Bali to Gili Islands: Fast Boats, Ferries, Times and Prices (2026 Guide)

A fast boat is the simplest way to travel from Bali to the Gili Islands. Padang Bai has crossings to Gili Trawangan scheduled at around 1½–2 hours, while departures from Serangan can take longer because of intermediate stops. Gili Air and Gili Meno need their own destination-specific tickets. Do not assume an Amed departure is operating: check the current timetable before arranging a transfer there.

The public ferry from Padang Bai to Lembar, followed by road transport to Bangsal and a local boat, can be the cheapest combination when travelling cheaply on land. However, it can consume most of a day, and a private taxi can remove the saving. There is no airport on the three Gilis; flying takes you to Lombok, where a road transfer and boat are still necessary.

Bali to Gili Islands: quick comparison

Option	Journey time	Typical price	Departs from	Arrives at	Best for
Fast boat from Padang Bai	About 1½–2 hours to Trawangan on selected schedules; later stops take longer	Indonesia Tourism planning range: IDR 350,000–600,000; premium fares vary	Padang Bai	Booked Gili island	Shorter sea crossing
Fast boat from Serangan	BlueWater November–April example: 2h45 to Trawangan	Varies by operator; compare the selected sailing	Serangan; confirm the actual port for Sanur-labelled tickets	Trawangan or Air, depending on service	South Bali accommodation
Fast boat from Amed	Check the current timetable; regular service is listed as unavailable	Check the current timetable	Amed, only if specifically confirmed	Depends on confirmed service	East Bali only when operating
Public ferry via Lembar + Bangsal	Allow most of a day, including waits and road transfers	Published adult ferry fare IDR 65,300, plus road transport and local boat	Padang Bai → Lembar → Bangsal	Booked Gili island	Flexible travellers using economical land transport
Flight to Lombok + transfer + boat	Varies by flight and connections; several stages	Airfare + road transfer + boat; check the current price	Bali Airport → Lombok Airport	Gili via Bangsal or another booked pier	A Lombok stopover

Times and prices checked on November 4, 2026. Fast-boat schedules change with the season and sea conditions, so confirm your date before booking.

👉 Compare Bali to Gili fast boats on Bookaway

Prices are one-way planning examples, not a promise for every departure. Bookaway lists a broader Bali-area range of US$18–49 across different services; compare the port, island and inclusions before treating two tickets as equivalent.

Fast boat from Bali to the Gili Islands

Departure ports: Padang Bai, Serangan/Sanur, Amed

Padang Bai makes sense from Ubud and eastern Bali when the priority is a shorter crossing. From Kuta or Seminyak, the road journey is longer than reaching Serangan. Exact driving distance and pickup time depend on the hotel, route and traffic; ask for an address-specific transfer rather than relying on a city-centre estimate.

Serangan is often more convenient for southern Bali. Sanur and Serangan are separate boarding locations: a ticket marketed from Sanur may include a transfer or use a different harbour. Check the voucher’s actual departure pier and office.

For a useful cost comparison, BlueWater’s October 27 transfer list quotes private one-way transport for up to four people at IDR 225,000 from Kuta/Legian to Serangan and IDR 280,000 from Seminyak. Its Ubud-centre–Padang Bai example is IDR 500,000. These are that operator’s transfer prices, not universal taxi fares or proof that pickup is included.

Amed requires particular care. Amed Harbour currently describes regular fast-boat services as unavailable, although older Freebird timetables remain online. Until a named operator confirms a sailing for your date, arrange travel via Padang Bai instead of building the itinerary around an old Amed schedule.

Operators, times and prices

The examples below come from the operators’ published schedules. They are alternatives to compare, not departures guaranteed to run together every day. All times are local WITA.

Operator	Published example	Scheduled time	Fare
Ekajaya	Padang Bai 09:00 → Trawangan 10:30	1h30	Varies by operator offer and date
Ekajaya	Padang Bai 09:00 → Meno 10:50 / Air 11:10	1h50 / 2h10	Check the current price
BlueWater Express, November–April	Serangan 09:00 → Trawangan 11:45; Padang Bai departure 10:15	2h45 from Serangan; 1h30 from Padang Bai	Check the current price
Wahana	Padang Bai 09:00 or 11:00 → Trawangan 10:30 or 12:30	1h30	Check the current price

Check Ekajaya’s timetable and the selected operator’s booking conditions. Golden Queen also markets Gili services, while Gili Getaway offers its own and clearly identified partner departures; the actual carrier matters more than the seller’s name.

👉 Compare Bali to Gili fast boats on Bookaway

Confirm luggage limits, surfboard charges, hotel pickup and cancellation terms. A cheaper fare can become less attractive after a separate long transfer, and a flexible ticket is only flexible within its written conditions.

Which Gili island does the boat stop at?

Do not book a generic “Gili” ticket and assume it includes all three islands. BlueWater’s November–April outward sequence is Serangan, Padang Bai, Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Bangsal; Meno is not in that sequence. Ekajaya publishes separate Meno arrivals.

Stopping order changes the journey time. Ask whether Meno involves a tender or another transfer, where luggage changes boats, and whether that connection is included. Buy the exact island shown on your accommodation booking.

Safety and sea conditions

The Lombok Strait is open water, so a fast boat can be uncomfortable even when departure weather looks pleasant. Wet-season storms and dry-season winds can both disrupt crossings. Check BMKG’s maritime forecast and the operator’s latest sailing notice rather than assuming one season guarantees calm seas.

Choose an identifiable carrier with clear check-in arrangements, passenger limits, accessible life jackets and an explanation of cancellation procedures. Follow crew instructions and stay in permitted passenger areas. The broader is Bali safe guide covers other practical precautions around your Bali stay.

Public ferry via Lombok (the cheapest way)

The slow route has three separate legs: Padang Bai–Lembar ferry, Lembar–Bangsal road transport, and a local boat to your island. It is not a direct ferry to the Gilis.

Allow roughly 4½–6 hours for the sea crossing, with extra time for boarding and berth availability. The provincial transport authority’s published adult foot-passenger tariff is IDR 65,300; confirm the payable fare in Ferizy because promotions and charges can change. ASDP provides online ticketing for the route through Ferizy.

Lembar is in southwest Lombok, while Bangsal is in the northwest. Road travel and waiting add substantially to the day. Arrange the transfer price beforehand: BlueWater’s private transfer list quotes IDR 710,000 between Lembar and Bangsal for up to four passengers, illustrating how a taxi can overwhelm the ferry saving.

Indonesia’s tourism site gives Bangsal public-boat examples of IDR 20,000–30,000 to Trawangan. Buy at the proper counter and check the last departure; a public boat and a private speedboat are different products. If the ferry arrives too late, an overnight stop may be more practical than forcing the connection.

Compare the whole route when calculating how much a trip to Indonesia costs. Cheap individual legs do not necessarily produce the cheapest hotel-to-hotel journey.

Flying to Lombok, then to the Gilis

Flying makes most sense when Lombok itself is part of the holiday, or a suitable flight fits better than a long Bali road transfer. Check the airline’s current schedule and baggage allowance; flight duration alone does not describe the journey to the islands.

From Lombok Airport, continue by road to Bangsal or a specifically booked private-boat pier. Allow substantial transfer time and obtain a hotel-specific quote; BlueWater lists IDR 710,000 for its airport–Bangsal private transfer for up to four people. Travel time varies with traffic and route, so confirm the pickup and boat connection together.

You still need a sea crossing. Flying to Lombok therefore reduces the long open-water section but does not guarantee access to the Gilis when local boats are suspended.

Arriving on the Gili Islands

Expect walking, bicycles and cidomo horse carts rather than ordinary car or motorcycle taxis. Ask the hotel whether the final approach is sandy, how far it is from your arrival point, and whether luggage assistance is available. Agree porter or cart charges before accepting help.

The published North Lombok tourism levy is IDR 20,000 for foreign visitors. A higher foreign-visitor charge was proposed in 2026, so check the current official amount and request a receipt rather than assuming every collection is the same fee. Harbour charges may be separate; ask the operator what the ticket includes and carry small rupiah notes.

This is separate from Bali’s IDR 150,000 foreign-tourist levy, paid through the official Love Bali system. Keep the payment voucher for your itinerary and check current re-entry guidance before returning from Lombok. Do not pay a Gili collector simply because they describe a charge as the Bali levy.

Carry arrival cash and avoid depending on one ATM or card terminal. Save your accommodation address and tickets offline. Compare Airalo vs Holafly before choosing mobile data, but confirm reception with your hotel rather than expecting uninterrupted service at sea.

Gili Trawangan, Gili Air or Gili Meno?

Trawangan suits travellers wanting the widest choice of nightlife, dive shops and restaurants; quieter accommodation is possible away from busy strips. Air is a useful middle ground for beach stays with restaurants and a gentler evening atmosphere. Meno generally appeals to couples and visitors prioritising quiet.

Families can enjoy any island if the accommodation, beach conditions and transfer work for them. Choose the atmosphere first, then book the correct arrival island. For wider destination comparisons, explore Thailand vs Indonesia and Vietnam vs Indonesia.

Check hotels on the Gili Islands

Gili Islands to Bali (return trip)

Return departures include morning, midday and afternoon options depending on the operator and season. Ekajaya publishes Trawangan–Padang Bai examples at 10:00 and 11:00; BlueWater’s November–April Trawangan departure is 12:10, reaching Padang Bai at 14:40 and Serangan at 15:55.

These are scheduled arrivals, not flight-connection guarantees. Stops, port clearance, rough seas and Bali traffic can all delay the journey. For an important flight from Denpasar, return to Bali the previous day; allow more flexibility when forecasts are poor.

Which option should you choose?

• Best for most visitors: a booked fast boat to the exact island, with the Bali transfer checked.
• Best from Ubud or eastern Bali: compare Padang Bai departures first.
• Best for a flexible low-cost journey: public ferry via Lombok, only after pricing the road legs.
• Best with a Lombok stopover: fly to Lombok, then arrange the final road and boat connections.

FAQ

How long is the fast boat from Bali to Gili Trawangan?

Selected Padang Bai schedules take about 1½–2 hours. Serangan departures and services with intermediate calls can take longer, so use the actual sailing’s timetable.

How much is the boat from Bali to the Gili Islands?

Indonesia Tourism gives a planning range of IDR 350,000–600,000 for Bali fast boats, with other fares varying by operator and season. Check whether transfers and local fees are additional.

What is the cheapest way from Bali to the Gili Islands?

The public ferry via Lembar and Bangsal can be cheapest when combined with economical land transport. Include the road transfer, final boat and any overnight stay before comparing it with a fast-boat ticket.

Is the fast boat to the Gili Islands safe?

Conditions and operators vary, and no crossing is risk-free. Use a clearly identified carrier, follow official sailing restrictions and avoid a tight onward connection.

Is there an entry fee for the Gili Islands?

North Lombok has a tourism levy, with a published foreign-visitor tariff of IDR 20,000. Confirm the current charge and inclusions because proposed revisions and separate harbour fees should not be confused with the Bali tourist levy.

Which Gili island is best to stay on?

Trawangan is the liveliest, Air offers a balance of facilities and quieter evenings, and Meno generally suits a peaceful stay. Your hotel location and transfer arrangements matter as much as the island’s overall reputation.

For costs, routes and more practical planning, explore all our Southeast Asia travel guides.