We will be traveling to Bali in October and want to spend a few nights in Lombok. We want to travel back and forth by air. There appears to be two airline options: Merpati Airlines and Lion Air. I have checked both of their websites but neither will let me book the round trip travel. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to get this booked? I would prefer to do so before we leave the U.S. My AAA travel agent also could not help. Thanks

kathie will probably chime in for you as she did lombok last year and is redoing it this year i believe....but in the meantime---how about sending them an e-mail and asking them how to do it.....?? also will travelocity, etc. allow it??

I had a terrible time trying to book intra-Indonesia flights before arriving in Indonesia, and even a travel agent in Singapore couldn't do it for me. There are basically hourly flights between Bali and Lombok. Wait until you get to Bali to book.

Indonesian airlines can be extremely frustrating. Flights are cancelled and people are bumped with impunity, so be flexible. There are several daily flights between Bali and Lombok. Your conceriege in Bali will be able to arrange tickets for you.

I'd seriously consider taking the ferry instead of flying. By the time you get to the airport and go through all the nonsense, the time is more or less the same and the ferries are a lot more reliable.

The ferry ride can be pretty rough. They have a basket of seasickness pills on the boat for you to take as you arrive...

Why go to Lombock? We fly there for a day and were very disappointed. The beauty of several parts of Bali can make a 4-5 day stay most worthwhile.

Thank you for the info and insight. It appears that booking the flights from the U.S. is tough and I should wait until I get there. I was trying to do it ahead of time because our plan is to land in Bali from our int'l flight and immediately take another flight to Lombok for a few days. Just did not want to waste a lot of time sitting around the airport. Since we will not be in a hotel in Bali until after the few days in Lombok, the concierge help is probably not an option. I think I will write to the Sheraton in Lombok and see if they have a suggestion. Thanks for the ferry suggestion but I am prone to seasickness anyway so I really don't want to go that route.

Stan, I spent 10 days on Lombok last year and had a wonderful time. If you want a quiet beach and an entirely different culture and atmosphere, Lombok is a delight. We stayed at the Qunci Villas, a small, 20 room resort. It is beautifully designed, has great food and great service. I love Bali, but this was very different.

First I want to say Stankase how can you possibbly judge Lombok from a day trip? I have lived on Lombok for 8 years & can tell you that it is a beautiful island with beautiful people.

Marmot I can also confirm that the ferry is a much longer journey than flying. The ferry takes a minimum of 4 hours, often a lot longer & more often than no you have to sit outside the harbour for another hour waiting for your turn to dock. Transfer times to & from the harbour/airport have to be considered too but for me from Kuta Lombok to DPS by car / ferry takes a whole day but flying takes less than 3 hours total. (with a booked ticket)

Apaprt from Merpati there are also GT Air, Lion Air & Wings Air flying to Lombok. I usually buy my ticket at the airport & get on a flight out within an hour or two. Sometimes I go standbye but I have always got on.

Merpati is currently Rp325,000 o/w GT Air Rp270,000 o/w

I would suggest you to buy in Bali. Buying online (if you can find) is alot more expensive, it can cover a night in Bali. Or if you trust me, 3months before, you can give me the money, I'll buy the ticket for you and mail it to you. I have account in US, or paypall?

It may be worth knowing that Silk Air (www.silkair.com) which is a subsidary of Singapore flies directly to Lombok from SIN. If Singapore is in your itinerary this may reduce any backtracking and it puts you on a more reliable airline.

Hope this helps.