Ferries to Padang Bai

Padang Bai ferry port is on the east coast of Bali and is the departure point for the speedboats to Lombok and the Gili Islands. Gili Trawangan is 1.5 hours away with up to 34 departures a day, Gili Air and Gili Meno two hours, Bangsal on Lombok 1.75 hours and Senggigi 1.5 hours. The offshore islands are far closer: Nusa Lembongan in 15 minutes, Nusa Penida in half an hour. Together the seven destinations add up to as many as 111 departures a day, with journey times between 15 minutes and two hours. Nine operators call at the port, among them Bali Eka Jaya, Bluewater Express and Dcamel Fast Ferry.

Getting there and the terminal

Padang Bai is a village in its own right on Bali's east coast, not a bay on the edge of a city. From Ngurah Rai airport, from Ubud, Seminyak or Canggu the drive takes one and a half to two hours depending on traffic; from Candidasa and Amed it is much closer. The speedboats to the Gilis and to Lombok leave from the main pier, while the large car ferry to Lembar on Lombok works from its own berth alongside. Each operator has its own check-in counter at the port, and most offer a pick-up at your accommodation or at the airport for a surcharge.

Check-in

Be at the port 60 minutes before departure. You need that hour for check-in, luggage tags, port access and boarding; boarding is usually called 15 to 30 minutes before departure.