Amed Bali to Gili Trawangan
Amed To Gili – How To Get There?
Are you planning a trip from Amed Bali to Gili Trawangan? You’re in for a treat!
After spending two weeks exploring the black-sanded beauty of Amed and a total of two months island-hopping between Bali and the Gili T, I’ve got all the insider tips you need for this journey.
Having travelled extensively throughout Asia for 14 months (and counting!), I can confidently say that this particular route is one of the most scenic and scary, so it can also be a bit tricky to navigate if you don’t know what to expect.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting from Amed to the Gili Islands, from boat options and prices to schedules and booking tips.
I’ve got you covered with all the essential details to make your journey as smooth as possible.
Before we there, make sure you read these related posts:
How To Get To Amed, Bali
Amed Bali Snorkeling – What You Can Expect
Things To Do In Amed, Bali: 15 Brilliant Activities
Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means that if you make a booking through them, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Getting Tickets From Amed To Gili Trawangan
We got a private driver to take us from Amed to Padang Bai Port.
You can also get one of the regular shuttle buses from Amed, closer to the port which includes hotel pickup though they may not go directly to Padang Bai.
When we arrived at the Padang Bai Port in a minivan the driver escorted us to a ticket office right beside Kantor Pos Padangbai (the post office) close to the pier.
We purchased an open ticket for 350,000 rupiah per person, which included bus transport to Canggu and/or Denpasar.
Since our return date to Bali was uncertain, we opted for the open-ended ticket.
The staff claimed we wouldn’t be able to buy tickets once we reached Gili T, pressuring us to purchase a return ticket from them, which we later discovered was completely false.
This deceptive sales tactic really frustrated us, so here’s a tip: don’t trust everything the ticket sellers say.
You’ll find plenty of places on Gili T selling ferry tickets for next-day travel, so there’s no need to feel rushed into buying.
We may have decided on going to Nusa Penida or Lombok but at the time we didn’t yet know, so it can affect your plans when they are dishonest.
In summary, you can buy tickets to Gili Trawangan at Padang Bai Port or online right here.
Our Experience Going From Amed Bali To Gili Trawangan
I do not recommend using Semaya One.
It was badly organised and we were late leaving the pier. It took us almost 3 hours to get there in what felt like dangerous conditions.
There were no lifejackets in sight and it was extremely cramped. Later, we looked up some videos of the journey and after reading online reviews, it was obvious we weren’t the only ones to experience such an unpleasant journey.
You can check out the full schedule here and purchase tickets.
12 Go Asia also offers ferry services between Bali and Gili Trawangan and you can purchase them here. Some alternatives could include Eka Jaya has much better reviews online as does Wahana Virendra.
Check out my post about the 12 Best Hotels in Amed Bali: Where to Stay
Combating Moitonsickness?
Avoid eating a large meal before getting on the ferry—trust me, this is the best way to start your journey.
If you’re prone to motion sickness, I strongly recommend bringing medication to combat the nausea you’ll likely experience.
For me, the seasickness wasn’t too bad. I was more concerned about the boat’s stability, though I’m no expert when it comes to sea travel.
We arrived safely, even though the journey was challenging.
Please note – the trip back to Bali from Gili Trawangan went much more smoothly even though we used the same company.
Find out the Best 8 Beaches In Amed, Bali with my post right here.
How Far Is Amed To Gili Islands?
Amed is approximately 61 kilometres from Padang Bai Port on the eastern coast of Bali.
How Long Is The Boat Ride From Bali To Gili?
Usually, the ferry journey takes an hour and a half but between sitting on the boat and leaving it took us three hours with Semaya One which was disappointing.
I have read many other reviews of reaching Gili T within an hour and a half.
Which Time Of The Day Should I Leave?
I recommended taking the morning ferry and not the one in the afternoon like we did.
Depending on which company you use, you have options to leave at:
- 08:00 AM
- 08:45 AM
- 09:45 AM
- 10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
- 12:30 PM
- 01:30 PM
- 04:00 PM
When booking online or at a ferry office, ask about hotel pickup and drop-off services to ensure a smooth journey.
You will miss most of the day by spending it at the pier and standing around rather than being on the beautiful sands of Gili T.
If you go first thing it will be likely that the staff are more organised and therefore have more time on one of Bali’s most beautiful islands.
Interested In a Gili Islands Tour?
Gili Islands: Full-Day Guided Tour + Roundtrip Transfer from Lombok
Arriving At Gili Trawangan Ferry Terminal
You will be greeted by hoards of people making the return journey back to Bali when you land.
By the time you get off the boat, you will have seen how amazing the water is around these islands.
It is fairly straightforward. The staff will unload all the baggage onto the pier and the people will circle around and wait until they see their own and away they go.
The terminal has plenty of space for many people with large luggage bags and backpacks so no issue with that in my experience.
You will have to walk about 80 meters from the point of exit from the boat and before you leave onto the island.
You need to show your ticket once at the exit of the ferry terminal and that’s all that’s included in the process.
Final Thoughts/Conclusion
Getting from Amed, Bali to Gili Trawangan was both thrilling and nerve-wracking.
Though the excitement builds knowing Gili’s beautiful waters await, the boat journey itself is quite unpleasant.
The cramped seating and complete lack of lifejackets were genuinely concerning. If you search for videos on YouTube or Instagram of the boat ride from Bali to the Gili islands, you might think twice about making the journey—I wish I’d known how hectic it could get before experiencing it firsthand.
Nonetheless, the islands were magical and I snorkelled with massive turtles and underwater statues—I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. Just be aware of what the experience might be like.
I’ll leave the decision with you.
If you liked this post then you will love my article on Tirta Gangga Water Palace in Bali and the best way to travel from Ubud to Amed.
Thanks for reading,
James
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