The beautiful Gili Islands, which are actually part of Lombok, are frequently visited by people visiting Bali. And although they are definitely a great addition to your Bali itinerary, there are a few things you should know to help you plan the best trip to the Gili Islands. So how to get to the Gili Islands from Bali? Here is exactly how we did it, our first-hand experience and alternate options. We also have a video of our journey on how to get from Gili Trawangan to Padang Bai, Bali.
How To Get To The Gili Islands From Bali: Two Main Options
Getting A Fast Boat From Bali To The Gili Islands Lombok
How to get to the Gili Islands from Bali? Getting a fast boat from Bali to the Gili Islands is the most straightforward option. The boats leave from a few different areas in Bali, and depending on which company you choose, can take you to Gili Air, Gili Trawangan or Lombok mainland. Our favourite fast boat company is Blue Water Express. So how long does it take to get to the Gili Islands from Bali? Depending on where you leave/arrive, it’s about 2.5 hours from port to port. But you also need to take into consideration the time it takes to get to the port from where you are staying in Bali. We generally like to say that it will take half a day so make sure you have enough time in your Bali Itinerary to really explore the Gili Islands.
Flying From Bali To Lombok
You can also fly from Bali to Lombok to reach the Gili Islands. I would only recommend this if you are exploring Lombok too (which we recommend as it’s a beautiful island) or if it’s a time of year where the sea conditions are poor. That’s because Lombok airport is not close to the Gili Islands, so once you arrive in Lombok, you still need to get a 2-hour taxi to the harbour and then a 15-minute speedboat to the Gili Islands.
How To Get To The Gili Islands By Boat From Bali
So we are going to focus on how to get to the Gili Islands from Bali by boat. First, you will need to decide which departure point is best for you. If you are going to be in South Bali, then Serangan would be your best departure point. Serangan is near Nusa Dua and Sanur. So, for example, how to get to the Gili Islands from Seminyak? You would get a ticket from Serangan to either Gili Trawangan or Gili Air. If you were staying in Ubud, Candidasa, Sidemen, Amed, or anywhere in central or northern Bali, then Padang Bai is probably your best departure point. Keep in mind it might still take some time to reach Padang Bai, but certain locations may have free pickup included in their ticket. If you want to leave from Serangan and then come back through Padang Bai, that is also possible. And if you’re considering including Nusa Lembongan in your Bali Itinerary, then you can also get to the Gili Islands directly from Nusa Lembongan.
What Is The Best Fast Boat Company To Get From Gili Trawangan To Bali
We have used Blue Water Express on 5 separate occasions and have had great experiences. They are a little more expensive than other companies, but they provide a great service so we are always happy to book with Blue Water Express. Of course, make sure to do your own research so you feel comfortable with your choice. I would recommend booking your ticket online in advance.
Fast Boat From Bali To Gili Price
The prices vary depending on which company you choose. With Blue Water Express the price of a one-way ticket from Bali To The Gili Islands is 790 000 IDR, which is approx. $73 AUD.
How To Get From Gili Trawangan To Ubud: Our Experience
We started by heading the Blue Water Express check-in desk, which is located at the back of Sama Sama Reggae Bar. We checked in and had our bags tagged. They help a lot by getting your bags on and of the boat which is great. We then waited on the beach for our boat to arrive. When it does you just head up a small ladder, rinse your feet and head inside the boat, ready for your trip to Bali. On this trip we stopped off at Lombok mainland and from here it was straight to Padang Bai. If you are heading to Serangan, then you will be lucky last :).
Padang Bai was even busier than we remembered it, but we were directed to our minibus by Blue Water Express staff. It was certainly good to have our transport from Padang Bai to Ubud already organised, as it would have been overwhelming to try and organize it by yourself.
Journey Route: We travelled from Gili Trawangan to Padang Bai Bali, which was direct. From Padang Bai, Blue Water Express offer a shuttle (included in the price) to Ubud. This takes another 1.5 hours.
Journey time: The estimated journey time from Gili Trawangan to Padang Bai is 1.5 hours, but our journey took about 2 hours 15 minutes. The length of the journey can vary depending on sea and weather conditions.
Fast Boat Company: Blue Water Express.
Fast Boat Price To/From Gili Islands: 790 000 IDR One Way (approx. $73 AUD) per person. Check prices here.
Bali Departure Point: You can leave Bali from Serangan or Padang Bai. Depending on what area you are staying in, you may get picked up from your accommodation and taken to either Padang Bai or Serangan. Here you will wait at the Blue Water Express area until you board your boat.
Gili Air Arrival: You will arrive at Gili Air harbour (or Gili Trawangan). At Gili Air, you will get off the boat onto a jetty and then make your own way to your accommodation.
Gili Trawangan Arrival: At Gili Trawangan, you will hop off the boat into most likely ankle deep water then make your own way to your accommodation.
Best Sea Conditions: According to Blue Water Express, the best sea conditions, in general, are in the months of April, May, June, October, November until Mid-December. You can see Blue Water Express details here.
The Experience: Our sea conditions for this trip were a little rough towards the end, but still ok. I honestly was happy when the trip was over, but it didn’t bother Chris. I would definitely try to visit the Gili Islands in the months that offer the best sea conditions.
Read More:
How To Get From Nusa Lembongan To The Gili Islands Lombok
How To Get To Nusa Lembongan From Bali
How To Get To Nusa Penida From Nusa Lembongan
Let us know if you have any questions about how to get to the Gili Islands from Bali…
We have previously chosen to use Blue Water Express for our boat transfers in Bali and Lombok as paying customers. However, our latest trips were done in collaboration with Blue Water Express to share our experience and were courtesy of Blue Water Express. Everything we share with you is our personal experience to help you plan your trip to Bali.
Hey, we’re heading to Bali in June. We’re spending a couple of days in Gili Meno and then a few on Gili T afterwards. How easy is it hopping between the islands, and can you get a boat directly to Gili Meno from Padang Bai? Or do you need to go through Gili T. Thanks, Thomas
Hi Thomas,
A trip to the Gili’s sounds great. There are local boats that can take you in-between the islands. There is a schedule and public boats which we have caught from Gili Air to Gili T (stopping at Meno in-between). If the schedule doesn’t work for you you can always get a private boat transfer between the islands, but will cost more. As far as I am aware, at least with Blue Water Express, you cannot go direct from Padang Bai to Gili Meno potentially other companies may.
Thank you for the help! :)
Hey there :)
Can you tell me how can I go to seminiyak from Gili Trawangan?
:)
Hi, the easiest in our opinion would be to use Blue Water Express. They can pick you up in Seminyak, take you to their boat, then drop you off on Gili Trawangan :) You just need to book a ticket from Serangan Harbour to Gili Trawangan, which you can do online here: https://almostlanding-bali.com/bwe-schedule. Have a great time :)
Hello, thanks for all the information :) Very Helpful.
You may have no idea but what time did you go from Bali to Gili Islands. I am travelling with my family to the Gili Islands in November and have been trying to book our boat from Bali to Gili T. But we land at 1pm and can’t seem to find any boats that depart after 12:30? X
Hi Keira, from our trips and research I do not think there is a boat that you will be able to make on the same day as your flight. Sorry we couldn’t help more but wishing your family a great trip :)
Hi, we are 5 people arriving the airport at 07:40 in the morning and planing to Get straight to Gilli T, where do you recomend us to travel from? And 8 more og our friends are arriving the same day at 13:00 at the airport, is IT possible for them to go to gilli T the same day?
Hi Heidi, I would say from Serangan (near Nusa Dua) would be the best option as it is the closest from the Airport, but it will depend on which boat company you choose as they leave from different ports. From what I know your friends won’t be able to get to Gili T the same day. If you find otherwise we would love to hear from you. Sorry we couldn’t be more helpful, have a great trip :)
Hi,
I’m heading to Bali in June – And my GF insists on us staying on the Gili Islands for a few days of our Stay – Preferably Gili Air as I feel that this quiet Island will suit us best.
What are your recommendations for Travelling from South Ubud to Gili Air?
Hi Jon, Gili Air is an amazing island :) I would say the best way would be to travel with Blue Water Express. They include pick-up from Ubud, will shuttle you to Padang Bai then the boat will take you to Gili Air. You can see their website and scheduale here: https://almostlanding-bali.com/bwe-schedule
Have a great trip!