Transfer · To the islands
From Bali to Lombok and the Gilis: boat or plane
Lombok, the neighboring island to the east, and the three small Gili islands off its northwest coast are reached from Bali by fast boat or by a short flight. We have not yet recorded verified times or prices for these connections: this page helps you choose the mode and avoid the pitfalls, and points to the operators’ schedules for the figures of the day.
- Updated on
- Varies with the harbor and the sea
- 6 min read
- By Kylian Dev
Contents
In brief
- Time: varies with the departure harbor, the operator and the state of the sea; no verified figure recorded to date.
- Price: no official fare; compare operators and check what is included (transfer to the harbor, luggage).
- Best time: a morning departure, when most boats leave, with a margin for delays.
- Good to know: the swell cancels or delays boats; never come back to Bali on the day of an international flight.
For the Gili islands, take a fast boat from east Bali, from Padang Bai or Amed for example. For Lombok itself, a short flight from Denpasar is often simpler. We have not recorded verified times or prices: check the operators’ schedules, and keep a margin before any return flight.
Lombok is a large island, more mountainous and less built-up than Bali, dominated by the Rinjani volcano. Gili Trawangan, Meno and Air are three small sandy islands without cars, off its northwest coast. You do not go to the same place depending on whether you are after the beaches of the Gilis or the interior of Lombok, and the means of transport depends on it.
None of our itineraries includes Lombok: an extension fits best at the end of the 3-week itinerary, or in place of Nusa Penida. On the Bali side, the eastern harbors are close to Amed, and Sanur remains the most practical night near the airport.
Fast boat, ferry or plane: the options
Three options: the fast boat, which serves the Gilis and the Lombok coast directly from several harbors in Bali; the public ferry, slow but not very sensitive to the swell; the domestic flight between Denpasar and Lombok international airport. The right choice depends on the final destination.
| Mode | Time | Indicative price | Who it suits | Luggage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast boat | Varies with the harbor and the sea | Depends on the operator; transfer to the harbor sometimes included | Travelers going to the Gilis | Travel bag; boarding sometimes from the beach |
| Public ferry | Long: a good part of the day | Depends on the operator | Travelers with a vehicle, patient small budgets | No restrictions |
| Domestic flight | Short flight, plus formalities | Depends on the airline and the date | Travelers going to the south or center of Lombok | Depends on the airline’s allowance |
For the Gilis, the fast boat wins: it docks directly on the islands, which have no airport. For Kuta Lombok, the south or Rinjani, the flight avoids a crossing followed by a long road from the northwest coast.
The trip to the Gilis, step by step
A typical fast boat departure: early transfer to the harbor in east Bali, check-in with the operator, boarding, crossing, then landing on the beach of the Gilis, often with your feet in the water. On the island, you get around on foot, by bike or by horse cart.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Early morning | Transfer to the departure harbor, sometimes included in the ticket |
| At the harbor | Check-in, luggage tagging, waiting |
| Crossing | Time varies with the operator, the stops and the sea |
| Arrival | Landing on the beach, luggage carried ashore |
| On the island | No cars: walk, bike or horse cart to your accommodation |
For a flight, the logic is that of a domestic flight: transfer to Denpasar airport, check-in, short flight, then the road from Lombok airport to your base.
The pitfalls of the Bali–Lombok trip
The pitfalls: the swell, which delays or cancels boats; a ticket that does not include the transfer to the harbor; landing on a different Gili than planned; touts at the harbor; and a return to Bali planned on the day of an international flight.
- Coming back to Bali on the day of the return flight: a delayed or cancelled boat makes you miss the plane. Keep at least one night in Bali.
- Not checking what is included: transfer from the hotel, luggage, stop on the right island.
- Following a tout at the harbor who offers another boat or a “transfer” on arrival: stay with your operator.
- Leaving with a heavy hard-shell suitcase: boarding and landing often happen in the water.
The smart alternative: leave from the east, or choose Nusa Penida
If your stay goes through east Bali, leave from there: from Amed or Padang Bai, you avoid crossing the south again to reach a harbor. And if you are mainly looking for one more island in a few days, Nusa Penida, 30 to 45 min from Sanur, takes far less logistics.
Placing Lombok after Amed makes sense on the map: the two coasts face each other. The return to Bali can then be done by plane from Lombok, to end the stay near Denpasar airport. The road east is on airport → Amed.
The return to Bali and the international flight
Return to Bali at least the day before your international flight, by a morning boat or a domestic flight. Then sleep in Sanur, about 30 to 40 min from the airport, or on the Bukit, about 45 to 60 min away. A delayed boat then only costs an evening.
| International flight | Advice |
|---|---|
| The same day | Best avoided, whatever the mode |
| The next morning | Back in Bali the day before, before noon, night in Sanur |
| The next evening | Back the day before, night in Sanur or on the Bukit |
| Directly from Lombok | If your ticket allows it, leave from Lombok airport: check with the airline |
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Bali to the Gilis?
It depends on the departure harbor, the operator, the stops and the sea. We do not yet have a verified time to publish: check the schedules of the day with the operator.
How much does the boat from Bali to Lombok cost?
There is no single official fare: the price varies with the operator, the season and what is included, such as the transfer to the harbor. Compare when booking.
Should you book the boat to the Gilis in advance?
It is advisable in high season, and to get a morning departure. Book with an identifiable operator rather than with a tout at the harbor.
Boat or plane to go to Lombok?
Fast boat for the Gilis, which have no airport. Plane for the south or center of Lombok, which avoids a long road from the northwest coast.
Can you come back from the Gilis on the day of your flight?
It is best avoided: the swell can delay or cancel boats. Return to Bali at least the day before and sleep near the airport.
Sources
Figures and rules checked on October 17, 2026 against the sources below. Entry rules and fees change: always check them on the official websites before you leave.
