Traveling Between Bali and Lombok With Kids: What’s the Best Way?
Looking for the best way to travel between Bali and Lombok with a baby or kids? Here’s what to expect from the fast boat, ferry, and domestic flight — plus our honest family-tested tips.
What’s the best way to travel from Bali to Lombok with kids?
There are three main ways to get from Bali to Lombok: by fast boat, by domestic flight, or by public ferry. Each has its own pros and cons — and the best choice really depends on your travel style, your kids’ age, and how much time (and patience!) you’ve got.
If you’re traveling with a baby or toddler, flying is often the smoothest and most predictable. If your kids are a bit older and you’re up for a little adventure, a fast boat might be the most fun. The public ferry is the cheapest way to cross, but it’s also the longest and least comfortable — especially with small children.
Quick Summary: How to Travel From Bali to Lombok With Kids
- 🚤 Fast boat: Best for the Gili Islands and North Lombok – quick and scenic, but can be rough on choppy days
- ✈️ Plane: Best for South Lombok (like Kuta) – most comfortable and baby-friendly, ideal if you’re short on time
- 🚢 Ferry: Budget option, but slow and not the best with kids
Our Family Experience Traveling From Bali to Lombok
We’ve personally tried all three options — flying, fast boat, and even the public ferry — though not all with our kids in tow. That means we can give you a realistic picture of what works well for families… and what we’d probably skip next time. Thinking of combining Bali and Lombok in one trip? Get inspired by 👉 our 3-week family itinerary with relaxed stops and fun for all ages. Curious whether Lombok is a good destination for your little ones? Read all about our experience and practical tips in our 👉 Lombok with kids guide.
Want to know more about traveling to Bali with kids, check out our 👉 Bali with kids guide.
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1. Taking the Fast Boat: Pros, Cons & Family Tips
Fast boats are one of the most popular ways to get from Bali to Lombok — especially if you’re heading to the Gili Islands or the north coast of Lombok. Departures are available from multiple harbors in Bali, including Sanur, Serangan, and Padangbai.
Depending on your destination, the ride usually takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours and drops you off in Bangsal, Senggigi, or directly at the 👉 Gili Islands. It’s much quicker than the ferry and more direct than flying, especially if you’re staying near a departure port.
💸 Prices range from $20–35 USD (€18–32) per person, depending on the company and route. Kids under 2 often travel for free or at a reduced rate.
✅ Why it can work well for families
- Travel time is relatively short
- No airport hassle or long check-in times
- Boats often include hotel transfers in Bali and Lombok
- Great option if you’re already staying in Sanur, Candidasa, or Nusa Lembongan
⚠️ Things to keep in mind
- Seas can be rough — especially during rainy season or windy conditions
- Boarding sometimes involves walking through shallow water (carry your child or wear sandals!)
- The pier and boarding area can get very busy and crowded — watch your bags and little ones carefully
- Luggage may be stored on the roof or in a shared hold
- Motion sickness can happen — it’s wise to be prepared in case anyone gets seasick during the trip
👨👩👧 Our experience
We took the fast boat from Padangbai to the Gili Islands. The sea was relatively calm, and we enjoyed sitting outside on the upper deck — although the music was quite loud. Inside, there’s air conditioning and a more relaxed atmosphere.
Before we had kids, we also experienced some wild boat trips that didn’t always feel 100% safe. That’s why we now only travel with Ekajaya, the biggest and most reliable boat company. It feels safer and more comfortable for families.
💡 Crew Tip: Try to book a morning boat — the sea tends to be calmer early in the day, and delays are less likely.
2. Flying From Bali to Lombok With Kids: Pros, Cons & Family Tips
Flying between Bali and Lombok is the fastest and most convenient way to travel, especially if you’re short on time or traveling with babies and toddlers. The flight itself takes about 40 minutes, but you should factor in time for check-in, security, and transfers to and from the airports.
💸 Tickets usually cost between $30–70 USD (€28–65), depending on the airline and how early you book. Babies under 2 typically pay a small fee or fly for free on your lap.
✅ Why it can work well for families
- Quickest travel option with minimal transit time
- Comfortable and climate-controlled environment
- No seasickness worries
- Easier with a lot of luggage or baby gear
- Frequent daily flights by several airlines
⚠️ Things to keep in mind
- Airports are generally fine, but plan extra time for check-in and security
- Flight delays or cancellations happen relatively often, so plan accordingly
- You’ll need to arrange transport to and from both airports
- Tickets can be pricier than boat options, especially when booked last minute
👨👩👧 Our experience
We’ve flown this route multiple times, also when we were still just the two of us. We’ve experienced delays fairly often — once even a 4-hour delay, though usually it’s around 30 minutes. Flying isn’t always our favorite option; it really depends on where you’re headed. If you’re going to South Lombok, flying makes a lot of sense. But for other destinations, we often prefer other ways of traveling.
💡 Crew Tip: Bring snacks, toys, and entertainment for the kids to keep them comfortable during waiting times at the airport.
3. Taking the Public Ferry: Pros, Cons & Family Tips
The public ferry runs between Padangbai (Bali) and Lembar (Southwest Lombok). It’s the cheapest way to cross between the islands, with tickets costing just a few euros. Ferries leave roughly every hour and the crossing takes 4 to 6 hours, depending on sea conditions and how long you wait for the boat to fill up.
This option is mostly used by locals and travelers on a tight budget. It’s an adventure, but not the most practical option if you’re traveling with young children.
💸 The public ferry is by far the cheapest — around $3–4 USD (€2–3.50) per adult. Kids under 5 often travel free.
✅ Why it can work well for families
- Super budget-friendly
- No luggage limits
- Ferries run frequently, day and night
- Good option if you’re renting a car or scooter and want to bring it across
⚠️ Things to keep in mind
- The crossing is long and can take even longer if the boat waits to fill up
- Basic facilities on board (no air-conditioning, limited seating and shade)
- Crowded, especially in high season or around holidays
- Long wait times before departure are common
- Not ideal with small children or if you’re in a rush
👨👩👧 Our experience
We’ve taken the public ferry ourselves (without kids), and it was definitely a local experience — slow, crowded, and not very comfortable. It’s great if you’re traveling overland with a motorbike or want the cheapest possible route. But with little kids? We wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re very flexible and used to rougher travel days.
Wrapping Up: What’s the Best Way to Travel From Bali to Lombok With Kids?
From fast boats to short flights and long ferry rides, there’s more than one way to cross from Bali to Lombok as a family — and each option has its pros and cons.
- 🚤 Fast boat → Best if you’re heading to the Gili Islands or North Lombok
- ✈️ Flight → Ideal if you’re going to South Lombok (like Kuta or Selong Belanak)
- 🛳️ Public ferry → Good for families on a very tight budget, but expect a long, basic journey
We hope this guide helps you choose the best route for your family — and enjoy a smooth, memorable trip across the islands!
Where to Book Tickets for Your Family
- 🚤 Fast boat → 12Go Asia
(we recommend Ekajaya – the biggest and most reliable option) - ✈️ Flight → Trip.com
(we prefer AirAsia or Garuda Indonesia for short-haul domestic flights) - 🛳️ Public ferry → Buy tickets on-site at Padangbai Harbor, no online booking needed
Looking for more Indonesia inspiration? Don’t miss these family-tested guides:
👉 2-Week Bali Itinerary With Kids
👉 Best Family-Friendly Beaches in Bali
👉 Traveling Bali With a Baby or Toddler
👉 Lovina with Kids: Dolphins, Waterfalls and Quiet Beaches
👉 Nusa islands with Kids: Lembongan, Ceningan & Penida
👉 Gili islands with kids
📌 Save this post to Pinterest & follow us for weekly family travel tips!
📸 And say hi on Instagram — we love sharing real advice and behind-the-scenes from our adventures with little ones.
Happy travels! 🌴
— The Little Passport Crew
FAQ: How to Travel From Bali to Lombok With Kids
🛟 Is the fast boat safe for kids?
It can be, as long as you choose a reliable boat company and check the weather beforehand. We’ve done the trip several times with our kids and always use Ekajaya, the biggest and most stable fast boat operator between Bali and Lombok.
While the ride is usually smooth, the sea can get rough — especially during rainy or windy season. Always check the conditions in advance to make sure it’s safe for children.
🛳️ What’s the easiest way to travel between Bali and Lombok with kids?
That really depends on your destination and your family’s needs. Flying is usually quickest and easiest for families heading to South Lombok (like Kuta). For trips to the Gili Islands or North Lombok, the fast boat is often the best choice. The public ferry is cheapest but least comfortable — only recommended if you’re on a tight budget and have flexible travel plans.
👶🏻 Is the fast boat suitable for babies?
Fast boats can be doable with babies, but it depends on your baby’s temperament and the sea conditions. If your baby is easily unsettled by motion or if the sea is choppy, flying might be a better option. If you do take the boat, try to book a morning departure when waters tend to be calmer.
🍲 What’s the best way to get to the Gili Islands with kids?
The fast boat is usually the most practical and direct option for families. We recommend choosing a reputable company like Ekajaya for extra comfort and safety. Boats depart from several harbors in Bali (like Padangbai or Sanur), and take you directly to Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, or Gili Meno in about 2–2.5 hours.
If you’re traveling with a baby or toddler, book a morning departure (the sea is usually calmer) and avoid travel during rainy season when waves can get rough. Flying to Lombok and then taking a local boat to the Gilis is also possible, but adds several extra transfers.
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