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.
- Public
- Public bemos are very cheap but slow, unreliable, and not tourist-friendly — fine for short urban hops in Mataram
- Taxi
- Available via apps (GrabCar, GoJek) in Mataram and Senggigi; fixed-rate taxis operate from the airport
- Rental
- Motorbike rental is the gold standard — cheap, flexible, and opens up coastal routes and hidden beaches that public transport can't reach
- Walking
- Mataram's city centre and the Gili Islands are walkable; Senggigi's beach strip is pleasant on foot; elsewhere distances are too large
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- $12–18, 45–60 min to Mataram or Senggigi
- Taxi Info
- Fixed-rate airport taxis from the official desk in arrivals; avoid touts offering similar prices outside
- Shuttle
- $3–5 per person, shared DAMRI bus to Mataram
- Shuttle Info
- DAMRI buses from airport to Mataram bus terminal run every 30–60 minutes
- Bus
- $2–3 (change at Mataram terminal for onward connections)
- Bus Info
- Take DAMRI to Mataram then connect to public bemo for local destinations
- Private
- $20–35, pre-booked car to Kuta or Selong Belanak
- Private Info
- Pre-book through accommodation or apps; prices negotiable for distant destinations
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
DAMRI public buses serve major Lombok routes; fares IDR 5,000–15,000 ($0.30–1)
Alternatives
GoJek and Grab motorbike taxis (ojek) in Mataram and Senggigi from $1–3 per ride
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- IDR 10,000–15,000 base fare + IDR 3,000–4,000/km
- Apps
- GoJek, Grab
- App Names
- GoJek, Grab
- Typical Fare
- $3–6 for average Mataram or Senggigi city ride
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Long-distance buses from Mataram to East Lombok from IDR 20,000 ($1.25); cross-island Sumbawa bus $5–10
Shared
Shared minivans (travel) serve popular routes like Senggigi–Mataram–Airport for $2–5/person
Flights
Domestic flights Lombok–Sumbawa from $30–70 with Wing Air or Citilink
Private
Private car hire from $35–60/day including driver — best option for rural exploration
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
West Nusa Tenggara spans two main islands — Lombok and Sumbawa — connected by car ferries and small aircraft. Lombok International Airport is the main gateway. Within each island, motorbike rental is the most practical transport option; public bemos serve local routes but are slow and infrequent.
Airports
Lombok International Airport
Sultan Muhammad Kaharuddin III Airport
Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
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
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
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