Bangsal

Bangsal is a tiny little port in northwestern Lombok, about 1 kilometers away from the town of Pemenang. It's strictly a transfer point on the way to and from the Gili Islands and few people hang around here any longer than necessary.

1 Travel to Bangsal
2 Get Around in Bangsal
3 What to see in Bangsal
4 Muslim Travel Tips
5 Halal Food & Restaurants in Bangsal
6 eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Bangsal
7 Ramadan Celebrations in Bangsal
- 7.1 Ramadan 2025 in Bangsal
8 Muslim Friendly Hotels
9 Telecommunications
10 News & References Bangsal
11 Go Next

Travel to Bangsal

By shuttle bus

If arriving in Lombok from Bali by ferry and you haven't booked an end-to-end travel package then getting from Lembar to Bangsal can sometimes be problematic. You can take a shuttle bus service to Bangsal from Lembar, Mataram or Senggigi with:

Perama Shuttle Bus
Arfatourindo Shuttle Car

By public boat

The only reason to come to Bangsal is to travel to and from the Gilis and that means you have to deal with the Koperasi Angkutan Laut (Sea Transport Co-operative), which monopolises transport to the islands. Try to get to Bangsal by 10:00 or earlier as boats go in the morning. The public boat office in Bangsal may close at 16:00, make sure you have checked the departure times back to Bangsal from the Gillis. Public boats operated by the Koperasi run in the afternoons however the late afternoon services are operated by the Koperasi Shuttle boat at a slightly higher tariff. See the individual Gili articles for detailed information on this.

Only purchase tickets from the official counter. The ticket sales point is in the main building on the foreshore, it is to your left as you arrive at the beach by road. Enter through the portico on the nearest side of the building and you will find a ticket counter, deal only with the ticket selling staff behind the counter. Prices are printed on the tickets, do not allow yourself to be confused by various extraordinary stories from any individuals lurking there or that have followed you in from outside.

Departing to Gili Islands from Bangsal. In theory, it's very easy. Upon arrival at Bangsal beach buy a ticket for the Public boat; Rp 8,000 to Gili Air, Rp 9,000 to Gili Meno and Rp 20,000 to Gili Trawangan.

These prices are per person/per trip. Buy your ticket via eHalal Travel Group and then wait until the maximum 20 people needed to fill up a boat show up. More may board and overload the boat. Early in the morning, this commonly takes over an hour. You will be told by the ticket sellers when it's time to go. Normally that information is broadcast over the Public Address system. Tickets are numbered and colour-coded. If you arrive at Bangsal later in the day you may be in for a longer wait. If you aren't in the mood to sit around, you can charter an entire boat to Trawangan or the other two islands. This may present a reasonable alternative if you can share the cost with a few fellow travellers and the training is quite common. The official Koperasi Charter boat price from Bangsal to Gili Trawangan is Rp 285,000. Negotiated private charters may be higher or lower than this figure depending upon both availability and your own negotiating skills. Don't talk to too many Muslim as they may possibly all then seek a commission from the boat operator, hence driving the price up. Try to just pick one person to negotiate with, preferably the actual operator rather than a tout or helper and then negotiate slowly, calmly and with great patience.

Official prices and Koperasi operations. Details of the official Koperasi boat service prices and services are detailed in the three articles covering Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air.

Bangsal Cowboys. Life is made harder by the agents hanging around the port who will seriously hassle you to buy boat tickets to the Gilis from them. They use various ruses including claiming that your ticket is no longer valid, that tickets have sold out, or are unavailable. They also work hard on people arriving in the afternoon trying to install a state of fear that there are no services running when in fact there are both Public boats and later supplementary Shuttle boats running. Do not believe them and do not give in to them as they are normally just trying to play a game of deception. Above all, do not let them lead you to any alternative 'ticket offices' or informal arrangements.

They will claim it is real office. Many travelers had been tricked to go to a small shack on the right on the way to the Jetty. Instead just head further toward the water and turn left at the end of the approach road where you will see a large sign and the ferry terminal and the real ticket office. The ticket desk is inside, in the north eastern corner of that building. It is normally manned by polite and friendly girls. There are also toilets in there for those who may require them. The "cowboys" will be hanging around and about, avoid small talks with them. Also watch out for new 'friends' who will talk about mosquito borne illnesses as part of casual conversation. They may try to guide you toward nearby shops where mosquito repellent and coils are marked up excessively or sell to you directly at absurdly marked up prices. Don't waste your time haggling over the prices as there are fairly priced alternatives at the shops on the islands.

The way to sidestep this hassle is to book an organized tour with someone like Perama that will take you directly to the Gilis for around Rp 200,000 per person, bypassing Bangsal entirely. Another alternative is to Go to Teluk Nare 4-5 kilometers south of Bangsal and charter a speedboat to your island. Many chose to pre-arrange their transfers with a hotel or dive operator. Such transfers normally depart from the much less frenetic Teluk Nare.

If you are travelling from Bali, you might consider the Fastboats and they will drop you off at the Gilit islands. It may cost Rp 775,000-600,000 per person 1-way. See the Gili Islands Travel Guides or the Padang Bai, Bali

Travel Guides for information on those services. However overall the air services linking Bali to Lombok offer safer and more comfortable all season alternatives to the sea crossing.

By speedboat

Hotels, dive operators and fast boat operators can also arrange speedboat pickups, using the alternative ports of Teluk Nara and Teluk Kode. All Bali-Gili-Lombok ferry services (see Gili Islands) also terminate at one of these two.

By charter boat

At Senggigi and Mangsit beaches you will find many private perahu or traditional outrigger boat operators. Many tour guides will offer services or to assist in arranging a trip for you. These can be one way, two way or a day trip to the Gillis. Be careful to negotiate the price and details to common agreement before boarding or determining a final price. Do not automatically expect the boat to have adequate or possibly any safety equipment at all. Ensure you check such equipment for yourself prior to agreeing to the charter. Some traditional perahu boat operators cannot swim so do not expect them to be able to save you should difficulties arise. Also ensure that the price includes fuel and where you will be travelling and for how long a time. Ensure you will return to shore well before dusk. Do not expect the boat operator to be able to communicate fluently with you in English or even Bahasa (Indonesian). Often the guide accompanies and some of them offer a good service and an enhanced experience due to their local knowledge. Look on the beaches yourself, enquire at your hotel or at a travel or tour agency in Senggigi or Mangsit.

Best way to travel in Bangsal by a Taxi

Metered taxis are not readily found in Bangsal, but the agents hanging around can rustle up a Toyota Kijang or similar vehicle that will seat four or more people with luggage and cost around Rp 250,000 to anywhere in Senggigi or further south to Mataram.

Taxis are a more viable option on the way in to Bangsal from places such as Senggigi or Ampenan. A metered taxi will cost roughly Rp 80,000 from Senggigi. A taxi may be an excellent option if sharing the trip with some other travellers and it could be as affordable as a bemo but far quicker and more convenient.

Bluebird - Lombok Taksi | or Express taxis can be pre-booked at a hotel or hailed on the street. To make your travel go conveniently, you need to reserve taxi before your arrival. You could reserve via If arriving at Bangsal by boat it maybe possibly to find a taxi in the vehicle park area closer to Pemenang. If you are carrying a phone It may be worth trying to telephone the taxi company and request a taxi to collect you from Bangsal when you arrive there.

Airport Taksi and other metered taxis are available for travel from the airport, enquire at the airport upon arrival.

You can also take the DAMRI public bus (air-conditioned) from the airport to Senggigi and then use a metered taxi to complete the trip to Bangsal. Please note that the taxi may not go past the control gate and are required to stop at the vehicle park to set down or pick up passengers. If they do go to the beach they may receive demands for payment of imagined fees and charges by the local travel agents and hustlers active at the beach. If anyone is manning the roadway control point near the carpark and not wearing an official DISHUB (Department of transportation) uniform then they are an impostor and likely only there to make demands for unauthorised entry payments, don't pay them. The official entry price for tourism vehicles is Rp 2,000 and a ticket will be provided. The Rp 7,000 vehicle parking fee is payable to the official vehicle park attendant only.

By bemo

Bemos do not call at Bangsal itself, but they do stop in nearby Pemenang, from where you can walk or ride a cidomo (horse cart) to Bangsal Harbour.

By horse cart

Horse-pulled carts, known as Cidomo, are very common in the Bangsal and Pemenang area. They are a good method of transportation for short distances. The final section of the Pemenang to Bangsal access road is normally closed to vehicles and the final distance will need to be completed on foot or by using one of the local cidomo. Make sure to agree the price before the journey — Rp 20,000 is the maximum price to pay for a short cidomo journey anywhere in Lombok.

Get Around in Bangsal

Cidomo horse carts hang around Bangsal, waiting to ferry visitors to and from the parking area nearby to the primary street in Pemenang or further to the centre of Pemenang if you wish.

To rent a motorbike or vehicle when returning to the mainland from the Gilli Islands it would be advisable to make enquiries in Senggigi further along the coast to the south as there are plenty of rental providers there. The first one available coming from the north is at Mangsit beach on the primary street opposite Qunci poolside villas. Alternatively enquire at your hotel.

What to see in Bangsal

There is not really a lot to see here. The markets in Pemenang are nearby but really the attraction of Bangsal is pretty much limited to that of a transit point between the mainland and the nearby three Gilli Islands.

Muslim Travel Tips

Depart for Giili Islands or arrive on the mainland to travel on to other destinations in Lombok such as Tanjung, Senaru, Mount Rinjani, Senggigi and Kuta in the south of the island. If you want to charter a boat to look around the area or travel the coastline then it would best be done from other less strenuous locations.

Halal Food & Restaurants in Bangsal

There is a small kiosk and some Halal warungs around the ferry dock, but no other facilities of significance.

Bunga Bunga Cafe Thit is generally where the shuttle buses and taxis leave from. You can obtain breakfast here too.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Bangsal

Bangsal - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Bangsal, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Bangsal. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Bangsal and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Bangsal. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Bangsal. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Bangsal: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Bangsal.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Bangsal: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Bangsal, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Bangsal.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Bangsal, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Bangsal, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Bangsal and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Bangsal, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Bangsal, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Bangsal without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Bangsal is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Bangsal.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Bangsal is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Bangsal, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Bangsal Media: info@ehalal.io

Ramadan Celebrations in Bangsal

Ramadan 2025 in Bangsal

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Tourist oriented lodging facilities at Bangsal and nearby Pemenang are limited. The Tanjung area is only a short distance away and has several upmarket resort and villa rental options. The Senggigi area to the south has an abundance of alternatives. Senaru on the slopes of Mount Rinjani has lodging oriented toward visits to the National Park there or for visitors embarking on Rinjani ascents. The nearby Gilli Islands have a wide range of lodging and are the obvious choice in the immediate Bangsal area.

Check https://hotels.ehalal.io for a full list

Telecommunications

Mobile phone towers ensure you're never likely to be out of touch. Telekomsel's Simpati SIM card has a reasonably good signal in the Bangsal area. XL Axiata SIM cards also provide coverage in the area. Coverage can be unreliable and inconsistent at times and in some areas.

News & References Bangsal

Go Next

You will most likely want to leave Bangsal instantly. If you are arriving here from one of the three Gili islands, travelling to somewhere on mainland Lombok and then you could get the early morning local ferry to here Rp40,000. Then walk about 800m inland to Bunga Bunga Cafe on the right hand side of the road. Thit is where the shuttle buses and cars pick up from. Here you can buy tickets or bargain for a seat in a taxi car. You can obtain breakfast here too. Note that anyone with a ticket already will be expected to walk here or pay for a ride on a horse and cart. If you get a vehicle for yourself and the driver might pick up extra passengers on the way. As a contingency plan, negotiate with the driver that if he picks up anyone else then you pay less. Agree what that lower amount is.