Known around the world for its impressive landscapes, beaches, culture, spirituality and diving, Bali has been one of the island’s most loved and visited destinations for decades. Its easy access, located just off the coast of Java, has always helped attract tourists to the “Island of the Gods”, and recently nearby islands have also grown in popularity. The Gili Islands are a perfect example of this. Three small islands east of Bali, off the coast of Lombok, the Gili Islands offer the simplicity that first attracted tourists to Bali and became known for its incredible and affordable diving opportunities, pristine beaches, coral reefs and wrecks. There is also nightlife here, but it is mostly intimate for tourists who just want to relax. You can visit the Gili Islands on a day trip from Bali or spend a little more time; Whatever your plans, here’s how to get from Bali to the Gili Islands.
Travel options from Bali to the Gili Islands
It’s only about 35 kilometers from the easternmost point of Bali, across the Bali Sea, to Gili Trawangan (the largest of the Gili Islands), so it’s not far at all. However, the Gili Islands are even closer to Lombok, with the nearest point between them being less than 1.5 km away, making getting there from Lombok extremely quick and easy. That said, Bali to the Gili Islands is a very popular travel route, so there are always plenty of departures every day. The boat trip is the most popular because it is inexpensive and allows you to get to the Gilis quickly. You can choose between a public ferry (nothing fast!) or various speedboat companies, and if you want to shorten your journey, it’s also possible to fly to Lombok and take a boat from there.
Flight from Bali to the Gili Islands
Strictly speaking, you can’t fly from Bali to the Gili Islands because there are no airports on these tiny islands. This means you will have to fly to Lombok and then take a boat to Gilis. Given the time and cost it would take, we don’t recommend flying as it’s probably quicker to get from Bali to Gili by speedboat. However, if you happened to fly to Bali and were still at Ngurah Rai International Airport, then it is worth catching a flight to Lombok.
There are several flights daily, offered by various airlines such as Garuda Indonesia, Indonesia AirAsia, Lion Air, NAM Air and Wings Air. So there are quite a few airlines and flights to choose from, and the tickets are quite reasonable, relatively speaking. Once in Lombok, you will need to go to the port and take a ferry from there. This adds time, money and a bit of hassle to your trip, so like we said, it’s probably not worth it unless you’re already at the Bali airport.
By ferry from Bali to the Gili Islands
There are two types of boats to get from Bali to the Gili Islands: a speedboat and a public ferry. Although the public ferry is an option, if you really have no alternative, we do not recommend traveling this way as it takes a long time. The public ferry is slow and goes first to Lombok and then to Gilis, taking about 8 hours in total. With so many different fast boats to choose from and at reasonable prices, the public ferry should only be a last resort.
Speedboat from Bali to the Gili Islands
With so many speedboat operators to choose from, this is the recommended way to travel from Bali to the Gili Islands. There are many cruises throughout the day on various boats of varying sizes and comfort levels. Prices vary, with more luxurious speedboats charging a higher fee for a more comfortable trip. Times also vary: the fastest journey is advertised as 1.5 hours, and most boats on the Gili take 2 to 3 hours.
Coming from Bali, you’ll be the first to reach the largest island of the group, Gili Trawangan, followed by Gili Meno and Gili Air. Most boats stop on all three islands, but sometimes they pass through Lombok first, making the trip longer. Most tourists head towards Gili Trawangan as it is the largest island with the most services, but don’t ignore the other two as they also have a lot to offer.
You should also check departure points in Bali as they vary and may make your trip longer. The closest port to the Gilis is Padang Bai, on the island’s southeastern coast. Another popular starting point is Serangan, near the southern tip of Bali, great if you’re staying in this area, but it’s a longer boat ride from here. Some shipowners depart from other smaller ports, such as Amed on the northwest coast or the beach port of Sanur near the southern tip of Bali. Below we detail which speedboat operators sail from which ports in Bali to the Gili Islands, so you can decide which departure point suits you best. It is worth choosing the one closest to your place of stay to reduce travel time to the port and save on additional transfers.
The best option for departure times is the fast boats that run from Bali to the Gili Islands from Padang Bai as there are five different companies sailing from here: DPrabu Fast Boat, Semaya One, Kurnia Jaya Fast Boat, Ostina Fast Boat and Eka Jaya Fast Boat.
The DPrabu fast boat departs for the first time of the day, leaving at 09:00 in the morning and arriving in Gili Trawangan at 11:15. The Semaya One boat trip takes a little longer, leaving at 09:15 and arriving in Gili at 12:00. There are two departures at 09:30: the Kurnia Jaya fast boat arrives in Gili at 11:45, while the Ostina fast boat takes only 2 hours and arrives in Gili Trawangan at 11:30. Semaya One also departs later, leaving Bali at 12:30 and arriving at 15:00. There are then two other fast boats operated by Eka Jaya Fast Boat from Bali to Gili. The first one leaves at 12:30 but does not go directly to Gili, so it takes 2.5 hours. The second of their speedboats runs direct, departing Bali at 1:45 p.m., arriving in Gili Trawangan just 1.5 hours later.
If you suffer from motion sickness, the size of your speedboat from Bali to the Gili Islands may make a difference. The smaller the boat, the less stable it will be because it will not be able to ride the waves as easily. The largest motorboat, and therefore the most stable in more difficult conditions, is the Eka Jaya boat. They tend to charge a bit more than other companies, but it’s definitely worth spending more to enjoy a comfortable trip on a larger boat that will also have more onboard amenities than smaller powerboats. Eka Jaya and all other listed speedboat operators can be booked online through 12Gor. You can see all available powerboats, compare sizes, reviews, timetables and more, and book online with confidence.
You can also make reservations at the other departure ports mentioned above 12 Go. Ticket prices may be slightly higher for speedboats from Amed, Nusa Penida and Sanur Beach, but if you’re staying at one of them, taking a speedboat from here will save you from having to pay for transportation to Padang Bai. Scoot Fast Cruises departs from Sanur Beach Port daily at 09:30 for a 3-hour cruise. The Freebird Express departs Amed at 09:30 and the journey takes 2 hours and the Caspla Bali Sea View departs Nusa Penida at 10:00 and arrives in Gili Trawangan at 12:30.
So of all these options, the fastest is the speedboat from Bali to the Gili Islands operated by Eka Jaya as it leaves at noon and takes only 1.5 hours. It costs a little more than some other companies, but with this extra cost you get a more stable trip on a larger boat and it helps you get to Gili in the shortest time possible. If you really want to get to Gilis early, choose one of the morning departures with other companies. The fastest boat, DPrabu, arrives at 11:15.
How long is the ferry from Bali to Gili Islands?
The ferry ride from Bali to the Gili Islands takes approximately 2.5 hours. If you want to get there a little faster, you can also use a speedboat. The journey only takes 1.5 hours, but due to the rough seas it can be quite exhausting. Either way, you’ll have a great time!
How long is the ferry from Bali to Gili Air?
The ferry crossing from Bali to Gili Air takes approximately 3 hours. If you’re looking for a faster option, you can always take the speedboat ride, which only takes 1 hour and 45 minutes but can be quite bumpy, so buckle up and enjoy.
How long is the ferry from Bali to Gili Trawangan?
The ferry from Bali takes about 3 hours, but if you’re looking for an even faster option, we recommend a speedboat. Even though it only lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes, don’t miss it!
Bali or Gili Islands?
It’s hard to choose between these popular destinations, but we think Gili is the clear winner. These three beautiful islands offer something for everyone, from stunning beaches and crystal clear waters to lush jungles and a vibrant nightlife. Whether you’re looking to relax on a secluded beach or party until the sun rises.
Is it possible to take a day trip from Bali to the Gili Islands?
Yes, you can take a day trip to the Gili Islands from Bali. However, we recommend staying at least a few days to fully enjoy everything these amazing islands have to offer.
How much does a fast boat from Bali to Gili cost?
A fast boat from Bali to Gili Trawangan costs around 22 euros (approximately IDR 850,000). There are many ferry companies to choose from. Ferry tickets can be purchased via online booking.
How to get from Bali to Gili Trawangan?
The best way to get from Bali to Gili Trawangan is by fast boat. The journey takes approximately two and a half hours. There are various companies offering fast boat services, but most routes have fixed prices. Blue Water Express is one of the most reputable reservation companies.
How many ferry ports are there on the Gili Islands?
The Gili Islands consist of three ports: Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno.
So, since flights from Phuket to Surat Thani are not a viable option, the best way to travel between the two cities is by bus or minibus. These direct services are the cheapest, although if you are traveling around Thailand with several companions, private taxis can also become an affordable option when the cost is split between several people and it is most convenient to travel door to door. door services.