Discover here the two most common ways to get to Gili Air: via Lombok or Bali. These options also apply to your return journey, of course.
I also share our personal experience of travelling from Gili Air to Bali when our plans didn’t quite go as expected, so you know what to expect in case something similar happens to you during your holidays.
Option 1 – Via Lombok: the best way to get to Gili Air
This option involves the following transfers:
Lombok Airport receives international flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, as well as domestic flights from several Indonesian cities. There used to be direct flights from Perth to Lombok, but they haven’t resumed yet at the time of writing this post.
As there were six of us, we chose a private boat from Teluk Nare in Lombok to Gili Air, which was worth it for the convenience and price. However, it’s also possible to take public speedboats departing from Bangsal Harbour. These boats usually leave roughly every hour once full, without fixed schedules.
If you’re entering Indonesia via Bali and want to fly to Lombok, Wings Air flights on this route. In theory, the flight takes around 45 minutes. However, reviews of this airline aren’t great, and although they advertise several daily flights between Bali and Lombok (and vice versa), not all of these necessarily operate.
From my experience, when we found out that our fast boat from Gili Air to Bali had been cancelled, we tried to buy flight tickets from Lombok to Bali , but they were all sold out. I think this was because the planes have very limited seating. Unless you book well in advance, it’s unlikely that you’ll find a last-minute seat, especially during the high season.
Photo 1: Harbour in Gili Air
Photo 2: Harbour in Teluk Nare, Lombok
Option 2 – Fast Boat from Bali to Gili Air
Another popular option is to take a fast boat from Bali, departing from the ports of Sanur or Padang Bai. Be aware that while this crossing can be smooth, it can also be very rough. Unfortunately, some companies don’t cancel trips even when sea conditions are clearly not ideal for safe travel.
Here are my recommendations:
The crossing takes about two hours if you depart from Padang Bai.
In the months leading up to our summer trip in August 2025, there were a few incidents involving boats in Indonesia, so I did quite a bit of research on fast boat operators. My order of preference would be as follows:
As a general rule, the bigger the boat, the safer it is. And it’s always best to choose companies that have been recommended by other travellers who have already taken this route.
Our travel plan to Gili Air in August 2025
Our itinerary included both Gili Air and Bali. I’ll admit that I was a little nervous about the fast boat crossing from Gili Air to Bali, as I knew it could be rough.
The day before we were due to leave Gili Air, there was an accident involving a boat between Sanur and Nusa Penida, sadly resulting in three deaths 😞. All crossings were cancelled that day and the following ones.
We tried to book flights from Lombok to Bali, but there were no available flights. Only very long routes with stopovers in far-away Indonesian cities, such as Jakarta, were available, which made no sense. The only remaining option was the public ferry from Lombok’s Lembar port to Padang Bai, which takes between four and six hours depending on sea conditions.
Nathalie from Villa Nangka was incredibly helpful in finding the best solution for us, and managed to purchase the public ferry tickets, which ended up being much cheaper than the fast boat.
Public Ferry from Lombok (Lembar) to Padang Bai
As I explained previously, this wasn’t our first choice, but it was the only viable way to travel from Gili Air to Bali that day. It wasn’t too bad, and most importantly, we arrived safely 😅.
What was supposed to be a two-hour journey turned into quite an adventure. For context, we departed from Gili Air Harbour at 8 a.m. and arrived in Padang Bai at around 5 p.m.
Our day began with a 15-minute private boat ride from Gili Air to Teluk Nare in Lombok, followed by a two-hour car journey to Lembar.
At the port, we collected our pre-booked tickets and waited in a crowded hall before boarding. Unfortunately, not everyone managed to get on the same ferry and had to wait for the next one.
Photo 3: Ferry we took from Lembar, Lombok, to Padang Bai in Bali
Vendors started approaching us, advising us to buy food because there were no proper meals available on board, and they were right! The ferry’s food and drink shop had little to offer. The best food options were from women selling pre-packed meals such as nasi goreng, as well as fresh fruit, while we were still waiting on the boat. We bought very little, but later regretted it as the trip turnout out to be so long!
Unfortunately, the air conditioning was almost non-existent, and it got very hot. Hand or portable fans are a lifesaver if you ever have to take this route.
Luckily, the sea was calm, and nobody got seasick. The only hiccup was a one-hour delay near Bali due to port logistics. In total, we spent six hours on the ferry!
Photo 4: Us boarding the ferry
Photo 5: Arrival in Bali, with Padang Bai harbour in the background
Photo 6: Ferry seats
Never book international flights from Bali on the same day that you plan to leave the Gilis. Crossings can be cancelled due to rough seas, particularly during the rainy season.
I always recommend allowing at least one or two extra days. When our fast boat was cancelled, many people on the ferry missed their international flights.
Final thoughts on how to get to Gili Air
Whenever possible, travel via Lombok to reach Gili Air. If you choose the fast boat from Bali, keep your itinerary flexible, as sailings can be cancelled. If they are, there’s always Plan B: the public ferry. It takes a long time, but it’s a safe and reliable alternative.
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