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Ubud's emerald rice terraces on one side, the car-free beaches of the Gili Islands on the other: this is one of Bali's classic trips. Ubud lies inland, so every route starts with a road transfer to a harbour on the coast, followed by a fast boat across the Lombok Strait.
Most travelers book a combined ticket with the hotel pickup included, which is easier than piecing the trip together yourself. You can browse these options and book on GoAsia.cc before you leave the jungle behind.
Ubud to Gili Islands by Van and Fast Boat
The most common way to reach the Gilis from Ubud is a van and fast boat on one ticket: a pickup at your hotel or a meeting point in Ubud, a drive to Padang Bai, and the crossing. On booking platforms these tickets start at about $19 to Gili Air and about $26 to Gili Trawangan (October 2026).[1] The whole trip takes from about 4 hours, longer with traffic or when the boat stops at several islands.[1]
The boat is the quick part. From Padang Bai, a fast boat that leaves at 08:00 reaches Gili Trawangan at 09:30, and the 09:00 boat arrives in Gili Air at 11:10.[2][3] Check-in closes one hour before departure.[2]
Ubud to Gili Islands by Shuttle and Fast Boat
If you book the pieces yourself, Perama runs shared shuttle buses from Ubud to Padang Bai,[4] with fares from IDR 150,000.[5] A direct fast boat ticket from Padang Bai or Serangan costs IDR 350,000 to 600,000, depending on the operator and the season.[6] Each Perama passenger may bring one large suitcase, one cabin bag and one handbag.[7]
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]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Van and fast boat, one ticket | From about $19 (Gili Air), from about $26 (Gili Trawangan)[1] | From about 4h door to door[1] |
| Perama shuttle to Padang Bai plus fast boat | Shuttle from IDR 150,000[5], boat IDR 350,000-600,000[6] | Boat: about 1h 30m to Gili Trawangan, about 2h 10m to Gili Air[2][3] |
Tips for Traveling from Ubud to Gili Islands
- Book in Advance: In the dry season boats fill up quickly. Secure your tickets early so you are not stranded at the harbour.
- Manage Motion Sickness: The Lombok Strait can have swells. If you are prone to seasickness, take medication about 30 minutes before boarding.
- Wear a Life Jacket: The Australian government advises wearing one on every ferry or boat trip in Indonesia.[8]
- Pack Light: Cars and motorbikes are banned on the Gilis, so you walk, cycle or take a cidomo, a horse-drawn cart that carries 3 passengers per ride.[9] A backpack is much easier than a heavy suitcase.
- Leave Early: A morning departure means calmer water and plenty of daylight to find your accommodation.
Timetable
| Bus Ubud - Gili Air $ 21.86 3h 45m – 4h | |
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| Ferry Ubud - Gili Air $ 23.46 6h 45m | |
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| Van Ubud - Gili Air $ 19.32–49.13 2h 45m – 6h | |
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| Ferry Ubud - Gili Islands $ 24.84–39.75 5h – 6h 30m | |
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| Van Ubud - Gili Islands $ 20.70–46.92 2h 45m – 4h 30m | |
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| Ferry Ubud - Gili Trawangan $ 23.46 6h | |
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| Van Ubud - Gili Trawangan $ 25.67–49.13 1h 15m – 5h 30m | |
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| Ferry Bali - Gili Islands $ 49.68 5h | |
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| Van Bali - Gili Air $ 25.88–26.22 3h 45m – 5h 30m | |
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| Van Bali - Gili Trawangan $ 24.84–69.01 3h 25m – 5h | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Ubud to Gili Islands, including current prices and schedules.
A van and fast boat on one ticket, from about $19 to Gili Air on booking platforms (October 2026). Booking the shuttle and boat separately costs a Perama shuttle fare from IDR 150,000 plus a boat ticket of IDR 350,000 to 600,000.
A van and fast boat on one ticket takes from about 4 hours door to door. The boat from Padang Bai needs about 1 hour 30 minutes to Gili Trawangan and about 2 hours 10 minutes to Gili Air.
From about 4 hours door to door, longer with traffic or when the boat stops at several islands. The boat crossing alone takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 10 minutes from Padang Bai.
No. Cars and motorbikes are prohibited on all three Gili Islands. You get around on foot, by bicycle or by cidomo, a horse-drawn cart.
Boats from the Ubud area usually leave from Padang Bai on Bali's east coast. Some operators also sail from Serangan, so check the harbour on your ticket.
Use an operator that provides life jackets and wear one for the whole crossing. Boats can be delayed or cancelled when the sea is rough.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] 12Go: 12Go timetable: Ubud to Gili Islands. Retrieved October 20, 2026.
- [2] Ekajaya Fast Ferry: Ekajaya Fast Ferry: Daily Schedules. Retrieved October 20, 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] Perama Tour: How to Get Around Bali: Your Complete Bali Transportation Guide. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [6] Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (Indonesia Travel): Gili Trawangan: Tours, Snorkeling & How to Get There. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
- [7] Perama Tour: Bali Lombok Daily Shuttle Bus. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [8] Australian Government / Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Indonesia travel advice. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
- [9] Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (Wonderful Indonesia): Gili Trawangan and The Gilis. Retrieved October 16, 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.