Mataram

Mataram is the largest city on Lombok with 440,000 inhabitants (2023). It is the capital of West Nusa Tenggara province (Nusa Tenggara Barat, NTB), Indonesia.

Understand
Mataram is an agglomeration of a number of villages that have grown together. The main ones are Ampenan, the harbour on the west coast and the site of the old airport; Mataram, in the center; and Cakranegara, the commercial hub to the east.

By plane
Lombok International Airport opened on 1 October 2011 near the city of Praya on in South Lombok. It is approximately 40 km southeast of Mataram. The airport is covered in the main Lombok article. It will cost you Rp 130,000 - 150,000 to get to Mataram.

Airport shuttle bus
A public bus service is available from the airport to service passengers wishing to travel to and from either Mataram or Senggigi. The DAMRI buses late model air-conditioned buses and are white in colour.

DAMRI services depart from the Mandalika bus terminal in eastern Mataram every hour and proceed to the airport, commencing at 04:00 with the last bus leaving that terminal at 19:00.

The fare from/to the Mandalika terminal is Rp15,000.

DAMRI services are also provided to connect Senggigi to the airport departing Senggigi from 03:00 and then every 1½ hr until the last departure from Senggigi at 20:00. Some airport buses may provide services between Mandelika and Senggigi. Services may not follow the published schedules; ensure you leave plenty of buffer time if catching a departing flight. The fare from the airport to Senggigi is Rp25,000 per person.

Taxis are normally available at the terminal for travel onward to other areas.

By boat
The port of Lembar is 22 km south of Mataram. There are ferries every 90 minutes or so, 24 hours a day, from Padang Bai on Bali, with the trip taking 4-5 hours. Any volunteer "porters" who carry your bags will expect at least Rp10,000. See the main Lombok article for details.

If you haven't booked an end-to-end travel package, getting from Lembar to Mataram can sometimes be problematic. You can take a shuttle bus service to Mataram with. Perama shuttle bus offers Bali to Mataram connections and Lembar to Mataram connections. A hotel pick-up should always be arranged well in advanced and preferably confirmed by email. An alternative is to negotiate a trip with a private car operator upon arrival. You can take a bemo from Lembar Harbour to Mataram during daylight hours. The fare should be Rp5,000-8,000 to the Ampenan-Mataram-Cakranegara-Sweta area, but you may pay more if you have a lot of luggage. This is one good reason to book through to Mataram or Senggigi with Perama or another tourist shuttle company. Alternatively, metered taxis are often available at the terminal or just outside the gates. A taxi may be available but do not depend on one being there. There are a few basic warung and losmen in Lembar if you get stuck.

By car
It is also possible to access Mataram from Denpasar, which is a 4- to 5-hour drive plus ferries.

By taxi
Blue bird *. Both the Bluebird and white coloured Express Taksi have a radio dispatch system and both companies cars are equipped with meters which should be used by their drivers at all times. Flag fall is approximately Rp4,250 and the meter ticks up a few hundred rupiah for every hundred meters past 2 km. Taxis can be booked in advance either by calling them yourself or by booking through your hotel. Taxis may be hailed down on the street anywhere around Mataram with the exception of the dark blue Airport Taksi the use of which is limited to arriving airport passengers only.

By bemo
Bemos run many set routes in and around Mataram, Ampenan and Cakranegara. They may be flagged down anywhere on the streets of Mataram. Bemo can sometimes be crowded and may stop and start frequently to pick up and set down passengers or to tout for business. Sometimes trips can get a bit drawn out. Beware of pickpockets as they often prey on passengers especially around the Cakranegara routes. These pickpockets can be persistent even if their activities are detected. It may be more straight forward and possibly less expensive to take an air-conditioned taxi especially if there are 2 or more people in your group.

By ojek
Prices are negotiable but a rule of thumb is Rp5,000-10,000 for a short trip with a local motorbike rider if the destination is nearby, longer distances will require some informed negotiation.

By horsecart
Horse carts known as cidomo remain a common means of transport in Mataram and they are often found operating throughout the congested streets near a pasar or produce market. Public bemos and metered taxis are more commonly used for transport in and around Mataram.

By car
Renting a car is a possible alternative in Mataram. It will cost Rp250,000-300,000 for a Toyota Avanza/Daihatsu Xenia (2x4) 6-8 seats, Rp300,000- 450,000 for a Toyota Kijang (2x4) with 7-8 seats. Age and condition of car will effect price as will high rental demand in the peak tourism period around the June–August and local holidays. Rental periods should be for 24 hours.

By motorbike
Motorbikes are also available for rent around Mataram. Expect to pay approximately Rp50,000 per day for a motor bike in as new condition. There are several rental operators to be found in the Cakranegara area or enquire at your hotel for assistance.
 * Please see the main Lombok article article for more detailed information on driving in Lombok and ensure you obtain and use a helmet when riding a motor bike.

Buy

 * Guided shopping tours. This is a good idea if you want to find your way around the markets and backstreets of Mataram, Ampenan and Cakranegara more easily and possible arrive at some places you might otherwise not discover. Choose your guide carefully and it could be a most interesting outing or just find your own way around. There is everything from second hand motor bike parts, cooking equipment, bric-a-brac antiques and reproductions to gold, pearls and costume jewellery. Much of it is presented in an apparent maze of reasonably civilised chaos whilst other parts are very quiet and laid back. Bargaining and price enquiry is essential in the smaller shops and the market areas. Larger shops in the Mall and the supermarkets have fixed and marked prices on their goods.
 * Guided shopping tours. This is a good idea if you want to find your way around the markets and backstreets of Mataram, Ampenan and Cakranegara more easily and possible arrive at some places you might otherwise not discover. Choose your guide carefully and it could be a most interesting outing or just find your own way around. There is everything from second hand motor bike parts, cooking equipment, bric-a-brac antiques and reproductions to gold, pearls and costume jewellery. Much of it is presented in an apparent maze of reasonably civilised chaos whilst other parts are very quiet and laid back. Bargaining and price enquiry is essential in the smaller shops and the market areas. Larger shops in the Mall and the supermarkets have fixed and marked prices on their goods.
 * Guided shopping tours. This is a good idea if you want to find your way around the markets and backstreets of Mataram, Ampenan and Cakranegara more easily and possible arrive at some places you might otherwise not discover. Choose your guide carefully and it could be a most interesting outing or just find your own way around. There is everything from second hand motor bike parts, cooking equipment, bric-a-brac antiques and reproductions to gold, pearls and costume jewellery. Much of it is presented in an apparent maze of reasonably civilised chaos whilst other parts are very quiet and laid back. Bargaining and price enquiry is essential in the smaller shops and the market areas. Larger shops in the Mall and the supermarkets have fixed and marked prices on their goods.
 * Guided shopping tours. This is a good idea if you want to find your way around the markets and backstreets of Mataram, Ampenan and Cakranegara more easily and possible arrive at some places you might otherwise not discover. Choose your guide carefully and it could be a most interesting outing or just find your own way around. There is everything from second hand motor bike parts, cooking equipment, bric-a-brac antiques and reproductions to gold, pearls and costume jewellery. Much of it is presented in an apparent maze of reasonably civilised chaos whilst other parts are very quiet and laid back. Bargaining and price enquiry is essential in the smaller shops and the market areas. Larger shops in the Mall and the supermarkets have fixed and marked prices on their goods.
 * Guided shopping tours. This is a good idea if you want to find your way around the markets and backstreets of Mataram, Ampenan and Cakranegara more easily and possible arrive at some places you might otherwise not discover. Choose your guide carefully and it could be a most interesting outing or just find your own way around. There is everything from second hand motor bike parts, cooking equipment, bric-a-brac antiques and reproductions to gold, pearls and costume jewellery. Much of it is presented in an apparent maze of reasonably civilised chaos whilst other parts are very quiet and laid back. Bargaining and price enquiry is essential in the smaller shops and the market areas. Larger shops in the Mall and the supermarkets have fixed and marked prices on their goods.
 * Guided shopping tours. This is a good idea if you want to find your way around the markets and backstreets of Mataram, Ampenan and Cakranegara more easily and possible arrive at some places you might otherwise not discover. Choose your guide carefully and it could be a most interesting outing or just find your own way around. There is everything from second hand motor bike parts, cooking equipment, bric-a-brac antiques and reproductions to gold, pearls and costume jewellery. Much of it is presented in an apparent maze of reasonably civilised chaos whilst other parts are very quiet and laid back. Bargaining and price enquiry is essential in the smaller shops and the market areas. Larger shops in the Mall and the supermarkets have fixed and marked prices on their goods.

Eat
Mataram has a large number of restaurants, eating houses and warungs. Look for the ones that seem popular and explore the menus. Most serve traditional Indonesian and Lombok food but there are variations including many restaurants run by the local ethnic Chinese community and a few Middle Eastern influenced venues. Remain aware of food hygiene issues especially with some street vendors as they may have limited access to water for cleaning utensils and other items. Be adventurous though as Mataram has some good places to eat.



Drink
Some restaurants in Mataram will serve cold beer as do the hotels but do not expect a wine list to be available in other than a large and substantial hotel. Public drinking of alcohol or drunkenness is not condoned in any part of Lombok including Mataram. Many restaurants and eating houses have an excellent range of local fruit juices, tea including ginger tea and local coffee (kopi biasa or kopi lombok) at very moderate prices.

Hospitals

 * Please see the Lombok main article for a more comprehensive list of medical facilities available in Mataram.

Emergency service


Most often a taxi, police vehicle or a private car is used to get someone requiring urgent medical attention to a hospital. The ambulances in Lombok are more often used in the role of assisted patient transport rather than for first responder/paramedic supported emergency assistance and transport.

Go next

 * Senggigi town and beaches, 30 min north by car.
 * Kuta in South Lombok
 * Gili Islands
 * Tanjung
 * Mount Rinjani
 * Sekotong in the south west of Lombok
 * Bali