How to Get to the Gili Islands

There are two ways to reach the Gili Islands: a short hop from Lombok, or a direct fast boat from Bali. The Lombok route is far cheaper and involves Bangsal harbour, which has a long-standing reputation for hassle that is entirely manageable once you know how it works.

Here is every route, what each costs you in time, and the specific things that go wrong.

Route 1: from Lombok via Bangsal

Bangsal is the harbour on Lombok's north-west coast that serves all three islands. It is around 45 minutes from Senggigi, an hour and a half from Mataram, and 2 to 2.5 hours from Kuta on the south coast.

From there you have two options.

Public boats are much the cheapest. They are large wooden boats that leave when full rather than to a timetable, and crossings run roughly 15 minutes to Gili Air, a little more to Gili Meno, and up to about 45 minutes to Gili Trawangan. Tickets are bought at the official ticket office, not from anyone who approaches you outside it.

Private charters leave immediately and cost several times as much. Worth it if you have missed the last public boat or are travelling as a group with a flight to catch.

The Bangsal problem

Bangsal has a reputation, and it is earned. Approaching the harbour you will be intercepted — sometimes several hundred metres out — by people telling you the public boats have finished, that you must buy a ticket from them, or that your driver cannot proceed further.

The practical defence is simple: walk to the official ticket office and buy there. It is clearly signed inside the harbour area. Public boats run through the day until late afternoon, and the claim that they have stopped is usually made hours before they have.

A driver who knows the harbour makes this a non-event, which is one of the underrated reasons to book a transfer rather than arrive cold.

Route 2: direct fast boat from Bali

Fast boats run directly to Gili Trawangan and Gili Air from several points in Bali, most commonly Padangbai and Serangan, and also from Amed and Sanur depending on the operator.

Crossing times run roughly 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the departure point, the boat and conditions. Most operators include a hotel transfer from the main tourist areas, which is worth having because Padangbai is up to two hours from Seminyak or Canggu — and that road time is not in the advertised crossing time.

This is the route most people take when the Gilis are part of a Bali trip. Full comparison of the crossing options in our Bali to Lombok guide.

Route 3: fly to Lombok, then transfer

If you are coming from further afield, flying into Lombok International Airport (LOP) at Praya and transferring overland to Bangsal takes roughly 2 to 2.5 hours. Lion Air added a daily Kuala Lumpur route on 1 July 2026, so Lombok is now reachable without routing through Bali.

This is the better option if the Gilis are the start of a Lombok trip rather than a side trip from Bali.

Between the islands

Island-hopping boats run a scheduled circuit between Trawangan, Meno and Air a few times a day. They are cheap, take 10 to 20 minutes between islands, and are the normal way to move.

They run to a fixed timetable with only a few departures, so check the times — missing the last one means chartering privately at several times the cost.

A three-island snorkelling hop is a different thing: a full-day boat that stops at snorkelling sites including the underwater statues off Meno.

Route comparison

What to know before you go

Crossings are weather-dependent. Boats are cancelled in bad conditions, particularly from December to February. Never plan to return from the Gilis on the same day as an international flight.

There are no cars on any of the islands. Whatever you bring, you will be walking, cycling or taking a pony cart with it — which is a strong argument for soft luggage.

Bring cash. Island ATMs exist and run dry regularly. Withdraw in Mataram or Senggigi.

Boarding is often over the side and into the water. Wet feet are normal. Dry-bag anything that matters.