Bali to Gili Trawangan Ferry Guide 2026: Ports & Prices

The Ultimate Gili Trawangan Travel Guide

How to Get There, Ferry Fares, Snorkeling with Sea Turtles, and Diving Reviews

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There are three main ports you can use

to travel from Bali to Gili Trawangan.

Padang Bai, Serangan, and Sanur.

While all three offer ferries or fast boats,

the best choice depends entirely on where you are staying.

I've put together a complete comparison of

ferry fares, travel times, and booking methods for each port,

plus the incredible snorkeling and discovery scuba diving

experiences waiting for you when you arrive!

How to Get to Gili from Bali (3 Departure Ports)

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Since the ports for Gili-bound ferries are spread out,

it's best to choose the right one based on your accommodation.

📍 Padang Bai

This port is located in eastern Bali.

It's the cheapest and fastest option among the three,

making it ideal if you're staying in East or Central Bali (like Ubud, Amed, or Candidasa).

📍 Serangan

About a 30 to 40-minute drive from the southern beach resort areas.

It tends to be much less crowded than Padang Bai,

so it's a great option if you're staying in the south and want to avoid massive crowds.

📍 Sanur

A harbor located in southeastern Bali.

If you are staying in Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, or Uluwatu,

this will save you from a long overland journey to Padang Bai in the east.

To break it down easily based on popular travel routes:

-> East & Ubud Hotels = Padang Bai

-> South Bali Hotels = Sanur or Serangan

This is a great rule of thumb for choosing your port!

Gili Ferry Fares

Fast Boat Price Information

Ferry ticket prices vary depending on the port and the operator.

As of July 2026, one-way fares

range anywhere from about ~$21 to ~$41.

Departing from Padang Bai is the cheapest option,

with some tickets starting around ~$21.

While booking a round-trip ticket can sometimes be slightly cheaper

than buying two separate one-ways, I highly recommend booking one-way tickets if you're an independent traveler.

Why? Because once you set foot on the Gili Islands,

you honestly never know when you'll actually want to leave... (?)

-> Note: Prices rise and tickets sell out quickly during peak season (August–September).

Since prices fluctuate based on the season and exchange rates,

it's always best to check the exact rates at your actual time of booking.

Travel Time and Motion Sickness

Plus local motion sickness medication tips!

Travel times also vary depending on the port.

Padang Bai is the shortest route,

taking about 1 hour and 30 minutes by fast boat,

while other ports or companies can take over 3 hours.

The real challenge is crossing the Lombok Strait.

During the windy season from June to September, the waves can get quite choppy,

so morning departures are often much calmer than those in the afternoon.

If you're worried about sea sickness, definitely choose a morning ferry,

and make sure to take motion sickness medication before boarding.

The photo below shows

the Indonesian motion sickness medicine

that was recommended to me at a local shop

right before I boarded my ferry to the Gili Islands.

It's super cheap

and actually kicked in surprisingly fast.

You can easily grab some at any local shop right in front of Padang Bai Port!

By the way, the middle seats sway much less than the ones in the back,

so keep that in mind if you have a sensitive stomach..!

Just so you know, ferry seating is unassigned,

so whatever seat you grab first is yours!

Most operators recommend checking in about 60 minutes before departure,

so it's much better to arrive at the port with plenty of time to spare.

How to Book Your Gili Ferry

On-site vs. Booking in Advance

You can buy tickets for the fast ferry to Gili right at the port.

However, during peak season, the popular time slots often sell out quickly,

so if your travel dates are fixed, booking in advance will give you peace of mind.

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Booking in advance is also great for locking in your preferred departure times,

which is why I chose to book mine online.

There are quite a few fast ferry operators running routes between Bali and the Gili Islands.

Back in 2022 and 2023, Eka Jaya was

pretty much the undisputed go-to,

but now there are plenty of clean, reliable options with great service.

The schedules and available boats have also expanded significantly depending on which port you depart from.

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Comparing Bali Departure Ports for Gili Trawangan Ferries

-> Cheapest & Fastest = Padang Bai

-> Best Convenience for Southern Accommodati>

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Comparing Ticket Prices for Gili Trawangan Fast Ferries

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05. Arriving in Gili (Getting Around the Island)

Gili Trawangan is a completely car-free island.

There aren't even any motorbikes!

Your only options for getting around are bicycles and horse-drawn carriages called "cidomos."

If you have heavy luggage, taking a cidomo from the harbor to your accommodation is definitely the easiest way to go.

For exploring and circling the island, renting a bicycle is absolutely the perfect vibe.

I also rented a bicycle during my stay.

Since the island is quite small, many people choose to walk,

but I highly recommend renting at least a bicycle or even an electric bicycle to get around comfortably.

Gili Snorkeling (Turtle Point)

Once you're in Gili, snorkeling is an absolute must.

(Honestly, the island is so small there isn't much else to do anyway... haha)

A typical half-day tour covers three main spots:

-> Turtle Point: Where you can swim alongside sea turtles

-> Gili Meno Underwater Statues: Iconic circular statues standing on the seabed

-> Coral Garden: Home to stunning corals and colorful tropical fish

The tour takes you between the islands in a small boat.

If you bargain directly at the harbor, you can get a spot for around ~$10 per person.

However, if you don't want to waste time gathering a group and haggling,

or if you prefer a private tour tailored to your favorite spots, booking in advance is so much easier.

Snorkeling is best during the dry season from May to October when the water is crystal clear.

Booking ahead saves you a ton of time and energy negotiating on the spot.

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Snorkeling Half-Day Tour

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08. Scuba Diving in Gili Trawangan

Open Water & Discover Scuba Diving Cost Guide

#BaliGiliIslands #GiliTrawangan #BaliTravel

Gili Trawangan is a world-renowned destination for scuba diving.

Since I really wanted to get my Open Water certification,

I booked a course with Sunshine Dive,

which offers direct instruction from Korean-speaking instructors.

I was a bit anxious about going through the theory and safety briefings in English,

so being able to learn everything thoroughly in Korean was the perfect fit for me.

The Open Water course takes about four days to complete,

covering theory, pool sessions, and open-water dives,

so being comfortable with the language of instruction was more important than I thought.

Currently, the Open Water course costs around ~$345 to ~$414, with marine park fees charged separately.

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🤔 But keep in mind, this path is for those looking to get fully certified.

Depending on your goals, there are other great options:

-> If you just want to experience the underwater world once or twice without getting certified

→ Discover Scuba Diving (DSD)

-> If you're comfortable with English instruction and want a more budget-friendly option

→ English-instruction Dive Shops

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Discover Scuba Diving sessions usually start around ~$69,

making it a much lighter, budget-friendly option for those who just want to try it out once.

Also, local dive shops offering English instruction are generally cheaper than Korean-run shops,

so this is a fantastic alternative if you have no language barriers!

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Gili Trawangan Diving Comparison (English Instruction)

Wrap-up

#GiliTrawanganSnorkeling #BaliFerryBooking

I truly believe that the highlight of any Bali trip is visiting the Gili Islands.

Specifically, Gili Trawangan (where I stayed)

can be reached from several ports in Bali and Lombok,

so you can easily choose your departure point

based on where your hotel is located.

Even after you arrive, you can choose your transport

depending on your luggage and hotel location,

so it's best to check your options ahead of time

and plan your route!

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-> Staying in Ubud or East Bali? → Padang Bai departure is the cheapest & fastest

-> Staying in South Bali (Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu)? → Sanur or Serangan is best

-> Have lots of luggage? → Check if hotel pickup is included + take a horse cart (Cidomo) upon arrival

-> Tight schedule or day trip? → Book your round-trip morning ferry in advance

-> Worried about seasickness? → Choose a morning departure + book a seat in the middle

If your travel dates are set,

be sure to check the ferry schedules and book before they sell out! :)

Gili Islands Round-Trip Ferry Tickets

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Bali, Gili, Lombok, Nusa Penida Fast Boat Tickets - Klook3ha.in

#GiliIslands #BaliSnorkeling #IndonesiaTravel

Recommended Reads

🔍 Getting My Open Water Diver Certification in Gili Trawangan

🔍 Bali Airport to Padang Bai Port Private Transfer Review

🔍 Staying at Gili T The Beach House Resort: Honest Review