3 Ways to Travel from Bali to Gili Islands - by <Strong>Flight</Strong>, <Strong>Fast Boat</Strong> and <Strong>Slow Boat (Not Recommended)</Strong>
How to Get from Bali to Gili Islands
3 options62 kmfrom ~$1Research Verified
View Map
In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 62 kilometre distance from Bali to Gili Islands. Whether you prefer the scenic overnight train, a convenient bus+ferry combo, or the fastest flight option — we've got all the details you need.
There are 3 ways to get from Bali to Gili Islands. You can choose between the flight, fast boat, slow boat (not recommended). The most affordable option is by flight, starting from $1. The fastest route is by fast boat (1h ).
COMPARE
Compare Your Options
Click a column header to sort. Click a row to jump to the full guide.
Transport
Duration
Price
Best For
Popularity
Fast BoatFastest
1h
($15)
--
FlightBudget
4h 20m
($1)
--
Slow boat (not recommended)
9h
($280)
--
Route Overview
BaliGili Islands62 km
Via gili trawangan island, lombokVia gili meno island, lombokVia gili air island, lombok
Explore interactive map
Flight
4h 20m - 4h 55mFrom ~$1
The nearest airport to the Gili Islands is in Lombok. The flight from Bali to Lombok takes only 40 minutes, but this option requires several transfers to and from the airports, plus the boat ride to the Gili Islands.
First, you’ll have to take a 40-minute flight from Bali to Praya Airport in the south of Lombok. This is followed by a bus or taxi ride to the north of Lombok (Bangsal Harbour) and from there, you can take a local boat to one of the Gili Islands.
Considering that the journey from Praya Airport in the south of Lombok to Bangsal Harbour in the north takes about 2-3 hours, we recommend taking the fast boat from Padang Bai in Bali.
That single boat trip from Bali to Gili Islands will already be faster than the journey from Lombok Airport to the Gili Islands.
From our point of view, the only reason to take a flight is if you’re prone to motion sickness and don’t want to spend hours on a boat. The distance from Lombok to the Gili Islands is very short and the ocean is usually less rough than the (more open) ocean between Bali and the Gili Islands.
The total travel time of this flight option is about 4h 20m - 4h 55m, excluding boarding time. Combined rates start from $1 if you travel by public bus from the airport to the port.
Ready to book your flight?
From ~$1 · 4h 20m - 4h 55m
Fast Boat
1h - 4h 30mFrom ~$15
The best and fastest way to travel from Bali to Gili Islands is by fast boat. Several fast boat companies operate from the main ports in Bali: Padang Bai, Sanur, Serangan, and Amed.
Depending on the port you take the fast boat from, you can get to the Gili Islands in .
Most of the fast boats head to the two busiest islands, Gili Trawangan and Gili Air and few stop at Gili Meno.
Fast boat ticket prices start from from Bali to Gili Islands.
Fast boat from Bali arriving in Gili Trawangan
Quick tip:
For a fast and easy way to book, you can find the best prices on BookAway and 12GoAsia.
Gili Trawangan -- the liveliest
Gili Trawangan, often called Gili T, is the liveliest of the Gili Islands. Go to Gili T if you want to party at night and relax at the white sand beaches during the daytime.
You are sure to find a similar soul who likes socializing and getting to know people from all walks of life.
Gili Trawangan is also the perfect spot to see huge sea turtles. If the ocean is calm, there is almost a guarantee that you will see several sea turtles when you go snorkelling only a few metres from the beach. You'll get the best chance to see them on the east side of Gili T. Best in the morning around 08:00 or afternoon after 16:00.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Gili Islands?
Preview: This section shows sample data. Real content will be added by the editorial team.
Koh Tao is a premier diving destination in the Gulf of Thailand, widely known as one of the most affordable places in the world to obtain your PADI certification. Beyond diving, the island offers beautiful bays, pristine beaches, stunning viewpoints, coral gardens, and abundant marine life.
TRUST
How We Research
Every route on GeckoRoutes is independently researched and regularly verified.
500+
ROUTES RESEARCHED
Every route is personally traveled and documented by our team, covering Southeast Asia's most popular and off-the-beaten-path connections.
Monthly
UPDATES
Routes are reviewed on a regular cycle to catch schedule changes, new operators, and price updates. Every guide shows when it was last verified.
Verified
BY TRAVELERS
Tips and corrections from our community of travelers help keep routes accurate between team visits. Your experience makes this guide better for everyone.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep GeckoRoutes free and up to date.
Carbon Footprint
This 62 km journey produces approximately 6 g CO2 by bus. Taking public transport is one of the lowest-emission ways to travel this route.
Traveller Reviews
Preview: This section shows sample data. Real content will be added by the editorial team.
4.36 reviews
5
3
4
2
3
1
2
0
1
0
Used the Songserm ferry from Koh Samui. Cheaper than Lomprayah but takes a bit longer. Still a perfectly fine crossing. The views approaching Koh Tao are stunning either way.
O
Oliver S.November 2025
Ferry
Train via Surat Thani was our pick. More scenic than Chumphon route and the Lomprayah catamaran from Tapee Pier is very comfortable. Book the special express train for the quickest ride.
J
Jenny L.Jan 2026
Train
The overnight bus with Montanatip was okay but not great. The bus was older and the seats didn't recline much. Ferry portion was fine though. If you're on a tight budget it works.
C
Carlos V.Oct 2025
Bus
Took the sleeper train to Chumphon — magical! Woke up to palm trees and transferred to the Lomprayah catamaran. Whole journey felt like an adventure.
M
Maya R.Dec 2025
Train
Lomprayah bus+ferry combo from Khao San Road was seamless. Departed at 6am, arrived Koh Tao by 3pm. Well organized.
D
David H.Feb 2026
Bus
Flew to Koh Samui and took Lomprayah catamaran. More expensive but saved a full day. Worth it if your holiday is short.
S
Sophie K.Jan 2026
Flight
Leave a Comment
Slow boat (not recommended)
9 hoursFrom ~$280
We don’t recommend travelling to the Gili Islands by public ferry. Although there are departures almost every hour, the trip will take almost an entire day. Here’s a rundown of your journey:
Public boat from Padang Bai to Lembar in Lombok (5-6 hours) – [price 60,000 IDR]
Taxi from Lembar to Bangsal (2 hours) – [price 200,000 IDR]
Boat to the Gili Islands (10-45 minutes) – [price 20,000 IDR]
Combined costs start from with a total travel time of almost . The combined ticket prices are even higher than the cheapest fast boat going straight from Bali to Gili Islands.
Most travelers base themselves near the main beach for easy access to transport, restaurants, and activities.
Treat Yourself
Musa Villas and Bungalows Gili Air
Musa Villas and Bungalows on Gili Air tick all the boxes — outdoor bathroom, gorgeous swimming pool, lush gardens and a private balcony overlooking the pool. The villas are stunning, boasting high ceilings and the traditional bamboo bungalow style with a dash of luxury.
The whole place is amazing, but the star of the show has to be the staff. They are extremely friendly and super helpful. It’s them that make your stay here super memorable. The delicious free breakfast comes in at a close second.
Want to stay in one of the best spots on Gili T? Pearl Sunset Resort is definitely up there with some of the best. The stunning swimming pool overlooks the private beach area with sun loungers and cabanas waiting for you to spend the day on.
The rooms are huge, coming with a separate seating area and a private terrace. Hopefully, you get a sea view! Sunset happens right in front of the resort, so we recommend dining at the delicious onsite restaurant or grabbing a refreshing cocktail at the bar.
You can’t beat the location of Le Pirate! Set right on the beach of Gili Meno, you’re directly in front of some of the best snorkelling spots on the island. This is where you’ll find the statues, turtles and other fascinating marine life. There’s also a private beach for you to enjoy, set up with sun loungers and hammocks.
The beach huts are relatively simple and aren’t huge, but they do provide great value for money, especially on Gili Meno. Also, who wants to spend a lot of time in their room when they have two pools to enjoy and incredible sunsets to watch from the onsite bar and restaurant?
Guava Garden on Gili Trawangan feels like a luxury resort, just without the price tag. The hotel is surrounded by luscious gardens providing much-welcomed shade around the gorgeous swimming pool. It feels like you’re in an oasis.
The villas are bright, traditional with a modern touch and come with a private balcony. The highlight though has to be the outdoor bathrooms where you can shower under the stars. It’s an experience! The little touches at this place make it special, like the pool towels, welcome drink and local recommendations from the staff.
Captain Coconuts is one of the coolest hostels on Gili Air, and maybe even one of the most unique that you’ve ever stayed in. The hostel offers both open-air dorm rooms and gorgeous private villas. You can have the social aspect of a hostel, whilst having your privacy.
The swimming pool is a great place to hang out, surrounded by sun loungers and palm leaf umbrellas. Whilst you’re there enjoy breakfast or lunch from their onsite cafe, CocoLoco. This spot is truly magical and the kind of place where you keep on extending your stay.
Leave a Comment