How to Travel from Bali to Nusa Penida

The mystical island of Nusa Penida is becoming an essential addition to any Bali itinerary.  But what is th best way to get there?  In this article, I will share all of the different options, including the Fast Boat and Ferry to Nusa Penida and the cheapest way to travel from Bali to Nusa Penida.

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Bali to Nusa Penida by Speed Boat

The most common way to travel from Bali to Nusa Penida is to take a speed boat from Sanur Beach.  Located South East of Bali, there are various companies who operate out of this terminal, including Mola Mola Express and Crown Fast Cruises.  It doesn’t matter which company you choose as they all charge a similar price.  

Generally, there are a choice of boats departing in the morning between 7.30 – 10.00, and again in the afternoon between 3.00 – 5.30.  However, it is recommended you check the timetable ahead of travel here.  You can expect to pay around IDR 300,000/pax for a return journey and travel time is between 30-45 minutes.

How to Book the Bali to Nusa Penida Speed Boat

It is possible to book your speed boat tickets online up to 24 hours ahead of travel using 12go Asia.  Alternatively, you can book up to 30 minutes in advance at the ferry terminal, which we have located on the map below.  There may be a slight difference in price but not by much.  

SANUR PORT LOCATION

Bali to Nusa Penida by Ferry

Now we have covered the most common way to travel from Bali to Nusa Penida, let’s talk about the cheapest way.  This route is practically unknown to tourists, and you will struggle to find any information about it online. 

A public ferry from Bali to Nusa Penida operates daily from Padang Bai port and leaves between 9.00-11.00am.  Located in the East of Bali, this ferry costs just IDR 30,000/pax one way, and travel time is no more than 1 hour.  What’s more, you can even take a vehicle across with you.   

We’d heard stories of expensive scooter rental on Nusa Penida and also that the bikes are in bad condition due to treacherous roads on the island.   We were able to escort our scooter from Bali to Nusa Penida for an additional IDR 50,000 – and it still worked out cheaper than the speed boat! 

*Please note that to take your vehicle on the ferry, you will need to have your international driving license and the vehicle documentation.  Most scooter rentals keep this document in the seat of the bike.  

How to Book the Bali to Nusa Penida Ferry

Tickets for the public ferry from Bali to Nusa Penida are available to buy at Padang Bai port, located on the map below.  It’s best to arrive at the port around 8 am in case the boat leaves early that day; however, you should also be prepared to wait around if it’s a later departure.  There are a number of small stalls and shops dotted around for refreshments.

PADANG BAI PORT LOCATION

Things to Know

• If the weather is bad, we do not recommend taking any boat transportation in or around Bali.  It is not unheard of for there to be accidents out at sea in such conditions.
• Before considering driving a scooter in Nuda Penida, you should be aware that many of the roads on the island are of a treacherous condition.  If you are not confident on a scooter, we must stress that you should avoid driving there.  There are many reports of accidents on the island and we only narrowly escaped one ourselves when our breaks snapped coming down a steep hill.  Stay safe!

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