By Clever Tourists · Published · Last updated
Take a morning fast boat from Padang Bai in east Bali: about 1 hour 30 minutes to Gili Trawangan, then a few more minutes to Gili Air. One-way tickets run roughly IDR 400,000 to 700,000, often with a hotel pickup in south Bali included or offered. Boats from Serangan, near Sanur, save the drive to Padang Bai but take about 3 to 4 hours at sea because they stop along the way. There are no flights to the Gilis; the slow alternative is the public ferry to Lombok and a short boat from Bangsal.
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Free toolConvert to your own currency at live rates →Live mid-market rates for all 17 currencies we used, so you can see what a price actually costs.Padang Bai has the shortest crossing and the most boats. Serangan only makes sense if you are staying in Sanur, Nusa Dua or near the airport and would rather sit on a boat than in a car.
| Departure port | Time to Gili Trawangan | Example sailings | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Padang Bai (east Bali) | About 1h30 | Blue Water Express 08:00, arrives 09:30; Eka Jaya also sails to Gili Meno | Ubud, Sidemen, Amed and most first-timers |
| Serangan (near Sanur) | About 2h45 to 3h45 | Blue Water Express 08:00 and 11:00; Gili Getaway 08:00 via Nusa Penida, arrives 11:45 | Sanur, Nusa Dua, airport hotels |
| Padang Bai public ferry to Lembar (Lombok) | 4 to 5 hours, plus road and boat to the Gilis | ASDP car ferries around the clock | Bringing a vehicle, or a very tight budget |
Padang Bai is about 1.5 to 2 hours by road from Seminyak or Kuta, less from Ubud, and most operators sell a ticket with a shared minibus pickup from south Bali or Ubud. On Blue Water Express's timetable the 08:00 boat reaches Gili Trawangan at 09:30 and Gili Air at 10:05. Eka Jaya sails from Padang Bai to all three Gilis and on to Lombok, with an online fare of IDR 600,000 for Bali to the Gilis.
Check in at the operator's office about an hour before departure. Ask whether the fare includes the harbour fee: Blue Water Express includes port taxes, but not every operator does.
Going to Gili Meno? Fewer boats stop there. If yours does not, get off at Gili Trawangan or Gili Air and take a local boat across; check the day's times on arrival.
Gili Getaway leaves Serangan at 08:00 and calls at Nusa Penida, Gili Gede and Senggigi before Gili Trawangan (11:45) and Gili Air (12:15), from IDR 700,000. Blue Water Express runs 08:00 and 11:00 departures from Serangan, arriving at Gili Trawangan at 11:00 and 13:45.
The longer route is worth it only if the drive to Padang Bai would take you longer. On a calm day the Nusa Penida stop breaks up the trip. On a rough day it means more time on open water.
Some sellers also list departures from Sanur or Amed. Before you pay, check whether the boat actually sails from there or the ticket includes a road transfer to Padang Bai, and check the arrival time.
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The crossing runs over the Lombok Strait, and conditions change quickly. The UK government's Indonesia advice warns that boats can be overloaded and poorly maintained, and says to check life jackets before you board and avoid sailing after dark. Choose an established operator and a morning boat, and do not book one that would arrive after sunset.
Operators cancel or delay boats in rough weather. Never plan a Gili-to-Bali boat on the same day as an international flight without several hours of spare time. Take seasickness tablets before boarding, not after you start to feel sick. Our best time to visit Bali covers the seasons.
ASDP's car ferry runs around the clock from Padang Bai to Lembar in south-west Lombok, about 4 to 5 hours. From Lembar it is a long drive north to Bangsal harbour, where Koperasi Karya Bahari public boats cross to the Gilis in about 45 minutes, leaving when they are full. Buy boat tickets at the cooperative's office inside the Bangsal terminal, not from people outside it.
This costs less than a fast boat but takes most of a day. It makes sense if you are travelling with a scooter or car, or if you are already planning time on Lombok.
Bali levy: international visitors to Bali pay a one-off IDR 150,000 levy, usually online before or on arrival. It is a Bali charge, not a boat fee; see our Bali airport arrival guide.
On the Gilis: there are no cars or motorbikes, so you walk, cycle or take a cidomo (horse cart) from the harbour. Wheeled luggage is hard work on the sandy tracks. In September 2026 a clean-water outage on Gili Trawangan led some visitors to leave early, so ask your accommodation how it gets its water.
Booking: in July, August and late December, book a few days ahead for a morning seat and a matching hotel pickup. In quieter months you can usually book the day before. See how many days in Bali for fitting the Gilis into a trip, and our 18-day Bali route for the east Bali stops near Padang Bai.
About 1 hour 30 minutes from Padang Bai, or roughly 3 to 4 hours from Serangan because those boats make stops.
Roughly IDR 400,000 to 700,000 one way, depending on the operator, port and whether a hotel pickup is included.
Padang Bai, for the shortest crossing and the most boats. Serangan suits Sanur and Nusa Dua stays but takes longer at sea.
Use an established operator, check that life jackets are on board, sail in the morning and do not travel after dark or in bad weather.
Yes. Take the 4-to-5-hour public ferry from Padang Bai to Lembar on Lombok, drive north to Bangsal, then take the public boat across.
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Entry rules change, and they depend on your nationality — always confirm the current requirements on the official government site before you book or apply. Only use official government (.gov) portals; ignore look-alike agency sites.
Find a the Gili Islands hotel within walking distance of the sights on Booking.com.
