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Kuta's surf breaks and late-night streets give way to Gili Air's quiet beaches, where cars and motorbikes are banned and bicycles and horse carts carry you around.[1] Getting there takes most of a morning: a road transfer to a harbour on Bali's coast, then a fast boat across the Lombok Strait.
Most travelers book a combined ticket that includes the hotel pickup in Kuta and the boat. You can compare operators and book on GoAsia.cc.
Kuta to Gili Air by Fast Boat
Fast boats to the Gilis leave from Padang Bai on Bali's east coast and from Serangan, south of Kuta. A direct ticket from these ports costs IDR 350,000 to 600,000, depending on the operator and the season.[2] From Padang Bai the crossing to Gili Air takes about 2 hours 10 minutes: the boat that leaves at 09:00 arrives at 11:10, and check-in closes one hour before departure.[3]
Budget for two small fees on top of the boat fare: a harbour fee at Padang Bai (IDR 10,000) and an entry ticket for the Gili Islands (IDR 20,000 for foreign visitors).[4] Wear a life jacket on any boat you take; the Australian government advises it for every ferry or boat trip in Indonesia.[5]
Kuta to Gili Air by Shuttle and Fast Boat
The easiest option is a combined ticket: a minibus or van collects you in Kuta and drives you to the harbour, where a fast boat takes over. On booking platforms these tickets start at about $21 for a shared shuttle with a boat seat (October 2026).[6] Door to door, the trip takes from about 4 hours 15 minutes and up to about 6 hours, depending on the harbour, traffic and the boat's stops.[6] Pickups in Kuta start early in the morning.
If you travel in a group, a private car with a fast boat ticket spares you the shared pickups and extra stops. With some operators, such as Gili Gili Fast Boat, staff carry your bags to the boat at check-in.[7]
Kuta to Gili Air by Public Shuttle and Boat
If you prefer to put the trip together yourself, Perama's shared shuttle buses link Kuta with Padang Bai.[8] Each passenger may bring one large suitcase, one cabin bag and one handbag.[8] Buy the boat ticket separately with an operator such as Eka Jaya, which sails from Padang Bai to Gili Air.[3]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price | Duration | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast boat from Padang Bai or Serangan | IDR 350,000-600,000[2] | About 2h 10m by boat from Padang Bai[3] | Choosing your own operator and departure |
| Shuttle plus fast boat, one ticket | From about $21[6] | From about 4h 15m door to door[6] | Door-to-door, no planning |
Tips for Traveling from Kuta to Gili Air
- Book in Advance: Fast boats to the Gili Islands are popular and fill up in the dry season. Book your ticket ahead on GoAsia.cc.
- Prepare for Waves: The Lombok Strait can be rough. If you are sensitive to motion, take seasickness medication 30 minutes before boarding and sit toward the back of the boat, where the movement is less intense.
- Take a Morning Boat: The sea is generally calmer early in the day, and you arrive with plenty of daylight to find your accommodation.
- Arrival at Gili Air: Cars and motorbikes are banned, so you walk, cycle or take a cidomo, a horse-drawn cart that carries 3 passengers per ride.[1] Agree the price before you climb in and keep some small bills handy.
- Pack Light: A backpack is easier than a large suitcase on sandy paths.
Timetable
| Bus Kuta - Gili Air $ 21.64 4h 15m – 5h | |
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| Ferry Kuta - Gili Air $ 20.49–43.72 5h – 5h 30m | |
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| Van Kuta - Gili Air $ 19.13–5,468.62 4h 30m – 6h | |
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| Ferry Bali - Gili Air $ 19.81–40.98 4h 30m – 6h 45m | |
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| Van Bali - Gili Air $ 21.31–58.06 3h 20m – 6h | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Kuta to Gili Air, including current prices and schedules.
A shared shuttle with a fast boat on one ticket is usually the cheapest door-to-door option, from about $21 on booking platforms (October 2026). Buying only the boat from Padang Bai or Serangan costs IDR 350,000 to 600,000.
Padang Bai has the shortest crossing, about 2 hours 10 minutes to Gili Air. Add the road transfer from Kuta and the whole trip takes from about 4 hours 15 minutes.
From about 4 hours 15 minutes door to door, and up to about 6 hours depending on the harbour, traffic and the boat's stops. The road leg runs from Kuta to Padang Bai or Serangan.
Serangan is closer to Kuta, so the drive is shorter. Padang Bai is further east, and the crossing from there to Gili Air takes about 2 hours 10 minutes. Ask your operator which harbour your ticket uses.
Take a morning boat, when the sea is usually calmer, and sit toward the back at the lowest level. Take seasickness medication about 30 minutes before boarding.
On Perama's shuttle, each passenger may bring one large suitcase, one cabin bag and one handbag. Fast boat operators set their own rules, so check your ticket and travel light.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (Wonderful Indonesia): Gili Trawangan and The Gilis. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
- [2] Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (Indonesia Travel): Gili Trawangan: Tours, Snorkeling & How to Get There. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
- [3] Eka Jaya Fast Ferry: Ekajaya Fast Ferry: Daily Schedules. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [4] Perama Tour: Perama Tour: shared shuttle bus and private transport in Bali. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
- [5] Australian Government / Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Indonesia travel advice. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
- [6] 12Go: 12Go timetable: Kuta to Gili Air. Retrieved October 20, 2026.
- [7] Gili Gili Fast Boat: Gili Gili Fast Boat: daily fast boat service to Gilis and Lombok. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [8] Perama Tour: Bali Lombok Daily Shuttle Bus. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.