Getting From Lombok to Gili Islands • A Local’s Guide

By using this website, you agree to our Terms of use.
3 min read
by Marlin
April 6, 2023

This guide was written by a local and will help you discover two ways to reach the Gili Islands while also providing some insider tips.

Essentially, there are two harbors in Lombok that offer boat rides to the Gili Islands: Bangsal Harbor and Senggigi Harbor.

Without further ado, let's learn how to travel from anywhere in Lombok to the Gili Islands!

From Bangsal harbor

The most common and popular way to reach the Gili Islands is by taking a boat from Bangsal Harbor, although the journey may take longer and require travel through mountainous roads compared to departing from Senggigi Harbor.

Despite the extra travel time, many tourists prefer to travel from Bangsal Harbor because it's more affordable and comfortable.

bangsal harbor in lombok to get to gili islands
Bangsal harbor

Here is what you need to do:

1. Go to Bangsal harbor

No matter where you are in Lombok, you can take a taxi to reach Bangsal Harbor. The cost will vary depending on your distance from the harbor, but here is a rough estimate of the fares:

  • From Mataram city: Rp 250,000

  • From Lombok airport: Rp 500,000

  • From Kuta Lombok: Rp 600,000

You can take a Bluebird taxi or other online ride-hailing services such as Grab and Gojek to get to Bangsal Harbor. If you can't find a taxi nearby, you can order one using their apps.

There are two routes to reach Bangsal Harbor: via Pusuk, a chilly mountainous forest, and Senggigi, a coastal road with sea views.

pusuk route to get to bangsal harbor from mataram city
Pusuk route
senggigi route to get to bangsal harbor from mataram city
Senggigi route

Pusuk is the shorter route, but it is also more challenging due to its narrow and winding road. It has steep ascents and descents that run along the edge of the cliff.

On the other hand, Senggigi is farther away but has a wider road. It also has steep ascents and descents, but they are relatively easier to navigate compared to Pusuk.

pusuk road
Pusuk road
senggigi road
Senggigi road

I'm sharing these details in case you have a preference for a certain type of route. If you enjoy sea views, you might prefer taking the Senggigi route.

But if you're up for a more challenging and adventurous drive through a chilly mountainous forest with steep ascents and descents, the Pusuk route might be more suitable for you.

2. Find the ticket office

When you arrive at Bangsal harbor, you'll notice two ticket offices. One is for boats that go to Bali and the other is for boats that head to the Gili islands, which is where you want to go.

Once you enter the harbor's gate, make sure to turn to your left to find the ticket office you need. Look out for the boat terminal with blue fences - that's where you'll find it.

bangsal harbor's gate
Bangsal harbor's gate
boat terminal at bangsal harbor
Boat terminal
ticket office at bangsal harbor
Ticket office
ticket office of bali boats at bangsal harbor
Bali boat ticket office

3. Buy your ticket & wait for the departure

There are three types of boats in Bangsal harbor that go to the Gili islands, they are public boat, fast boat, and speed boat.

public boat to get from lombok to gili islands
Public boat
fast boat to get from lombok to gili islands
Fast boat
speed boat to get from lombok to gili islands
Speed boat
  • Public boat: A traditional boat that is equipped with motor engines, and passengers have to sit with up to 40 other passengers with little to no gap between them.

  • Fast boat: Literally like a bus or plane so you don’t have to sit face-to-face with other passengers.

  • Speed boat: A private boat that can take you to the Gili islands anytime you want.

Most people prefer public boats and I didn't see anyone taking the more luxurious boat when I was there. Maybe because I wasn’t there long enough 🤔

Lombok to Gili islands boat ticket prices:

# Destination Public boat Fast boat Speed boat
1 Gili Air Rp 18,000 Rp 85,000 Rp 300,000
2 Gili Meno Rp 21,000 Rp 85,000 Rp 350,000
3 Gili Trawangan Rp 23,000 Rp 85,000 Rp 400,000

Lombok to Gili islands boat departures:

  • Public boat: Once it's full with 40 people or after a certain amount of time

  • Fast boat: 10.00 am • 11.30 am • 12.30 pm • 01.30 pm • 02.30 pm • 04.00 pm

  • Speed boat: Any time

Wait for your boat and sail when it's ready!

boat to gili islands from lombok terminal
Boat terminal

Lombok to Gili Trawangan boat times:

  • Public boat: 25 minutes

  • Fast boat: 20 minutes

  • Speed boat: 15 minutes

And that's pretty much it on how you can get from Lombok to Gili Islands from Bangsal harbor. Next, we'll learn how to get there from Senggigi harbor.

From Senggigi harbor

Taking a public boat from Senggigi harbor to the Gili islands isn't a popular option because it can take up to two hours and the cost is quite high.

In contrast, you can easily reach Bangsal harbor from Senggigi by taxi, which is a much cheaper option. This is because the two harbors are not far from each other.

Just for the comparison, cost and travel time of public boat in Senggigi and Bangsal harbor:

# Departure Cost Time
1 Senggigi Rp 750,000 2 hours
2 Bangsal Rp 23,000 25 minutes

Therefore, it's not worth spending extra time and money to travel from Senggigi harbor to the Gili islands by public boat.

It's better to take a taxi from Senggigi to Bangsal harbor, which costs around Rp 50,000 and takes only a short ride, rather than paying more than Rp 600,000 and sailing for two hours.

Well, the good thing about taking a public boat from Senggigi is that you get to feel like you're on a private boat. You won't have to sit with random strangers or wait for a scheduled departure time.

senggigi harbor view
Public boat at Senggigi harbor

Another cool thing is that the public boats from Senggigi offer day tours to all the Gili Islands, and you'll be back in Senggigi by 5 pm. So, you can explore all the islands and be back in time for dinner.

How to get to Gili islands from Senggigi:

First, you gotta go to Senggigi harbor, obviously. It's located on the map below.

Once you've reached Senggigi harbor, don't head straight to the harbor as the ticket office there is for boats going to Bali.

Instead, take a walk along the beach and wait for someone to approach you with a boat trip offer to the Gili islands.

And that’s pretty much it!

Important tip

When you're at Bangsal harbor, be careful if someone offers to help you carry your luggage.

They may ask for a large amount of money for such a simple task and won't give your belongings back until you pay them.

Usually, they will ask for around Rp 100,000 or a little over $6 US. So it's best to decline their offer and carry your luggage yourself.

Another common tactic they use is to aggressively grab your luggage without even saying a word.

author
AUTHOR Marlin
Share for care
Related articles
secret gili nanggu

December 15, 2022

The secret Gili Nanggu

Far down to the south, there are 4 similar islands to the Gilis waiting to be explored... continue reading

author by Marlin
getting from lombok to gili islands using public boat

May 28, 2023

14 Beaches Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan may be a small island but getting around and finding the perfect spot to... continue reading

author by Marlin
gili trawangan

June 5, 2023

15 Facts about Gili islands

Do you love the Gili Islands and want to know more about these little paradises? In this arti... continue reading

author by Marlin
gili islands vs lombok

January 8, 2023

Gili islands vs Lombok

Lombok is an island the size of Bali and obviously it has a lot more places to visit than the... continue reading

author by Marlin
gili trawangan night market

June 18, 2023

Gili Trawangan night market

The night market is essentially a traditional culinary haven packed with awesome food stall... continue reading

author by Marlin
sunny day on gili islands

June 14, 2023

Best time to visit

Figuring out the perfect time to visit the Gili islands is super important if you want to dod... continue reading

author by Marlin
le pirate bungalow gili trawangan

June 13, 2023

Gili Trawangan travel cost

The internet says you need thousands of dollars to stay on Gili trawangan for just a few days, it's... continue reading

author by Marlin
gili trawangan sign

June 7, 2023

Is Gili Trawangan safe?

Considering a trip to the Gili Islands but have concerns about your safety? Worry not! I'm her... continue reading

author by Marlin
great mosque in lombok

June 3, 2023

Gili Trawangan religion

If you've been traveling across Bali and are planning to visit the Gili Islands, but you'r... continue reading

author by Marlin
getting from lombok to gili islands using public boat

June 1, 2023

Animals on Gili islands

I've been wandering around the breathtaking Gili islands, soaking up all the beauty the... continue reading

author by Marlin
getting from lombok to gili islands using public boat

May 19, 2023

Cidomo horse cart

Cidomo is a traditional way of getting around that they've been using for ages. In t... continue reading

author by Marlin
gili islands living cost

May 21, 2023

Gili islands living cost

Cost of living on Gili islands really depends on the kind of lifestyle you want... continue reading

author by Marlin
gili island for families

December 20, 2022

Gili island for families

I know how it feels when you plan a family vacation to the beach, but worrying about... continue reading

author by Marlin
getting around gili trawangan

May 21, 2023

Get around Gili Trawangan

As you may already know, motorized vehicles are not allowed on the Gili Islands in... continue reading

author by Marlin
atm gili trawangan

May 19, 2023

ATMs on Gili Trawangan

If you’re planning to visit Gili Trawangan and thinking whether or not... continue reading

author by Marlin