🇮🇩 Country guide

Getting around Indonesia

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Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, so getting around mixes boats, planes and — on Java — an excellent railway. Most visitors start in Bali and hop to Nusa Penida, the Gili Islands and Lombok by fast boat, or explore Java by train.

See all transport in Indonesia on 12Go →

Route guides

🇮🇩 Fast boatBali → Gili TrawanganFast boat (no road or bridge)🇮🇩 Fast boatSanur → Nusa PenidaFast boat from Sanur beach🇮🇩 Fast boat · Public ferry · FlightBali → LombokFlight, about 40 minutes in the air🇮🇩 Train · Flight · BusJakarta → YogyakartaTrain, about 6–8 hours

How people get around

  • Fast boats link Bali with Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, the Gili Islands and Lombok. Short, frequent, weather-dependent.
  • Public ferries carry cars and foot passengers between islands, e.g. Bali (Gilimanuk) – Java (Ketapang) and Bali (Padang Bai) – Lombok (Lembar).
  • Trains on Java are modern and punctual: Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Malang are all connected. Tickets are issued in your name.
  • Buses and shuttles fill the gaps, including overnight buses on the Trans-Java toll road and tourist shuttles in Bali.
  • Domestic flights are the practical choice for long distances between islands.

Bali

Bali has no railway; travellers use private drivers, shuttles and ride-hailing on land, and fast boats to the nearby islands. Renting a scooter or car in Bali? See our sister site SiapPergi.

More in our Bali guides: getting around Bali, renting a scooter in Bali and Bali airport transport.

Good to know

  • Sea crossings are roughest around June–September; morning boats are usually calmer.
  • Around Eid (Lebaran), Christmas and school holidays, trains, ferries and flights fill up fast.
  • Foreign visitors to Bali pay a tourist levy, separate from transport tickets.

More popular routes on 12Go

Times and prices on this page are estimates. Live schedules and fares are shown on 12Go.