Gili Air Transportation: The Ultimate Islander’s How-to Guide

Posted on 05/09/2019

So, you’ve decided to experience island life? Lying on the sand as the sun kisses your skin, blowing bubbles in our magical Gili waters, perhaps finding your centre by meditating and yoga-ing? Aaaaand for the most part, just sippin’ on coconuts while perfecting the art of doing nothing. Though, if you’d rather have more of an itinerary kinda trip, we’ve got you covered too!

But wait...you can’t quite get in the island mood yet. ‘Cause you can’t for the life of you figure out how to get here, or get around when you are here. Or making sure you aren’t getting ripped off. STRESS. Don’t worry! We’ve got you. Here are the most popular and efficient routes from Bali, Lombok and the Gilis to Gili Air, You’re welcome!

Get to Gili Air from mainland Bali

Option 1: Fast boat from Padangbai

Cost: Roughly 400,000 IDR in person and online.

Times: Various companies cover the Padangbai to Bali route. They all have different departure times, but most leave around 9 am. Well- known companies include Ekka Jaya, Giligili, Gangari, Blue Water Express and Wahana Gili Ocean. Some companies won’t run in the low season.

Duration: Approx. 1 hour and 40 minutes.

How? There are plenty of boat kiosks at Padangbai port where you can shop around and buy a ticket. To cut out the hassle of last minute arrangements, you can also book your fast boat tickets online through one of these reputable websites - Gili Bookings, Gili Tickets.

Option 2: Fast boat from Serangan

Cost: Roughly 600,000 IDR in person and online.

Times: Various companies cover the Serangan to Bali route. They all have different departure times, but most leave around 8 or 9 am. Well- known companies include Ekka Jaya, Blue Water Express and Gili Getaway. Some companies won’t run in the low season.

Duration: Approx. 3-4 hours.

How? There are plenty of boat kiosks at Serangan port where you can shop around and buy a ticket. To cut out the hassle of last minute arrangements, you can also book your fast boat tickets online through one of these reputable websites - Gili Bookings, Gili Tickets.

Option 3: Fast boat from Amed

Cost: Roughly 400,000 IDR in person and online.

Times: Fewer companies cover the Amed to Bali route but there are still several. They have different departure times, but most leave at 9.30am. Companies include Amed Sea Express, Freebird Express and Kuda Hitam. Some companies won’t run in the low season.

Duration: Approx. 1.5 hours.

How? There are boat kiosks at Amed port where you can shop around and buy a ticket. To cut out the hassle of last minute arrangements, you can also book your fast boat tickets online through one of these reputable websites - Gili Bookings, Gili Tickets.

Option 4: Fast boat from Sanur

Cost: Roughly 600,000 IDR in person and online.

Times: Even fewer companies cover the Sanur to Bali route but there are still a couple. They have different departure times, but both leave around 9 in the morning. Companies include Scoot and Gili Getaway. Some companies won’t run in the low season.

Duration: Approx. 3.5 hours.

How? There are boat kiosks at Sanur port where you can shop around and buy a ticket. To cut out the hassle of last minute arrangements, you can also book your fast boat tickets online through one of these reputable websites - Gili Bookings, Gili Tickets.

Get to Gili Air from Lombok - Bangsal Harbour

Option 1: Public boat

Cost: 12,000 IDR.

Times: No set time. Once you purchase a ticket at the harbour, your name will be taken down. When there are enough people to fill the boat, an announcement for departure will be made. Usual wait time, 30-60 minutes.

Duration: 20-30 minutes.

How? Stop by the official ticket office at the harbour and purchase a ticket.

Option 2: Shuttle boat

Cost: 40,000 IDR.

Times: Twice daily, around 8.30am and 4.30pm. Check times at harbour as these are subject to change.

Duration: 15 minutes.

How? Stop by the official ticket office at the harbour and purchase a ticket.

Get to Gili Air from Lombok - Airport/close by transport points

Option 1: Taxi + Boat

Take a taxi to Bangsal OR Damri bus to Senggigi, then taxi to Bangsal. Followed by either of the above boat options to Gili Air.

Cost: Depends on cab driver, if you take the bus to Senggigi, and/or which boat you take. Approx. 300,000 IDR.

Times: Check bus schedule.

Duration: 3 hours.

How? Taxis are available near airport arrivals and the Senggigi bus station. Bus tickets can be bought from the Damri kiosk outside the airport. Boat tickets can be bought from the official ticket office at Bangsal harbour.

Option 2: Stress-free, we’ll sort it all out for you! 

We will arrange a private car from the airport (or Mataram/Senggigi - or your address) which will take you to Teluk Nare harbour along the West Coast of Lombok. Our boat transfer will be waiting for you and will deliver you to the steps of our dive shop.

Cost: 900,000 IDR from airport (1,000,000 IDR early morning or late night) or approx. 750,000 IDR from Mataram/Senggigi (850,000 IDR early morning or late night). For other addresses in Lombok, please email or call us for a quote - listed below.

Times: Any time.

Duration: 2 hours from Lombok airport to the doorsteps of Manta Dive. Less if pick-up point is Mataram or Senggigi.

How? Email us at info@manta-dive-giliair.com or drop us a call on 081337789047.

Option 3: Book online via Gili Island Transfers

To book from the airport as well as various areas of Lombok independently we'd recommend Gili Island Transfers. Prices vary depending on where you're coming from. Transfers can be booked at the time of your choice, and all can be arranged online.

Image by Javier Godinez/ vivirparaviajar

Get to Gili Air from Gili T

Option 1: Public slow boat ‘Island Hopper’

Cost: 35,000 IDR.

Times: 9 am and 4 pm approx. ONLY (subject to change, check at the harbour).

Duration: 30 minutes.

How? Stop by the official ticket office at the harbour and purchase a ticket.

Option 2: Public speedboat

Cost: 85,000 IDR.

Times: Every hour between 9 am and 4 pm.

Duration: 15 minutes max.

How? Stop by the official ticket office at the harbour and purchase a ticket.

Get to Gili Air from Gili Meno

Option 1: Public slow boat ‘Island Hopper’

Cost: 35,000 IDR.

Times: 9 am and 4 pm approx. ONLY (subject to change, check at the harbour).

Duration: 30 minutes.

How? Stop by the official ticket office at the harbour and purchase a ticket.

Option 2: Public speedboat

Cost: 85,000 IDR.

Times: Every hour between 9 am and 4 pm.

Duration: 15 minutes max.

How? Stop by the official ticket office at the harbour and purchase a ticket.

Get to Gili Air from Nusa Lembongan

Mode of transport: Fast boat

Cost: Roughly 500,000 IDR in person and online. 

Times: Various companies cover the Nusa Lembongan to Gili Air route. They all have different departure times, but most leave before 11 am. Well- known companies include Blue Water Express, Ekka Jaya, Gili Getaway and Scoot. Some companies won’t run in the low season.

Duration: Approx. 2 - 2.5 hours.

How? There are plenty of boat kiosks at Jungut Batu Beach port where you can shop around and buy a ticket. To cut out the hassle of last minute arrangements, you can also book your fast boat tickets online through one of these reputable websites - Gili Bookings, Gili Tickets.

A note on choosing boat companies:

'So many boat operators! Which one do I choose? Which ones are the most trustworthy?' Sound familiar?

No problem, we've got you covered! We'd recommend using Gili Bookings as a guide for the best boats with high standard service or Gili Tickets as a guide for the best budget operators. 

Transportation Options on  Gili Air

First things first...motorised transport is not a thing in the Gilis. Like, it’s actually banned. Trust us, your skin will be thanking you for all of that clean air. Yay no pollution! Soooo, how do we get around then? 

Option 1: Rent a bike 

Cost: Around 40 000 IDR per day but negotiable.

How: Walk around. Multiple restaurants, shops and stalls have bikes parked up outside. There will be ‘hire a bike’ or the like signposted somewhere in the vicinity.

Tips: You can hire for or a few hours/the day (or for however long you’re here). The longer you hire for, the more negotiable the cost is. Best for exploring and getting around quickly. Plus it’s easier than getting a dripping sweat on walking around in the midday heat. Or walking through ankle-deep puddles after a thunderstorm. Stops you from slipping and falling flat on your face. What? Our staff haven’t done that. 

You may start by shaky maneuvering through sand, potholes and the lumps and bumps of island roads. But before you know it you’ll be a pro, cruising through in the dark. You’ll instinctively avoid potholes and giving the sandy roads a run for their money!

Option 2: “Cidomos” Horse-carts

Cost: Depends on the journey length. As a point of reference, it’ll roughly cost 100,000 from the harbour to us for 2 people and their luggage.

Tip: Best when you have unmanageable luggage, are in a big group or have a higher budget.

Option 3: Walking - the good old-fashioned way!

Cost: Free

Tip: Best when it hasn’t been raining to avoid muddy ankle-deep puddles and for shorter distances.

If you’d like even more options, plus all the minute details on ways of getting here from Bali to Gili Air, be it flying, boat or even on a backpackers budget...this one’s for you.

Now that we’ve got the boring life admin part out the way, all that’s left to do is get your chill on and come live the Gili way!

Oh, and in case sorting Gili Air accommodation was next on your list…

*All information is correct at the time of publishing. Please check directly with these companies for updated information.

By Aneesa Patel / saltyaneesa

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