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Transportation Guide

Getting Around West Nusa Tenggara 2025

Navigate West Nusa Tenggara like a local with our transportation guide.

West Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Barat) is an Indonesian province spanning two main islands—Lombok and Sumbawa—offering a diverse blend of volcanic peaks, pristine beaches, and rich Sasak and Sumbawan cultures. From the towering Mount Rinjani and the turquoise Gili Islands to the legendary surf breaks of Lakey Beach and the remote wilderness of Moyo Island, the province delivers world-class adventure and relaxation in equal measure.

Transportation Overview

Quick comparison of transport options in West Nusa Tenggara.

🚌

Public Transit

Availability: ★★☆☆☆

Public bemos are very cheap but slow, unreliable, and not tourist-friendly — fine for short urban hops in Mataram

🚕

Taxis

Availability: ★★★☆☆

Available via apps (GrabCar, GoJek) in Mataram and Senggigi; fixed-rate taxis operate from the airport

🚗

Car Rental

Recommended: ★★★★★

Motorbike rental is the gold standard — cheap, flexible, and opens up coastal routes and hidden beaches that public transport can't reach

🚶

Walking

Suitable: ★★★☆☆

Mataram's city centre and the Gili Islands are walkable; Senggigi's beach strip is pleasant on foot; elsewhere distances are too large

Getting There

How to arrive in West Nusa Tenggara.

✈️ By Air

Airport

Lombok International Airport

LOP45 km south of Mataram, 25 km from Praya from center

The main international and domestic gateway to Lombok and West Nusa Tenggara, opened in 2011 and serving flights from Bali, Jakarta, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur

Transfer options: Taxi $12–18 to Mataram/Senggigi, Shuttle bus $3–5 to Mataram, Private car $20–35 to Kuta Lombok
Airport

Sultan Muhammad Kaharuddin III Airport

SWQ3 km from Sumbawa Besar town centre from center

The main airport of western Sumbawa, serving regular flights from Bali, Lombok, and Jakarta

Transfer options: Taxi $3–5 to Sumbawa Besar town, Ojek motorbike taxi $2–3
Airport

Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Airport

BMU15 km from Bima town from center

The eastern Sumbawa airport serving the Bima and Dompu region with connections to Bali and Lombok

Transfer options: Taxi $8–12 to Bima town, Shared minibus $2–3

Airport Transfer Options

🚕 Taxi

$12–18, 45–60 min to Mataram or Senggigi

Fixed-rate airport taxis from the official desk in arrivals; avoid touts offering similar prices outside

🚐 Shared Shuttle

$3–5 per person, shared DAMRI bus to Mataram

DAMRI buses from airport to Mataram bus terminal run every 30–60 minutes

🚌 Public Bus

$2–3 (change at Mataram terminal for onward connections)

Take DAMRI to Mataram then connect to public bemo for local destinations

🚗 Private Transfer

$20–35, pre-booked car to Kuta or Selong Belanak

Pre-book through accommodation or apps; prices negotiable for distant destinations

🚗

Complete Transportation Guide

Route guides, fare information, and transport app recommendations.

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Local Transportation

Getting around within West Nusa Tenggara.

Motorbike rental is the definitive way to explore West Nusa Tenggara. Roads on Lombok's west and south coasts are good-quality tarmac; eastern and northern Lombok has some rougher tracks. Sumbawa's roads are generally good on the main trans-island highway but poor on side roads. The Gili Islands have no motorised transport.

Motorbike rental

Car rental with/without driver

Cidomo on Gili Islands

Bicycle on Gili Islands

Walking in towns

🚌 Buses

DAMRI public buses serve major Lombok routes; fares IDR 5,000–15,000 ($0.30–1)

🛺 Local Alternatives

GoJek and Grab motorbike taxis (ojek) in Mataram and Senggigi from $1–3 per ride

Taxis & Rideshare

On-demand transport options.

Taxi

Regular Taxis

IDR 10,000–15,000 base fare + IDR 3,000–4,000/km

Typical fare: $3–6 for average Mataram or Senggigi city ride
App

Ride-Hailing Apps

['GoJek', 'Grab']

GoJek Grab

Taxi Safety Tips

  • Use official taxis or verified ride-hailing apps
  • Agree on fare before starting or ensure meter is running
  • Have your destination written down in local language
  • Keep small bills for payment - drivers may not have change
  • Share your ride details with someone if traveling alone at night

Intercity Travel

Getting between cities and regions.

Public buses (bus DAMRI) connect Mataram with towns across Lombok. For Sumbawa, the trans-island bus from Poto Tano ferry port to Bima takes 8+ hours. Ferries connect Lembar (Lombok) with Padangbai (Bali) and Poto Tano (Sumbawa) — a scenic journey.

Bus

Long-Distance Buses

Long-distance buses from Mataram to East Lombok from IDR 20,000 ($1.25); cross-island Sumbawa bus $5–10

Shared

Shared Taxis/Minivans

Shared minivans (travel) serve popular routes like Senggigi–Mataram–Airport for $2–5/person

Air

Domestic Flights

Domestic flights Lombok–Sumbawa from $30–70 with Wing Air or Citilink

Private

Private Car/Driver

Private car hire from $35–60/day including driver — best option for rural exploration

Driving in West Nusa Tenggara

Information for self-driving travelers.

Recommended?

Yes

Driving Side

Left

License Required

International Driving Permit recommended; Indonesian police occasionally check

Road Conditions

Main roads are good; mountain roads and rural tracks require caution especially after rain

Driving Considerations

  • Research local driving laws and road conditions before deciding to drive
  • Consider hiring a driver instead - often affordable and less stressful
  • Ensure comprehensive insurance if renting a vehicle
  • Avoid driving at night in unfamiliar areas
  • Keep copies of all documents (license, insurance, rental agreement)

Transportation Tips

Essential advice for getting around.

💡

Always wear a helmet on a motorbike — it's legally required and police checkpoints are common

💡

Check tyre pressure and brakes on any rented motorbike before setting off

💡

Book Gili Islands fast boats directly from Bangsal harbour office — avoid commission-heavy touts at Senggigi

💡

The public ferry from Bangsal to Gili Trawangan is IDR 15,000 ($0.95) — the tourist speedboat charges $15–25 for the same trip

💡

GoJek and Grab work well in Mataram and Senggigi but are unavailable on the Gili Islands and in rural Sumbawa

💡

Fuel (premium petrol) is sold in bottles outside most small shops in rural areas for slightly more than station price

Useful Apps

GoJek

Indonesia's leading ride-hailing and delivery app — best for Mataram, motorbike taxis, and food delivery

Grab

Available in Mataram and Senggigi for car and motorbike hailing

Traveloka

Best app for booking domestic flights between Lombok and Sumbawa airports

Tiket.com

Indonesian booking platform for flights, ferries, and bus tickets

Navigate West Nusa Tenggara Like a Local

Get our complete transport guide with route planners, fare guides, and essential travel phrases.

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