Gili T to Gili Air Transfer Guide 2026: How to Cross
Discover the best way to travel from Gili T to Gili Air. From boat options to friendly local bargaining, here is your stress-free island transfer guide.
Loading...
Discover the best way to travel from Gili T to Gili Air. From boat options to friendly local bargaining, here is your stress-free island transfer guide.
Today, we're making the move from Gili T to Gili A! ❗️
You probably know "Gili T" as Gili Trawangan, and "Gili A" as Gili Air.
I was so excited to experience Gili Air, which is known for being much more laid-back and peaceful!
If you want a lively, bustling, festival-like vibe - Gili T
If you prefer a quiet, cozy, and peaceful escape - Gili A
Since everyone recommends both for different reasons,
I decided to split my trip and spend 2 nights on each island to get the best of both worlds!
In this post, I'll share my Gili Air (Gili A) accommodation recommendations and tips on how to get to the island.
Let's go!
If you're looking for how to get from mainland Bali to the Gilis,
check out my detailed guide below~
I've laid out everything you need to know about booking and riding the Wahana Boat.
🔻
How to get to Gili from Ubud, Bali: via Padang Bai, Wahana boat booking & review by Easy Gili
But if you're already on Gili T and heading to Gili Air,
you can choose between the public boat and a private boat.
There's absolutely no need to book in advance; booking on the day of travel is perfectly fine.
On the day of our move, we headed to the ticket booth for the public boat.
On the way, a super friendly and cheerful local man kept following us and trying to strike up a deal...
and he just kept tagging along!
What was so funny was that even when we arrived, we turned around
and there he was, still following us with a big smile. It was honestly so hilarious and endearing
that we ended up bargaining for a great price and had an incredibly comfortable ride over.
🚤🛥️🚤🛥️
Honestly, there wasn't a huge price difference between the public option and a private fast boat,
but the fast boat gets you there *so* much quicker (and you can leave right away!).
We were absolutely thrilled with our choice.
(I can't quite recall the exact price we negotiated,
but if you're curious, let me know in the comments and I'll dig it up for you!)
The funny thing was, he was so worried we'd run away! 😭
When I went to get some cash from the ATM, he held onto my suitcase and kept telling me to follow him lol.
But honestly, the locals in Indonesia are so genuinely kind
that you just can't find it in you to be annoyed. They are incredibly sweet!
The boat was surprisingly large and comfortable. I'm so glad we decided to take it.
We stowed our suitcases below and got to enjoy the fresh sea breeze
on our way there. 🌊
True to its name, the fast boat was incredibly speedy~~~
So exciting! Take a picture over there!!
Welcome to Gili Air!
The moment we stepped off the boat, we could feel a peaceful, serene energy that was completely different from Gili T.
It was incredibly quiet and tranquil.
Another great thing was that we didn't need to take a horse cart;
we could easily walk to our accommodation from the harbor.
Getting to the Gili islands is super easy, right?
The walk to our hotel was absolutely gorgeous.
Gili Air is quite small, so it didn't take long to get our bearings.
The streets were lined with so many cute, aesthetic cafes,
making the whole walk feel so picturesque. 🌸
On Gili Air, I was looking for the ultimate budget-friendly stay.
After searching, I decided on a place that offered delicious breakfast, a beautiful pool, and a great location:
Jago Gili Air.
And it turned out to be an amazing choice!
The exterior was so lovely to look at~
We basically had the pool all to ourselves lol. The vibe at night is completely different and so dreamlike.
Snapped a quick photo of the pool!
The staff here were incredibly cheerful and loved starting friendly small talk.
They even carried our luggage straight to our room.
Our room was super close to the entrance, and the layout was perfect—
you step right outside, and the pool is right there!
We were so exhausted and hot from all the traveling~~
So we decided to order some drinks.
The staff disappeared for a bit and ended up blending a ton of fresh fruit
to make us a legit, freshly squeezed juice lol
🍊🍋🍑
It wasn't mind-blowing, but it was so incredibly cold and refreshing that we loved it.
Just sitting there, looking out at the pool and relaxing,
we chatted about booking a private tour~
The staff member happened to be a friend of 'Agul' (who is super famous among Korean travelers!), so we got to hear some fun old stories.
It was such a fun time.
The room itself wasn't super spacious,
so it felt cozy but clean, and I loved how easy it was to go back and forth to the pool.
The bathroom was also clean and surprisingly spacious!
Honestly, it felt like the bathroom might have been bigger than the room itself lol
I'll share more about the pool below!
After having a delicious lunch at a local spot and grabbing some gelato,
we decided to head back to the accommodation for a quick rest.
And of course, we snacked lololol
Why do snacks always taste so much better when you're abroad?~~
We decided to postpone our Gili Air snorkeling tour to the next day,
and just spend today chilling in the pool.
There was another couple there earlier, but by the time we jumped in,
we had the whole place to ourselves! haha
One thing I really loved was that the staff
constantly scooped out any floating leaves,
working hard to keep the pool clean. I highly appreciated that.
After relaxing by the poolside for a bit,
we found a beach ball and had so much fun tossing it back and forth! haha
The water was actually quite deep.
Pools in Bali and Gili generally aren't shallow!
Which made it even better.
As night fell, the lights came on, making the pool and the resort look incredibly beautiful.
Just floating around and looking up at the sky...
We also enjoyed some night swimming once it got pitch black~~
By the way, they even have a hot tub separately!!!
Honestly, the pool alone made it all worth it! haha
We booked it for about ~$64 a night, but when looking at January rates,
it actually goes down to the ~$32 range.
I actually booked it through Agoda,
and seriously, isn't ~$32 a night an absolute steal?~~
They have options that include breakfast, and the breakfast (shown below) is absolutely delicious, so I highly recommend booking a rate that includes it!
🔻🔻🔻
Book the Best Deals for Gili Air Accommodations
We also got an aloe massage nearby,
(and it was absolutely heavenly...) 🫠
The Jago Gili Air breakfast!
It was served so beautifully and clean, which we absolutely loved.
The atmosphere here is just so wonderful.
Haha, my back is looking a bit better after getting that soothing aloe vera massage.
Iced latte was absolutely spot on ❄️
We ordered the English Breakfast and a smoothie bowl,
and doesn't it look absolutely incredible?!
It was super fresh and clean, so I highly recommend trying their breakfast.
With such a lovely, cozy vibe,
we finished breakfast, rented some cute bicycles,
and officially kicked off our second day on Gili Air!!
Gili Air Accommodation Recommendation & How to Get to Gili Air
1. If you're traveling to Bali's Gili Islands, I highly recommend checking out Gili Air (Gili A) too.
There are plenty of delicious restaurants and cafes, and it's incredibly cute, peaceful, and charming.
Riding a bike around the island was an absolute blast. haha
2. When going from Gili T to Gili Air, the price difference between the public boat and the fast boat isn't that big, so I highly recommend taking the fast boat for a much more comfortable ride!!
3. If you're looking for a budget-friendly place to stay on Gili Air, Jago Gili Air is a great choice. First of all, the pool is a massive plus, the breakfast is delicious, and the staff are incredibly, incredibly friendly. (Just keep in mind that the rooms aren't super spacious.)
🔽🔽🔽
Click here to find the lowest rates for Gili Air accommodations
Stay tuned for my upcoming Gili Air travel posts!
For a budget-friendly option on Gili Trawangan, check out the link below
⤵️
Gili Trawangan Hotel: Kubu Batu Boutique Resort, Highly Recommended for Great Value!
📍 Gili Air
Gili Air, Gili Indah, Pemenang, North Lombok Regency, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Indonesia
You can choose between a public boat and a fast boat, and you can book it by bargaining at the ticket office on the day of departure. The price difference between the two is not significant, so the fast boat is highly recommended as it departs immediately and arrives much faster.
The author booked it for ~$64 per night, but as of January, it can be booked in the ~$32 range. If you choose an option that includes breakfast, you can enjoy a neat morning meal such as an English breakfast and smoothie bowls.
The rooms are compact but clean, and the layout features a bathroom that is more spacious than the bedroom. The swimming pool is quite deep and has a separate hot tub. It is kept pleasant as the staff frequently skim out any debris floating in the water.
Gili T has a bustling, lively, and festive atmosphere. In contrast, Gili A offers a quiet, charming, and peaceful vibe, making it perfect for those seeking a tranquil retreat.
Discover why Rimba by Ayana Bali Resort, with its 14 stunning pools and iconic Rock Bar, is the perfect getaway for 2026. Get ready for an unforgettable stay!
Is the Korean Air and Ayana Resort Bali flight and hotel package worth it? Here is a detailed look at the pools, dining, and how to score the best deal.
Arriving late in Bali? Skip the expensive resorts for your first night. Novotel Bali Ngurah Rai Airport is the ultimate budget-friendly transit hotel just a 5-minute walk from the terminal.
Looking for an affordable tropical escape? Read our review of Kubuwatu Boutique Resort in Gili Trawangan, a budget-friendly gem near Turtle Point.
Searching for the best Ubud accommodation? We compare a top-rated budget hotel and a stunning private Airbnb villa in Bali to help you find your perfect stay.
Our 2026 Bali trip ended perfectly at Akana Boutique Hotel, Sanur. Experience amazing value, a beautiful pool, and a location ideal for manta ray tours and exploring.