How to Get from Ubud to the Gili Islands — 2026 Complete Guide

Ubud to the Gili Islands at a glance

Ubud sits in the middle of Bali, about an hour's drive from the island's east-coast ferry port at Padang Bai. The Gili Islands — Trawangan, Meno and Air — lie just off Lombok, and the fastest way across the Lombok Strait is by fast boat. If you're based in Ubud, the classic move is a morning private transfer to Padang Bai, an 08:30 fast boat, and brunch on Gili T by 10:30.

Total journey time on the fastest route is roughly 3 hours (transfer + crossing + check-in). This guide compares all three route options so you can pick the one that fits your budget, luggage and comfort needs.

Option 1 (Recommended): Ubud → Padang Bai → Fast Boat to Gili Trawangan

The most popular route from Ubud. It's the shortest crossing to the Gilis of any Bali port and has the most daily departures.

1. Ubud → Padang Bai by private car or van (~1–1.5 hours). Your driver picks you up from your hotel or villa in Ubud and takes the east-bound road through Gianyar to the coast. Traffic in Ubud can add time, so plan for 1–1.5 hours. Book the transfer with a BaliGoat private driver — fixed price from IDR 650K for a full day or from IDR 450K for a half day, English-speaking driver, AC car, no prepayment.
2. Check in at Padang Bai Harbour (30–45 minutes before departure). Go straight to the operator counter (Semaya One office inside the harbour), show your e-ticket on your phone, drop heavy bags in the cargo hold and keep valuables with you. Details on facilities, parking and the check-in process are in our Padang Bai port guide.
3. Fast boat Padang Bai → Gili Trawangan (1.5 hours). Semaya One departs daily at 08:30 and 13:20, stopping at Gili T first, then Gili Meno, then Gili Air. Modern air-conditioned boat with rooftop deck seating, complimentary water, harbour tax, luggage allowance (one suitcase + one carry-on) and insurance included.
4. Arrive on Gili Trawangan. The boat docks at Gili Trawangan Harbour, right next to the main strip of warungs, dive shops and cidomos (horse carts). From there it's a short walk or cidomo ride to your accommodation.

Cost: fast boat from IDR 425,000 per person one-way (most operators IDR 425K–525K; peak season up to ~IDR 650K) + transfer from ~IDR 450K per car. Total time: ~3 hours. View the full schedule on our Padang Bai → Gili route page.

Option 2: Ubud → Sanur → Fast Boat (via Nusa Penida / Lembongan or direct)

If you're combining the Gilis with a stop on Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan, or you're staying on the south-east coast, the Sanur route works well — though the crossing is longer.

1. Ubud → Sanur Harbour (~45 min–1 hour). Sanur is on Bali's south-east coast, an easy drive from Ubud. A private driver or ride-hailing app both work; traffic is lighter than the Kuta–Seminyak corridor.
2. Fast boat from Sanur. Pride Express runs a daily 09:00 fast cruise from Sanur Harbour to the Gili Islands, taking about 2.5 hours and arriving around 11:30. Tickets from IDR 525,000 per person one-way. See the Sanur → Gili schedule and prices.
3. Optional island-hop via Nusa Penida or Lembongan. Boats from Sanur to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan run frequently (~30–45 min crossing), and connecting services continue from the Nusa islands to the Gilis. This is a great option if you want to break the journey with a night or two on Penida — see our Nusa Penida guide. Note that two legs means two tickets and more luggage handling.

Cost: from IDR 525K per person direct, or two separate tickets if island-hopping. Total time: ~3.5–4 hours direct; longer with a Penida stop.

Option 3: Budget Route — Public Ferry via Lombok (Padang Bai → Lembar → Bangsal)

The cheapest way to reach the Gilis, at the cost of a full day of travel. There is no direct public ferry to the Gili Islands — the budget route goes via Lombok's main port at Lembar.

1. Ubud → Padang Bai (~1–1.5 hours). Same transfer as Option 1 — private driver or shuttle bus (Perama runs an Ubud–Padang Bai service from ~Rp 60,000).
2. Public ferry Padang Bai → Lembar, Lombok (4–5 hours). The big car ferry crosses the Lombok Strait from about IDR 100,000 per person. It's basic, hot and slow — but cheap, and luggage goes free in the vehicle deck.
3. Lembar → Bangsal Harbour (1–1.5 hours). A taxi or local bus (elf) up the west coast of Lombok to Bangsal, the jump-off point for the Gilis.
4. Local public boat Bangsal → Gili (15–30 minutes). Shared local boats run to Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air until late afternoon. From ~IDR 25,000–50,000.

Cost: roughly IDR 200–300K all-in per person. Total time: 5–7 hours one way, plus waiting. Only worth it if you're on a tight budget and a relaxed schedule — and note the last local boats from Bangsal leave in the afternoon, so start early. See our Bali to Lombok ferry guide for the full breakdown.

Route comparison table

Prices are per person one-way, 2026 guide rates. Fast boat fares rise at peak season (July–August, Christmas/New Year) and for premium boats. Transfers are per car, not per person.

Day trip from Ubud, or stay on the islands?

Day trip — possible, but tight. Take the 08:30 boat from Padang Bai (leave Ubud by ~06:45), enjoy ~4–5 hours on Gili T, then catch an afternoon return boat (last departures mid-afternoon). You'll see the beaches and snorkelling but skip sunset, nightlife and the famous Gili T swing without the crowds. Only worth it for a quick taste — and book return tickets in advance so you're not stranded.

Staying 2+ nights is the better plan. The Gilis are tiny, car-free islands where the real magic happens after the day-trippers leave: sunset at the beach bars on Gili T, the quiet west coast of Gili Meno, or the relaxed warung scene on Gili Air. Our honest advice: give yourself at least two nights, and use the fast boat as your transfer, not your day-trip vehicle. See the Gili Islands guide for island-by-island picks.

Where to catch the boat

For the recommended route you depart from Padang Bai Harbour on Bali's east coast — the busiest fast boat port on the island, with the most operators and the shortest Gili crossing. Arrive 30–45 minutes early, have your e-ticket ready on your phone, and avoid touts outside the port who sell tickets for unlicensed boats. Full details on the port, parking, facilities and check-in are in our Padang Bai port guide.

Booking advice — book online, get an instant e-ticket

Booking your fast boat online beats buying at the port on every front:

• Instant e-ticket — pay online and your ticket lands in your inbox immediately. No printing needed; show it on your phone at check-in.
• Best-price guarantee — online rates match or beat the port counters, and you avoid commission-charging touts.
• Guaranteed seats — peak-season boats sell out days ahead; online booking locks your place on your preferred departure.
• Harbour tax and insurance included — no surprise fees at the port.

Book your Ubud → Gili fast boat in under two minutes via the BaliGoat booking form — or message us on WhatsApp for help choosing a departure time that fits your Ubud schedule.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get from Ubud to the Gili Islands?

The fastest route takes about 3 hours total: a 1–1.5 hour transfer from Ubud to Padang Bai, the 1.5-hour Semaya One fast boat to Gili Trawangan, plus 30–45 minutes of check-in. Via Sanur it's ~3.5–4 hours; the budget ferry via Lombok takes 5–7 hours.

How much does it cost?

Fast boat tickets from Padang Bai start at IDR 425,000 per person one-way (most operators IDR 425K–525K; up to ~IDR 650K in peak season). The Ubud–Padang Bai transfer is from IDR 450K half day / IDR 650K full day with a private driver. The budget ferry route costs ~IDR 200–300K all-in per person.

What are the luggage limits on the fast boat?

Semaya One includes one suitcase plus one carry-on per person. Extra bags, surfboards and oversized items are charged at check-in (typically IDR 50–100K). Heavy bags go in the cargo hold — label them and keep valuables with you in the cabin.

Is the crossing rough? Will I get seasick?

Most crossings are smooth, especially on the morning departure when the Lombok Strait is calmest. If you're prone to seasickness, take a tablet ~30 minutes before boarding, sit mid-ship, and keep your eyes on the horizon. The 13:20 afternoon boat can be bumpier on windy days.

Which Gili island should I choose?

Gili Trawangan for nightlife, diving and the most connections; Gili Meno for total quiet and honeymoon vibes; Gili Air for a balanced mix. The Padang Bai fast boat stops at all three, so you can pick your island and relax — see the Gili Islands guide to choose.