Indonesia Ferry Guide 2026: Routes, Prices & Tips

Indonesia has 17,508 islands. You can't visit even 1% of them, but you'll probably want to see at least three on your trip — and that means ferries. The good news: Indonesia's inter-island ferry network is one of the best in Southeast Asia. The bad news: schedules change, websites lie, and the wrong ferry on the wrong day will turn you green.

We've done 40+ ferry crossings over two years. This is the cheat sheet we wish we'd had on day one.

The three ferry categories

1.PELNI — Indonesia's state-run overnight/long-haul ferries. Cheap, slow, unforgettable.

2.ASDP — Government-run shorter ferries (Bali-Lombok, Java-Sumatra). Reliable, no-frills.

3.Fast boats — Privately run speedboats. Faster, pricier, less predictable when seas are rough.

Bali → Lombok

Fast boat (1.5–2 hours, $25–$35): Departs Padang Bai or Serangan 2–3x daily. Operators we've used and liked: Eka Jaya, BlueWater, Gili Gili Fast Boat. Book the day before in peak season.

Slow ferry ASDP (4–5 hours, ~$3): Padang Bai → Lembar (Lombok) hourly. Local experience, but seas can be rough and it's packed.

Our pick: Fast boat. The price difference buys you two extra hours of holiday.

Bali → Gili Islands

Fast boats from Padang Bai and Serangan directly to all three Gilis. $35–$55 depending on operator. The sea between Lombok and the Gilis gets choppy from November–March; if you get seasick, medicate beforehand.

Bali → Nusa Penida / Nusa Lembongan

30–45 minutes, $10–$15, departs Sanur hourly. This is the easiest crossing in Indonesia. Operators: Maruti Express, Angel Billabong Fast Cruise. Bring dry bags — they load luggage on open decks.

Lombok → Flores / Komodo

There is a PELNI route but it's 36 hours and often delayed. 99% of travelers fly from Denpasar or Lombok to Labuan Bajo — Lion Air, Wings Air, Batik Air run daily flights for $60–$120.

Java → Bali

If you're coming down from Yogyakarta, take the train to Banyuwangi, then the Ketapang–Gilimanuk ferry (45 minutes, IDR 10,000 / 65 cents). This is the cheapest international-feeling crossing in the world.

Raja Ampat access

Fly to Sorong, ferry to Waisai (2 hours, IDR 215,000 / $14). Two departures daily: 9am and 2pm. Book same-day at the port; online bookings are unreliable.

How to book

12Go Asia — our go-to for fast boats. Prices are fair, customer service is real, and they handle refunds when operators cancel.

Direct at the pier — cheapest but risky in peak season. Only do this if you're flexible.

Hotel reception — easy but usually 15–25% markup.

The weather reality

Ferries get cancelled. Budget a rest day on either side of any multi-ferry leg. During wet season (Nov–Mar in most of Indonesia), we've had two-day weather delays on the Lombok–Gili route. See our Indonesia weather guide (/articles/indonesia-weather-by-region) for regional timing.

What to pack

·Ginger candies or Dramamine (take it 45 minutes before)

·Dry bag for phone/wallet

·Layers — ferries blast A/C

·Downloaded offline maps and music — no signal on open water

A warning about Pelni long hauls

We've done one. It was character-building. Stick with the 36-hour maximum unless you're a confident budget traveler with time to burn.

Book a solid eSIM before you start ferry-hopping — we ranked the best four in our Indonesia eSIM guide.