How to Get from Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan Smoothly
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Going from Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan has always been a nightmare. There are many horror stories about small speedboats and passengers feeling sick or getting drenched.
Iโve lived those stories (LET’S NOT GET THERE). Iโve taken nearly every boat option available, and trust me, most left me feeling like Iโd been through a washing machine. That is, until I found this one.
Last month, I tried a new boat โ and for the first time, I stepped off in Gili Trawangan feeling completely fine.
I even brought my 60-year-old mum along โ she normally gets motion sick just looking at the ocean. She was totally fine. Thatโs how smooth this trip was.
๐ I booked it through GetYourGuide and I will tell you all about it!
Why Choose This Speedboat Service?
I came across this GetYourGuide boat service and read the reviews of hundreds of travellers who had a great boat trip from Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan. I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes! It sounded completely new to me after my numerous nasty experiences!
If you are one of these people who always get seasick, getting a regular speedboat from Bali to the Gili’s is not fun, so although this GetYourGuide experience is more expensive than others (it’s about $24), it’s totally worth it!
Hereโs why I recommend it:
- Trip Duration: The journey takes from 1.5 to 2 hours, giving you more time to enjoy Gili Trawangan.
- It’s organised well: You read that right, it’s organised in a way that everything runs smoothly
- There are no delays: From my experience and what I’ve heard it’s quite reliable when it comes to timelines. Which is definitely a first in Bali!
- The boat is nice and steady: this boat is bigger and wider than its competitors, making it a lot steadier. It also comes with a bathroom.
- Health and safety measures: There will be staff walking up and down, making sure everyone is fine, and there are screens showing videos of health and safety.
- Air conditioner on board!
Get to Gili T without the dramaโbook the only boat that didnโt leave me drenched or dizzy. ๐ Grab Your Spot Now!
Step-by-Step Guide On How To Get From Padang Bai To Gili Trawangan
#STEP 1: Book your tickets on GetYourGuide at least 2 days before, just to make sure you get your spot.
Regarding their daily schedule, there are quite a few options in the high season and only one in the low season. It’s normally around 9am every day.
When purchasing your ticket, you will have the option to reserve a pickup from your hotel as well. I think you are better off calling Grab or ๐ getting a private driver.
This is because the pickups organised by the ferry are normally super slow, as they will need to pick up EVERYONE!
#STEP 2: Now that you secured your ticket, head to the cafe indicated on your ticket, which is here.
As soon as you get there, walk towards the toilets, located straight ahead on the right side. There is a stand there for all โGet Your Guideโ bookings.
You will show your e-ticket and get checked in.
#STEP 3: After that, there will be a small cart that carries suitcases, you can give them your belongings right there.
#STEP 4: You will then walk to the boat with other travellers. The walk is approximately 5 minutes. You will then proceed to boarding.
Bigger, better, actually steady. This boat isnโt like the others, and thatโs a very good thing. Check schedule & book ๐ Check schedule & book!
๐กTop tip: Although itโs a great boat, expect the floor to have a thin layer of water after the first 30 minutes. This means you shouldnโt leave your backpack or anything of value on the floor.
Getting to Padang Bai From Other Parts of Bali
Padang Bai is well-connected to major destinations in Bali, making it easy to reach the harbour from popular areas like Ubud, Kuta, and Seminyak.
๐ The easiest way is to get a private driver it’s super easy to arrange and it’s affordable!
The journey from Ubud typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, while itโs around 1.5 to 2 hours from Kuta or Seminyak, depending on traffic.
I would always add 1 hour for each journey because traffic can be really nasty and if there is only one boat per day, you don’t want to miss it!
๐ Reserve Your Speedboat Here!
Tips to Avoid Seasickness on the Boat
While the speedboat ride is generally smooth, the sea can get choppy at times, especially during the rainy season. To avoid seasickness, consider taking motion sickness medication about an hour before departure.
Sit in the middle or near the back of the boat, where the ride tends to be less bumpy and keep your eyes on the horizon to help maintain your balance. Itโs also a good idea to stay hydrated and avoid heavy meals or smoothies before the trip.
Seasick pills are easy to get in Bali; they are sold in pharmacies or markets.
๐ Reserve Your Speedboat Here!
Where to Stay Around Padang Bai and Gili Trawangan
Top Pick in Padang Bai – OK Divers Resort & Spa
If youโre planning to spend a night or two in Padang Bai before your trip to Gili Trawangan, OK Divers Resort & Spa is a fantastic option.
This amazing resort offers comfortable rooms, a beautiful pool, and an on-site spa, making it a great place to relax before your journey. If you are interested in diving, this is the place for you!
Prices starting from: $80 per night
๐ Check Updated Prices Here!
Top Pick in Gili T (luxury option) – Pondok Santi Estate
On Gili Trawangan, Pondok Santi Estate is an excellent choice for accommodation. Located on the quieter side of the island, this boutique resort offers luxurious bungalows, a private beach, and stunning sunset views.
Itโs the perfect place to relax after your boat trip and enjoy the beauty of the Gili Islands. If you want to explore other islands from here, they can arrange it for you. If you like snorkelling, I listed the best snorkelling trips for the Gilis here ๐
Prices starting from: $300
๐ Treat Yourself Now!
Find more accommodations in Gili Trawangan here ๐ด
What If You Leave From Sanur Harbour?
You can definitely go to the Gili Islands from Sanur Harbour as well BUT! It takes longer and the boats are not the same as this one.
They are smaller and bumpier. It’s ok if you are closer to Sanur Harbour and don’t get motion sick easily. In this case, ๐ you can reserve your tickets here through 12Go!
๐ Book Your Safe Journey From Padang Bai Instead!
Ciao for now,
Silvia x
Related Blog Posts:
17 Best Things To Do In Gili Air (2026 Guide + Local Tips)
Where To Stay in Gili Air: My Honest Guide After Living On The Island
Bali and Gili Islands Itinerary: A Perfect 2 Weeks in Paradise
Full Travel Guide To Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
Top Snorkelling Trips To Book in Nusa Penida For Solo Travellers
Best Places to Stay in Nusa Lembongan (Top Areas + Where to Book)
How to Get from Ubud to Nusa Lembongan: Step-by-Step Guide
Unique Places To Stay In Gili Trawangan For Solo Travellers
Full First Timer Guide to Bali For Female Solo Travellers
โ๏ธ Bali Travel Planning Guide ๐ด
Before you start your unforgettable journey to Bali here are the essential tips every female solo traveller should know:
๐ฑ Do I need an eSIM for Bali?
โ Yes. Having data from the moment you land makes your trip so much easier. I recommend Ubigi eSIM, which connects instantly without queuing at the airport for a SIM card and works better than other eSIMs I have tested. ๐ Get your Indonesia plan now
๐ Should I buy travel insurance for Bali?
โ 100% YES! โ My #1 safety tip for all travellers is to buy travel insurance for every trip in case anything happens during their visit (and yes, Bali belly is a thing!). I highly recommend HeyMondo – you get 24/7 support and it’s budget-friendly!
๐งCan you drink the water in Bali?
๐ฑ No โ Itโs recommended to drink filtered or bottled water in Bali (I even brush my teeth with filtered water).
๐ฉ Whatโs the best way to book my Bali accommodations?
My go-to for Bali hotels is Booking.com. For hostels, I normally go for Hostelworld (you can also filter by private rooms if you want!). If you love pets you should consider Trusted Housesitters, you would get free accommodation in exchange for looking after amazing pets โค๏ธ
๐ Whatโs the best way to book my Bali activities?
Get Your Guide and Viator are the best ones. You can go through the reviews to learn more about each activity and they have amazing customer support!
๐ Will I find tampons in Bali?
Yes! However, they are hard to find! Get the guide with the list of sellers and Google Map here!
๐ How can I book my taxi in advance from the airport to my accommodation?
I always recommend reserving your taxi in advance via Klook. This is because it will ask you for flight details and the driver will be able to track your flight in real time. I would book my taxi especially when I fly to new places or get there at night time! If you want to rent a car, Klook is still your best bet. They have cars available to pick up right at the airport! For scooter rental in Bali, go to BikAgo.
๐๐ฝ Where can I book surf camps or yoga retreats?
Booksurfcamps.com is the best for surf camps all over the world. Use Bookyogaretreats.com for the best yoga retreats in Bali and worldwide.
โ๏ธ What’s the best site to book my flight?
Skyscanner is definitely the best one out there! I love their “explore everywhere” function for when I need inspiration on where to go next! If you will embark on a long flight and you love showering in between flights or just using the lounges in airports all over the world, check out Lounge Passes on Klook, GetYourGuide or get a lounge membership on Priority Pass!
๐ซ Do I need a visa for Bali?
๐ Yes โ US, UK, and EU passport holders can get the Visa On Arrival (Tourist Visa) valid for 30 days in Bali. Read more here)
๐ฐ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐: The currency here is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), and there are plenty of ATMs if you need cash. I always withdraw from ATMs to get the best rates (select โnoโ when it asks you if you accept the conversion rate). The best debit card to use when travelling to Bali is Wise!
๐ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: Getting around Bali is easy peasy! Rent your scooter on BikAgo. The alternative would be getting a scooter taxi using Grab or Gojek which are safe and cheap in major places like Ubud, Canggu and Uluwatu. You can also book your private driver!
