Bali to Gili Trawangan by fast boat

Gili Trawangan is the largest and liveliest of the three Gili Islands off northwest Lombok. There is no bridge or car ferry straight from Bali, so almost every traveller makes the trip by fast boat. The crossing is short and the system is simple once you know which port to use.

Which port should you leave from?

• Padang Bai (east Bali) — the most common departure point, with the widest choice of operators. The crossing usually takes around 1.5–2.5 hours.
• Serangan (near Sanur) — convenient if you stay in Sanur, Kuta or Seminyak, but the boat ride is longer, often 2.5 hours or more, sometimes with a stop at Nusa Lembongan.
• Amed (northeast Bali) — the shortest sea crossing, often under 1.5 hours, but Amed itself is a long drive from the south of Bali.

Many fast-boat tickets include a shared shuttle from hotels in south Bali and Ubud to the port. Check what the operator offers when you compare options on 12Go, because pickup areas and cut-off times differ.

How long does the whole trip take?

Door to door, plan on half a day. A typical morning departure from Padang Bai means a hotel pickup in south Bali very early, about two hours on the road, check-in at the harbour, then the crossing. Boats often stop at Gili Trawangan first, then Gili Meno, Gili Air or Lombok (Bangsal/Teluk Nara), so check the arrival point on your ticket.

Sea conditions and seasons

The Lombok Strait can be rough, especially from about June to September when the southeast trade winds are strongest. Morning boats are usually calmer than afternoon ones. If you get seasick, sit at the back of the boat on the lower deck and take medication before you board. Operators can cancel or reschedule when the harbour master closes the sea; 12Go will contact you about changes made by the operator.

Arriving on Gili Trawangan

Boats land on the beach at the main harbour area on the east coast, so expect to step into shallow water — wear sandals and keep valuables in a waterproof bag. There are no cars or motorbikes on the island: you walk, cycle or take a cidomo (horse cart). Many travellers prefer to walk or bike to their hotel. Bring some cash: ATMs exist but can run empty in busy months.

Booking tips

• Book one or two days ahead in July–August, Christmas–New Year and Indonesian holidays; at other times there is usually space, but early boats fill first.
• Open-return tickets exist, but you will still need to reconfirm your return date with the operator.
• Prices vary by operator, port and season; treat any figure you see in blogs as an estimate and check the live fare on 12Go.

Going on to Lombok afterwards? See our guide to Bali to Lombok, and read our fast boat safety tips before you go.