Backpackers Budget Public Transport

This daily service from Kuta Bali passes through numerous pick-up points on the way to Padang Bai, this is very much the economy hardcore traveller's route and essentially lasts for a day.

Departure at 6:30 from Kuta to Padang Bai. 10:00 public ferry to Lembar Lombok arriving around 15:00, then transfer to a minibus for the 90 minute journey to Bangsal harbour, and finally a 45 minute boat ride to Gili Trawangan, arriving around sunset.

This whole package is available in one ticket from many agents in Kuta and other towns in Bali and is usually priced at around 250,000 rupiah from Kuta. This is the cheapest way to get here but does involve being hassled by a seemingly endless array of hawkers and pointless stops in various restaurants. To be avoided by all but the utterly foolish, or hardcore traveler.

We highly recommend the more expensive but much faster option using one of the budget fast boats from Bali to Gili Trawangan.