The Ultimate Gili Islands Travel Guide

Updated: September 2026

The beautiful Gili Islands are a must-see on any visit to Bali, and fortunately, they’re an easy add-on to any length Bali trip.

Days on the Gili islands can be spent soaking up the rays, snorkelling, and cycling. With no traffic and no large hotels, it’s an easy-going slice of paradise. This guide covers everything you need to know for a visit in 2026 onwards, but feel free to ask any further questions below!

Gili Islands Travel Guide: Essential Information

Located just over 100km from the Bali mainland, the three islands that make up the Gili Islands are fairly straight forward to get to. I say fairly, because the ferries are fairly unreliable and can really vary in quality and experience.

Location and How to Get to the Gili Islands

The Gili Islands are made up of three islands. The largest is Gili Trawangan, and two smaller less inhabited islands, Gili Air and Gili Meno. They’re located just off the coast of the island of Lombok, but are just as easily accessible from Bali.

Fast boats to the Gili Islands run from several ports on the eastern side of Bali, including Padang Bai, Sanur and Amed. Serangan has also become a popular departure point in recent years, so definitely double check which port your operator uses, as it affects your transfer time.

There are two options — the pricier speedboat or the cheaper public ferry. I’d recommend the speedboat. Crossing times range from about 1.5 hours from Amed and up to 2.5 hours from Padang Bai or Sanur.

On my first trip to the Gili Islands, my fast boat ticket was just £13! Today, prices vary.

Budget operators (like Wahana Gili Ocean or Eka Jaya) start from around $25 USD one-way, while higher-end operators (Gili Getaway, Scoot Cruise) charge up to $45 USD one-way.

Return tickets are usually cheaper than booking two singles, and most include hotel pick-up and drop-off in Bali. Prices climb in peak season (July–August, December–January), so book ahead if you’re travelling then.

Generally, it’s a rule that the more expensive the ferry is, the more reliable it is.

There’s also a small local tourist tax of IDR 20,000–30,000 (about $2 USD) payable on arrival at the Gili Islands. Note that this isn’t included in your boat ticket.

You can buy tickets from tourists shops all across Bali, but it can be more reliable to buy them in advance online beforehand.

I’ve linked several ticket options here:

• Fast boat from Bali to Gili Trawangan (with Gili Getaway)
• Bali to Gili Air fast boat transfers (also with Gili Getaway)

You can also book a tour package from Bali that takes care of your ferry and accommodation here as a two day trip (from around £211). Or enjoy a private three day snorkelling trip around the Gili Islands from Bali too (around £300 per person).

Don’t forget the Bali tourism levy: since most people visiting the Gilis fly into Bali first, remember you’ll need to pay Bali’s IDR 150,000 tourist levy. You can do this either online in advance via the official Love Bali site (lovebali.baliprov.go.id) or at a checkpoint after arrival. It’s a one-off payment covering your whole trip, and enforcement has stepped up in 2026, so definitely get it sorted before you land.

How to Choose which Gili Island to Visit

Gili Trawangan (commonly known as Gili T) is definitely the most lively, with plenty of bars and fun nightlife to get stuck into. It’s the most popular with backpackers.

Gili Air and Gili Meno are the calmer, quieter of the three islands, with more of a honeymoon/romantic feel.

It’s worth nothing also that boats run between the three islands regularly, so you could island-hop or base yourself on one, and take a day trip to another.

None of the islands have cars, or really even roads. It’s more like dirt tracks circling the perimeter of each island.

And although the island are firmly on most backpackers’ Bali itineraries, they’ve largely managed to hold on to their natural charm. In fact, they are still without huge developments or giant hotels, so it looks promising that it’ll stay that way for a while yet.

Best time to visit

July–August and December–January are the busiest and most expensive months. September to November is a good shoulder-season window with good weather and fewer crowds. The rainy season runs roughly November to April, and while showers are usually short, they can make for a rougher boat crossing, so it’s worth checking forecasts if you’re travelling then.

Useful tips for visiting the Gili Islands

• All three islands have ATMs, but it’s still wise to bring some cash over with you from Bali, just in case machines run out or are out of order.

• There are no cars, and it’s really enjoyable to get around by bike or on foot. Gili T, the largest of the three, is no more than about a 3-mile (7km) walk around the whole island — just to give you an idea how small they are.

• You’ll also see horse-pulled carts (known as cidomo), which remain the only form of “public transport” on the islands. There are an ongoing genuinely controversial topic. The horses have historically been treated poorly, though welfare organisations like the Gili Eco Trust and Horses of Gili have pushed for improvements in recent years. Local authorities in Lombok have also announced plans to phase out cidomos in favour of electric carts. If you do decide to take one, keep the load light, check the horse looks well cared for first, and offer the driver fresh water for it.

Safety tips

• The Gilis are generally safe, but keep valuables secure as you would anywhere.
• Currents between the islands can be strong, particularly to the northeast. Take care snorkelling alone and check conditions first.
• Indonesia has very strict drug laws; possession can carry serious penalties, so it’s best avoided entirely, whatever you might be offered.
• Good travel insurance is worth having, especially given the boat crossings and water activities.

What Things Cost

A rough breakdown to help you budget:

• Hostel dorm: IDR 65,000–100,000/night
• Hostel private room: IDR 150,000–300,000/night
• Budget hotel: IDR 300,000–500,000/night
• Night market meal: IDR 30,000–75,000
• Sit-down restaurant meal: IDR 135,000–175,000
• Local beer: around IDR 45,000
• Bike rental: from IDR 40,000/day
• Snorkelling gear rental: around IDR 25,000/day
• PADI Open Water course: around IDR 5,900,000

Best Things to See and Do Whilst on the Gili Islands

The main order of the day in the Gili Islands is relaxation. Don’t expect many cultural or historic sightseeing, or many organised tours. These are just tiny paradise islands.

Beach time

Nothing beats a day or two of kicking back on the beaches here, looking out onto the azure waters. No matter which beach you visit on each of the islands, you’re bound to find a quiet patch of sand to relax on.

Snorkel or Scuba Dive

The Gili Islands are renowned for their diving and underwater marine life.

A lot of people come to the Gili Islands to gain their PADI diving qualification. An Open Water course costs roughly IDR 5,900,000.

But if you just fancy a day of snorkelling and spotting turtles, almost every travel agency can organise this for you, or you can rent gear yourself for as little as IDR 25,000 a day and walk out to the reef break.

Explore the islands by bike

As I mentioned, bicycles are the main mode of transport on the islands. Exploring the Gili Islands by bike is a really fun activity, and you might find your own secluded paradise beach! Bike rental starts from around IDR 40,000 per day.

Enjoy local bars and nightlife

As mentioned, Gili T is definitely the liveliest of the islands and you’ll have no trouble finding where the party’s at (you’ll hear it before you see it).

But exploring the islands, you’ll also find quieter spots for a sundowner too.

Catch a sunset

You can’t beat an Indonesian sunset, and the islands know they offer something a little bit special. At beaches dotted around you’ll find swings and hammocks, all vying for your photo-taking attention!

Eating Out

All three islands offer small local eateries, but the best food and experience is at the popular local night markets. Starting up around 6pm, you can feast like royalty for around IDR 30,000–75,000 (roughly £1–3) for a full plate.

Where to Stay in the Gili Islands

There’s a lot of accommodation across the three islands, and plenty you can turn up to without a prior reservation, though it’s safer to book ahead in peak season. I’ve broken down the islands and share some excellent places to stay on each here:

Gili Trawangan

Luxury: Pondok Santi Estate (£260 for a villa per night) or Kuno Villas (from £190 per night). Or Pearl of Trawangan (£470 for a two night stay, which is the minimum). These are probably the best luxury hotels on Gili Trawangan.

Mid-Range: Vila Ombak (from £136 per night) or Ponte Villas (from £130 per night). All great value stays with delightful swimming pools.

Budget: I highly recommend the Jambuluwuk Oceano Gili Trawangan (from £62 per night). Beautiful accommodation and a great price too!

Compare all accommodation on Gili Trawangan here.

Gili Air

Luxury: Slow Gili Air. Private pool bliss from around £250 per night for a villa. Or Rimba Villas for beautiful boho chic decor. A three bedroom villa starts from £216 per night.

Mid-range: Sunrise Resort (£300 for two nights, which is the minimum stay) or The Koho Air Resort for chilled out comfort at a great price (from £100 per night).

Budget: Captain Coconuts A great value stay and an excellent vegan cafe (£25 per night in a dorm room). Or Royal Regantris Villa Karang for a private room for around £44 per night.

Compare all accommodation on Gili Air here.

Gili Meno

Luxury: Meno House for dreamy paradise villas, probably the best place to stay on Gili Meno. A villa is around £317 per night.

Mid-range: Gili Meno Escape for great value and stylish accommodation (a private bungalow for around £107 per night). Another great choice is United Colours of Gili, for cool and vibrant accommodation at around £73 per night.

Lastly Villa Kinagu. Beautiful accommodation with a gorgeous pool area and just £50 per night for a double room.

Budget: The Rabbit Tree Hostel for good vibes and good value at just £11 for a twin room.

Compare all accommodation on Gili Meno here.

Gili Islands Travel Guide

So there’s my travel guide for the beautiful Gili Islands. The perfect slice of paradise to spend a few days chilling and relaxing, plus an easy add-on to your time in Bali.

I hope this post has been useful for anyone visiting Bali and the Gili Islands!

Feel free to ask any further questions regarding the Gili Islands in the comments section below. If you’re looking for further guides in Bali, please check out my other blog posts here:

• Sanur, Bali: A Complete Travel Guide
• Bali Beach Hotel: The Best Resort in Sanur, Bali
• Arkamara Dijiwa in Bali: A Magical Stay near Ubud
• Intercontinental Bali Resort in Jimbaran: The Best Luxury Family-Friendly Hotel in Bali
• The Best Beach Clubs in Bali – Updated Jan 2026
• Two Must-See Temples in Bali: Tirta Empul and Uluwatu Temples
• Sundays Beach Club: Spending a Day at One of the Best Beach Clubs in Bali

Feel free to drop me a line if you would like any advice or further recommendations. If you’ve enjoyed travel guide to the Gili Islands, please do share using the below links!

Disclaimer: This visit to the Gili Islands was entirely paid for by myself and there was no involvement from the tourism board or a hotel. This is an independent guide.

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