GETTING AROUND - LOMBOK
Walking around the island of Lombok is a great way to visit the beaches and towns that connect along the coast along with exploring different restaurants, shops, and markets along the way. The tourist hub of Senggigi is dotted with many different hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops that are worth exploring and the location of some of the most beautiful beaches. Mataram is another lively tourist area on the island where visitors can find shopping malls and other attractions and historic sites that can be explored on foot.
Hiking in Lombok is possible with its lush mountains interior. The island is mostly made up of mountainous and volcanic terrain, including the second-highest volcano in Indonesia. The 3 days trek up Mount Gunung Rinjani with the Segara Anak Lake, which sits inside the crater is well worth the journey. The picturesque landscapes and the breathtaking views from the summit are simply beautiful and make for an excellent trip. The mountain can be climbed in 7 hours (depending on your fitness level) through lush dense rainforest terrain to the crater`s edge with views of the lake, tours will camp overnight here and enjoy dinner and a magical viewing spot for sunset and sunrise.
By BicycleRiding a bicycle around the towns and beaches in Lombok is possible and provides cyclists with great views of the island and a feel for the island life. Bikes can be hired from different tour operators and bike shops in Lombok. Be careful cycling on the roads, some are not in great condition and there can be large potholes and other hazards. Also, don`t attempt to ride a bike after dusk due to hazardous road conditions. There is a bicycle tour operator found in Senggigi, and many hotels and guesthouses have bikes available for their guests to use.
By BemoBemos are small public minibusses and the main form of public transportation offered in Lombok, they travel to and from different towns on the island. A Bemos is a converted passenger minivan with an open back and bench seating, used widely by locals and a great way to get short distances for cheap. You can hail a Bemo from the streets with fares that start around Rp4,500-5,500 for a ride between Ampenan to Senggigi. Bemos run during the day but cease operation after dusk, they can be chartered for use but prices may be much higher than just using a regular taxi.
By TaxiThe taxi companies in Lombok are light blue colored cars with Blue Bird Taxi and white-colored cars through Express Taxi. All taxis in Lombok are metered and relatively inexpensive, they can be found outside hotels, major tourist attractions and ordered over the phone. A taxi is the best way to travel around at night and can be booked over the phone or found in the major towns where nightlife is prominent. The flag fare for taxis is around Rp 4,350 and the meter goes up every few miles by 100 m, a quick jaunt around town will cost approximately Rp 10,000 and Rp 60,000 from Senggigi to Mataram.
By OjekOjeks are motorbike taxis that can transport single passengers around the island. This is a very quick and cheap option for independent travelers visiting Lombok, a short ride will cost about Rp 5,000 and Rp 20,000 for longer trips. Ojeks are found outside the main transport stations on the islands, outside hotels, and major tourist attractions, they can also be flagged down from the street.
By CidomoCidomos are traditional horse-drawn carriage rides offered in Lombok, these rides are predominantly found in the main tourist areas and on the Gili Islands, where there is no motorized transport. These are especially popular rides at night for a romantic and authentic trip around town with the opportunity to take in the beautiful scenery. It is advisable to agree on a price beforehand, cidomo drivers tend to try to charge tourists more, so be prepared to haggle hard for the price. A journey should cost a maximum of around Rp 10,000 for a short ride.
By MotorbikeHiring your own motorbike while visiting Lombok provides travelers with a great way of getting around the island. Riders need to have an international driver`s license and motorcycle license to be able to hire a motorbike. Riding a motorbike around the island is a great way to see the beautiful beaches and scenery, rentals are available in the main tourist towns and can cost anywhere from Rp 350,000 - 60,000 per day.
By BoatThere are many options for taking a boat ride in Lombok including `perahu` which are traditional wooden fishing boats that ply the waters. These types of boats can be chartered right on the beaches of Lombok. There is a public ferry that travels between Padangbai (Bali) and Lembar in Lombok several times a day, the trip is 5 hours long and motorbikes and cars can be taken on board. There are fast boat services to the magical Gili Islands and other offshore destinations, Blue Water Safari Express is one of the fast boat companies. Other tours such as fishing charters and snorkeling trips can be arranged with different operators in Lombok, there is so much to see and do on the beautiful waters.