Lombok · For US Travelers
Lombok from the USA.
Flights from LAX, SFO, JFK & beyond. Routes, stopovers, and what to expect — written from the villa.
Lombok is the quieter island next to Bali — same time zone, same warm sea, fewer crowds, a third of the price points. It is increasingly a destination American travelers reach as either a Bali add-on or, for surfers and quiet-luxury travelers, as the main event.
From the United States, the trip is one connection away — usually via Singapore from the west coast, Tokyo from the east coast. Total door-to-door time is 22–32 hours depending on where you start. Most Americans plan a 1–2 night stopover to break the journey, then settle into Lombok for a week or two.
Below is the practical guide: the best routes from each US gateway, sample itineraries that real Americans book with us, time zone and visa basics, and an honest comparison with Bali. We update this page when carriers change schedules — last reviewed June 2026.
By US gateway
Flight routes from the US.
Los Angeles (LAX)
~18h LAX–SIN + ~3h SIN–LOP, plus layover
Best route: LAX → Singapore (SIN) on Singapore Airlines, then SIN → Lombok (LOP) on Scoot
The smoothest west-coast option. Singapore Airlines flies daily nonstop LAX–SIN; Scoot or Jetstar handles the final hop. Plan a Singapore stopover of 6–24 hours to break the journey and stretch.
San Francisco (SFO)
~17h SFO–SIN + ~3h SIN–LOP, plus layover
Best route: SFO → Singapore (SIN) on Singapore Airlines or United, then SIN → Lombok (LOP)
Similar to LAX. Singapore Airlines and United both fly nonstop SFO–SIN daily. Onward to Lombok via Scoot or Jetstar.
New York (JFK / EWR)
~14h JFK–NRT + ~7h NRT–DPS + 30m DPS–LOP, with layovers
Best route: JFK → Tokyo (NRT/HND) on JAL or ANA, then NRT/HND → Bali (DPS), then DPS → Lombok (LOP)
East-coast travelers usually route via Tokyo. Alternative: JFK → Doha (Qatar) → Bali, or JFK → Singapore (Singapore Airlines, ~19h nonstop). The Tokyo route is often cheapest; the Singapore route is shortest in flight time.
Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Miami (MIA)
24–32h total door-to-door
Best route: Connect via LAX, SFO, NYC, Doha, or Tokyo to one of the above gateway airports
Look for one-stop itineraries via Tokyo (ANA, JAL), Doha (Qatar), or Singapore (Singapore Airlines). Two-stop routings via LAX or SFO are common too. Singapore Airlines and Qatar typically offer the most direct paths.
Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX)
~10h SEA–NRT + ~7h NRT–DPS + 30m DPS–LOP, with layovers
Best route: SEA → Tokyo (NRT) on Delta/ANA, then NRT → Bali (DPS), then DPS → Lombok (LOP)
Pacific Northwest travelers benefit from a shorter first leg via Tokyo. Delta and ANA fly daily SEA–NRT.
Schedules change every season. We recommend Google Flights or Kayak for live availability, then message us — we can usually tell you which connection is smoothest in your travel window.
Sample itineraries
How Americans plan the trip.
10 days
The classic 10-day
1 night Singapore stopover (recover from the long flight), 7 nights at Wave Lombok (beach, surf, in-villa dinners, one Tete Batu cultural day), 1 night Bali stopover on the way back. Most US guests pick this.
14 days
The 14-day "Bali + Lombok"
4 nights Bali (Ubud or Seminyak), then a 30-minute hop east to spend 9 nights at Wave Lombok. Bali for the food, the ceremonies, the buzz. Lombok for the quiet, the beach, the unwind. The classic East-meets-West-meets-East routing.
8–12 days
The surf trip
Fly direct to Lombok (no Bali). All in at Villa Serangan, six minutes from our home break. Daily dawn patrol, midday recovery (in-villa massage), afternoon at Mawi or Tampah. Suitable May to September.
14 days
The family two-week
Stop in Singapore (kid-friendly stopover — Gardens by the Bay, Universal, easy hotels). Then 10 nights at Wave Lombok with the whole crew. Pre-stocked fridge on arrival. Surf lessons for the kids at Selong Belanak. Sasak village cultural day. Private chef night.
Bali alternative
Lombok vs Bali, honestly.
We have lived in this region for over a decade. Bali is wonderful and we send guests there regularly. But if you have heard "Bali has changed" — that is correct. Traffic in south Bali can be brutal. Canggu and Seminyak are unrecognisable from a decade ago. The beaches around Kuta and Legian are crowded. The most-photographed temples have lines.
Lombok is what most Americans want when they picture Indonesia. Empty beaches. No traffic. A surf break in front of your villa with a handful of locals in the lineup. Restaurants where you might be the only foreign table. Prices that have not been pulled up by Instagram. And a Sasak Muslim culture that is different — and quieter — than Balinese Hindu culture.
The trade-off is honest: Lombok has fewer restaurants, less polished infrastructure, and almost no nightlife. If those things matter to you, do Bali. If they do not, Lombok delivers what most US travelers actually came for.
The compromise most Americans choose: do both. Start in Bali for 3–5 days (Ubud for culture and food, Uluwatu or Seminyak for the coast), then take the 30-minute hop to Lombok for the rest of your trip. Wave Lombok is on the south coast, 40 minutes from Lombok International Airport (LOP), and we coordinate the airport transfer and the hop from Bali.
Practical for Americans
Time zone, visa, money, and the small things.
Time zone. Lombok is Indonesia Central Time (WITA, UTC+8) — 15 hours ahead of Pacific Time, 12 hours ahead of Eastern Time. Expect 2–3 days of jet lag in each direction. Tip: take an evening flight and sleep through the long leg.
Visa. US passport holders get a 30-day Visa on Arrival at LOP for IDR 500,000 (around USD $32). Passport needs 6+ months validity from your arrival date. Indonesia also requires an electronic Customs Declaration before landing — fill it in on the plane or via QR code at the airport.
Money. The local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). ATMs at LOP work with most US debit cards. We recommend Wise or Charles Schwab debit for low-fee international withdrawals. Credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and our property, but warungs and smaller venues are cash-only.
Power. Indonesia uses 230V, 50Hz with Type C or Type F plugs (two round pins). Bring a universal travel adapter. Most US electronics (phone chargers, laptops) handle 230V natively; check the label.
Cell service. Get a tourist SIM at LOP arrivals (Telkomsel has the best coverage in South Lombok, IDR 100–300k for 10–25 GB). Or use a US carrier's international roaming plan. Wi-Fi is reliable at our villa.
Health. No required vaccinations for Indonesia from the US. We recommend travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage — World Nomads or SafetyWing are common picks. There is a small clinic 5 minutes from the villa for routine matters, and a larger hospital in Mataram 90 minutes north.
Tipping. A 10% service charge is included on most restaurant bills in Kuta. Warungs and small venues do not charge service; rounding up the bill is appreciated. For our on-site team, tipping is not expected but is always welcome at checkout if you want to.
Frequently asked
Questions Americans ask.
How long does it take to fly from the US to Lombok?
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From the US west coast (LAX, SFO, SEA), expect 22–28 hours door-to-door with one stop in Singapore or Tokyo. From the east coast (JFK, ORD, MIA), expect 26–32 hours with one or two stops via Tokyo, Doha, or Singapore. Most Americans plan a 1–2 night stopover to break the journey.
Are there direct flights from the US to Lombok?
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No. There are no nonstop flights from any US city to Lombok International Airport (LOP). The closest is a nonstop from LAX or SFO to Singapore (SIN) on Singapore Airlines, then a 30-minute hop east to Lombok on Scoot or Jetstar. Total: two flights, one connection.
Should I fly to Bali first or straight to Lombok?
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If your trip is 10+ days and you want to see both islands: yes, fly to Bali (DPS) first via Singapore or Tokyo, spend 3–5 days in Bali, then take the 30-minute hop east to Lombok. If your trip is shorter or surf-focused: fly straight to Lombok via Singapore — skip Bali entirely and save half a day.
What is the time difference between the US and Lombok?
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Lombok is in Indonesia Central Time (WITA, UTC+8). That is 15 hours ahead of US Pacific Time and 12 hours ahead of US Eastern Time. When it is 9 AM in Los Angeles, it is midnight the next day in Lombok. Most Americans take 2–3 days to fully adjust to the time zone.
Do US citizens need a visa for Indonesia?
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US passport holders can buy a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at Lombok International Airport (LOP) for IDR 500,000 (about USD $32). It is valid for 30 days and extendable once for another 30 days at an immigration office. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date. There is also a free electronic Customs Declaration to fill in before landing.
How does Lombok compare to Bali for an American traveler?
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Lombok is what Bali was 20 years ago: quieter, less crowded, less commercial. The beaches are emptier, the surf breaks have shorter lineups, the prices are 20–30% lower. The trade-off is fewer restaurants, less nightlife, and fewer Instagram-famous spots. For travelers who want privacy and an unspoiled coastline, Lombok wins. For travelers who want a busier scene and a wider food choice, Bali still wins. Many Americans do both — Bali for buzz, Lombok for calm.
What should I pack for Lombok?
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Lightweight clothing (cotton, linen), reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, sandals plus one pair of trail shoes, swimwear (multiple sets), a light layer for cool evenings May–September, US-to-Indonesia plug adapter (Type C or F, 230V), and a refillable water bottle (the villa supplies filtered water). Bring any prescription medication — Indonesian pharmacies stock most things but brand names differ.
Is Lombok safe for American travelers?
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Yes. Lombok is one of the safer destinations in Southeast Asia for foreign travelers — low crime, friendly locals, no aggressive scams. Standard precautions apply: lock valuables in the villa safe, use bottled or filtered water (the villa supplies filtered), wear a helmet if you rent a scooter (we do not recommend self-driving for first-time visitors), and buy travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage before you fly.
Planning a trip from the States?