this trip will take you around 2 hours one way. However, be aware that the road for the last 30 minutes or so is pretty rough, and many people mention how hard it is to get to the beach itself as a result! 

The sand on this beach is white, but it has a pink hue due to some tiny pieces of bright red coral skeletons of Organ Pipe corals. 

The hue is pretty subtle, unlike the saturated colors found all over the web! Despite this, it is still incredibly beautiful to see and worth the trip if you happen to have time!

What to Do On the Drive from Kuta to Senggigi or Vice Versa

On the drive from Kuta to Senggigi (around 1.5 hours), you can stop over in the traditional Sasak Village called Sade in Rambitan.

Although the village has a very touristy feel, it still makes for a very interesting and brief stop!

The Sasak are the indigenous people of this island, and here at Sade, you can get some insight into their fascinating culture! 

The village is still inhabited by Sasak people. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a tour guide who will take you through the village and share some insight into the culture!

The tour only lasted 10-15 minutes, and while we enjoyed it, we felt like it was rushed! 

My favorite part of the tour was being allowed into one of the Sasak Village houses. The house is dark! The men sleep on the first level, while the ladies all sleep on the second level; you will also find the kitchen there.

It was all fascinating to see!

The Top Things to Do in Senggigi, Lombok

Senggigi is the most popular destination for tourists traveling to Lombok. Most tourists come here because you can pick and choose from a large variety of luxurious resorts and villas. 

There is also a selection of fantastic things to do in Senggigi for when you feel like exploring.

1. Head over from Senggigi to Gili Islands

Of course, the popular Gili Islands are easily accessed from this side of Lombok Island. 

Within only a short taxi ride to Bangsal Harbour and a quick speedboat trip of only around 20 min, you will find yourself in a different world! 

As a note, I highly recommend that you stay at Gili Islands for at least three nights; a day trip over will likely not be enough.

2. Join a Tour to Mount Rinjani and Crater Lake 

Most people venture out to Lombok because they would like to climb the second-highest volcano in Indonesia.  

It happens to be one of the island’s highlights, and I think you will understand why once you see the views from the rim of the volcano!

You can book various multi-day, guided tours to the Crater Lake. If you would like to experience a 3-Day Mt Rinjani Volcano Trekking Tour from Lombok, click here or alternatively why not try out the 2-Day Mt Rinjani Volcano Trekking Tour from Lombok version instead!

3. Day Trip to Explore Tiu Kelep or Sendang Gile Waterfalls

Why not organize a day trip up into the Northern regions of Lombok? 

There, you can visit two incredible waterfalls (amongst others) – Tiu Kelep Waterfall and Sendang Gile Waterfall. 

These two waterfalls are close to each other, and while both are very different from the next, they make a great day out in nature!

Be prepared to get a bit wet, and make sure you have shoes that you can walk in. But don’t forget to take your swimmers so you can venture into the icy cold waterfall water!

If you would like to experience these and more on an organised day trip tour, we highly recommend you look into this Viator Northern Lombok Day Tour .

Final Thoughts on What to Do On Lombok Island

We loved our adventure through this island, and with so many options for what to do in Lombok, we highly recommend that you stay and visit this gorgeous place for a while.

We wish to return and wish to stay for longer. I want to slow down to the Lombok pace, hang out with the buffalos and the locals, and explore more of this fascinating island.

There is so much to see here and so many unique and diverse landscapes to explore!

The locals are friendly, and the kids are adorable! 

The beaches are mind-blowing, and the waterfalls are impressive in their own right! 

So take your time, explore each of the ‘best things to do in Lombok’ items individually, but make sure you also have days to do simply and totally ‘nothing at all’!

Jolene Ejmont

6 thoughts on “13 of the absolute best things to do in lombok island, indonesia”.

Hi Jolene Thanks for your post, sounds like you had a great trip. We are heading to lombok next year with our 4 and 6 year olds, and are thinking about staying in Kuta or south Lombok somewhere (as well as 5 days on Gili Air). Just wondering how easy you found it getting around the south Lombok area? We have been advised to hire scooters, but I’m not too sure about that with our two little ones. Did you hire a car and drive, or did you hire a car and driver? Thanks! Kara

Hi Kara, there are loads of drivers that you can hire. They aren’t taxi’s but the hotel you stay at will have a few people who they can buzz to take you around. We mostly just hired a driver for the whole day to take us around. Do bargain the price a bit. You could possibly take a kid each on a scooter, the roads in Kuta weren’t busy and it seemed manageable. But you would need a driver to take you from Kuta to Senggigi to get to Gili as it is a bit of a trip and there will be sections with heavy traffic there!

Lombok does have its own impression because the island is very beautiful and I am happy to be here. In addition, Bali is really beautiful as well.

Thanks for your great post! Just arrived in Kuta after travelling for some months and were wondering what to do first (tomorrow). Having naan and butter chicken at Selong Belanak Beach and take some photographs it will be!

We dont have children, but love your website.

Lovely, do enjoy the beach Simone! When we return to Lombok, I want to stay at Selong Belanak Beach 🙂

Lombok is one of the greatest places in Indonesia, a big island full of nature and not so crowded as the Gilis.

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13 Best things to do in Lombok

Lombok is a unspoiled volcanic Indonesian island in the east of Bali. Lombok boasts untouched natural beauty, diverse landscapes, pristine beaches, epic surf spots and a unique culture. Often called ‘Bali’s sister island’, it offers a more serene and chilled atmosphere away from the crowds of Bali. From volcanic black beaches to lush jungles and jaw-dropping waterfalls, Lombok has something to offer to any travelers seeking adventures in a peaceful island.

Things to Do in Lombok

1. mount rinjani.

Mount Rinjani is Indonesia’s second-highest volcano (3,276m) that dominates the whole island of Lombok. Trekking Mount Rinjani is one of the most epic experiences to do in Indonesia. This very challenging yet rewarding adventure offers breathtaking landscapes, a jaw-dropping crater with its deep turquoise lake Segara Anak, and stunning views from the summit.  

There are a few routes to reach the summit starting from the village of Sembalun or from Senaru. It depends on your current shape and on how long you want to spend trekking and nights camping. The most commun trek takes 2 to 4 days and costs from $150 to $400 depending on the tour operator, level of service and options you choose.

The best time to walk the trails is then the dry season, from April to October. During the rainy season, the trails can be closed. Since 2020, it is mandatory to book a trail with a guide.

2. The Gili Islands

The Gili Islands are a trio of idyllic small islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air) located a short boat ride away from the northwest coast of Lombok. The Gili Islands are perfect for those seeking a tropical escape whether you’re into snorkeling to see turtles and amazing coral reefs, partying on the beach, or simply relaxing in a resort.

Each island has a unique atmosphere and provides a slice of heaven for all travelers – see our detailed Gili Islands guide .

3. Mawum Beach

Mawun Beach boasts a nice crescent-shaped bay with golden sands stretching for almost two kilometers along the coastline 20 min drive from Kuta Town. The beach boasts crystal clear water of the Indian Ocean and is flanked by beautiful green hills.

There are a few warungs on the beach to have lunch or sip a coconut. Unfortunately, you will notice a lot of plastic on the beach which is a big problem in Lombok.

4. Benang Kelambu, Benang Stokel waterfalls

Benang Kelambu and Benang Stokel Waterfalls are two amazing natural waterfalls in Central Lombok – 1h20 drive north of Kuta. Both waterfalls are in the same National Park and can be reached within a short trek from the entrance. We were told that you need to hire a guide to visit the waterfalls. Our driver arranged it and also paid the entrance tickets but we have heard after that you can visit without a guide too.

• Within 15 minutes walk, you reach Benang Stokel, also called Air Terjun Benang Stokel by the locals. It features three large streams pouring into a shallow pool. You cannot swim here but this waterfall is still very impressive.

• After another short 15min walk, the most impressive waterfall Benang Kelambu appears with its tall cascading curtain of water and lush vegetation. We loved this waterfall so much because it’s so unique and feels enchanted. You can climb up the rocks under the waterfall to take great photos and swim in the larger man made pool just below the main waterfall. There is also another waterfall hidden on the left of the main stream.

Remember that Lombok is a muslim island so it’s mandatory to wear a Sarung for women when swimming – please respect all the local traditions.

5. Bukit Merese Hills

Bukit Merese Hills are a series of green hills overlooking the beautiful Tanjung Aan Beach and the turquoise waters from Indian Ocean. It’s a popular spot to catch the sunrise or sunset boasting a peaceful and picturesque landscape. Only 20 min drive from Kuta, bring some snacks and drinks to enjoy the views after a lovely walk up the hill.

6. Surfing in Kuta Lombok

Kuta Lombok has been put on the map by surfers that love the consistent waves! The little village has a relaxed atmosphere and a surf culture. Even if you’re a beginner, you can easily learn how to ride the waves with one of the many surfing schools.

7. Pergasingan Hill

Pergasingan Hill, situated in the vicinity of Sembalun Village on Lombok’s eastern side, is a relatively accessible trekking destination. The hike to the hill’s summit offers mesmerizing views of the surrounding countryside, including terraced rice fields, lush forests, and the majestic Mount Rinjani in the distance. The hill’s peak is often used as a camping spot, allowing visitors to witness spectacular sunrise and sunset views.

8. Tanjung Ann Beach

Tanjung Ann Beach in Lombok, Indonesia, is a secluded and unspoiled coastal paradise. With its soft golden sands, clear turquoise waters, and tranquil ambiance, it’s an ideal spot for relaxation, swimming, and snorkeling. Only 20 min from Kuta, it offers a peaceful escape from the crowds and a chance to connect with the natural beauty of Lombok.

9. Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile Waterfalls

Probably the most famous and impressive waterfalls in Lombok. Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile Waterfalls are a pair of captivating waterfalls surrounded by lush greenery. The cool, refreshing waters invite you to take a dip while enjoying the soothing sounds of nature.

10. Sassak Culture – SADE village

A visit to SADE village in Lombok, Indonesia, offers a unique cultural immersion into the traditional Sasak way of life. It includes exploring distinctive bamboo and thatch houses, observing artisans crafting intricate textiles and baskets, experiencing warm hospitality, and possibly witnessing traditional dance performances.

Set in a scenic rural landscape, SADE village provides both a visually captivating and culturally enriching experience, offering insights into the customs and traditions of the Sasak people.

11. Senggigi Coastline

When visiting Senggigi coastline in Lombok, you can enjoy its beautiful beach, water activities like snorkeling and diving, explore local art markets, savor Indonesian cuisine, experience a modest nightlife scene, and even visit a notable temple.

It’s also a convenient base for day trips to nearby attractions and offers opportunities for spa and wellness experiences. Senggigi is a versatile destination catering to a range of interests.

12. Bukit Selong Rice Field Viewpoint

Bukit Selong Rice Fields viewpoint is a patchwork of farm plots viewed from various mountain tops. A variety of different colored crops create a contrasting patchwork quilt, covering the entire valley. There is a flat viewpoint, which gives you a great view of the whole valley but there is also a higher viewpoint.

13. Secret Gili Islands tour

“Secret Gili Island Tours” offer exclusive and personalized experiences on the lesser-known Gili Islands in Indonesia. These tours provide access to secluded beaches, uncrowded snorkeling and diving spots, interactions with local culture, island hopping, authentic culinary experiences, and breathtaking sunset views. They are ideal for travelers seeking a more intimate and off-the-beaten-path exploration of the Gili Islands.

Best restaurants & Cafés in Kuta

• Knalpot Restaurant & Bar
• Warung Nyonya Snack & Food
• Mama Pizza Kuta Lombok
• Cantina Mexicana
• KRNK Bar & Restaurant
• Warung Turtle Resto Café

Where to stay in Lombok

Located in the south of the island, Kuta is a great little upcoming town with a surfer vibe and many nice restaurants. It’s not the most pleasant town to walk around especially around the main beach that is full of plastic and barky dogs but it’s a great base to explore Lombok. In Kuta, we recommend Rascals Hotel.

Rascals hotel is by far our favorite hotel in Indonesia. The hotel is a small tropical oasis in the middle of Kuta town. Featuring two big swimming pools surrounded by palm trees, large rooms beautifully decorated and a great spa with amazing treatments, Rascals hotels truly deserves its 9.7/10 on booking.com . It’s the best value hotel we stayed at in all of Asia – we only paid 50€ a night and it felt like a 4 stars hotel. The staff is super professional, attentive, and genuinely nice – they really work hard to make sure you have a great time. The hotel serves an excellent à la carte breakfast with fresh products. We also had lunch and dinner and the food was simply delicious. Bonus, there is a great happy hour for the cocktails (2 for 1)!!

There are many other nice hotels in Kuta, but I’d be happy to visit Lombok again just to stay at Rascals Hotel!

Senggigi , in the west of the island, is another hub for travelers visiting Lombok. The area has more upscale hotels and resorts. Surrounded by nice beaches, it’s closer to the Gili Islands and has a more relaxed vibe than Kuta.

How to Travel to Lombok

There are three different ways to get from Bali to Lombok.

The fastest and most convenient way to get to Lombok. Daily flights operate between Bali and Lombok International Airport, located in the south part of the island. The journey takes around 40 minutes. Cost: $40-$70

Many fast boats run between Bali’s Padang Bai or Serangan and Lombok’s Gili Islands, Senggigi Pier or Bangsal Pier. The journey takes 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the weather conditions and most importantly the boat company you use. We recommend Blue Water Express – it is more expensive than other companies, but it is very reliable and provides the best service (on time, no issue with luggage. Most boats will stop in Gilli Islands before reaching Lombok. Cost: $15-$40.

Slow Public Ferries

Budget-friendly option – the slow ferries sail between Bali’s Padang Bai and Lombok’s Lembar Harbor. The trip takes 3 to 8 hours and provides a local experience. You can board with your own motorbike at extra cost. Cost: $4

Getting around

Lombok is a considerably large island – the main interest points are spread out in the whole island so you will need to consider your transport options to visit Lombok.

Hire a driver

The best option in our opinion if you are traveling with friends. Negotiate your price and itinerary ahead with your driver. We went from Bangsal harbour to Kuta including a stop to the waterfalls – we paid 500K – $33.

Rent a scooter

budget friendly option to discover freely the island but be aware that the roads in Lombok are not well maintained and can be dangerous if you’re not a confident driver. Scooter rental price per day: around 100K – $6.50

Taxi or Grab/Gojek

great option for short rides (example: Kuta to the airport). This can be arranged by your hotel, or you can directly use the apps. Expect to pay roughly 100K – $6.50 to go to Lombok airport from Kuta.

The public transport is almost non-existent in Lombok so don’t expect to catch buses between places.

Best time to visit Lombok

The best time to visit Lombok is from April to September during the dry season. There are few rainy days, but you can enjoy the stunning beaches, snorkeling, and any outdoor activities.

The rainy season is from October to March. You can still enjoy discovering the Island and the surfing conditions are good during this period.

How many days do you need

Lombok is almost has big as Bali so you could easily spend one month exploring every part of the island. We recommend combining your visit to Lombok after spending a few days in the Gili Islands. See our one month-itinerary in Indonesia.

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• Things To Do In Lombok; The Perfect Lombok Itinerary (3-5 Days)

UPDATED MAY 2022: Lombok is an island paradise right next door to Bali. Unlike a Bali itinerary though, Lombok is much more serene and far less developed. It has picturesque, unspoiled beaches and awe-inspiring, towering mountains. Up until recently, Lombok wasn’t really on the travel radar with Bali still the place to go for some travel fun.

Now, more people, and especially the more adventurous type of traveller are contemplating Lombok as an alternative. For many, it will remind them of how Bali was before developers had a greater influence. And with so many things to do in Lombok, at a fraction of the Bali prices, it’s the next big thing in Indonesia!

The highlight of all the things to see and do in Lombok for me? Trekking Mount Rinjani , Lombok’s active volcano and highest peak. All 3,726 metre (12,224ft) of it. It’s breathtaking.

TOP-TIP: Book a full one-day tour and do all the best stuff in Lombok. You can do that with these guys HERE .

Table of contents

About lombok, when is the best time to visit lombok.

• How to get to Lombok? 

Lombok Packing List

Where to stay in lombok, getting around lombok, helpful indonesian phrases, things to do in lombok, day 1: surfing in kuta, day 2: the beaches of senggigi, day 3: snorkel trip to the gilis, day 4: waterfall hunting, final tips for things to do in lombok.

Before I tell you about the perfect Lombok itinerary, and all the things to do in Lombok, let me first give you some facts about Lombok that will give you an understanding of what to expect once you are there.

Lombok is roughly the same size as Bali, about 70 kilometres (43 miles) across with a total area of about 4,514 square kilometres (1,743 square miles). The capital and largest city on Lombok is Mataram, home to a population of around 420,000 (but it’s really nothign special, I avoid it when I’m in Lombok). The money used on Lombok is the Indonesian Rupiah. If you are looking to change dollars, Euros or GBP for Rupiah, there are plenty of exchange shops around the Senggigi tourist resort area. The exchange rates offered in Lombok are actually quite competitive. 

Contrasting with Bali, where the majority of the population are Hindu’s, here in Lombok, they are Muslim and have a strong adherence to cultural rituals. Although, Alcohol still flows pretty freely (thankfully!). Generally speaking, most people on Lombok either speak or understand the national language of Bahasa Indonesia, but English is also widely spoken.

Lombok has a year-round warm and humid tropical climate. Temperatures range from 21 Celsius to 32 Celsius.

Like most tropical locations, Lombok has a wet season that runs from November to March, so if possible avoid that. If you’re in Indonesia during the wet season though, I’d still come to Lombok, no big deal. Unlike Bali, Lombok seems to dodge the major storms and only gets sporadic showers. If you plan on hiking Mount Rinjani, the suggested ideal time period to do so is between the middle of June and October. You can read about my friends and I trekking Mount Rinjani, and how you can do it too, here .

How to get to Lombok? 

You have two choices, by boat from Bali, or by plane.

The easiest way to get to Lombok is to fly from Bali (for as little as $10 or so!). Most people fly from Bali to Lombok, but you can also fly straight to Lombok from Tokyo and Singapore.

Bali to Lombok Ferry : You can catch the public ferry across the Lombok Strait from Padang Bai Ferry Terminal in East Bali to Lembar Ferry Terminal in Lombok. Ferries leave every hour, 24 hours a day. The journey is 4 hours or so. Price wise, though, you can’t beat it, with a one-way fare available for around $4 dollars. The fast baot from Pedang Pai to Sengiggi (Lombok) costs $20, and takes 30 minutes. Once a day at 9am.

Think of Lombok like you would the Caribbean, so pack for summer (with a chance of tropical rain!). Light cotton clothes and sandals are perfect for Lombok, as are clothes that dry quickly after a shower, especially if you’re visiting in the rainy season. As Lombok is not as commercialized as other islands, you likely won’t find what you’re used to back home here in most shops. Therefore you may want to bring your own specific toiletries.

If you’re heading to Lombok as a traveller, or a surfer, you will want to stay in the backpacker area of Kuta (not to be confused with Bali’s crazy, party area in Kuta) or in Senggigi, another traveler hotspot . Lombok’s Kuta is only 30 minutes from Lombok airport and has some of the most spectacular beaches that you will find here. 

If you want to get out and explore, your best option is to rent a car or scooter. Public transport and buses are pretty rare in Lombok. You can either base yourself in Kuta and book each tour you want, they’ll include pick-up and drop-off normally. Or as I mention, get yourself a scooter and be free!

Do I need a visa to visit Lombok?  

Yes, you need a visa for Indonesia. But most 99% of tourists get a visa-on-arrival so you don’t have to do anything, just arrive in the airport. Pay $35 when you first arrive in Indonesia at your place of entry. The visa is valid for 30 days for tourism, family visitation, and other purposes.

The locals adore that you try to communicate in their mother tongue!

• Selamat Pagi: Good morning
• Apa Kabar?: How are you? – Kabar Baik: I’m good
• Selamat Siang: Good afternoon
• Terima Kasih: Thank you
• Selamat sore: Good evening
• Sama Sama: You are welcome
• Selamat Malam: Good night
• Yes/No: Ia/ Tidak

Before we go into the specific Lombok Itinerary, let me list all the things to see and do in Lombok that you can tick off, one by one, when you arrive in paradise!

Multi-day trip to the Gili Islands (Gilli Trawangan is the party one)

Trekking mount rinjani, bicycle tour , beach hop (don’t miss mawun beach  & selong belanak), surfing lessons, tiu kelep watefall (the best one), sindang gila waterfall, betara lenjang waterfall, benang stokel & kelambu waterfalls.

If you do your waterfall hunting, a spot of cycling, a couple of surfing lessons, and a day or two on the beaches, followed by trekking Mount Rinjani, that means you probably need at least a week in Lombok to soak it up. This place is slow paced, so no need to rush. You could easily spend more time here and not be rushing around. That being said, if you only have 5 days in Lombok, here’s how I would form my Lombok Itinerary.

LOMBOK ITINERARY

When you arrive in Lombok from Bali, take a taxi to the surfing Mecca of Kuta. (Not to be confused with Kuta on Bali as this place is much more laid-back.) At the airport, there is a desk where you can buy a voucher for the taxi ride to Kuta, or you can go outside and arrange it yourself among the keen local taxi drivers. I paid just 70,000IDR, about $5.00 to get from Lombok Airport to Kuta and the ride only took me about 25 minutes.

Sleep in Kuta.

When you wake up in Kuta, whether you intend to surf or not, you’ll notice straight away that Kuta is on the map for its very attractive beaches. The beach boys there can sort out surf lessons, and surfboard rental for $10 or so. So settle in. The waves in Kuta are great for beginners, so enjoy.

Your body might be aching from the surf lessons, or maybe it’s the Bintangs from the evening? Anyway, I decided to head on up to Lombok’s main tourist area of Senggigi. It’s a great hop-off point for half-day excursions, or you can wile away the day at both Senggigi Beach and Kerangdangan beach.

Here you will find plenty of western style restaurants and places selling fresh food for lunch. In the island’s native Sasak language, Lombok translated means chilli. When you sample some of the local cuisine made with mouthwatering fresh ingredients you will find out why; you’ll usually be offered something called sambal. This is a rich, spicy sauce made from local chilli peppers grown in the countryside of Lombok.

Sleep in Senggigi.

If you don’t have time to visit the Gili ISlands for 3 or 4 nights after Lombok, then try to squeeze in a snorkel trip to them on one of your Lombok Itinerary days. Although I really recommend you go and spend a couple of nights on Gili T at least. The most beautiflu water in all of Indonesia. The Gili Islands are a group of three small islands – Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air located just off the northwest coast of Lombok. Famous for their unspoiled palm-fringed beaches, the Gili’s are surrounded by coral reefs just teeming with fluorescent fish and marine life. You can book day-trips snorkelling here from either Sengigi or Kuta.

There aren’t too many places in the world where you can swim with turtles, which for me made the Gili Islands the highlight of my trip.

The village of Senaru is at an altitude of 600 metres, so it’s a little cooler than down on the coast and has some excellent walks that include a couple of amazing waterfalls. While it is possible to visit the waterfalls on your own, I found it easier to hire a guide. Firstly, this gave me someone to answer my questions, while at the same time stopping people from asking me if I needed a guide. The scenery around Senaru is spectacular, so you will have no end of ‘national geographic quality’ photographs to share. There are a lot of waterfalls dotted around Lombok, so make sure you find the right guide!

TOP-TOP: Book a waterfall tour to ensure you don’t miss out the most epic waterfalls ($50 from Sengigi)!

Day 5: 

Now it’s up to you how hardcore you are! I recommend booking a Mount Rinjani trek from here. But if not, then go and chill on the Gili Islands, head back to Kuta or stya in Senggigi and mingle with the other travels. Lombok is nothing but chill vibes, so try to schedule some time to do nothing!

TOP-TIP: If you don’t want to hike ALL the way to the top, you can hike to the Volcano crater rim. 2D/1N. That’s what me and my friends did. It was SPECTACULAR!

Sleep on Mount Rinjani!

• Try to base yourself in both Senggig and Kuta. It makes the drives on your day-trips less time-consuming.
• Try to factor in time to visit the Gili Islands after your Lombok adventure, they’re gorgeous
• Don’t expect beach clubs, and banging night clubs like Bali. Lombok is much quieter.
• Learn to ride a scooter, Lombok is the perfect place to get your head around driving on tropical islands!

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We gather until 10.30 AM at meeting point ( Travel Wise Office at Labuan Bajo). We will wait until every guest has arrived and do registration.

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ishouldbetravelling

Your complete guide to lombok, indonesia, with travel updates for indonesia, bali & lombok.

Hi, my name is Chris Hodges and, for the past three years my home away from home has been the beautiful island of Lombok, in tropical Indonesia.

Life in this simple, laid-back part of the world has been nothing short of incredible, and a safe haven, especially as the coronavirus pandemic ran riot around the globe and my friends and family back home in Melbourne endured one of the toughest lockdowns in the world.

Fate can be a cruel mistress.

Still, I’ve had family here to support and I’m a part owner of two businesses, a guesthouse in Lombok, Indonesia and a pub in Melbourne, Australia. Both were dramatically impacted by this crazy virus and of course, I had to do whatever I could to get myself, my family and my staff all safely to the other side.

As life starts getting back to normal, albeit against a backdrop of climate change, social change and a world in general turmoil, (let’s just call it the new normal shall we?) I’ve been busy posting stories of my time in Lombok to show you all the reasons why you should be adding a trip here to your bucket list.

From stunning beaches and mountain treks to ridiculously cheap and delicious street food and local culture. It’s an amazing part of the world and a place where you can still experience the real Indonesia.

For now though, stay positive and be kind to each other. You just never know what surprises await, just around the next corner.

Publisher’s Note:  Chris completed a BA in Indonesian Language and Professional Writing some time last century. He presently derives no income from either pursuit though he hopes to, one day.

He presently lives in Lombok, Indonesia with his wife Dewi and twin children Kevin and Kezia.

Latest News and Travel Updates

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Lombok Diary

Lombok Diary Part 1: Perhaps We Should Have Gone Travelling

It’s July 2019 and I’m standing with my wife, Dewi, out the front of an old, rundown Balinese style house on the edge of Mataram …

Lombok Diary Part 2: And So it Begins

It’s February 2020 and after a slow couple of months, we are busy. After nearly 12 weeks of fighting with Booking.com to get our property …

Lombok Diary Part 3: Australia Calling

It turns out the Chinese couple have been travelling outside of China for the past few months and they have passport stamps to prove it. …

Lombok Diary Part 4: Family Matters

I touch down in Melbourne around 8.30am on March 2 and it’s a chilly 18’C. My brother Graeme and his partner, Kiyoe are there to …

Lombok Diary Part 5: Out of the TV and into our Living Room

Up until now I haven’t really been keeping up with Australian TV news coverage of the virus, so the fact that people are panic buying …

Lombok Diary Part 6: The World goes into Lockdown

On March 10, 2020, our first day of self-isolation, Australia has a total of 112 active cases of Coronavirus, 18 of which are in my …

Lombok Diary Part 7: Locked Down in Lombok

The only small drama I have getting out of Australia was at the airline check-in counter. They ask to see a medical certificate which shows …

Lombok Diary Part 8: Meanwhile, Back at the Guesthouse

The guesthouse looks pretty much the same as it did when I left it with the exception that it’s rooms are now occupied by members …

Lombok Diary Part 9: Ramadan

As we approach the end of April, most of the major work on the house has been completed. Floorboards are down on the lower level, …

Lombok Diary Part 10: How to Build a Swimming Pool

We were hoping to start work on the pool in May but the holy month and travel restrictions mean it has to be put off …

Lombok Diary Part 11: Life in Indonesia during Coronavirus

I returned to the Indonesian island of Lombok at the beginning of April, 2020, around the time that the coronavirus pandemic had put most of …

Lombok Diary Part 12: The Guesthouse Reopens

Our first weeks in the new house are pretty cool but there are a few teething problems, as is to be expected. The most glaring …

Lombok Diary Part 13: Marking Time

I’m able to book a flight back to Australia with Garuda for AUD$1100 return but not until Feb 2021. It’s more expensive than I would …

Lombok Diary Part 14: Lombok to Singapore

I arrive at the check-in counter at Lombok International Airport on Wednesday the 3rd of February and, as with my flight out of Australia twelve months earlier, …

Lombok Diary Part 15: Mandatory Detention and Hotel Quarantine

I seem to be waiting a very long time in the hotel lobby to be accompanied to the departure gate for my flight to Australia. …

Lombok Diary Part 16 – Melbourne Town

As soon as I leave hotel quarantine I take a walk along Swanston St, the main thoroughfare of Melbourne city and it’s looking like a …

Lombok Diary Part 17 – Over the Great Divide

The trip from Graeme’s house in the township of Wallan to the nursing home in Nagambie follows the Hume Freeway over the Great Dividing Range. …

Lombok Diary Part 18 – Assisted Dying Denied

Today is a week since I was released from hotel quarantine. And the assisted dying specialist has arrived for her meeting with mum. She asks …

Lombok Diary Part 19 – In Celebration of Life

Mum passed peacefully in the early hours of March 10, three days after her 86th birthday. Emma, Jason and Telishea arrived late on the evening …

Lombok Diary Part 20 – A Trip to the Pub

By the time I arrive at Tom’s house, Melbourne has been out of lockdown for nearly a month. Most restrictions have been lifted, however mask …

Lombok Diary Part 21 – Taking Care of Business

Now that I have had time to address all my health concerns, I am all but ready to return to Indonesia. But I am still …

Lombok Diary April 22 2021 – Melbourne to Surabaya

The Melbourne to Singapore leg of my flight home is uneventful enough. We travel at night, touching down at Changi Airport at 5.30am Singapore time. …

Lombok Diary, April 25 2021 – Repairs and Maintenance

Dewi has upgraded our car while I was away. Our old Toyota Camry was starting to require constant maintenance so she traded it in for …

Lombok Diary, April 28 2021 – Delta

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Lombok Diary, May 1 – November 31 2021 – The Waiting Game

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Lombok Diary, December 2021 – Out With The Old, In With The New

As 2021 draws to a close, we take deep breath and reflect on what has been a tumultuous year for the entire planet. From the …

Lombok Diary, Jan 3 2022 – Omicron

The New Year begins quietly at the guesthouse. There are normally scores of families from neighbouring islands travelling around at this time of year, catching …

Lombok Diary, Jan 31 2022 – Sleepless in Singapore

It is nearly a year since I last travelled, so I am not surprised that the protocol to enter the Lombok International Airport has changed. …

Lombok Diary, Feb 1 2022 – Dodging Bullets

Graeme is waiting to pick me up when I arrive in Melbourne. My flight left Singapore at 8.30am but with the time difference it is …

Lombok Diary, Feb 21 2022 – Sinus Relief

My sinus operation is taking place at the Kilmore District Hospital where, by chance, my father grandfather and great grandfather all drew their first breath. …

Senggigi Beach

Senggigi was Lombok’s leading tourist destination for many years but when the ferry point to the Gili Islands moved to Bangsal Harbour, …

Pandanan Beach

10-15 minutes further on from Senggigi Beach the road hugs the coast through valleys and peaks offering up some truly magnificent coastal …

Selong Belanak Beach

A spectacularly beautiful beach, (perhaps my favourite!) Selong Belanak is situated on a huge bay surrounded by craggy mountain peaks. The colour …

Kuta Beach, Lombok

Kuta was a small fishing village only a few short years ago but is now the most popular tourist destination on Lombok …

Tanjung Aan Beach / Merese Hill

The beach at Tanjung Aan has crystal clear, turquoise water and fine white sand. It’s one of those classically beautiful horseshoe shaped …

Pink Beach gets its name from the colour of the sand which throws a pink hue, something to do with the broken-down …

Sekotong Beach

Sekotong looks a bit like a tourist town once busy but now deserted and while there are still a few high end …

Benang Stokel & Benang Kelambu Waterfalls

Situated in Central Lombok, an hour’s drive from Mataram, the waterfalls Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu are two of the most incredible waterfalls …

Tiu Teja Waterfall

Often known as the Tiu Teja Twins Waterfall, Tiu Teja is a spectacular sight, with its twin 50 metre cascades and pristine …

Jeruk Manis Waterfall

Another of Lombok’s waterfalls, located to the south of the Mount Rinjani National Park which is believed to have healing properties. Locals …

Mayang Putek Waterfall

Of all the amazing waterfalls in Lombok, the Mayang Putek waterfall is the most unique one of them all. The reason being …

Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep Waterfalls

Located at the foot of the majestic Mount Rinjani, in the village of Senaru, a 2 ½ hour drive from Mataram, are …

Island Hopping around Lombok

The Gili Isles

While Gili is the indigenous Sasak’s word for island, the Gili isles, comprising Gili Trewangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air are probably …

The Secret Gilis

Located on the south western tip of Lombok and accessible by short boat ride from the village of Sekotong lie a group …

The Eastern Gilis

While the Secret Gilis are (for now at least) off the beaten track, the Eastern Gilis are still known to none but …

Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, & Nusa Ceningan

While “Gili” is the Sasak word for island, the Balinese use the term “Nusa” and these three islands sit near the Badung …

Mt Rinjani and Mt Samalas

Mt Rinjani Samalas Previous Next   Standing at 3726 metres, Mt Rinjani is an active volcano and the second tallest mountain peak in Indonesia. (The highest, at 3805m, is Mt Kerinci in Sumatera.) The native Sasak consider Rinjani to be a sacred mountain and to Indonesian Hindus, it is one of the three holy mountains, […]

Places of Interest

Lombok Island – An Overview

Although often touted as the ‘next Bali’, Lombok offers its own unique version of Indonesian lifestyle and culture. The low-key nature of …

Mataram City

Mataram is the capital city of Lombok. The city is made up of four towns – Ampenan, Mataram, Cakranegara and Sweta which …

The Old Town Ampenan

Ampenan is the oldest city in Lombok and as well as being an important port for the spice trade during the period …

The State Museum of West Nusa Tenggara

The State Museum of West Nusa Tenggara holds a collection of some 7,000 artifacts and offers a comprehensive overview of Lombok History …

Sweta Market

inside sweta market outside look red garlic in sweta market Previous Next The Sweta Market is the largest market in Lombok, offering …

Narmada Water Park

Constructed by King Anak Agung Gede Ngurah Karang Asem in 1727, Taman Narmada is one of the oldest historical sites in Lombok. …

Pura Lingsar

Pura Lingsar is located 8km east of Mataram in the village of Lingsar.

Pura Meru is the largest and most popular Hindu temple on Lombok. Built in 1720, the inner court has 33 small shrines …

Pura Batu Bolong

Pura Batu Bolong Pura Batu Bolong is the oldest Hindu Temple in Lombok and predates Balinese occupation on the island by about …

Pusuk Monkey Forest

Pusuk Monkey Forest is situated 30 minutes from Mataram in lush tropical forest between West and North Lombok. The area is a …

Lombok Dishes

Signature Dishes of Lombok

The Sasak people of Lombok have a number of traditional dishes for visitors to enjoy. The following is a brief rundown of …

Street Food in Mataram, Lombok

All around Mataram as in the rest of Indonesia, street food vendors prepare some of the simplest, cheapest and tasiest food going …

Traditional Art & Culture

Traditional Handicrafts of Lombok

Many of the traditional handicrafts of Lombok are still being made for domestic use today. There are also a number of traditional …

Traditional Musical Instruments

Lombok has a number of traditional musical instruments, some unique to the island and some drawn from other cultures which are used …

Traditional Performance Arts

Lombok has a number of traditional performance arts which recognise its rich heritage and unique cultural identity. Through dance and music, the …

How the Rajah took the Census

The following story is taken from the 1869 publication, “The Malay Archipelago” and was related to the author, Alfred Russel Wallace, during …

A Brief History of Lombok

The Indonesian island of Lombok, sits within the much storied “Ring of Fire”, a volcanic arc that stretches some 40,000 km in …

Fun Facts About Lombok – Indonesia

Fun Facts about Lombok Indonesia The island of Lombok is about the same size as neighbouring Bali and yet it’s glorious, untouched …

Planet Watch

Ocean Plastic

How we can help stop the amount of plastic going into our oceans? One of the biggest problems I see as I travel around this beautiful island is the amount of plastic waste that finds its way into the river sytem. It’s an endemic problem. Local communities have for centuries been throwing their waste into […]

4 Days / 3 Nights Flores | Komodo and Lombok | Lombok | Whale Shark | Komodo and Flores

Archives: Paket Tour

Boat Facility

Boat Facility : • Snorkeling Equipment ( no Fins ) • Matress, Pilows and Blanket • Radio, Gps, Compass • AIS ( Automatic Identification System ) • Toilet • Kitchen • Hot Water • Fresh Water for Flushing • Life Jacket for everyone • Life Raft • Boat Capacity 35-40 people • Max Crew 5-7 …

Boat Facility Read More »

4 Days / 3 Nights Lombok To Flores

Departure Day : Wednesday and Saturday. In Lombok we arrange pick up for all our guest and have some free breakfast at our office in Senggigi, meeting point at our office in Senggigi at 11.30 Am, Our Pick up arrangement from Gillis start at 7.30, Bangsal at 8.00 am, Senggigi at start from 9.30 am, …

4 Days / 3 Nights Lombok To Flores Read More »

4 Days / 3 Nights Flores To Lombok

Durations : 4 Days / 3 Nights Time Departure : 11.00 Am Departure :Every Wednesday and Sunday Tour Itinerary: Day 01. Labuan Bajo – Kelor Island – Manjarite – Kalong Island • Meeting Point at our office in Labuan Bajo at 10.00 Am • Heading to Kelor Island, in kelor island you will trekking around …

4 Days / 3 Nights Flores To Lombok Read More »

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An unique trip from Lombok to Flores

The islands east of Bali are called “Nusa Tenggara,” starting at Lombok and ending at the South of the Moluccan islands. In summer 2013 we made a beautiful trip from the capital of Lombok, Mataram to the port city of Maumere on Flores. The absolute highlight was a boat trip around the islands of Komodo, Rinca and Gili Laba where we were continuously seasick, snorkeled on dream locations, had two chickens on board and had a close encounter with prehistoric Komodo dragons. 

Nusa Tenggara means ” South Eastern islands” and is a string of islands of almost 550 relatively small islands from Lombok to the Moluccan Islands. Another well-known name for the archipelago is Lesser Sunda Islands, a group of islands where Bali used to be part of as well. Traveling from Bali, we loved the change of landscape: the Bali landscape fits better with Java and Sumatra whereas Lombok and Flores show more comparisons with the flora and fauna of  Australia . Apparently this is also supported by history 🙂 The story goes that Nusa Tenggara belonged to the Australian content until the last ice age, while Bali and Java were connected with Asia.

Religions on Nusa Tenggara

On Lombok and Sumbawa the deutero-Malay population is predominantly Muslim. On the eastern islands people are mainly Roman Catholic with a large importance of spirits and ancestor worship. On the other Nusa islands you will come across Christianity or Islam. Interesting fact is that these two religions are the foundation of the way of life, but that most people have local animist beliefs: the belief that non-human entities such as animals, plants, and inanimate objects, possess a spiritual essence. An animist believes in the existence of good and evil spirits, which may include trees, animals and objects. In order to keep the spirits happy, sacrifices, rituals and dances will have to be made. Animism permeates the whole life of its adherents, which is something that we noticed during our visits to traditional villages of Bena on Flores and our trip to Sulawesi . Religion plays a key role in people’s lives, however from our experience people never want to impose their beliefs on you.

Ceremony between Mataram and Sengiggi on Lombok

Other travellers

Compared to their larger brothers Java and Sumatra, the Lesser Sunda Islands are not (yet) packed with tourists. Forget about Lombok though where the quickly increasing number of backpackers and beach fans will lead to more posh hotels and commercialism. Most locals earn their income as fisherman, farmer or cropper. On these islands you will definitely see the authentic way of life: women picking rice and men plow the land with their buffalo. We have never seen such beautiful rice fields before!

Ok, so what did we do and where did we go? As part of our three months  Asia trip, we started our trip at Bali and after a few weeks we took the fast boat to Senggigi on Lombok. After discovering the villages, visiting temples, spending time at the beach and observing a ceremony, we took the boat from Lombok all the way to Flores. If you are not very good with boats, you will get sea sick! But there are medications to take that will make you very relaxed and calm, so no worries! The boat trip won’t give you any sleep either but is still something we will ab-so-lu-te-ly recommend! We will explain why in our post “ Lesser Sunda Islands by boat “.

North of Sumbawa, close to the Tambora vulcano

So these are the highlights of the trip that took about one month. Just click on them to read more about it!

• Beach of Kuta, Lombok
• Boat trip from Lombok to Flores
• Discovering local fruits, spices and vegetables
• Komodo and Rinca
• Traveling by bus on Flores to enjoy the nature

Feel free to share your thoughts on this article, the Quokka website, Indonesia or anything else by using our comment box!

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Home » Prices and Trans-Siberian Tickets » Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

Ticket prices for the Trans-Siberian Railway also depend on the current ruble exchange rate.

Is the Trans-Siberian Railway expensive?

Before starting on your Trans-Siberian Railway adventure you naturally want to know what the entire trip will cost. Although this sounds like a simple question, it is pretty difficult to answer. The Trans-Siberian Railway price of travel depends on the following factors:

• Which travel class do I want to use? The price for a first class ticket is about three times the price of a 3rd class ticket
• Am I willing to buy the tickets myself and assume responsibility for the organisation of the trip?
• How many stopovers do I want to make? The more breaks, the higher the total price.
• What sort of accommodation do I want? Will it be a luxury hotel or will a hostel dormitory be sufficient?
• What tours and excursions would I like to go on?
• What is the current exchange rate for rubles?

Basically, everything from a luxury to a budget holiday is available. If you buy yourself a 3rd Class nonstop ticket at the counter, a few hundred Euros will cover the price. All you will experience is a week on the Trans-Siberian train and will see nothing of the cities on the way. There is, however, any amount of room for upward expansion. Everyone makes different choices about which aspects they are willing to spend money on. I personally prefer to save money on accommodation and railcar class, visit as many cities and do as many trips as possible. To enable better classification of your travel expenses I have contrasted two typical traveler types. In the third column you can calculate the total cost of your own journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that these are only rough estimations and not exact prices.

The all-in costs seem fairly high at first. However, they cover everything and it is quite a long journey taking four weeks. Many people forget to consider that when looking at the list. We should also deduct the running costs for food and leisure at home. I think most visitors to this page will classify themselves somewhere between the two categories, that is around the € 2,000 – € 2,500 range. When comparing these prices with other travel packages, you get the impression that it is hardly worthwhile travelling individually on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that most packages last no more than 14 days and you are herded like cattle through the most beautiful locations.

If you spend less time on the Trans-Siberian Railway you will, of course, pay less. I chose this particular travel length because I prefer not to do things by halves. If you fulfill your dream of travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, enjoy it and don’t rush things. But it’s up to you, of course. Try playing around with the form a bit to find the appropriate price for your trip.

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