Lombok travel guide: planning your stay

Getting there and choosing your base

Lombok International Airport (LOP): The island's only working airport, near Praya in the centre-south, about 40 km from Mataram and further still from Senggigi. Kuta and Mandalika are the closest beach areas, which makes the south coast the easy first stop after a late flight.
Lembar harbour: Slow car ferries from Padangbai on Bali dock at this south-western port around the clock. The crossing takes several hours and can run late, so leave slack before any check-in deadline.
Bangsal and Teluk Nare: North-west coast departure points for boats to the Gilis. Some fast boats from Bali go straight to the Gilis or to Senggigi, skipping the mainland.

Areas to consider

Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno

Suits divers and anyone happy to walk or cycle everywhere, since there are no cars or motorbikes. Smaller homestays, and most places on Gili Meno, may supply salt water to the showers, so ask whether the bathroom has fresh water.

Senggigi and Mangsit

Suits travellers who want west-facing beaches, sunsets and the island's longest-established resort strip. The strip follows one coastal road with empty stretches between, so a 'Senggigi' address may be a taxi ride from the restaurants; check the distance to the township.

Kuta and Mandalika

Suits surfers and beach-goers on the south coast, which has grown around the Mandalika international circuit. Find out whether any events at the circuit fall in your dates before comparing rates.

Senaru and the Rinjani foothills

Suits trekkers heading up Mount Rinjani and visitors to the Senaru waterfalls. Lodgings here are mostly simple, so confirm hot water and whether the trek operator includes a pick-up from the hotel.

When to go

Lombok is drier than Bali in the October–April rainy season, and showers there rarely last more than an hour or two; the tourist peak runs from May to August. Hire cars can run short over the Idul Fitri holiday at the end of Ramadan, when much of Indonesia travels home. On the Gilis little changes during the fasting month, although some dive shops cut back their schedules.

Before choosing a room

On the Gilis, luggage moves from the boat to the hotel by horse cart or on foot, so ask how far the property is from the landing beach.
Beachfront rooms close to a boat landing can be noisy from early morning; ask where the room sits relative to the harbour.
Mosques are close to many hotels and the dawn call to prayer carries, so light sleepers should ask how near the nearest one is.

Sources and planning resources

Facts checked on 30 October 2026. Transport services, taxes and hotel offers can change. Confirm the details for your trip before booking.