In Reply to: boat to lombok posted by geckot on Friday, 26. August 2011 at 22:12 Bali Time:
I would take into consideration where on Bali you will be based and where you plan to go on Lombok.
The public ferry leaves from Padangbai in Bali which is about 1.5/2 hours from Kuta depending on traffic. It runs around the clock about every 1.5 hours. It docks in Lembar in Lombok.
The fast boats can be more expensive than flying but dock in the Gilis and a few harbours close to Bangsal in the North. So good if you want the Gilis or Senggigi. Inconvenient if you want Kuta on the southern coast.
Flights only take 20 minutes and if you are based in Kuta (Bali) the airport is close. Until 30th September flights will land at Mataram airport (Selaparang) which is good for Senggigi but from October 1st they will land at the new Lombok International Airport (BIL) which is closer to Kuta. (Kuta, Lombok in case you didn't realise there are two)