Transportation in Gili Islands
Horse-drawn carts are still used here
An enduring appeal of the Gili Islands is the complete lack of any motorised transport. Cars and motorbikes are banned, ensuring a peaceful and pollution free alternative to congested Bali. Getting around on foot is not a strenuous exercise as all three islands are very compact. Gili Trawangan is the largest and measures just two miles at its widest point.
All can be circumnavigated on foot at a leisurely pace in two hours or less. Although none of the islands have official street names, orientation is pretty straightforward as almost all tourist businesses are located along the seafront or set just behind.
A quicker way of getting around in the Gilis is to rent a bicycle. There are dozens of places to do this on all the islands, however prices are higher than in Bali. A full days rental costs around rp50,000 after a little bargaining. Kreatif (Gili Trawangan jetty Tel: +62 (0)370 634861) has lots of cycles in all shapes and sizes.
The Gili islands ‘taxi’ service comes courtesy of traditional horse drawn carts known as ‘cidomo.’ Always negotiate a price beforehand and bargain hard. As a general guide expect to pay no more than rp15,000 for a short journey or rp70,000 for a full circuit of the islands.
Getting between the Gili Islands
Hopper boats take passengers between islands
There is a daily island hopping boat service connecting the three Gilis which runs each morning and again in the late afternoon. For example departures from Gili Trawangan leave at 09.30 and 16.00, calling first at Gili Meno and then onwards to Gili Air. Fares are rp25,000.
For trips at any other times it is necessary to charter a boat which will cost around rp200,000 one way. From each individual harbour public outrigger boats leave for the short journey to the nearby island of Lombok throughout the day. There is no official schedule; boats depart when there is a full compliment of 20 passengers. Plan to leave in the early morning otherwise there is often a lengthy wait, especially on sleepy Gili Meno.
Getting to the Gili Islands from Bali
Gili Trawangan is well served by direct fast boat services from the ports of Benoa and Padangbai in Bali. There are also some services from Nusa Dua, Sanur and Nusa Lembongan. It is a very competitive market nowadays with nine different companies offering direct daily services and prices have steadily fallen in the last year.
Prices are slightly cheaper if a return journey is booked in Bali and fares range from rp550,000 – rp800,000 return. During the peak months of July and August, seats can be booked out for days despite some operators putting on extra services and fares can rise by as much as 50 per cent. Most services also stop at Teluk Nara in north Lombok for onward boat connections to Gili Air and Gili Meno. All fast boat operators offer free pick ups from your hotel from all South Bali resorts and the Ubud area. There is also a daily boat from Padangbai harbour in Bali by Perama onboard a traditional ‘phinisi’ sailing boat which takes four hours.
Direct boat services between Bali and the Gili islands
Blue Water Express
Tel: +62 (0)813 38418999
dep Benoa, Bali 08.00
arr Gili Trawangan Harbour 10:30
dep Gili Trawangan Harbour 11:00
arr Benoa, Bali 13.30
Eka Jaya Fast Boat
Tel: +62 (0)812 3765504
dep Padangbai, Bali 08:00
arr Gili Trawangan Harbour 09:30
dep Gili Trawangan Harbour 10:00
arr Padangbai, Bali 11:30
Gili Cat
Tel: +62 (0)361 271660
dep Padangbai, Bali 09:00
arr Gili Trawangan Jetty 11:00
dep Gili Trawangan Jetty 11:30
arr Padangbai, Bali 13:00
Island Getaway
Tel: +62 (0)812 37504504
dep Serangan, Bali 08:00
arr Gili Trawangan Harbour 11:00
dep Gili Trawangan 11:30
arr Serangan, Bali 13:30
Mahi Mahi
Tel: +62 (0)81 236 812233
dep Serangan, Bali 09.00
arr Gili Trawangan Harbour 11:30
dep Gili Trawangan harbour 12:15
arr Serangan, Bali 14:50
Ocean Star
Tel: +62 (0)811 3856037
dep Serangan, Bali 08:00
arr Gili Trawangan Harbour 10:0
dep Gili Trawangan Harbour 11:00
arr Serangan, Bali 13:30
Redline
Tel: +62 (0)370 634893
dep Benoa, Bali 13:00
arr Gili Trawangan Jetty 15:00
dep Gili Trawangan Jetty 09:30
arr Benoa, Bali 12:00
Scoot
Tel: +62 (0)361 285522
Dep Sanur, Bali 08:30
Arr Gili Trawangan harbour 10:30
Dep Gili Trawangan 11:00
Arr Sanur, Bali 13.00
Perama
Tel: +62 (0)361 751875
dep Padangbai 13:00
arr Gili Trawangan 17:30
dep Gili Trawangan 07:.00
arr Padangbai 12:30
