By bemo in Lombok
Bemos (converted passenger-carrying minivans) are the main means of short and medium distance transport on Lombok. They can be hailed down on all larger streets and will happily take you even short hops down the road. Fares are inexpensive.
An approximate fare (mid 2009) from Ampenan to Senggigi is Rp 4,500-5,500/person.
Sometimes tourists get charged extra and drivers of empty bemos may try to get you to charter them for a higher price, often more than an equivalent taxi ride over the same distance.
If you are chartering be careful that the price and expectations are clear, if unresolved just seek a different Bemo.
Prices for set distances vary at times and if the price of fuel has risen or it is in short supply causing roadside price fluctuations then the Bemo prices will often follow. Try and watch what local customers are paying for a similar distance to your own and if really in doubt just include Rp 1,000-2,000 extra. It is prudent to have enough small notes to be able to pay the correct fare without needing change.
If you are carrying large bags of shopping or other items more than a day pack or small hand items then expect to pay a little more. For a large amount of shopping or a really large single item such as a bicycle, luggage or similar maybe double the charge for a single person or a bit more if the driver is missing out on business from other people because you have taken a lot of space in the vehicle or if the driver needs to assist with the loading and unloading.
Senggigi to Mataram will require a change at the Pasar Ampenan from the more utilitarian Suzuki Carry 'box back' style of bemo popular used in the rural areas across to a yellow and red Suzuki bemo of the enclosed van body style that runs about in the city areas, unless of course you have chartered the vehicle to your required destination.
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Beware of pick-pockets on city bemo services
Foreign travellers should be wary of pick-pockets and cell phone thieves especially when alighting from bemo in the city, be particularly cautious whilst travelling in the Cakranegara area, some of the perpetrators often work in a group.
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Bemo are often used to carry produce either on charter or with passengers on board and occasionally a small cow, or some goats might be moved in one, normally not when there are people in there but nothing is out of the question with a bemo in the rural areas, even if it does not fit inside.
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Bemo services running north from Mangsit beach
Many bemo drivers are reluctant to venture further up the west coast of Lombok than the northern end of Mangsit village as the passenger densities drop dramatically from there on. The driver may want to turn back at this point if he does not have sufficient passengers or seek to enter into a charter agreement. If this happens when wanting to travel further up the west coast of Lombok using Bemo transport It is best to await a northbound bemo near the front gate of Windy Beach Cottages or Bellindo (school). If stranded at this location often an ojek (motorbike taxi) rider can be found here and a late model motor bike can usually be rented from the nearby handfone shop. A Bluebird taxi driver rest area is situated in an open parking area in front of the Holiday Resort Lombok near their security post and is only a short walk away towards the south.
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Bemos have normally stopped running by dusk on the west coast of Lombok and most other rural locations unless under charter. A taxi or other means of transport may need to be called to your location to pick you up if you leave your return to a time approaching dusk.
Travel agents can also get you on semi-regular shuttle services, which connect Senggigi, the airport, and the harbors of Lembar for Bali and Bangsal for the Gilis.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Lombok
