Ubud To Gili T - The Best Transport Between Islands
Gili Trawangan certainly brings to mind a number of pleasant memories. In fact I often think of going back there. While people have different experiences on the island, I was glad to have visited its shores during the low season.
While at most times Gili Trawangan is a popular destination for young tourists many people are deterred from visiting the islands shores because getting there seems like an insurmountable task.
In actuality crossing from Bali to Gili T by boat isn't as hard as it looks. In fact, there are a couple of ways to get there and we did have a few hiccups on the way. Note that our journey was from Ubud to Gili T. The same route can be taken to get from Bali to any of the Gili islands.
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Table of Contents
Ubud To Gili T: Choose The Harbour
As far as I know there are two main islands that can get you to Gili T easily. They are none other than Lombok and Bali.
(*Edit* There are also boats that run from Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. We haven't taken the route from the later two islands largely because it wasn't part of the plan at the time.
We learned about the routes only lately when we spent a babymoon in Nusa Penida and I thought it would be wise to add it to the post in case you do want to plan your route that way.
From what I heard, these boats are rather pricey and sometimes it may make sense to head back to mainland Bali and catch a boat from Bali to the Gili islands as that would be cheaper.)
From Lombok To Gili Trawangan
Since the three Gili islands lie just off the coast of Lombok. It is pretty cheap to get a boat to ferry you across. If my memory serves me right the cost per head is around IDR 10,000 per head. You ride with the locals and it is a really pleasant journey. All in all, the boat journey from Gili Trawangan to Lombok was fun and an in a way an adventure. The fact that it was cheap helped too.
There are more expensive boats if you are looking for a greater deal of comfort. We got into the local boat when we were traveling from Lombok to Gili. I enjoyed the journey immensely. Shawn was a wee bit seasick.
The boat was open on all sides and in a way I believe that it was for the best because compared to the huffing and puffing speed boats that give off smoke, this is a breath of fresh air. Literally and figuratively!
Where do you catch the boat from Lombok to the Gili islands? At Bangsal harbor! Getting there may be a tricky depending on where you stay the previous night. This is because it is a drive away from most of the big cities. So make sure that you book your cab or get your ride in order.
From Bali To Gili Trawangan
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Bali is a relatively big island. It is enormous when you compare it with something as small as Gili Trawangan. That being said you will be surprised that since a large number of fast boats that are available to take you across.
"Used three different fastboat services and Blue Water Express were clearly the best organised and most professional."
Craig (read more reviews now!)
They leave from two points on the island: Padang Bai harbor or Serangan harbor.
The Serangan harbor is to the south of Bali and works well if you are staying in Nusa Dua or Kuta area. Padang Bai on the other hand is popularly used by people staying in Ubud or along the East coast of Bali. Most of the tour agencies have offer transport from your place of accommodation.
Make sure that you check with them first. Since the boats leave quite early in morning and it can be a drive away (especially if you stay in Ubud and are headed to Padang Bai). Make sure that you arrange for transport.
You can also book your transfer online.
Some Mistakes Can Be Avoided
We were eternally worried about taking the ferry from Bali to Gili Trawangan. Our distrust stemmed from a bad experience we had in Port Blair (India). In order to avoid having a problem we booked the ferry (Blue Water Express Ferry) in advance at IDR 7,00,000 per person.
We realized our folly only when we reached Ubud. The actual cost of the tickets ranged from IDR 1,50,000 to 2,00,000. You apparently pay a big premium if you book online. It was one of those scams that we unwittingly bundled into. Where do you book your ticket?
Almost every home stay in Ubud offered to book it for us. I’m sure the rest of Bali will also be similar. (Do note that the cost included the entire journey from Ubud to Gili T)
Our mistake turned out to be very costly. So make sure you don’t fall in the same trap that we did.
Our Journey From Bali To Gili Trawangan
The journey from Ubud to Gili T really started at the harbour.
Since we could do nothing about the ferry we booked without losing a boatload of money (excuse the pun!), we decided to follow the original plan. Joal got his ticket on the same ferry for way cheaper and that added a good deal of salt into our already stinging wounds.
A van collected us from our home stay in Ubud. The drive to Padang Bai was pleasant. I for one found the AC of the van a big respite from the Indonesian heat. Once at Padang Bai our bags were loaded on to a small van and were then carried off to the waiting speed boat. We followed suit a minutes later.
Padang Bai isn’t the best place to wait but we used our stop to use the restroom and rehydrate ourselves with a lot of water. That’s one thing that we made sure not to forget. For a person who is not used to heat, sun stroke can become an all too real threat.
Another Mistake While Traveling From Ubud To Gili T
My comfy spot!
Since we booked our seats ONLINE and since we were checked in we assumed that the ticket numbers referred to the seat numbers that we would be sitting on.
Unfortunately it was on a first come first serve basis. Luckily someone volunteered to shift their seat so the three of us could sit together. The top of the speed boat had a nice spot where we could have sunbathed if we wanted.
I however chose to sit at the rear end of the boat where there was shade. A book on my lap, the wind in my hair and a spectacular view made the journey extremely pleasant. I think that this was the best part of our journey from Ubud to Gili T.
The Final Jump
For a person who can't swim this was being adventurous!
One thing that really brings a smile to my face is how our trip from Bali to Gili Trawangan ended.
Step1: We performed a balancing act that got us from the back of the boat to the front of it.
Step 2: Then we had our bags were tossed to us on board the boat.
Step 3: Shawn then had to jump into around calf deep water because the boat docks at shore.
Step 4: I handed Shawn our luggage once he found his footing.
Step 5: My turn to take a plunge.
Step 5: We made our way to shore!
Now in retrospect, I know that most journeys by boat in Indonesia are this way but back then it was such an adventure. It brought our journey from Ubud to Gili T to a great end.
Gotta love the view!
It intrigues me how the smallest challenges can turn out to be adventures. When I look back at our journey from Bali to Gili Trawangan, I remember the breeze in my hair, the blue sea and the book on my lap.
Sure our journey was fraught with mistakes but they weren’t overtly bad ones. Life after all is all about learning!
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Normally you're rewarded for taking the initiative to book online and in advance! So annoying that the price was so much cheaper offline haha. I've heard good things about how peaceful it is at the Gili islands - hoping to make it there someday soon.
I highly recommend the Gili islands. Some people say Gili Trawangan is more noisy. We experienced it just for a night. On the second night everything calmed down because it rained and then suddenly the island was deserted almost. Was amazing to just recline and relax.
This is such an honest post, and your style of writing did make me chuckle. I always book ahead for everything (epic over-planner) so this is a great heads up for not doing so on this occasion. I'd love to travel there one day!
I think we are guilty over planners too! Over time we have started to get better. Sometimes we don't make a list of all the things we want to do in a city. Scary thought right? But we still have our accommodation always figured out.
My boyfriend and I travelled to Bali and the Gili Islands in November, and we took the same boat! Luckily, we booked after we had arrived, and I think we paid about 20,000 IDR each for the boat and a shuttle from Seminyak to Padang Bai. I thought it was such a cool experience seeing the view travelling between islands and then docking on shore and having to wade through the water while holding our suitcases over our heads 🙂 I would love to visit Indonesia again!
The experience was definitely worth it. I was just a tad bit over stressed because of all the electronics we were carrying. I loved sitting at the back of the boat. The spray of the ocean hitting my face and the beautiful view of ocean and the islands. A good book in my hand completed the experience.
Ah some good advice. I went back in 2012 and I remember being so worried but we had hired someone from our hotel to take us to the proper ferry from Balangan and we ended up having no troubles at all! Hope you enjoyed Gili T!
I loved every moment we spent on Gili T. It was so chill and laid back. There is so much that you can do if you want to and if you don't well you can watch the world go by. 🙂
I had the exactly same experience! Thank you for sharing as I think a lot of people don't know this, Amalia
Hopefully it helps people avoid the trap in future.
I didn't go to the Gillis but boat travel from island to island in Indonesia was pretty easy. Though a bit stressful getting on/off with my bags full of cameras and electronics in the rocking waves! I was almost waiting to fall over in the waves. Thankfully I didn't!
That was our problem too! I'm a klutz on my best days. Luckily my husband jumped off first and then I passed all the electronic gear to him. I can't even begin to imagine the repercussions a fall would result in!
if we arrive in Bali one day and want to get the ferry the very next day- I presume we should pre-book online incase they fill up?
Kelly in retrospect I would have preferred booking it on the ground in Bali. It all depends on whether you want to risk it or not I guess. It also depends on how much you are willing to spend. From what I saw, a number of boats head across every day.
How long was the boat ride?
If memory serves me right it was a little more than an hour. It also depends on the kind of boat you are on.
What time did u take the boat from padangbai? How long was the drive from the hotel to padangbai?
We took the morning boat across. Left Ubud around 7 in the morning. The drive took more than an hour. The company that you book the ferry from usually provides the transportation so they tell you what time your pickup will be.
Hey, this post was really helpful! My sister and I are looking to travel from Ubud to Gili T in the last couple days of March this year. We were wondering whether there are local tickets for Blue Water Express and if they're cheaper? We're on a budget, and booking online is far outside it :/
I've read a lot of terrifying reviews about the rest of the operators, so it's be super helpful if you could let me know anything! Thanks!
🙂
Hey Mallika. I wish I could tell you where it is. As you must have read we booked our tickets online and that cost us an arm and a leg. A friend booked his tickets by asking the homestay we staying in. Maybe you could inquire where you are staying. The ferries do sound scary sometimes but the local ones are quite a bit of fun. The one we took from Gili T to Lombok was open and cheap. It was a short ride and it was fun.
We are planning to go to Bali this August, 2018. Should we book the hotels online or we should look for accommodation after going there?
I think that it rather depends on the type of accommodation that you are looking for. Luxury accommodation then look out for deals in advance. Backpacking... That has two schools of thought. Hostels are pretty okay if you wander into them (so I have heard, we haven't done it this way). We on the other hand prefer to book rooms. Since we are two of use we usually pay as much as we would if we booked two beds in a dorm. The best way to do that is to research in advance and check out the highest ratings before. The good ones get booked out pretty fast. We use Booking.com for our accommodation and get some pretty cool genius discounts.
It also depends on your schedule. Do you want to keep it flexible or do you have a plan in place? If you have a plan in place then book in advance. If its flexible then don't. 🙂
hi, me and my wife, planing to visit bali in November or December.....any advice for me ?
can i book a tour package or what can do ?...please help me.....
Hi Ajay. It has been a long time since we have been there. To tell you the truth we love to travel on our own terms and book our own accommodation. I guess it depends on how you like to travel. Tours means that you don't have to do the organization yourself. It does also mean that the cost of your trip can go up. Booking everything by yourself is fun but it does take time, planning and a lot of effort.
Hi there! Very informative post!! I am planning to go to Gili T, however I would be carting a heavy luggage. Is that a possibility or should I skip Gili T? Your thoughts would be useful! 🙂
Hey Sheena, I personally travelled light. A friend had two suitcases and a backpack if I remember correctly. I'm not going to lie. It gets challenging but then there are people who will help you get in the boat. Once you are there however, it will depend on where you stay. There is no motorized vehicle on the island. You need to walk or use a horse carriage. The latter I do not like because of the way the horses are treated and how sad it is.