How to Get from Bali to Gili Islands: Travel Advice

Discover how to get from Bali to the Gilli Islands with my insider travel advice. Moreover, I’ll give you everything you need to know so that you can ensure you get to the Gili Islands safely.

In recent years, the Gili Islands have become a very popular tourist spot with thousands of people heading to the tiny islands every year for some much-needed rest and relaxation.

So, let’s dive into everything you needed to know to reach these blissful and paradise-like islands.

Where Are the Gili Islands?

The Gili Islands are just off the coast of Lombok and are a short ferry ride from Bali. Moreover, this places the islands within the Indonesian archipelago.

How Many Islands Are Included?

There are three islands that make up the Gili Islands. Moreover, these include Gili Trawangan (also known as Gili T), Gili Meno and Gili Air. Gili Air is the closest to Lombok.

Are the Gili Islands Worth Visiting?

The Gili islands are absolutely worth a visit, however, you need to choose the correct island to visit for your wants and needs. Each of them offers a different vibe which can ultimately change your experience.

Gili Trawangan is known for being a backpacker and a party island. There are tonnes of loud parties happening every night and those looking at relaxing at a resort probably wouldn’t enjoy this spot.

Gili Meno is the smallest of the three islands and is perfect for those looking for a relaxing and romantic getaway. Typically, it tends to be filled with couples looking to enjoy beautiful beaches and a perfect island setting.

Finally, Gili Air is the final island and is best for relaxation. Think reggae music, healthy food and relaxing vibes. This is a great spot to enjoy a moment of zen on holiday.

Travel Time from Bali to Gili Islands

For the most part, you’ll be looking at travel times from 1 to 3 hours. Moreover, this can vary depending on the type of ferry you get.

Personally, I recommend going with the speedboat option so that you can get to the islands quicker. They’re not that much more expensive and it means you can get more time on the island. Besides, this is a good idea for those of you that may get a little seasick!

Exploring Gili Trawangan

The Best Way to Get from Bali to Gili Islands

I recommend choosing a speedboat to save on travel time. These are usually the most comfortable options and are the quickest route.

Moreover, some of the larger ferries have to stop off at Lombok which increases travel time drastically. Therefore, be sure to check the entire itinerary to pick the shortest travel time.

Furthermore, most of the ferries tend to leave around 9:30 AM, so you will need to get to the dock nice and early. I would recommend arriving at least 45 minutes before departure so that you can get yourself entirely organised.

Island Hopping the Gili Islands

You can do some very simple island hopping between the Gilis to check out the other islands if you wish. Simply head to the pier of whichever island you are at, let them know which island you’d like to visit, and they can organise a boat for you.

For the most part, you’ll be looking at a short and sweet 10-15 minute boat ride in between the islands which is an excellent way to do some exploring, even if it’s just for a day trip!

Nonetheless, I would recommend considering booking tickets early in the day or trying to book them at least the day prior to departure. Finally, you’ll be looking at tickets ranging from 40,000 to 80,000 IDR for a one-way ticket.

Where to Book Ferry Tickets

The best way to get ahold of ferry tickets is to book them via 12go Asia! I’ve found this to be the most reliable option that gives you the best deal.

And, tickets can range anywhere from $20 – $55 AUD for a one-way trip. Try to keep it on the lower end, as the more expensive ones also take you to Lombok which adds unnecessary travel time.

Upon arrival at Padang Bai Port, be sure to find the company that you booked your ticket through and head towards their office box to get your ticket sorted. Be sure to have all your booking information ready to go.

Finally, this is the best way to get from Bali to Gili islands, and I recommend booking through 12go Asia! early to ensure you don’t miss out on a space.

Dealing With Seasickness

It’s highly likely that you’ll have to deal with seasickness at some point on this trip from Bali to the Gili Islands. Thankfully, the trip is only short, and before you know it, it will be over!

Seasickness is a type of motion sickness that presents itself when people are travelling across the water. Usually, this occurs from rocking side to side and a complete confusion of our middle ear which provides us with balance.

Let’s be real, nobody likes to deal with seasickness, however, these are a few of my favourite tips to make the journey a little bit more comfortable:

Focus on the horizon or something steady in the distance. An island or land is also a good option
Don’t look down at a phone or book, keep your head up
Stay near the fresh air
Avoid travelling when hungover or with alcohol in the system
Consider an over-the-counter drug to deal with motion sickness

Padang Bai Port Scams

One thing to be wary of when leaving Padang Bai port in Bali is scams. Unfortunately, many locals are trying to rip off tourists and put them in uncomfortable situations.

On both occasions that I was at this port, I had really negative experiences. It’s probably the most uncomfortable I felt during 6 months of travel and one of my worst experiences.

Our grab driver purposely dropped us off at the wrong port and then told us we had to get a lift from one of the locals on a scooter. They demanded 100,000 Rupiah for a 2-minute ride. We told them that was way too expensive but we had no choice.

We ended up getting them down to 50,000 Rupiah each and made our way over to the correct port. They were trying to make us late so that we would miss our ferry and told us we had to buy new tickets.

Eventually, we made our way to the ferry, and the guy I was with ripped 100,000 Rupiah out of my hand and drove off.

I couldn’t find my friend as she’d gone off on another scooter and he was trying to take her elsewhere. Eventually, she got dropped off at the correct location and we made our way to the port.

This was a really horrible experience, and I’m not trying to scare anyone, but please be wary of what goes down here. Prior to reaching the port, make sure that your grab driver takes you to the CORRECT location.

Otherwise, you’ll get caught up in this silly scam like we were!

Not to mention, I met many people that have had similar experiences like this, so it’s not a one-off. Even the locals at Gili Trawangan have heard of these stories many times. I hope that I can prepare you for what’s to come so that you know what to expect.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, this is the best advice on how to get from Bali to Gili Islands. Besides, ferries are the only option you have to reach these idyllic little islands.

Nonetheless, having a piece of advice from past travellers makes the journey a whole heap easier as you have a better idea of what to expect. I recommend taking my advice (especially the Padang Bai Port scams) into consideration to ensure your trip runs a little smoother.

However, the trip to the Gilis is fantastic and absolutely worth the effort. You will love spending time on whichever island you visit!

Finally, if you would like to discover more from Indonesia, feel free to check out this section of my blog where I keep it updated with plenty of new content. Happy reading!