Getting To Gili Islands

Getting to The Gili Islands is super simple; either fast ferry it or fly. And if you are on a budget you can also take the big car ferry from Padangbai in Bali to Lembar in southwest Lombok. On this page, we explain to you the different ways how you can reach the Gili Islands, answer the most frequently asked questions and share our best insider tips.

Option 1: Fast boat from Bali to Gili Islands

The most common way to get to The Gilis from Bali or Nusa Lembongan is by fast boat. There are a huge range of fast boat companies all of which can be booked online or through your Bali accommodation. A driver will pick you up from your hotel then drop you at one of the five main fast boat ports; Padang Bai, Benoa Harbor, Serangan, Sanur or Amed.

Feel free to share the sunshine!

Insider Tip

We always recommend Eka Jaya fast boats as they have one of the biggest boats and good customer service. The ticket should not be more than IDR 350,000 one way per person including a shuttle from Denpasar, Kuta, Seminyak, Sanur and Ubud to Padangbai, the fast boat harbor.

Usually, you get the best price in one of the small travel agencies which are all over Bali, just barter a bit. For more information, you can check their website.

Fast Boat Companies:

Please note that most fast boats go to Gili Trawangan and Gili Air, and only stop at Gili Meno if there are many travelers headed there. Should you want to make your way to Gili Meno make sure that your boat will stop there. Otherwise, there are several public boat and private boat operators available on Gili Trawangan and Gili Air at the harbor.

Option 2: Fly from Bali to Lombok

Flights from Bali (DPS) into Praya, Lombok (LOP) take around 30 minutes and are usually reasonably priced. You can then organize an airport pickup and boat transfer package deal to the Gili Islands. We recommend you to use Skyscanner or Traveloka to find yourself a good deal.

Make your way by car to Bangsal (Option 7 & 8, public boat harbor), Teluk Kode or Teluk Nara (Option 6, private speed boat harbor) where a boat transfer will be waiting to take you to our beautiful islands.

Flying straight to Lombok has the advantage that you can get to the Gili Islands straight away and you don’t need to rely on the fast boat schedule / connection between Bali and The Gilis.

Option 3: By Helicopter from Bali to Gili Trawangan

Want to arrive in style? Getting to Gili Islands in a Bell 206 Long Ranger Helicopter with Air Bali will definitely make heads turn. Enjoy a direct 45-minute scenic flight over Mt Agung, Lembongan Island & Mt Rinjani en route. Transfers to and from Gili Trawangan to Benoa are available on a daily basis.

Option 4: By Public Ferry from Bali to Lombok

If you are on a tight budget, there is a public ferry that departs from Padang Bai, Bali and arrives at the port of Lembar, 22km south of Mataram, Lombok. The ferry takes 4-5 hours and leaves every 90 minutes or so, 24 hours a day. Once you are in Lembar take local transport or a private car to Bangsal ( Option 7 & 8) or Teluk Nara (Option 6). From Bangsal you can take a public or chartered boat to either Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno or Gili Air.

Many travel agents in Bali will be able to help you with booking transport from your hotel in Bali to Padang Bai, the ferry ticket and transportation from Lembar to the Gilis.

Option 6: By charter Speedboat from Teluk Nara, Lombok to the Gili Islands

The fastest and most comfortable way to get to the Gili Islands from Lombok is by chartered speedboat from Bangsal. Boats leave 24/7 to all islands. For example with Rocksteady Speed Boat.

Option 7: By Public Speed Boat from Bangsal, Lombok to the Gili Islands

Public Speed boats from Bangsal via Gili Air and Gili Meno to Gili Trawangan run between 9 AM and 5 PM and are 85,000 per person per trip. Download this App to find updates timetables for the speed boats 

Option 8: By Public Slow Boat from Bangsal, Lombok to the Gili Islands

Bangsal, in the northwest of Lombok, is the closest harbor to The Gilis. Public boats to Gili Trawangan and Meno leave from the beach on the left of the pier and boats to Gili Air leaves from the beach on the right side of the pier. Make sure that you buy your tickets at the official ticket office. The office for Gili T. and Meno is on the left side of the pier and the office for Gili Air is on the right side.

Public boats run from 7 AM till around 5 PM. The boats leave once they are full, minimum of 40 people. The best chances of getting a boat quickly without waiting for hours are in the morning and afternoon.

Insider tip:
If you want to speed up the departure you can also purchase the remaining seats up to 40, which is a common practice between locals and foreigners who got tired of waiting. Or you can charter your own boat which will leave immediately.

Feel free to share the sunshine!