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The Gili Islands are a car-free trio off the northwest coast of Lombok. Trawangan parties late, Meno stays quiet and Air sits somewhere in between. The fast boat gets you from Bali to the Gili Islands in 1h - 4h 30m. By sea, it's the cheapest too, at $15 (265,000 IDR). The slow boat costs a little more and takes most of the day.
Distance from Bali to Gili Islands
Bali and Gili Islands are about 96 km (60 miles) apart, crossed directly by sea. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 1h and 9h.
3 ways to travel from Bali to Gili Islands
There are three ways to travel from Bali to Gili Islands. You can choose between the ferry, slow boat (not recommended), and flight. The journey takes 1h–9h and the quickest way is by ferry. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by ferry with tickets starting at $15 (265,000 IDR).
Fast BoatDuration1hPricefrom$15265,000 IDR
Bali to Gili Islands by Fast Boat
The best and fastest way to travel from Bali to Gili Islands is by fast boat. Several fast boat companies operate from the main ports in Bali: Padang Bai, Sanur, Serangan, and Amed.
Depending on the port you take the fast boat from, you can get to the Gili Islands in 1h - 4h 30m.
Most of the fast boats head to the two busiest islands, Gili Trawangan and Gili Air and few stop at Gili Meno.
Fast boat ticket prices start from $15 (265,000 IDR) from Bali to Gili Islands.
Quick tip:
For a fast and easy way to book, you can find the best prices on BookAway and 12GoAsia.
Option 1: Fast boat from Padang Bai
Padang Bai is the best port to depart from when travelling from Bali to Gili Islands. The fast boat will take around 1.5-2.5 hours to Gili Trawangan, then Meno and last Air.
While dropping off passengers at each of the islands, the boat will also pick up the returning passengers going from the Gili Islands back to Bali. This means it will take around 15 minutes extra to travel to the next island.
Here are the travel times from Padang Bai (Bali) to each of the Gili Islands:
- Bali to Gili Trawangan: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Bali to Gili Meno: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Bali to Gili Air: 2 hours
Occasionally, the fast boat from Bali makes a short stop at the mainland in Lombok first. It’s close to the Gili Islands, but be aware that it can make the total journey last longer than the indicated 1h - 2h 30m.
Which ferry to book?
We recommend not just going for the cheapest ferry ticket out there, but paying a few dollars more for a ferry ticket with Eka Jaya.
Maarten’s insider tip: I travelled with several boat companies between Bali and the Gili Islands, and I’d strongly recommend booking with Eka Jaya (available on BookAway and 12GoAsia). The ride was smooth and I loved the fact that they had a seating area on the open deck.
TIP: The ocean between Bali and the Gili’s can get rough, so we recommend booking a ticket for a larger fast boat. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring your motion sickness pills!
If you don’t mind a relatively bumpy ferry ride, we think that Wahana Gili Ocean Fast Boat offers the best value for money.
The biggest advantage of the Wahana Gili ferry is that this service includes (free) pick-up from almost all popular destinations in Bali: Denpasar Airport, Legian, Kuta, Seminyak, Kerobokan, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Canggu, Ubud and Sanur. Not bad for ticket prices starting from $16 (285,000 IDR)!
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Ferry tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
Bali to Gili Meno fast boat schedule
Ferry tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
Most fast boats only stop at the two busiest Gili Islands, Gili Trawangan and Gili Air. Luckily, Eka Jaya drops passengers off at Meno too.
The ferry journey from Bali to Gili Meno is the same, but since Gili Meno doesn’t have a big harbour, you will be transferred to a small pier. This small pier functions as a little ferry and will bring you to Meno Island within a few minutes.
Bali to Gili Air fast boat schedule
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Ferry tickets are available on Bookaway.
Gili Air is usually the last stop of the fast boats from Bali. You’ll have to wait for other passengers to get off the boat at the other two islands, but the good thing is that you already got a quick glimpse at all three Gili Islands!
Make sure to be at the port at least 30 minutes before departure. Note that you also need to pay a small village entrance fee of $0.80 (15,000 IDR) in Padang Bai before you board the fast boat.
Maarten’s insider tip: Some travel agencies offer tickets with a shared shuttle from your hotel to the harbour. Although this sounds convenient, keep in mind that it can take up to an hour to pick up the other passengers. Booking a private taxi (via Grab or Gojek) is often cheaper when sharing the costs with your travel buddies.
How to get to Padang Bai port
Padang Bai is located in the east of Bali and is the most popular ferry port for fast boats departing to the Gili Islands and Lombok. In addition, Padang Bai has a separate pier for large vehicle ferries, allowing you to bring a motorbike or car to Lombok or Nusa Penida.
To get to Padang Bai Port, you have two options. You can take a minivan departing from Kuta or Ubud, or more conveniently, a taxi from your hotel.
Taxi fares to Padang Bai
You’ll find an estimation of the taxi fares from Bali’s most popular tourist destinations to Padang Bai in the table below. When sharing the costs with your travel buddies, it will be around the same price or cheaper than paying a higher-priced ticket including pickup.
An important advantage compared to a shared pick-up service is that your transfer won’t be delayed by picking up other passengers. This alone could add 1-hour extra to get to Padang Bai.
Estimated taxi fares to Padang Bai Port
| Departure point | Travel time | Taxi fares* |
|---|---|---|
| Canggu | 2-2.5 hours | from $16 (280,000 IDR) |
| Ubud | 1.5-2 hours | from $17 (300,000 IDR) |
| Kuta, Seminyak | 1.5-2 hours | from $19 (330,000 IDR) |
| Uluwatu | 2.5-3 hours | from $23 (400,000 IDR) |
Minivan to Padang Bai Port
As an alternative, you can also take the minivan operated by Perama Tour & Travel. The minivans depart at 07:00 from their offices in Kuta and Ubud.
See here the costs of the minivan tickets:
- From Kuta $13 (226,000 IDR)
- From Ubud $9.80 (176,000 IDR)
The price of this ride is quite high and you’ll be better off sharing a taxi if you are travelling with two or more people.
Option 2: Fast boat from Sanur Port
When staying in or around Sanur, it might look more convenient to depart from Sanur Port.
However, the distance from Sanur to the Gili Islands is a lot further compared to Padang Bai. This means the fast boat from Sanur will take about double the time compared to fast boats departing from Padang Bai.
To illustrate, the fast boat leaving from Sanur will take 3.5 hours, while fast boats from Padang Bai can get you to the Gili Islands in around 1.5 hours. Even when you add the 1.5-hour minivan ride from Sanur to Padang Bai, you will likely reach the Gili’s at the same time or even earlier.
Still interested in departing from Sanur? See the fast boat schedules below.
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Ferry tickets are available on Bookaway.
Note that this indicated arrival time is based on Gili Trawangan, so if you’re staying on Gili Air, expect to arrive about 30 minutes later. Prices are the same for the two Gili islands.
Tickets for the fast boats departing from Sanur start at $20 (355,000 IDR) on BookAway.
With Sanur Port’s digital ticketing system, you are required to buy your tickets online in advance. Your ticket or boarding pass includes a barcode that will be scanned and checked at the port.
How to get to Sanur Port
In November 2022, Sanur opened a new port. It’s one of the most modern ports you’ll find in Southeast Asia and all boats now conveniently depart and arrive from a pier instead of from the beach. The new port is equipped with a digital ticketing system and an Air-conditioned waiting area with clean bathrooms. Just be aware that the new port is about a 5-10 minute walk from the old port.
To get to Sanur Port, you have two options. You can take a minivan departing from Kuta or Ubud, or more conveniently, a taxi from your hotel.
Taxi fares to Sanur Port
You’ll find an estimation of the taxi fares from Bali’s most popular tourist destinations to Padang Bai in the table below. When sharing the costs with your travel buddies, it will be around the same price or cheaper than paying a higher-priced ticket that includes pick-up.
An important advantage compared to a shared pick-up service is that your transfer won’t be delayed by picking up other passengers. This alone could already add 1-hour extra time to get to Sanur Port.
Estimated taxi fares to Sanur Port
| Departure point | Travel time | Taxi fares* |
|---|---|---|
| Canggu | 1-1.5 hours | from $5.60 (100,000 IDR) |
| Kuta, Seminyak | 30 minutes – 1 hour | from $6.20 (110,000 IDR) |
| Ubud | 1-1.5 hours | from $11 (190,000 IDR) |
| Uluwatu | 1.5-2 hours | from $11 (200,000 IDR) |
Minivan to Sanur Port
As an alternative, you can also take the minivan operated by Perama Tour & Travel. The minivans depart at 07:00 from their offices in Kuta and Ubud.
See here the costs of the minivan tickets:
- From Kuta: $3.60 (65,000 IDR)
- From Ubud: $5.60 (100,000 IDR)
Keep in mind that these minivans depart from Perama Tour & Travel Offices. This means you might need to take another taxi from your hotel to the departure point.
Option 3: Fast boat from Serangan Port
Four companies operate ferries from Serangan Pier to Gili Islands: Eka Jaya, Golden Queen, Gili Getaway and Blue Water Express.
However, with one-way tickets selling for at least $46 (830,000 IDR), we don’t see an advantage in booking a ferry from Serangan. They are more expensive, and travel time is almost twice as long.
While the port looks near to Sanur, it is still a 30-minute drive south. The fast boats will take 2h 15m - 3h, compared to 1.5-2.5 hours from Padang Bai. It’s faster to take a taxi directly to Padang Bai and board the ferry to the Gilis from there.
Still interested in the fast boat schedules? Check them out below.
Ferry tickets are available on Bookaway.
The schedule is based on the fast boats’ trips to Gili Trawangan, but they also head to Gili Air for the same price. Eka Jaya is the only company servicing Gili Meno from Serangan Pier.
Buy your tickets online beforehand to get a better chance of securing a seat for your desired ferry. Gili Getaway, Golden Queen Fast Boat and Eka Jaya Fast Boat are all available for online booking via BookAway. If you want to travel with Blue Water Express, you’ll have to pre-book your tickets directly through its website.
How to get to Serangan Port
There is no regular public transport going to Serangan. This means your only options are hailing a taxi or booking a private car via taxi apps like Grab and Gojek. The prices and duration are more or less similar to the ones going to Sanur Port.
See here the travel time and taxi fares when going to Serangan Port:
Taxi fares to Serangan Port
| Departure point | Travel time | Taxi fares* |
|---|---|---|
| Canggu | 1-1.5 hours | from $5.60 (100,000 IDR) |
| Kuta, Seminyak | 30 minutes – 1 hour | from $6.20 (110,000 IDR) |
| Ubud | 1-1.5 hours | from $11 (190,000 IDR) |
| Uluwatu | 1.5-2 hours | from $11 (200,000 IDR) |
Option 4: Fast boat from Amed Port*
*Important: We have not been able to confirm whether Freebird Express is currently operating. Visit their website or e-mail them at [email protected] to check before planning around this option.
About a 1.5-hour drive north of Padang Bai is the village of Amed, famous for its diving spots. Amed Port is located directly across from the Gili Islands, so the travel time from this port is a bit shorter than other ports, around 1h 15m.
If you’re staying in Amed or other parts of the northern coast of Bali, then this port is the best option for you.
The downside is that only one ferry operates from this port: FreeBird Express. The ferry heads to Gili Trawangan first and then to Gili Air. Tickets with Freebird cost $22 (380,000 IDR) per person.
Ferry tickets are available on Bookaway.
The differences between the fast boat companies
The duration of the ferry rides is more or less the same, regardless of the company you book with. Most of the boats are called a fast boat. Even if they are called a ferry, it doesn’t mean they are slower.
The difference between the boats is the level of comfort, particularly how you experience the ride.
With stormy weather and high waves, the ride on small boats can be quite rough and feel bumpy. We recommend booking a larger boat if you are prone to motion sickness or simply prefer a calmer ride.
Still, there are many differences between the fast boat companies operating between Bali and the Gili Islands.
Small fast boats (Semaya One)
If you never get seasick and don’t have any problems with boat rides, you can buy fast boat tickets with one of the smaller boats like Semaya One.
The journey with one of these smaller fast boat companies from Bali to the Gili Islands starts from $13 (240,000 IDR) with Semaya One.
A few more companies operate smaller boats, but considering they’re more expensive tickets, booking a ticket with larger fast boats like Eka Jaya is a better choice.
Large and more comfortable fast boat (Eka Jaya)
Does your stomach easily turn upside down after a boat ride or do you simply prefer some more comfort while enjoying the ocean views from the deck?
Then we recommend booking one of the larger fast boats. These ferries are better at absorbing the shocks of the ocean, making the journey less rough.
Most larger fast boats are more expensive, with the exception of Eka Jaya. It’s the biggest fast boat operator from Bali to the Gili’s and operates large boats with a capacity of over 200 passengers. Ticket prices start from $23 (410,000 IDR).
Fast boats with more comfortable seating
Although Eka Jaya is one of the most popular companies, slightly more luxurious options are also available.
Two of these companies are Blue Water Express with tickets selling for $41 (720,000 IDR) and Gili Getaway for $44 (790,000 IDR). It’s up to you if the upgrade is worth the premium price.
Reach out to our Community
15Thank you for the excellent informative post, which helps us a lot. We plan to visit Kuta (Lombok) and Gili Air from Bali and return to Bali in November. What is the most convenient/best route: Bal -> Kuta -> Gili Air -> Bali OR Bali -> Gili Air -> Kuta ->Bali? Thank you.
Hi John, glad to here it's helpful! Sounds like a great planning. Most travellers (including me) prefer the Bali -> Gili - > Kuta, Lombok route, but the other way you suggest works as well. In general Bali involves more travel and exploration, Gili is more about relaxing and beaches (the island is small) and then Lombok is more adventurous again. Here you will likely rent a motorbike and explore several beaches spread out on Lombok's south coast.
Another reason to stop at Gili first is because all fast boats from Bali to Lombok also stop at the Gili Islands, which is only 10 minutes from the Bangsal port in the north of Lombok. After visiting the Gili islands you can take a ferry from the north of Lombok to Kuta in the south of Lombok. From Kuta, Lombok, you can then travel back by plane (30m flight and 30m drive to the airport from Kuta) or take the same ferry back to Bali. Although we don't have a post about Lombok to Bali, you can find the most important info on this page about Bali to Lombok (geckoroutes.com).
PS To end your adventure in Indonesia, I can recommend to spend a few nights in the south of Bali around Ulu Watu. Also beautiful beaches and stunning cliff views, plus it's quite easy to reach the Airport in Bali from Ulu Watu. Safe travels!
Thank you very much Maarten. We will follow your suggestions.
Hi!
Thank you for great info :) We are planning a trip för next year in June to celebrate my sisters birthday. The planned itinerary is Ubud - Gili T - Lombok - Nusa Lembongan - Sanur. Which ports do you recommend us to travel from? And which companies goes to these destinations? We prefer bigger fast boats and more comfort. Do you know any companies that can combine and offer a package with transfer and boats between all locations? Or is it better to book them separately?
Thanks in advance!
Kind regards
Emelie
Hi Emelie, That sounds like an amazing trip to look forward to! If you prefer to book with one ferry company, go for Eka Jaya. They operate the largest fast boat, and therefore a more stable right then with the other ferry companies. They have schedules to all of the destinations you mentioned, but keep in mind that the schedules can change over time. On the Eka Jaya website (ekajayafastboat.com) you can find the current schedules for all routes they operate. For tikcet bookings, you will find the better prices on BookAway, and that's why I recommend to just book the seperate ferries with the same platform. Packages sound easy at first sight, but in the end they give you less flexability and will ussually cost you more money. Good luck with planning your trip!
Hello Abigael and Maarten,
To mark the end of my daughter's university studies, we have organised our holidays this year in Bali. We will start with Borobodur then Bromo, then we will make several stops in Bali: Balangan, Ubud, Amed, Gili Meno and finally Jimbaran.
We will stay 4 days (journeys included) at Gili Meno to finally get some rest...
Coming from Amed, we have booked the FastBoat Eka Jaya at Padang bai for the outward journey.
For the return (we have to go to Jimbaran) the FastBoat Eka Jaya to Serangan only leaves at 11h15 and only gets us to the port at 17h15 (so we lose the whole day), and it is the same thing if we go to Padang Bai (11h15-15h)
However, I saw that departing from Gili Trangawan, there are 2 companies (Blus Water Express / Gili Gili Fast Boat) which leave for Padang Bai at 10h and arrive at 12h30
Or a 3rd company (Gili Getaway) which goes to Serangan, departing 10h30, arriving 14h !?
2 questions: 1 / is this last timetable realistic (a 3h30 journey?)
2 / what would you advise? towards Serangan or towards Pandan Bai + shuttle
Which will be the quickest journey to get to Jimbaran?
Thanks in advance
Hi Emmanuel,
Sorry for the late response, I haven't been able to answer all comments lately, but making up for the backlog now. As for the itinerary that sounds pretty amazing.
To start with: IIf you haven't booked your accommodations yet, consdider staying closer to Uluwatu (Binging or Padang Padang) instead of Jimberan. Jimberan offers some nice hotels, but in the end it's pretty close to Balangan and won't offer much extra. I personally recommend to start your trip in Ubud, and then end in the Bukit. This is the area around Uluwatu. Any of these destinations will bring you a fantastic stay from where you can explore many beaches: Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Bingin, Dreamlang, Balangan (bit more remote). Plus, it's only about 45m from the airport.
As for the ferry from Gili back to Bali, I clearly see you put some work on planning this trip. I've been living on and off for about 3 years in Bali and travelled this route several times. I always take the ferry from/to Padang Padang for the following reasons:
1. Eka Jaya is departing from here and is one of the best ferry companies with large boats
2. Ferry tickets are about $20 cheaper compared to travelling between Gili and Serangan
3. The ferry ride between Bali and Gili can often be quite rough. Although some travellers enjoy the ride, most travellers are happy when the ride is over. Therefore shortening the time on the boat is always better.
Here is a breakdown of the estimated travel times:
- Gili to Padang Bai: 2hr30m (fastest ferry) + Padang Bai to Jimbaran: 1hr15m (taxi) = 3h45m
- Gili to Serangan: 3h15m (fastest ferry) + Serangan to Jimbaran: 30m (taxi) = 3h45m
Note that this is estimated time and it's not uncommon that the journey takes 1-1.5h extra.
Last tip: Not every company departs from Gili Meno, but it's quite easy to take the public ferry or arrange a private transfer from Meno to Trawangan. It takes less than 10m.
Concluding: By going via Padang Bai, you minimize the time on the ferry, you can book a larger ferry, and save money on your ferry tickets. You are correct in concluding that the journey almost takes an entire day, but that's honestly hard to avoid when you want to travel back from Gili to Bali.
Hope this advice still comes on time!
Safe travels!
PS J’ai répondu à ce commentaire en anglais, donc d’autres nationalités peuvent également bénéficier de cette info. Je recommande d’utiliser Google Translate pour le lire en français.
Hello, thank you very much for the information! I would like to know how long it is by fast boat from the gili islands to nusa penida? I get seasick very easily and I want to see the option where I spend the least time on the water haha, otherwise it would be from gili to padang bai and then, when I go to kuta, cross over to nusa. What do you recommend?
Hi Belen,
thanks for leaving a comment! Fast boats from Gili Islands to Nusa Penida (bookaway.com) take 2 to 5 hours on average. The boats with shorter travel times are smaller fast boats, so expect a bumpy ride with them. If you prefer a larger fast boat with a more stable ride, the Eka Jaya Fast Boat (bookaway.com) takes about 5 hours in this direction.
For a shorter trip, consider doing the trip the other way -- from Nusa Penida to Gili Islands (bookaway.com). The ferries on this route head to the Gili Islands without stopping in Bali. Hope this helps!
PD: Esta respuesta está escrita en inglés para que sea útil para los viajeros de todo el mundo. Recomiendo usar Google Translate para traducir esta respuesta al español.
Hi Abegail, hi Maarten,
thanks for your tips!
In September we are flying to Bali for the first time for 2 weeks (Honeymoon).
Our route would be: Canggu (2 nights), Ubud (4 nights), from Padang Bai to Gili Meno (3 nights), Nusa Penida (2 nights), Uluwatu (1 night).
Is it possible to go from Gili Meno directly to Nusa Penida, or would you recommend a different route?
Canggu and Ubud are already booked, the rest is still open :)
Many thanks.
Hi Vivian, congratulations on your wedding! Sounds like an amazing itinerary for your honeymoon trip. We suggest visiting Nusa Penida first before the Gili Islands. If you travel the route the other way around (from Gili Islands to Nusa Penida), then the ferry will make a stop in Bali. Meanwhile, the ferries from Bali to Nusa Penida (bookaway.com) and Nusa Penida to Gili Meno (bookaway.com) are direct trips.
While ferries to Nusa Penida are also available at Padang Bai, you have more options if you take the ferry from Sanur Port (bookaway.com). From Ubud it's around 1-hour drive to both Sanur or Padang Bai
PS: Diese Antwort ist auf Englisch verfasst, um sie für Reisende aus allen Ländern hilfreich zu machen. Wir empfehlen die Verwendung von Google Translate, um diese Antwort ins Deutsche zu übersetzen.
Hey guys, thx for the comprehensive info :-)
We are going from bali to gilli islands (probably air) in july. We heard we are hitting the high season. Do we need to book fastboat and hotel in advance, from home? Or can we just look at it when we arrive in bali in the start of july?
Many thx and fair winds, Mikkel and Anna
Hi Mikkel and Anna, it's best to book your tickets and hotel weeks or even months in advance during the peak season. If you wait last minute, there will still be some accommodations avaialble, but the best ones will certainly be gone.
With the influx of tourists, fast boats can get busy and crowded. We recomend booking your fast boat tickets from Bali to Gili Air (bookaway.com) about a week or more in advance. The best boats (like Eka Jaya) can get fully booked several days in advance. Enjoy your trip through Indonesia!
Hello! Firstly, thank you for such a detailed post about traveling within Bali, it has been super helpful while planning our trip.
Im rather surprised about the cost of the slow and fast ferries from Bangsal Harbour ($1-5.5), since all my research just found fast ferries for ~$30 - are these $5 prices still applicable right now in May '23 as well?
Thanks and take care :)
Hi Simran, sorry for the late reply. You probably already found it out by travelling this route, but I these rates are still applicable for the local ferry. The rates of $30 apply to private speedboats that you can book to go to Lombok mainland. The trip really only lasts about 10 minutes, so it's easy for private companies to cross this little distance with a private boat. However, the prices will be about 10x higher than taking the local boat.
If you have any additions to share after you travelled this route we would love to hear so!
thanks for your reply.
Maarten
Best,
Maarten
Thank you for this amazing blog.
Please help me out - how do we get from the Gili islands, preferably Gili Meno island to Kuta Lombok?
At bookaway there is only one option of a small boat to "Teluk Nare Ferry Terminal" at Lombok island and then continue with a taxi?
Wouldn't it be better to go by boat to Kuta - but there seems to be no connection from "Teluk Nare Ferry Terminal"?
Thank you in advance!
Best wishes
Timothy
Hi Timothy, there are no fast ferry companies operating at Kuta, Lombok, so you can only reach Kuta by taxi from other destinations in Lombok. If you're coming from Gili Meno, you need to take a boat to Lombok first and then a taxi or private transfer to Kuta.
The easiest way is to book this BookAway Tourist Bus+Ferry (bookaway.com) (600,000 IDR), but if you prefer to find a cheaper way, you can take the public boat from Gili Meno to Bangsal Pier (12go.asia) (20,000 IDR) and then a taxi to Kuta (400,000 IDR). Hope this helps!
Hi. On 1 June we want to go from bali (kuta) to nusa penida and lembogang, and from there to the gili islands. What is the most convenient order, and maybe sail back via padang bai? After that we want to head towards uluwata and ubud, but that can also be done by scooter as a day trip. But what if we don't want to take all our luggage with us — is there storage in kuta?
Hi Mireille, luggage storage in Bali is limited, but you can check with your hotel if you can leave some of your luggage there.
Before heading to the islands, consider visiting Uluwatu first, as it's close to Kuta and Sanur Port. You can then take the fast ferry from Sanur Port to Nusa Lembongan (bookaway.com). From here, Nusa Penida is just a 15-minute boat ride (12go.asia).
After your Nusa Penida trip, you can head to the Gili Islands (bookaway.com) and from here, take the ferry back to Padang Bai (bookaway.com). This is the order that we recommend since visiting the Gilis before the Nusas includes a quick stop in Padang Bai, resulting in a longer trip.
In Padang Bai, take a taxi to Ubud, which is just an hour away. We recommend renting a motorbike in Ubud once you arrive, as it's a better place to stay than Padang Bai. Hope this helps!
Hello and thank you for this very informative post.
Is it necessary to buy the tickets online in advance "Amed/gili air and gili air/nusa penida" or to buy them once we are there.
I would also like to know whether there are departures from gili to nusa pedina in the morning before 12h, I cannot see anything online.
Thanks in advance
Hi Gerard, tickets are typically 100-300k more expensive when you buy them at the port, so we suggest booking your fast boat tickets online in advance.
There are a few fast boats departing before 12:00 from Gili Islands to Nusa Penida, which you can book via BookAway (bookaway.com).
Wishing you a great trip!
Hej :)
thanks for the great post, and also for keeping it up to date all the time.
We are actually considering going from Amed over to Gili Air, there is a fast boat operator there too and as the crow flies it really ought to be the shortest. do you have any experience with that as well?
Thanks & best wishes
Lena
Hi Lena, I appreciate your comment! The fastest way to travel from Bali to Gili Air is by fast ferry. You can take the FreeBird Express ferry (bookaway.com) from Amed Port.
It's also possible to take a flight, but the nearest airport to the Gilis is in south Lombok. The flight from Bali to Lombok takes only 40 minutes. However, adding the transfers to and from the airports, plus the boat ride to Gili Air, it will take about 5 hours in total.
Hey Maarten! Very cool site! I am currently planning my Bali trip and wanted to ask you for some advice. I am there for 14 days and I am planning the route as follows: landing around 22:30 in Denpasar, straight by taxi to Amed for 3-4 days, then to Ubud for 3-4 days and then to Cangu for 2-3 days. I would love to see either Gili Air or Lembongan.. What do you think of my route, and would you rather recommend Gili Air or Lembongan? I am 44 and not a party animal :) A thousand thanks!
Hi Daria, many thanks! Glad to hear you like to use Gecko Routes for your trip planning. I've lived myself for over 2 years in Bali, so let me help you out here. First of all, the airport is called Denpasar Airport (geckoroutes.com) but it is actually located in Kuta. The taxi ride from the airport to Amed will take around 2.5 hours, while you could reach Canggu in less than 1 hour around that time.
Keep in mind that Canggu is quite a busy place. If you are not too much into parties, you might consider starting off your trip in Ulu Watu first. Here, you'll find the best beaches in Bali and it's quieter.
Alternatively, you can also travel from the airport to Ubud and relax for a few days in nature, before heading off to the coast in Amed.
Regarding the islands, Gili Air (geckoroutes.com) would definitely be the right choice if you are not looking to party. However, Lembongan (geckoroutes.com) is also a great island to visit. If you drive a bike, I would recommend visiting Lembongan and exploring the island in 2-3 days. If you prefer a real island vibe, then Gili Air is the place. No matter which island you chose, both are beautiful!
Hope you'll have an amazing trip.
PS: Diese Antwort ist auf Englisch verfasst, um sie für Reisende aus allen Ländern hilfreich zu machen. Wir empfehlen die Verwendung von Google Translate, um diese Antwort ins Deutsche zu übersetzen.
Bali to Gili Air Transport Enquiry
Hello,
Passengers: 2pp
We are wanting to organise transport to Gili Air from Lovina Bali.
We are departing from The Lovina Hotel, Lovina on Monday 13/2/23.
Return date to Bali 15/2/23.
We would like to depart for Gili Air from Amed.
On return to Bali we would like drop-off to be Sanur.
Can you advise if pickup is available from The Lovina Hotel.
Could you please also advise departure times.
Look forward to your reply
Hello Kym, there's only one ferry from Amed Port to Gili Islands (12go.asia): FreeBird Express. The ferry departs at 09:30, and considering the 2.5-hour travel from The Lovina Hotel to Amed Port, we suggest departing at around 06:00.
Public transportation is quite complicated in Amed, so it's best to book a private transfer from your hotel to the port. You can ask your hotel for help or message the ferry company (freebird-express.com) if they could look into transfers for you. Grab/GoJek might also offer cheaper rates.
For the ferry from Gili Air to Sanur Port (12go.asia), you can choose between two ferry companies, both departing at 13:15.
Hello,
I am organising my honeymoon, which will take place in September.
I would like to know whether it would be possible to do
- Amed => Gili Meno 2 nights there
- Gili Meno => Nusa Lembongan 3 nights
- Nusa Lembongan => Sanur ????
I admit I am a little lost with the transfers
Thanks in advance
Hi Valerie, sounds like you already choose some amazing destinations. Here are a few more suggestions for your honeymoon: Sidemen and Munduk. And if you have the chance, consider visiting the Komodo islands as well. It's my favourite destination in Indonesia -- if not the whole of Asia.
Regarding your plan, it sounds feasible. Unfortunately, I can't confirm if the boat from Amed also stops at Gili Meno. If they don't, you can always take a 5-10 minute boat from Gili Trawangan or Gili Air to Gili Meno.
From the Gili Islands you can also go directly to Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan, but likely not from Gili Meno. This means you would need to take this little boat trip from Meno to Trawangan before taking the larger ferry. Don't let this hold your back from booking an accommodation in Meno tho! It's a beautiful peaceful island to spend a few nights. Gili Trawangan has much more of a party vibe and might not be exactly what you are looking for when on a Honeymoon. On the other side, Gili Air has a nice balance of the two. If you find a nice accommodation in Air, that might be worth considering too!
Then from Lembongan, you can take the fast boat to Sanur. Sanur is the most popular arrival port so you'll have plenty of options. From here you can take a 1-1.5 hour taxi ride to Uluwatu and explore tens of beautiful beaches in the Bukit.
Hope that helps you a little bit more with your trip planning!
Thank you for this great post which allows us to plan our trip to the Gili islands.
Regarding suitcases, I noticed on the booking site that there was a weight limit to respect. Is that really the case? Because we are arriving with a suitcase of around 25/30 Kg as well as two small suitcases weighing about 7/8 kg each.
Also, in organising my trip, is it preferable to start with 1 week in Ubud, then 4 days 3 nights on the Gili islands (Trawangan) then back to Kuta, or instead head straight to Trawangan as soon as we arrive.
Thank you for your reply and for this very interesting article.
Hey Hally, thanks for your comment. Glad to hear you like the post!
For the luggage, normally they never check this so I think you should be fine. 25/30+8kg is quite a lot though, so I can't say this with certainty. Worst case you have to pay a little bit extra (or just hand them over a bill of 100.000 IDR ($6) and everything will be fine. I also recommend booking with Eka Jaya as they operate the largest ferry.
For the itinerary, I'd recommend going to Ubud first. Ubud centre is crazy busy these days and quite hectic. It will be a real treat if you arrive at the Gili Islands, away from all traffic and just enjoy the ocean and sand beaches.
Just make sure you spend one extra night in Bali before you have your flight back home. In case the ferry from Gili to Bali is delayed, you won't need to stress out about being on time for your flight.
If your itinerary is still not fixed, here are two more tips on where to stay:
- Only spend 3 days in Ubud and book something just outstide the centre to avoid the traffic jams
- Spend the other days in the south of Bali (around Uluwatu) or in Sidemens
PS J'ai répondu à ce commentaire en anglais, donc d'autres nationalités peuvent également bénéficier de cette info. Je recommande d'utiliser Google Translate pour le lire en français.
Our favourite places to stay in Gili Islands
The Gili Islands are made up of three islands — Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno. Most people opt to stay on just one whilst others will hop between them, discovering their unique vibes. They are relatively close together and it’s easy to reach another island within 10-20 minutes.
In general, Trawangan has the most choice in accommodation and Gili Meno the least. But that doesn’t mean that either is better or worse. You can find some spectacular accommodations on all three islands. From beachfront resorts and cosy cottages to homestays where you won’t want to leave.
Check out our favourite accommodations for every budget type on all three islands:
Treat YourselfMusa Villas and Bungalows Gili Air
Musa Villas and Bungalows on Gili Air tick all the boxes — outdoor bathroom, gorgeous swimming pool, lush gardens and a private balcony overlooking the pool. The villas are stunning, boasting high ceilings and the traditional bamboo bungalow style with a dash of luxury.
The whole place is amazing, but the star of the show has to be the staff. They are extremely friendly and super helpful. It’s them that make your stay here super memorable. The delicious free breakfast comes in at a close second.
- Stunning villas
- Swimming pool
- Amazing stuff
- Superb free breakfast
Double rooms start from $50 (890,000 IDR)+ per night
Treat YourselfPearl Sunset Resort
Want to stay in one of the best spots on Gili T? Pearl Sunset Resort is definitely up there with some of the best. The stunning swimming pool overlooks the private beach area with sun loungers and cabanas waiting for you to spend the day on.
The rooms are huge, coming with a separate seating area and a private terrace. Hopefully, you get a sea view! Sunset happens right in front of the resort, so we recommend dining at the delicious onsite restaurant or grabbing a refreshing cocktail at the bar.
- Amazing swimming pool
- Private beach
- Huge and clean rooms
- Exceptional free breakfast
Double rooms start from $50 (890,000 IDR)+ per night
Treat YourselfLe Pirate Gili Meno
You can’t beat the location of Le Pirate! Set right on the beach of Gili Meno, you’re directly in front of some of the best snorkelling spots on the island. This is where you’ll find the statues, turtles and other fascinating marine life. There’s also a private beach for you to enjoy, set up with sun loungers and hammocks.
The beach huts are relatively simple and aren’t huge, but they do provide great value for money, especially on Gili Meno. Also, who wants to spend a lot of time in their room when they have two pools to enjoy and incredible sunsets to watch from the onsite bar and restaurant?
- 2 swimming pools
- Right on the beach
- Perfect location
- Onsite restaurant and bar
Double rooms start from $50 (890,000 IDR)+ per night
Mid-RangeGuava Garden
Guava Garden on Gili Trawangan feels like a luxury resort, just without the price tag. The hotel is surrounded by luscious gardens providing much-welcomed shade around the gorgeous swimming pool. It feels like you’re in an oasis.
The villas are bright, traditional with a modern touch and come with a private balcony. The highlight though has to be the outdoor bathrooms where you can shower under the stars. It’s an experience! The little touches at this place make it special, like the pool towels, welcome drink and local recommendations from the staff.
- Beautiful swimming pool
- Bright and spacious villas
- Great staff
- Delicious free breakfast included
Double rooms between $30-$50 (540,000-890,000 IDR) per night
BudgetCaptain Coconuts Gili Air
Captain Coconuts is one of the coolest hostels on Gili Air, and maybe even one of the most unique that you’ve ever stayed in. The hostel offers both open-air dorm rooms and gorgeous private villas. You can have the social aspect of a hostel, whilst having your privacy.
The swimming pool is a great place to hang out, surrounded by sun loungers and palm leaf umbrellas. Whilst you’re there enjoy breakfast or lunch from their onsite cafe, CocoLoco. This spot is truly magical and the kind of place where you keep on extending your stay.
- Gorgeous swimming pool
- Dorm and private rooms
- Delicious onsite cafe
- Great free breakfast
Double rooms between $15-$30 (270,000-540,000 IDR) per night
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Bali to Gili Islands, roughly 96 kilometres (60 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $15 (265,000 IDR). The quickest trip takes 1h.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Bali to Gili Islands?
The distance from Bali to Gili Islands is 96 kilometres (60 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Bali to Gili Islands?
Journey times from Bali to Gili Islands overlap: fast boat 1h - 4h 30m, slow boat (not recommended) 9h, flight 4h 20m - 4h 55m. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
What is the cheapest way to get from Bali to Gili Islands?
The cheapest way to get from Bali to Gili Islands is by ferry with ticket costs starting from 265,000 IDR.
Why visit Gili Trawangan?
Why visit Gili Meno?
Why visit Gili Air?
Beachfront cafe on the eastern side of Gili Air
Gili Air is a good mix of the two other Gili islands. There is still some nightlife on the island, but more of the chill hippy kind. Mostly, you can enjoy the beaches with good music and a laid-back atmosphere while enjoying the sun at Gili Air.
If you're into yoga, there are also a few great options at Gili Air. And in case you missed the chance to surf some waves in Bali, you might be lucky and even find some surfable waves at the reef in the southwest corner of the island!Should I book with or without pick-up services?
Shuttle van at a parking area in Padang Bai
With or without pick-up services?
Some of the fast boats also offer pick-up services from your hotel. If it's included and you already paid for it, that's great! The company will take care of your transport, and you just need to be ready at the agreed pick-up time on the date of your trip.
If pick-up is not included, we still have some good news for you. Taxi fares are pretty low in Bali and booking private transport can easily save you more than one hour in picking up other passengers.
My own experience: When I travelled back from the Gili Islands to Bali, our van went from Padang Bai to Sanur, Kuta and Canggu (where I was staying). In total, the journey lasted over 2 hours, instead of just a little over an hour on the way to the port. For me, it wasn't a big issue, but if you don't feel like picking up other passengers, it's best to book your own transport.How can I travel between the Gili islands?
Public boat operating between the Gili Islands
Inside public boat operating between the 3 Gili Islands
If you can't decide which Gili Island you want to go to, no problem. You can take a private speedboat for around $25 (450,000 IDR) or a public boat for just $2.20 (40,000 IDR).
This is also an ideal solution if you are staying at Gili Meno and your fast boat from Bali is not making a stop at this island.
The public boat is a small boat that fits 20-30 people and runs from 07:45 to 17:00. Note that there is no schedule, and the boat just usually departs when it is full of passengers.
Here's the fare breakdown between the Gili Islands:
- Gili Trawangan - Gili Meno: $2.20 (40,000 IDR)
- Gili Trawangan - Gili Air: $2.50 (45,000 IDR)About the Authors
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Travel Writer
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She's loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand's beaches also have a special place in her heart.
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Ferry Schedule Notice
Ferry schedules can change due to weather, sea conditions, or seasonal adjustments. We recommend confirming departure times directly with the operator, especially during monsoon season.
