Getting to the Gili Islands

From amazing snorkeling and beautiful beaches to tasty restaurants and relaxing spas, the Gili Islands have everything you need for a wonderful island vacation. The beauty of these three islands draws people in from around the world. Getting to the Gili Islands from Bali and Lombok is fairly easy and definitely worth the trip. Below we’ll go over some of the transport options to reach the islands and travel between them.

There is no airport on any of the Gili Islands. To reach the Gilis, you must take a boat from Lombok, Nusa Penida, Bali, or another Gili island. The Gili Islands are pretty close together, making it easy to travel between them whether you’re hopping to another island for a quick visit or switching islands for a few days.

Public Boats

There are public boats and ferries that run between Padang Bai, Lembar, the three Gilis, and Bangsal. These are the cheapest option. The public ferry tickets are sold at the ferry terminal on a first-come, first-served basis.

For the slow boat from Bali, you can take a ferry from Padang Bai to Lembar on Lombok, then arrange a ride to Bangsal. The ride from Padang Bai to Lembar takes 4-5 hours and only costs a few USD. Because these ferries are slower and a bit larger than the fast boats, the ride is less bumpy and maybe better for those prone to seasickness.

The ferries between Bangsal and the three Gilis generally operate between 8am and 5pm. They don’t have a set schedule since they generally leave when full (40 people). These tickets start at 18,000 IDR. You could also use the public charter boats that cost a bit more, but leave when 20 seats have been filled. There are also public fast boats available at Bangsal. These cost 85,000 IDR per person and leave each hour.

There is another slow boat that operates between the three Gilis. It only cycles twice per day. The morning departure leaves Gili Air at 8:30 a.m., goes to Gili Meno, Gili T, then returns to Gili Air around 10:15 a.m. The afternoon boat departs Gili Air at 3 p.m. and follows the same route, returning to Gili Air at around 4:15 p.m. The trip costs 40,000 to 45,000 IDR.

Fast Boats

There are many private companies that sell fast boat tickets, including Golden Queen, Ekajaya, Ostina Fast Boat, Manta Express, Gili Getaway, Free Bird Express, and BlueWater Express, and more. Some of the companies you’ll find online get questionable reviews, so do a little bit of research before you book.

We used Ekajaya to go from Bali (Padang Bai) to Gili Air and from Lombok (Senggigi) back to Padang Bai. We booked our tickets on their site in advance and were also able to organize a car from Uluwatu to the Padang Bai port and Padang Bai port to Ubud through them.

The fast boats at Padang Bai - Getting to the Gili Islands — The fast boats at Padang Bai

Tickets range from USD$16 to $50 per person, with prices varying between companies, the port you arrive and depart from, whether you’re traveling during peak season, etc. The fast boat tickets are more expensive than the public ferry but take around 1h30m-2h from Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan. Most companies offer a couple departures per day.

You can book tickets through individual company websites, by messaging them, or through 12Go. Take note of the port of departure and arrival when booking. Below is a map of the main ports these various companies operate at.

Switching from our fast boat to a smaller boat that took us in to the Gili Air port

Private Boat Hire or Tour

A great option to travel between the each of the Gilis and Lombok is hiring a private boat. On the three Gilis, you can find a private ride to one of the neighboring isles once you’re there. Various hotels, restaurants, or gear rental places can recommend a guy or organize a boat for you. You may also be able to find a ride walking around the port areas.

If you have a group, this is actually pretty affordable and is the most flexible option. Prices aren’t set though, so you may have to negotiate or ask around.

We used a private boat to go between Gili Islands and from Gili Air to Lombok, which was a great option for the five of us. We just organized the ride with some guys who also rented paddle boards and offered snorkeling excursions in front of our hotel. Another benefit was that they dropped us off on Pantai Kecinan on Lombok instead of the hectic Bangsal port.

The boat we took from Gili Air to Lombok

If you’re just looking to visit the Gilis for a day-trip, you can also opt for a tour. There are many tour operators around northern Lombok that offer snorkeling trips to the Gilis. There are also private sailing tours and yachts that travel to the Gilis from Bali. Tours and private charters are the most expensive way to reach the Gilis but offer more of an experience.

Kayak or Paddle Board

To get between Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air, you could also rent a kayak or paddle board for the day. Each of the islands has rentals available. People commonly kayak between Gili T and Gili Meno, while the distance between Gili Meno and Gili Air is a bit greater (about 1mi or 1.6km one way), making that journey less common.

Paddle boarding between Gili Air and Gili Meno

Extra Things to Note

Luggage Allowance:

When taking a fast boat to the Gilis, note that some companies limit the number of bags you can bring or the combined weight of your bags. Some will let you bring extra or heavier bags for an additional fee. Larger luggage will be stored separately from passengers, so take anything you want during the ride in your smaller pack, purse, or hands.

Dock Fees:

When taking boats between islands, there is sometimes a dock fee/harbor tax that you must pay in cash upon both arrival and departure at the main port areas. The fee is generally around 10,000-20,000 IDR per person, depending on the port. They are only payable in cash. We weren’t charged the fee when taking a private boat away from the port areas on the Gilis or Lombok.

The Boats:

Some fast boat companies have boats with both outdoor and indoor seating. If you sit on the deck, be prepared with sun protection. Most boats don’t have air conditioning onboard (or it’s not working), so it can get very hot inside.

There are restrooms on most of the fast boats and ferries. Bring your own toilet paper. The smaller boats that run between Lombok and the Gilis won’t have a toilet, but the ride is quick.

The Ports:

Some of the ports and the areas around them can get pretty hectic. People will surround you, trying to sell you tours or tickets, pushing you to let them help you with your bags, trying to guide you to their car if you don’t have a ride, etc. Keep your belongings with you and when your larger bags are being unloaded from the boat, try to avoid letting strangers grab them as they will insist on a tip for helping you before giving your bag to you. Only buy ferry tickets from official merchants at the ticket counters. Be polite, but firm when refusing other offers.

Some of boats may just bring you to the shore, so wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet or be prepared to remove them. In other situations you may also have to transfer to a smaller boat that will then take you to the jetty or shore.

Sea Conditions:

Boats may be cancelled during severe weather. Check the boat company’s policy on cancellations and rescheduling before booking just in case. If you get sea sick easily, we’d definitely recommend taking motion sickness medication before leaving and bringing along some snacks.