The mystical island of Nusa Penida is becoming an essential addition to any Bali itinerary. It is therefore only natural that one of the most commonly asked questions we receive is how 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.
*Before You Travel to Nusa Penida, have you got your travel insurance sorted? Cover yourself for the unexpected, read why you really need travel insurance, or get a quote from World Nomads.
BALI TO NUSA PENIDA – 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.
Bali to Nusa Penida Speed Boat – How to Book
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 – 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. The locals would love to keep it that way; however, it is our duty to share this information with you guys.
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 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.
Bali to Nusa Penida Ferry – How to Book
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
WHERE TO STAY ON NUSA PENIDA
Hostel – Nuansa Penida Hostel – Set in the North of the Island, this affordable hostel offers simple yet accommodation for their guests. The property boasts a swimming pool and a bar, while positioned in close proximity to the highlights of the island.
Budget Private – Deva Devi – We spent 4 nights at Deva Devi during our trip to Nusa Penida and enjoyed the simple yet comfortable private room. The property is conveniently located to the main town on the island where you can find a variety of restaurants.
Luxury – Penida Bambu Green – For a touch of luxury on this relatively undeveloped Island, Penida Bambu Green offers premium wood bungalows with unrivalled views. Amenities include a swimming pool and on-site restaurant.
For more Accommodation in Nusa Penida, you can check the latest prices here.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- 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!
If you have any questions or feel we have missed anything, please reach out to us in the comment below.
Stay adventurous & Happy travels,
Charlotte & Natalie x
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3 Responses
Greats Content and details, thank you
Thanks for the info!
Looking forward to go to Bali and Nusa Penida next month.
Do you can give some info about the scooter rental, I’m also looking to rent a bike on Bali and take it to Nusa and Lombok, which is more convenient (and cheaper) for a month of hire.
But rental companies are not allowing to take scooters off Bali, do you know they are always supplying the paperwork of the bike? So you can take it on the ferry’s.
Arno
Hey Arno, thank you for taking the time to comment. I’m afraid I don’t know as it will be entirely up to the bike company. I’d be interested to know if you found a way around this? Many thanks, Natalie