Getting to Lombok

Hi all!
Planning a trip to Lombok in April 2009. Last time we went to Lombok we flew from Bali and I was sure I was going to die (plane was VERY shoddy looking both inside and out)!!! Thinking maybe we will take the sea route this time. Anyone got any recommendations on fast ferries from Bali to Lombok? What is still running, when do they run, reliability, safety and prices?
Thanks.
-mrsxtro

fast ferries from Bali to Lombok?

I heard Bounty is running again three times a week. I dont have the days to hand and Im on a really slow dialup connection so cant find them for you now but if nobody else answers with the info I should be able to post it in a few days time.

DB wrote:

fast ferries from Bali to Lombok?

just click this link -- fast ferries from Bali to Lombok? --

Wow! 750,000 one way and 1,600,000 return - that double the cost of flying! Think I would rather fly, easier, cheaper. I don't care how good the boat is, the Lombok straight can be a rough crossing - I suppose you could argue that at least if the ferry goes down you can swim but I've been on worse planes that the Lombok/Bali ones.

I've never had a really bad plane. They seem to be quite new and in good condition these days but who knows about the maintenance.

This month I did the trip by ferry for the first time in years. 7.5 hours on the ferry one way and 6 on the return. Journey time is about 4/5 hours the rest is waiting for your turn to dock. Very frustrating.

in april 08, i caught the fast boat from padangbai. 660 000 rups. per person. had to wait a day has the fast boat was full but padangbai is a nice place to stay. the boat was comfortable and safe.
after trawangan hired a speed boat to sengiggi 450 000 for whole boat (4 people). it was very fast and exciting.
the price of a return ticket by fast boat was 1 200 000 in april 08.
overall, it was an easy way to get to lombok mainland with no problems.

i return from lombok through the gili air hotel. who organised a car and driver to pick us up in sengiggi and take us north to meet up with a local boat from gili air, then horse and cart to the hotel. the total cost was 450 000 rup for four people. from there u can get a local boat or a hire a boat to get to trawangan for the return trip to padangbai.

overall, i found that it was a pleasant and varied way to get to a from lombok with great places to stay in between.