Getting from Gili Trawangan Island to Lombok

About the ride from Gili Trawangan to Lombok

Powdery white beaches, swaying palms and sparkling blue waters are the daily norm on Gili Trawangan. Affectionately known as Gili T, this is the largest and most popular of the Gili Islands.

Many visitors to Gili Trawangan arrive via Bali or Nusa Penida. But if you've come this far, you have every reason to go just a little bit farther and visit the rugged paradise of Lombok, just a stone's throw — and about an hour's ferry ride — away.

Lombok is a vacation destination in and of itself. Combining its natural attractions with a stay in Gili Trawangan is super easy and a wonderful way to level up your Indonesian itinerary.

Unmissable activities in Lombok

Despite living in Bali's shadow, Lombok has no shortage of attractions that are every bit as worthy of a visit. 

Here are just a few of the top things to do in Lombok:

1. Go beach hopping like nobody's business. Start with Kuta Beach. It's a perfect blend of sand, sea and comforts. Then, take a leap off a cliff at picturesque Semeti Beach. Post photos from Insta-famous Pink Beach. And take in the sunset from the relaxing Tanjung Aan Beach, knowing there are even more beautiful beaches waiting for you tomorrow.

2. Conquer Mount Rinjani. As if gorgeous beaches weren't enough, Lombok has Mount Rinjani. It's a 3726-meter (12,224-foot) active volcano with a crater lake that can be scaled via an overnight tour or a sunrise trek. The latter begins at midnight, and after 5-6 hours of hiking, you'll be at a viewpoint where you can watch the sunrise in an epic setting.

3. Do go chasing waterfalls. With a lush, mountainous interior, Lombok is literally dripping with waterfalls. 

At Benang Stokel, you can enjoy a trio of waterfalls and take a dip at the base. 

Benang Kelambu is another jungle waterfall where you won't battle with the crowds. 

And if you take a trip up to the north of Lombok, Tiu Kelepand and Sendang Gile Waterfalls are just a ten-minute walk from each other.

4. Take a dive (or two or three). Lombok is a diver's paradise. It's common to encounter thrilling marine animals such as hammerhead sharks, sea snakes, or various types of rays while diving in the clear waters around the island. Plus, you'll see vibrant coral reefs teeming with fish of all shapes and colors. If you're dive-certified, you won't want to miss this underwater wonderland.

What can you expect when traveling from Gili Trawangan to Lombok?

Sitting just eight kilometers (five miles) off the coast of Lombok, the trip from Gili Trawangan is not a long one.

Regardless of how you get to the port, this journey requires a boat ride that will take you directly toward the looming silhouette of Lombok Island. Along the way, you'll be treated to a scenic panorama of turquoise waters, green mountains and blinding white beaches.

How to get from Gili Trawangan to Lombok

Your options for getting from Gili Trawangan Island to Lombok basically fall into two categories: a ferry or a combination bus/van + ferry. Below is a breakdown to explain the differences.

Speedboat ferry

A speedboat ferry is the quickest option for getting to Lombok. As the name suggests, it's a small speedboat that will make the trip in about 10 minutes. They are essentially private charters, with a max range of 3-6 passengers and one large bag apiece allowed. Prices start at $30 per boat.

Don't expect any frills on these boats, but how many frills do you need for a ten-minute ride? Departures are all day long in 30-minute increments, so you have lots of options.

All ferries depart from Gili Trawangan Ferry Terminal. This is a pier on the southeastern side of the island, with lots nearby. 

Ferries will usually land at Teluk Nare Ferry Terminal.

Bus + ferry

This combination ticket will reserve you a space on a ferry out of Gili Trawangan Island, plus a private vehicle (up to four pax) to bring you to your final destination on Lombok, like the airport. Expect a total transfer time of around 1.5 hours.

This is a good option if you're traveling in a small group. Prices are around $75 for the combo ticket, which is split amongst your group. So, if there are four of you, each person pays $18.75. You get a good bang for your buck.

The bus (which might be an SUV) will have air conditioning and an English-speaking driver. There is some flexibility in the luggage requirements, so contact your operator directly to work that out.

Van + ferry

This, too, is a combination ticket that includes a ferry out of Gili Trawangan, with prices starting at around $14 per person. 

Once in Lombok, you'll be transported in a shared vehicle to your final destination. Total travel time can be up to two hours. 

This is a very convenient transfer to Lombok Airport if you're leaving right after your stay on Gili Trawangan.

You can expect the van to have air conditioning, and each passenger is allowed one bag up to 25 kg (55 lbs), plus a handbag. With this option, there are limited departure times, so check your operator's timetable.

Bus or van + ferry tickets often bring you to one of the two closer landing points before transporting you by land. In some cases, you can also get a ride all the way down to Lembar Port in the southwest of Lombok.

When is the best time of year to visit Lombok?

July through October is a great time to visit Lombok. It's the peak of the dry season, with brilliant sunny days perfect for sunbathing or swimming. 

If you don't mind a little rain, the wet season from November to March has the island at its greenest. January is the wettest month of them all.

No matter what time of year you arrive, you can count on heat and humidity. But what else do you expect from a tropical paradise?

Where to after Lombok?

If, after your stay in the Gili Islands and Lombok, you haven't yet explored Bali, that would be the obvious choice for your next destination. With a rugged jungle interior and lots of cultural attractions, you could easily fill the rest of your vacation there. 

Alternatively, the island of Nusa Penida — about halfway between Lombok and Bali — is a less crowded option with great beaches and diving.