Getting from Ubud to Nusa Penida involves a road transfer to a Bali harbour followed by a boat crossing to the island. The most straightforward route for many itineraries is Ubud to Sanur Harbour, then a fast boat to Nusa Penida, although Kusamba may offer a shorter sea crossing on selected services. Allow around 2–3 hours or more to reach Nusa Penida via Sanur, including the drive, harbour procedures, and boat journey.
The best way to get from Ubud to Nusa Penida depends on your departure port, fast boat schedule, budget, and destination on the island. Below, compare the available routes, travel times, boat ticket prices, and transfer options to plan your journey and understand the additional transport you may need after arriving.
Table of contents
How to Get from Ubud to Nusa Penida
The journey from Ubud to Nusa Penida has three stages: travelling to the departure harbour, boarding your boat, and arranging transport after arriving on the island. Planning each stage separately helps you understand what your booking covers and how much time to allow.
Step 1: Travel from Your Ubud Accommodation to the Harbour
Start by confirming the departure harbour stated on your boat ticket. Sanur is a common choice for travellers from Ubud, but Kusamba and Padang Bai may also be suitable depending on the available service.
Your transfer can be arranged through a private car and driver, taxi, or shared transport service. The right option depends on your budget, passenger count, luggage, and the amount of flexibility you need.
If you’re travelling with family or carrying several suitcases, check the vehicle’s passenger and luggage capacity before confirming. A private transfer can also make it easier to coordinate your pickup with a specific boat departure.
Planning tip: Work backwards from your boat operator’s check-in deadline rather than choosing a pickup time based only on driving distance. Traffic around Bali can be unpredictable, particularly during busy periods.
Step 2: Check In and Board Your Fast Boat
Once you arrive at the harbour, follow the instructions provided by your boat operator. Depending on the service, you may need to check in at a counter, present your booking confirmation, collect a boarding pass, or follow a designated boarding procedure.
Before leaving Ubud, confirm:
The exact departure harbour and boarding point.
Your departure time and required check-in window.
Whether you need to exchange your booking confirmation for a ticket.
The luggage allowance and any additional charges.
The operator’s contact details in case your transfer is delayed.
Do not assume that all operators have the same check-in rules. Your specific booking conditions should determine when you need to arrive.
Step 3: Arrive at Nusa Penida and Continue to Your Destination
After the boat crossing, you’ll arrive at the harbour designated on your ticket. Depending on the operator and route, arrival points may include Banjar Nyuh, Buyuk, or Sampalan.
These locations are not interchangeable. Your arrival harbour affects how long it takes to reach your hotel or first attraction, so confirm the exact landing point before arranging onward transport.
You may need a separate private driver, local transfer, or hotel pickup to continue your journey. A fast boat ticket does not automatically include transport around Nusa Penida unless the package explicitly states otherwise.
If you’re visiting for just one day, plan your onward transport before departure so you don’t lose valuable sightseeing time arranging it after arrival.
Which Transport Option Makes the Most Sense?
Choose your transport based on your group size, luggage, and departure schedule rather than price alone.
Private car transfer: Useful when you want pickup directly from your Ubud accommodation and control over the departure time. It can also make sense for families and groups travelling with luggage.
Taxi or ride-hailing: An option for reaching the harbour, subject to driver availability, pickup arrangements, and the quoted fare.
Shared transfer and boat package: Worth comparing if you want the road journey and boat ticket arranged together. Check the pickup area, waiting time, departure harbour, and arrival port before booking.
If you book the road transfer and boat separately, leave a sensible buffer between your planned arrival at the harbour and the boat’s check-in deadline. A cheaper transfer is not worthwhile if it leaves you with too little time to board.
Which Harbour Should You Choose from Ubud?
Sanur, Kusamba, and Padang Bai offer different ways to reach Nusa Penida. The most suitable harbour depends on the departure schedule, road transfer, boat route, and arrival point that best fit your plans.
1. Sanur Harbour: The Main Option for Many Travellers
Sanur is a common departure point for fast boats to Nusa Penida, with multiple services available to compare. It is often a practical starting point for visitors staying in Ubud and other parts of southern Bali.
The drive from central Ubud to Sanur can take around 60–90 minutes in ordinary daytime conditions, although traffic may extend the journey. Fast boat crossings commonly take approximately 30–45 minutes, depending on the operator, destination harbour, and conditions.
Sanur is worth considering if you want to compare departure times and find a service that fits your itinerary. However, don’t choose a boat based on departure time alone. Check where it arrives and how you’ll reach your next destination.
Best suited for: Travellers looking for a common fast boat route with multiple services to compare.
2. Kusamba Harbour: An Alternative for Selected Routes
Kusamba, on Bali’s southeastern coast, offers selected boat connections to Nusa Penida, including services to Sampalan. Some published services advertise crossings of approximately 20–30 minutes, although the actual duration depends on the operator and conditions.
A shorter crossing does not automatically mean a shorter journey from Ubud. You still need to account for the drive to Kusamba, check-in, and transport after arriving on Nusa Penida.
Compare the entire journey rather than choosing Kusamba solely because the advertised time at sea is shorter.
Best suited for: Travellers whose departure schedule and destination align with an available Kusamba service.
3. Padang Bai: When to Consider This Port
Padang Bai is farther east on Bali and offers selected fast boat services to Nusa Penida, as well as public vehicle ferry connections. These services differ in vessel type, departure procedures, crossing duration, and arrival arrangements.
Some fast boat services advertise crossings of approximately 45–60 minutes, while the public vehicle ferry can take around 1–1.5 hours at sea, excluding additional port procedures. Actual schedules and durations should be confirmed with the relevant operator.
Because Padang Bai is farther from Ubud than Sanur, compare the complete road and sea journey before deciding. It may suit a particular itinerary or service, but it should not automatically be treated as the quickest option.
Best suited for: Travellers who have identified a specific boat or ferry service that fits their plans.
Comparing the Harbour Options
Harbour
Main consideration
What to check
Sanur
Common fast boat departure point with multiple services
Departure time, operator, and arrival harbour
Kusamba
Selected fast boat services, including routes to Sampalan
Road transfer time and available schedules
Padang Bai
Selected fast boats and public vehicle ferry
Vessel type, total journey time, and arrival point
How Long Does It Take to Travel from Ubud to Nusa Penida?
For a trip via Sanur, allow approximately 2–3 hours or more from Ubud to the Nusa Penida arrival harbour, depending on road traffic, check-in, the boat schedule, and sea conditions.
Journey stage
Indicative time
Ubud to Sanur by road
Around 60–90 minutes in typical conditions
Sanur to Nusa Penida by fast boat
Around 30–45 minutes
Check-in and boarding
Allow additional time according to the operator’s instructions
Arrival harbour to your hotel or attraction
Depends on the destination and road conditions
How Much Does It Cost to Travel from Ubud to Nusa Penida?
Your budget should account for the road transfer, boat ticket, onward transport on the island, and any applicable tourism or attraction fees. These costs are often quoted separately.
1. Fast boat tickets
As an indicative 2026 price reference, published fares for Sanur–Nusa Penida services range from approximately IDR 100,000 to IDR 250,000 per person, one way, depending on the operator, passenger category, and booking channel. Some operators publish different fares for Indonesian residents and international visitors.
For example, Maruti Fast Boat lists promotional one-way fares of IDR 100,000 for domestic adults and IDR 185,000 for international passengers on its official website. Check the final fare and availability for your date before booking.
2. Road transfer from Ubud
A private car transfer is generally priced per vehicle, while a shared transfer or combined transport package may be priced per person.
The final road transfer price depends on your pickup location, vehicle type, passenger count, luggage, and agreed service. Do not compare a private vehicle quote directly with a shared package price without checking what each includes.
3. Tourism and attraction fees
Klungkung Regency introduced changes to tourism retribution collection in 2026. Official local government announcements specify a IDR 25,000 area fee for foreign adult visitors to Nusa Penida and neighbouring islands, with a lower rate for children aged 4–13. Separate fees may apply at individual tourist attractions to domestic and international visitors under the applicable rules.
Confirm the current collection process and fees before travelling, as area retribution and attraction admission are not necessarily the same charge.
What should you budget overall?
A one-way budget of around IDR 300,000–650,000 per person can be a preliminary planning range for some transport arrangements, but it is not a universal fixed fare. The actual total can fall outside this range depending on whether you share a vehicle, book a private transfer, choose a particular boat operator, or add island transport and attraction fees.
Can You Visit Nusa Penida on a Day Trip from Ubud?
Yes, but it will be a long day. You need to account for the drive from Ubud, harbour check-in, the boat crossing, transport around Nusa Penida, and the return boat.
A day trip works best when you choose a limited number of attractions and confirm the return sailing in advance. Trying to cover the entire island in one day can leave little time at each stop because road journeys between attractions may take longer than expected.
If you want to visit several areas, enjoy the island at a slower pace, or avoid rushing back to the harbour, consider staying overnight in Nusa Penida instead.
Practical Tips for a Smooth Ubud to Nusa Penida Journey
A little preparation can make the journey easier, especially when your road transfer and boat ticket are booked separately.
Allow a traffic buffer. Plan your pickup around the operator’s check-in deadline, not just the estimated driving time from Ubud.
Confirm the exact harbour. Check the departure port and boarding point on your ticket before leaving your accommodation.
Verify your arrival location. Confirm where your boat lands and how you’ll continue to your hotel or first attraction.
Check baggage rules. Ask the boat operator about luggage limits, oversized bags, and additional charges.
Keep booking details accessible. Save your ticket confirmation, departure time, and the operator’s contact information.
Arrange onward transport. If you need a driver on Nusa Penida, confirm the pickup location and meeting arrangements before arrival.
Avoid tight connections. Leave room for road delays, check-in procedures, and possible changes to boat operations.
Check current fees. Confirm which tourism retributions and attraction tickets apply to your visit, and whether any charges are already included in your package.
These steps are particularly useful if you’re planning a day trip, travelling with children, or connecting to another activity after arriving on the island.
How Gede Bali Transport Can Help with Your Ubud Transfer
At Gede Bali Transport, we help travellers arrange private road transport around Bali based on their pickup location, destination, schedule, and group requirements. If you’re travelling from Ubud to Nusa Penida, we can help arrange the land transfer from your accommodation to the agreed departure harbour, subject to route and vehicle availability.
Our private transfer arrangements can help you:
Arrange a private pickup: Travel from your Ubud accommodation to the agreed departure harbour.
Choose a suitable vehicle: Match your passenger count and luggage requirements with an available vehicle.
Coordinate your pickup time: Plan the road journey around your confirmed boat departure and check-in requirements.
Confirm the details in advance: Discuss the pickup point, destination harbour, schedule, and applicable transfer rate before confirming.
A private road transfer does not automatically include fast boat tickets or transport after you arrive on Nusa Penida. Confirm the exact services included in your quote before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travelling from Ubud to Nusa Penida
How do I get from Ubud to Nusa Penida?
Travel by road from your accommodation in Ubud to a departure harbour, commonly Sanur, then take a fast boat to Nusa Penida. Arrange onward transport from your arrival harbour if you’re continuing to a hotel or attraction.
How long does it take to get from Ubud to Nusa Penida?
For a journey through Sanur, allow approximately 2–3 hours or more to reach the island’s arrival harbour. Traffic, check-in time, boat schedules, and sea conditions can affect the total. Additional time is needed to reach your final destination on Nusa Penida.
Is Sanur the best harbour for Nusa Penida from Ubud?
Sanur is a common choice because it offers multiple fast boat services to Nusa Penida. However, Kusamba and Padang Bai may suit certain itineraries. Compare the full road journey, departure schedule, and arrival harbour before deciding.
Can I do a day trip to Nusa Penida from Ubud?
Yes. An early departure and a focused sightseeing itinerary can make a day trip possible. However, the road transfer, boat crossings, and distances between attractions limit the time available on the island. An overnight stay may be more comfortable if you want to visit several areas.
How early should I leave Ubud for my fast boat?
Work backwards from the check-in deadline specified by your boat operator and allow enough time for the drive from your actual accommodation. Add a buffer for traffic, especially if your departure is scheduled during a busy period.
How much does the journey from Ubud to Nusa Penida cost?
As an initial planning estimate, allow around IDR 300,000–650,000 per person for a one-way journey, depending on your transfer and boat arrangements. This is not a fixed fare. Private road transfers may be priced per vehicle, while boat tickets and shared packages are priced according to their own terms. Check current rates and applicable tourism fees before booking.
Should I book a private transfer or a shared shuttle?
A private transfer offers more control over pickup arrangements and can be convenient for groups or travellers with luggage. A shared shuttle may cost less per person but can involve fixed pickup windows and stops at other accommodation. Compare the total cost and schedule before booking.
Do I need to arrange transport after arriving in Nusa Penida?
If you’re travelling beyond the arrival harbour, plan how you’ll reach your accommodation or attractions. Check whether your hotel or package includes a pickup service. A boat ticket alone does not necessarily include transport around the island.
