Getting Around Mataram
Mataram, the capital of West Nusa Tenggara on the island of Lombok, spreads across a string of connected districts — Ampenan, Mataram, Cakranegara and Sweta — and getting between them is mostly a matter of road transport. There is no rail, metro or tram network serving the city, so visitors rely on taxis, ride-hailing-style app bookings, bemos, ojeks, cidomo horse carts, or their own rented vehicle. The sections below cover what exists and how to use it.
Arriving by Air
Lombok International Airport (LOP) is the main gateway, located near Praya in South Lombok, southeast of Mataram. A public DAMRI shuttle bus connects the airport with Mataram and Senggigi. The buses are late-model, air-conditioned and white in colour.
- From Mataram: DAMRI services depart from the Mandalika bus terminal in eastern Mataram every hour, starting at 04:00 with the last bus leaving the terminal at 19:00. The fare from or to Mandalika terminal is Rp15,000.
- From Senggigi: DAMRI also connects Senggigi to the airport, departing Senggigi from 03:00 and then roughly every 1½ hours until the last departure at 20:00. The fare from the airport to Senggigi is Rp25,000 per person. Some airport buses may run between Mandalika and Senggigi.
- Reliability: Services may not follow the published schedules, so leave plenty of buffer time if you are catching a departing flight.
- Onward travel: Taxis are normally available at the terminal for travel onward to other areas.
If you prefer a taxi or private car from the airport, expect to pay roughly Rp130,000–150,000 to reach Mataram.
Arriving by Boat
The port of Lembar lies south of Mataram and is served by ferries from Padang Bai on Bali running around the clock, roughly every 90 minutes, with a crossing of several hours. Getting from Lembar into Mataram can sometimes be problematic if you have not booked an end-to-end travel package.
- Shuttle bus: Perama Tours and Travel, on Pejanggik Street in Mataram, runs shuttle connections from Lembar to Mataram and also offers Bali–Mataram connections. A hotel pick-up should be arranged well in advance and preferably confirmed by email.
- Bemo: You can take a bemo from Lembar Harbour to Mataram during daylight hours, with a fare of Rp5,000–8,000 to the Ampenan–Mataram–Cakranegara–Sweta area — though you may pay more if you have a lot of luggage.
- Taxi or private car: Metered taxis are often available at the terminal or just outside the gates, but do not depend on one being there. Negotiating with a private car operator on arrival is another option.
- Porters: Any volunteer "porters" who carry your bags will expect at least Rp10,000.
There are a few basic warung and losmen in Lembar if you get stuck.
Arriving by Bus or Car
Terminal Mandalika on Jalan Sandubaya in Sandubaya is the main bus terminal, and most buses stop there briefly. Booking online is preferable to avoid soliciting. The DAMRI pool (Perum Damri Cabang Mataram) is on Jl. TGH. Faesal, near Terminal Mandalika; DAMRI has a mobile app, though not all regions are covered on the Apple version, and international booking platforms may be easier for some routes though they will not carry all DAMRI routes. Some DAMRI routes from the terminal include Lembar (Rp35,000), Bangsal and Senggigi.
It is also possible to reach Mataram from Denpasar by car, a drive of several hours plus ferries.
Taxis
Blue Bird / Lombok Taksi is the most common taxi available in Mataram. Both Bluebird and the white-coloured Express Taksi operate radio dispatch systems, and both companies' cars are equipped with meters that drivers should use at all times. The flag fall is approximately Rp4,250, and the meter ticks up a few hundred rupiah for every hundred metres past 2 km. Taxis can be booked in advance either by calling the company yourself or by booking through your hotel, and they may be hailed down on the street anywhere around Mataram — with the exception of the dark blue Airport Taksi, whose use is limited to arriving airport passengers only.
Bemos
Bemos run many set routes in and around Mataram, Ampenan and Cakranegara, and may be flagged down anywhere on the streets of Mataram. They can sometimes be crowded and may stop and start frequently to pick up and set down passengers or to tout for business, so trips can get a bit drawn out. Beware of pickpockets, who often prey on passengers especially around the Cakranegara routes and can be persistent even if detected. For two or more people, an air-conditioned taxi may be more straightforward and possibly less expensive.
Ojek and Cidomo
Ojek — local motorbike riders — are available for short hops, with prices negotiable. As a rule of thumb, expect Rp5,000–10,000 for a short trip if the destination is nearby; longer distances will require some informed negotiation.
Horse carts known as cidomo remain a common means of transport in Mataram and are often found operating throughout the congested streets near a pasar or produce market. That said, public bemos and metered taxis are more commonly used for getting around.
Renting a Car or Motorbike
Renting a car is a possible alternative in Mataram. Rates are roughly Rp250,000–300,000 for a Toyota Avanza or Daihatsu Xenia (6–8 seats) and Rp300,000–450,000 for a Toyota Kijang (7–8 seats). The age and condition of the car affect the price, as does high rental demand during the peak tourism period around June–August and local holidays. Rental periods should be for 24 hours.
Motorbikes are also available for rent around Mataram, at approximately Rp50,000 per day for a bike in as-new condition. Several rental operators can be found in the Cakranegara area, or you can enquire at your hotel for assistance. If you ride a motorbike, ensure you obtain and use a helmet.
Walking
Walking is a practical way to cover short distances within a single district, but Mataram is a sprawling, multi-centre city and the streets around markets can be congested. For longer hops between Ampenan, Mataram, Cakranegara and Sweta, most visitors use taxis, bemos or a rented vehicle rather than walking.