Bali to Gili Trawangan, by boat or plane
There are two main ways to travel from Bali to Gili Trawangan: by fast boat or by flying to Lombok and taking a short transfer. For most travellers, a direct fast boat from Bali to Gili Trawangan is the quickest, easiest and most affordable option.
Bali to Gili Trawangan by Fast Boat
The most popular way to get from Bali to Gili Trawangan is on a direct fast boat. Several reputable operators run daily services from harbours along Bali's south and east coasts, and the crossing takes between roughly 1.5 and 2.5 hours depending on your departure point. Boats arrive directly at Gili Trawangan's harbour, so there's no need to transit through Lombok.
The best harbour to depart from depends on where you're staying in Bali.
Padang Bai, Shortest Crossing Time
Padang Bai is the closest harbour to the Gili Islands, so you'll spend the least time at sea. It's the ideal departure point if you're staying in Ubud, central Bali or anywhere on the east coast. Eka Jaya and D'Camel both operate fast boats from Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan.
Serangan Harbour, Best for South & West Bali
If you're staying in Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu or the wider south Bali area, Serangan Harbour is your most convenient option. Blue Water Express, one of the most established fast boat operators in the region, runs its Bali to Gili Trawangan service from here.
Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is another convenient south Bali departure point, especially if you're staying in the Nusa Dua or Jimbaran area. Eka Jaya operates fast boats from Nusa Dua directly to Gili Trawangan.
Sanur
Sanur has a harbour that serves some smaller fast boat services. However, the larger and more established operators depart from Serangan, Padang Bai and Nusa Dua, making those the better choice for most travellers heading from Bali to Gili Trawangan.
Which Harbour Should You Choose?
* Ubud, central or east Bali? Head to Padang Bai. It's the nearest harbour and gives you the shortest time at sea.
* South or west Bali (Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran)? Choose Serangan or Nusa Dua rather than making the long drive east, unless you want the shortest possible time at sea.
Hotel transfers in Bali can be booked as an add-on when you book your fast boat ticket to Gili Trawangan. This is the recommended way to arrange your transfer to the harbour, as the pick-up times are coordinated with the boat departure and allow for traffic conditions. If you make your own way to the harbour, traffic delays could mean you miss the boat. The drive from south Bali to Serangan or Nusa Dua is typically 20 to 40 minutes, while Padang Bai is around 1.5 to 2 hours from the south coast.
Schedules, Prices & Booking
Departure times and availability vary by season, so we recommend checking Gilibookings.com for the latest fast boat schedules from Bali to Gili Trawangan. There you can compare operators, see current departure times and prices, check live availability and book your fast boat tickets online. We'd always recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season when boats fill up quickly.
Bali to Gili Trawangan via Lombok
Lombok is easily accessible by air, with daily domestic flights from Bali and Java as well as direct international flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. All flights arrive at Lombok International Airport, south of Praya. From the airport, it's approximately a two-hour transfer by car to Teluk Nara, where you catch a short 10-minute speed boat across to Gili Trawangan. You can book Lombok airport transfers through our partner Gilibookings.
Flying via Lombok is a good option if you're already planning to spend time on Lombok, but for most travellers heading straight from Bali to Gili Trawangan, a direct fast boat is simpler and usually cheaper.
Need Help With Your Travel?
We're happy to help with your travel arrangements from Bali to Gili Trawangan, whether by sea or by air. Check Gilibookings.com for fast boat schedules and online booking, or contact us if you have any questions.
