How to reach the Gili Islands from Bali

Are you planning a trip to Indonesia and wondering how to get to the Gili Islands from Bali? Look no further! Here, we will explore the various options available to reach the Gili Islands from Bali without overwhelming yourself.

Essentially, there are two main ways to do this: one is more straightforward but slightly pricy (with the option to book from home), and the other is for true backpackers, where you can save a bit of money but will need to invest more time and effort. Spoiler alert: you can choose to take a local ferry, which is budget-friendly but slow, or make better use of your time by paying a bit more for a fast ferry that you can even book online to have everything sorted before you arrive.

So, let's dive into how to get to the Gili Islands from Bali:

The most convenient option: transport package from Bali

This is the preferred choice for most travelers heading to the Gili Islands. It involves booking a transport package that includes pickup by minibus from central Bali areas (like Denpasar, Ubud, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Candidasa, etc.), followed by a ferry ride to the island from the Padang Bai port (located in southeastern Bali). If you book a round trip, you'll also have transport to your final destination. The fast ferry ride takes just under two hours to reach Gili Trawangan.

Process of booking the transport package

1. Pickup: Pickup occurs directly from your specified accommodation about two hours before the ferry departure. You will usually be in a shared van with other travelers or in a private vehicle arranged by the company.
2. Padang Bai Port: Upon arrival, you'll check in at the company's office. They will provide you with a sticker indicating your destination and company, and you'll wait in the covered area of the port for your ferry. Staff will announce ferry departures, but it is wise to keep an eye on those with the same sticker.
3. Arrival at the island: Disembarkation happens directly on the beach. Some companies, like Eka Jaya, have ramps for easier access, while others, like Wahana, may require you to jump onto the shore.
4. Return journey: Arrive at the port about 30 minutes early and find the office to check in (for instance, Wahana's office is across from Ocean 2 restaurant), where you'll receive a ticket with your final destination (Ubud, Denpasar, Candidasa, etc.). Upon arrival at Bali port, staff will help you find your allocated transport based on your ticket.

Where to book and pricing

You can make reservations through the websites of the ferry companies, which tend to be slightly more expensive and less personalized, or through a travel agency (bars, restaurants, and hotels can also assist). Some notable companies include:

• Wahana: Smaller boats, regular service without upper deck seating, and disembarkation without a ramp.
• Eka Jaya: Larger boats with upper deck seating and a ramp for easier disembarkation.
• Blue Water Express: Offers superior service but at a higher price.

The price for online reservations is typically fixed at around 725,000-800,000 IDR for a round trip. If you opt to book through an agency, the final cost will heavily depend on your negotiation skills and the ferry company they work with, generally ranging from 600,000-700,000 IDR.

Don’t forget to carry a Revolut card or a N26 card to avoid extra fees when paying or withdrawing money abroad.

Timings of the ferries

The journey from Bali to Gili Trawangan lasts just under 2 hours. Each company has its own schedule; here are some examples:

✓ Wahana

• Padang Bai (Bali) → Gili: 09:00 / 13:00
• Gili → Padang Bai (Bali): 11:00 / 15:00

✓ Eka Jaya

• Padang Bai (Bali) → Gili: 09:00 / 11:00 / 13:00
• Gili → Padang Bai (Bali): 11:00 / 12:30 / 13:30

Since ferry times can vary, it’s best to check the official websites of the companies. Alternatively, comparing prices and timings on Ferryhopper is a great option.

Booking through a Spanish agency

You can also book through the agency Civitatis for transport from Bali to Gili, which includes the round-trip ferry tickets and transfers. The advantage of this option is that you can avoid the hassle of bargaining and the stress of traveling without pre-booked tickets, although the fixed price might be slightly higher.

The less convenient but cheaper option

If you’re looking for alternatives to the bus+ferry package, you can do it independently by combining several modes of transport and ferries to reach your destination. Be warned, this method is significantly more complicated and will take a few extra hours. However, if you’re the adventurous type who enjoys the thrill of improvisation, consider this route:

Step-by-step guide

1. First, make your way to Padang Bai by bus (for example, using Perama, which offers services from Ubud), by bemo (good luck!), or by taxi (or using Uber or Grab).
2. Next, take a public ferry to the port of Lembar in Lombok. Ferries leave every hour throughout the day and take about 4-5 hours (this can be longer depending on weather conditions). A ticket costs around 50,000 IDR, which you can purchase at the port offices.
3. From Lembar port, you need to make your way to Bangsal port (in northern Lombok), where ferries to Gili depart. You can take a Perama bus for about 60,000 IDR, which takes around 1.5 hours (you can also try your luck with a bemo).
4. The final step is to take a public ferry to one of the three Gili Islands: Air (11,000 IDR), Meno (13,000 IDR), and Trawangan (15,000 IDR). This last leg is much shorter, taking just 15-20 minutes.

Is it worth it?

Personally, this isn't something we would choose to do now… maybe we've become a bit too comfortable! It can be quite a hassle.

We hope your questions about how to reach the Gili Islands from Bali have been answered, and that you’re one step closer to exploring this beautiful Indonesian archipelago. If you discover another way to do it, feel free to come back and share your experience!

* Photos from Shutterstock.com

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