In Reply to: Ferry to Lombok posted by bbaallii on Monday, 25. September 2006 at 08:30 Bali Time:
The public ferry to Lombok goes from Padang Bai - about a two hour drive from Kuta on the east coast. It takes about 4-5 hours, and leaves every couple of hours 24 hours a day. It is very cheap to buy a ticket - less than 20,000rp for a one way ticket if I recall correctly.
If you go though, it is easier to buy an all in one ticket from an agent in Kuta. That will include the drive to padang bai, the ferry across (I would advise upgrading to VIP class when you get on the boat for a few thousand extra rupiah and a LOT more comfort) and our transport to wherever you are going the other side. To go from Sengiggi, for example, from Kuta, will cost you about 90,000rp all in, from menory.
It can be a bit of a rough journey and the boats are very old. Also, as someone else said, please be aware of the porters - they are onto a big scam, trying to run off with your bags, and they can get really quite aggressive. Keep hold of your bags yourself when you get to padang bai.
Good luck!