Travel Guide: Gili Islands To Lombok Airport

how to travel from gili islands to lombok airport

The Gili Islands are a group of three islands off the northwest coast of Lombok, Indonesia. They are a popular tourist destination, known for their beauty and peacefulness. The islands are easily accessible from Lombok, with a travel time of around 30 minutes via fast boat services.

Lombok's airport is located centrally, around a 2-hour drive from Bangsal Harbour, where most boats depart for the Gili Islands. The last public boat leaves around 5 pm, so it is important to ensure you have enough time to reach the port.

There are a few options for travelling from the Gili Islands to Lombok Airport. You can take a public boat, a shuttle boat, a speed boat, or a private transfer. The public boat is the cheapest option, costing less than $1, but it is also the slowest. Shuttle boats are slightly more expensive but still affordable, costing less than $1 USD. Speed boats are a quicker option, with a travel time of around 10-15 minutes, and private transfers offer a comfortable and stress-free journey, combining a private car/van transfer and a private boat.

Characteristics Values
Transport options Public boat, fast boat, private boat, shuttle boat, speed boat, taxi, private speedboat, chartered speedboat, public ferry
Transport times 10-15 minutes (speed boat), 30 minutes (fast boat), 35 minutes (shuttle boat), 45 minutes (public ferry), 1 hour 30 minutes (taxi), 2 hours (total travel time)
Transport prices Rp350,000-450,000 (fast boat), Rp280,000-420,000 (Padangbai speedboat), Rp650.000 (transfer and boat from Bali), Rp1,300,000 (2 passengers, transfer and private fast boat), Rp650,000 (additional passengers), IDR 85,000 (speed boat), IDR 10,000 (public boat), IDR 25,000 (shuttle boat), IDR 225,000 (chartered shuttle boat), $132 (chartered speedboat), $14 (shuttle boat for groups)
Transport companies Gili-islandtransfers.com, Gili Getaway, Semaya One Fast Boat, Starfish Fast Cruise, Wonderlust Cruise, The Tanis Gili, Scoot Fast Cruise, Einstein Fast Boat, Eka Jaya Fast Ferry, Sudin Transport, The Lombok Network
Transport advice Book in advance, research fast boat companies, be aware of scams, book with reputable companies, be aware of irregular ferry times, be aware of additional charges for foreigners, be aware of unofficial taxi prices, be aware of unofficial parking fees, be aware of people offering to carry your luggage

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Public boats to the Gili Islands

Before 11 am, you can catch a public boat to all three Gili Islands: Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno. After 11 am, you will probably only be able to go to Gili Trawangan or Gili Air by public boat. Some public ferries do go to Gili Air, but not all; you may have to get off at Gili Trawangan and charter a boat or jump on the twice-daily 'island-hopping' boat for the short trip between the islands. If you are heading to Gili Meno and you arrive at Gili Trawangan before 4 pm, you can get the 'island hopper' boat to Gili Meno. The island hopper makes a loop of all three islands twice a day, at 9:30 am and 4 pm.

The 'island hopper' is another public transport option. This fixed-schedule public slow boat is also known as the 'Island Hopper' and stops at the main port on each island from Gili Trawangan to Gili Meno to Gili Air and back again. The downside is that it only runs twice per day in each direction. A one-way trip costs between 40,000 and 45,000 IDR, depending on your departure and arrival points.

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Fast boats to the Gili Islands

Fast boats from Lombok usually depart from Bangsal, around 25km north of Senggigi. The fast boat companies are not well regulated, so it is important to research and only book with companies with a good safety record and reputation. One such company is Gili Getaway, which offers a comfortable service and has a good safety record. Most fast boats from Lombok travel to Gili Air and Gili Trawangan, but not directly to Gili Meno.

Fast boat services from Bali depart from Padang Bai in East Bali or Serangan close to Sanur. There are a number of companies offering these services, including BlueWater Express, which has been operating since 2005 and emphasises safety, professionalism, and guest satisfaction. Another company, Villa Almarik, offers transfers from Bali for Rp650,000 per person, including hotel pickup, drive to Padang Bay, fast boat, and Cidomo from the jetty to the hotel.

It is important to note that the fast boat services from both Lombok and Bali do not always travel to all three Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno). Therefore, it is essential to check the specific routes and destinations offered by each company before booking.

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Chartering a private boat

Benefits of a Private Boat

Private boats offer a faster and more comfortable journey compared to public boats. They can also be a good choice if you have a lot of luggage, as they typically have more space. Additionally, private boats can be chartered at your preferred time, ensuring that you arrive at the airport in time for your flight or are picked up soon after your arrival.

Cost of a Private Boat

The cost of chartering a private boat will depend on several factors, including the size of the boat, the number of passengers, and the time of day. For example, prices for a one-way charter for a group of 10 people start at IDR135,000, but escalate after dark.

For smaller groups, a private speed boat that fits up to 8 adults can be chartered for a one-way transfer. The price will depend on the departure point, with transfers from Bangsal/Teluk Kodek/Teluk Nare Harbour available.

Yacht Charters

For a more luxurious experience, you can also consider chartering a yacht to travel between Lombok and the Gili Islands. Yacht charters are ideal for groups of friends or families and can be combined with longer routes to other islands such as Sumbawa, Moyo Island, and Komodo National Park.

Booking in Advance

It is recommended to book your private boat or yacht charter in advance to ensure availability, especially during peak travel seasons. This can be done through various websites or by contacting local charter companies directly.

Remember to always do your research and choose reputable companies with a good safety record to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.

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Lombok airport to Teluk Nare

Teluk Nare is a small private port located on the northwest coast of Lombok. It is a short 90-minute drive from Lombok International Airport. The fastest way to get there is by shuttle, which takes 1 hour and costs $7.

There are five ways to get from Lombok International Airport to Teluk Nare:

  • Shuttle: The fastest and cheapest option, taking 1 hour and costing $7.
  • Bus: The cheapest option, taking 1 hour 50 minutes and costing $8-$21.
  • Taxi: Taking around 1 hour 4 minutes, depending on traffic.
  • Car: Drive yourself if you have access to a car. The drive is around 1 hour 4 minutes for the 39-mile journey.
  • Town car: A more expensive but comfortable option.

The Teluk Nare harbour is used for transfers only, so you won't find any restaurants or bars there. However, it is the fastest way to get to the Gili Islands, with a travel time of 5-15 minutes by speedboat.

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Bangsal Harbour to Gili Islands

Bangsal Harbour is a transfer point to and from the Gili Islands. It is located in North Lombok, about 1 mile from Pemenang. The harbour is around 25km north of Senggigi and is a 30-minute drive away.

There are two types of boats in Bangsal Harbour: charter (private) boats and public boats. Local boats usually depart with a maximum of 20 passengers, or you can charter an entire boat to the Gili Islands, particularly Gili Trawangan. The cost of chartering a boat may be higher or lower, depending on your negotiating skills.

The public boat office in Bangsal Harbour opens at 10 am or earlier, depending on the departure of the boats in the morning, and closes at 4:30 pm. Boats depart at irregular intervals throughout the day, between around 8:50 am and 4 pm. The last boat from Gili Trawangan returns to Bangsal Harbour at about 4 pm.

If you are travelling from Lombok Airport to Bangsal Harbour, the journey is approximately a 2-hour drive.

Frequently asked questions

There are a few ways to get from the Gili Islands to Lombok Airport. You can book a transfer online, which will take you from the islands to Teluk Nare, from where you can get a land transfer to the airport. You can also get a public boat to Bangsal Harbour, and then a taxi to the airport.

The trip from the Gili Islands to Lombok Airport typically takes between 2 and 3 hours, depending on which island you are travelling from. The sea transfer takes between 10 and 15 minutes, and the land transfer from Teluk Nare to the airport takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.

The cheapest way to get to Lombok Airport is by public boat. Before 11 am, you can catch a public boat to all three Gili Islands. After that, you can only travel to Gili Trawangan or Gili Air by public boat. The public boat is the cheapest way to get to the islands from Lombok. Ferries depart from Bangsal, around 25km north of Senggigi, from 8:50 am to 4 pm. Tickets cost less than $1 USD.

The fastest way to get to Lombok Airport is by speedboat. A speedboat from Gili Trawangan to Teluk Nara, for example, takes around 10 minutes.

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