A common way to get from Ubud to Gili Trawangan is by taking a boat from Padang Bai port. This applies to other Gili islands as well.
What you need to do:
- Go to Padang Bai port
- Find a fast boat office and buy your tickets
- Wait for the departure time
- Get on board and sail to Gili Trawangan
Keep in mind that these boats only leave a few times a day, typically from around 9 AM to 2 PM.
So if it's already 2 PM or later and you still in Ubud, you'll have to wait until tomorrow. And the ride from Ubud to Padang Bai port takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
I'll go into details below, so keep reading until the very end because I'll share some tricks to cut the cost.
Go to Padang Bai port
The first thing to do after packing up is heading to Padang Bai port. You can reach there by taxi or other forms of transportation, such as a bus.
However, there's a common issue with taxis in Ubud, where tourists often struggle to find one.
Regular taxis, like Bluebird, don't cruise around Ubud because they are not allowed by what tourists refer to as the 'taxi mafia' controlling the territory.
Nevertheless, you can still call for a Bluebird taxi, and they'll come to pick you up. They are restricted from actively seeking passengers in Ubud but can respond to calls and pick you up when requested.
Find a fast boat office
There are a few fast boat companies that can take you to Gili Trawangan, but the most well-known companies are Eka Jaya, Semaya One, and Ostina.
| Company | Price | Departure | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eka Jaya | IDR 450,000 | 09:00 • 10:30 | 4.1 |
| Ostina | IDR 300,000 | 09:30 | 3.8 |
| Semaya One | IDR 250,000 | 09:30 • 13:30 | 3.3 |
All boats offer basic facilities such as air conditioning, etc. The only difference lies in the seating.
Now that you have the basic information about the boats, here are their office locations where you can buy the tickets.
I never actually buy tickets directly at the office, I always do it online because I always get a cheaper price, usually $3 to $5 lower.
I highly recommend you do the same to save some money. Get your ticket below 👇🏻
Wait for the departure time
Once you have your ticket, it's time to wait for the boat to be ready. You can wait either at the office or at the terminal.
If you buy your ticket online, guess what? You don't have to wait like others. But make sure to be at the jetty right on time.
The journey from Ubud to Padang Bai port takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes in good traffic. So, if your boat departs at, let's say, 13:30, you can take a taxi from Ubud at 12:00.
In the worst-case scenario, with bad traffic, especially if there's a diversion, it may take you approximately 2 hours.
I also recommend to go for the noon sail because upon arrival at Gili Trawangan, you can immediately check in to your hotel instead of waiting again. I hate waiting 😩
Get on board and sail to Gili Trawangan
It's finally time to set sail! Some companies assign seating numbers, while others let you choose where to sit.
If your boat company allows you to choose freely, I recommend sitting at the very back for your safety and convenience.
Those in the front rows may experience a more significant impact when the boat hits a big wave and are more likely to get seasick.
Another advantage of sitting at the back is that, in case of an emergency like the boat sinking, those at the front would need to run all the way to the back to get out, while those at the back can just hop out right away. Does that make sense?
The journey will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to get from Padang Bai port to Gili Trawangan. Have a safe and enjoyable trip! 🛥️ Beep beeeep..
Tips to save some money
If you're on a tight budget, I've got you covered! I've got some tips to help you cut down the cost of traveling to Gili Trawangan.
Buy tickets online
Buying tickets online is always cheaper than buying directly at the office, you can save $3 to $5 per ticket!
Fast boat companies tend to set higher prices at their offices, knowing that people won't go to each one to compare prices and find the best deal.
However, online, it's easy for people to compare prices from different companies with just a scroll on their phones. So buy your tickets online and save some money.
Buy tickets with transfer package
Some fast boat companies also offer transfers from Ubud to Padang Bai port with additional fees, typically ranging from IDR 30K to 50K per person.
This option is much more budget-friendly compared to taking a taxi, which can cost you IDR 400,000.
The downside is that they can pick you up as early as 6:00 in the morning, and you need to be ready at that time.
It's not a private service, they use a bus and pick up other passengers from various places in Bali as well. So, be prepared for a longer travel time if you choose this package.
Buy round trip tickets
You'll save an additional $3 to $5 by buying round-trip tickets, so I highly recommend going for it!
If you're on a tight budget, it's better to plan your itinerary ahead of time. You'll need at least 2 full days to experience all the wonderful things on Gili Trawangan.
FAQs
The boat ride from Padang Bai port in Bali to Gili Trawangan takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
It takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to get from Ubud to Gili Trawangan.
The breakdown is 1.5 hours for the taxi ride, 1.5 hours for the boat journey, and 30 minutes for waiting or potential departure delays.
The best boat from Bali to Gili Trawangan is Eka Jaya
Boats depart every day from Padang Bai port in Bali to Gili Trawangan.
Ferry tickets from Bali to Gili Trawangan start at IDR 200,000 to IDR 450,000.
