Ferry from Bali to Gili Trawangan, Meno, and Air Islands
If you’re really focusing on your budget, the public ferry option could be suitable. It’s usually the cheapest option, but the journey takes longer and is not very comfortable. However, be careful, if you’re planning to explore the Gili Islands, it’s better to consider other alternatives. It’s more enjoyable for those who want to explore Lombok Island first before heading to the Gili Islands.
Here, I’ll detail the process of getting to the Gili Islands from Bali using the Public Ferry:
- Transportation from the hotel to Padang Bai Harbor (2 hours from South Bali).
- Public ferry to Lombok (5 to 6 hours).
- Transportation from Lembar Harbor to Bangsal Harbor.
- Ferry from Bangsal to Gili Trawangan, Meno, or Air.
To make this option more budget-friendly, you can try negotiating the cost of transportation from your hotel to Padang Bai Harbor and from Lembar Harbor to Bangsal. But, keep in mind that the total cost might not be significantly different from using the Fastboat.
Flights from Bali to Lombok to reach Gili Trawangan, Meno, and Air Islands.
The plane ticket prices from Bali to Lombok are almost comparable to the cost of the Fast Boat. However, it’s important to note that this flight option is slower because after arriving at Lombok International Airport in Mataram, you won’t directly reach the Gili Islands. Instead, you’ll need additional transportation to reach Senggigi Harbor or Bangsal Harbor before finally taking a boat to the Gili Islands.
The option of using a plane usually suits those who want to explore Lombok first. But if you want to reach the Gili Islands, Fastboat or Speedboat is the best choice. However, for some people, the plane option might be more comfortable, especially if you’re traveling with a baby or if you’re not comfortable with sea waves.
Fast Boat: The way to travel from Bali to Gili Trawangan, Meno, or Air Islands.
In my opinion, the best option for traveling to the Gili Islands such as Trawangan, Meno, or Air is by Fast Boat. With a fixed cost, you’ll get a complete package that includes hotel transfers to the harbor and round-trip travel on the fast boat.
The driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Padang Bai Harbor. At the harbor, you will board the fast boat to the Gili Islands. For the return journey, the boat will bring you back to Padang Bai Harbor, and the driver will take you back to your hotel.
The fast boat journey from Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the current sea conditions.
The fast boat route to the Gili Islands.
The boat will depart from Padang Bai Harbor and head directly to Gili Trawangan. In Gili Trawangan, the boat will stop for about 30 minutes to drop off passengers. After that, the journey will continue to Gili Air and then to Bangsal Harbor in Lombok. This means you can choose to travel one-way or round-trip to any of these three destinations.
Regarding Gili Meno Island, we will provide further explanations as this journey is operated by a different company with a slightly different route and some specific details for the return trip.
The price of the fast boat to go from Bali to the Gili Islands
In Bali, tourists are typically charged higher rates compared to the local residents. Generally, the price for a round-trip fast boat ticket to Gili Islands is around 1,200,000 rupiah (approximately 80 USD).
Special offer for Bali Gili Nusa readers.
For Bali Gili Nusa readers, you can book the fast boat journey at a discounted rate.
| Years | Price |
| 2023 | 800,000 rupiah (approximately 53 euros). |
Currently (2023), round-trip transportation is not included. We can offer private car transportation with an additional cost depending on the area.
In July, August, and September, which are peak seasons, it’s advisable to book in advance as the boats tend to fill up quickly.
Departure times for the Gili Islands boats.
| Pick-up times. | Ship departure. | Arrival at the Gili Islands. |
| 6:30 – 7:00 am | 9:00 am | 10:30 – 11:00 am |
| 10:30 – 11:00am | 13:00 pm | 14:30 – 15:00 pm |
Return schedule of the Gili Islands boats.
| Entry time. | Ship departure. |
| 10.00am | 11:00 am |
| 11:30am | 12:30 pm |
** The first schedule is highly recommended in terms of punctuality and sea conditions. How to book boats to Gili and Nusa Islands (all routes).
Recommended hotels in the Gili Islands.
If you haven’t booked a hotel in the Gili Islands yet, here is a list of recommended hotels that match your budget:
- Hotel Gili Trawangan
- Hotel Gili Air
- Hotel Gili Meno
Map of the Gili Islands.
| Fast boat prices to and from Nusa Lembongan. |