Getting There
BY PLANE
Although it is possible to get to Gili Trawangan, Lombok over land or water, the best way is to fly.
BY FAST BOAT FROM BALI
Numerous fast boast services depart from Bali to Gilis with none or one stop in Senggigi, Lombok. Boats depart from the major Bali seaports – Benoa, Padang Bai and Serangan – and it takes around two hours to get to Gili Trawangan. However, during the big swell (July-August) and monsoon (January-February) seasons delays and even cancellations can occur. The ticket price can vary as it depends on the company and season, and usually include the land transfer from/to your hotel in Bali.
BY FAST BOAT FROM LOMBOK
It takes around 35 minutes by a speed boat to get to Gili Trawangan from Lombok. The fast boats depart from either Senggigi or Teluk Nara seaports and range from IDR85,000 per person for the one-way trip to more than IDR500,000 for the whole chartered boat.
BY FAST BOAT FROM OTHER GIL ISLANDS
The public boat cruising between three islands departs at 9 am from Gili Trawangan and stops in Gili Meno (at 9.15 am approximate), and Gili Air at 9.30 am on the way to Lombok mainland. Another boat leaving in the afternoon has a reverse route.
Getting Around
Due to the fact that Gili islands do not have motorised transport, there are only a few options to get around the tiny island:
ON FOOT
Gili Trawangan features with the small sizes, and you can easily circumnavigate it around the perimeter in around two hours on foot. The footpath runs along the beach and links the main attractions and tourist infrastructure. Walking around the island on foot is a great way to explore the island and find your own idyllic beach.
BICYCLE
Gili Trawangan houses numerous rental shops where you can hire a bike to cruise around the island. Riding the bicycle is a fast and convenient way to see more about Gili T, however, there are a few places with deeper sand so better to avoiding riding along paths running close to the shoreline. Also, check your bike on malfunctions as some of them are rather old and used.
HORSE CARTS
Horse carts or ‘cidomo’ are available on the island if you are travelling with heavy bags and staying away from the departure area. Usually, the price for a trip ranges from IDR50,000 to IDR170,000.