Key hubs
Gili Islands airport and railway station
- Airport
- Lombok International Airport (LOP) at Tanak Awu, Central Lombok; about 1 hr 40 min to 2 hr by road to Bangsal or Teluk Nare harbour, then a boat. Bali's Ngurah Rai (DPS) is the usual international gateway, with fast boats from Bali
- Railway station
- None. Neither the Gilis nor Lombok has a useful passenger train service; all journeys are by road and boat
- Getting around
- On foot, by bicycle or by cidomo horse cart; there are no cars or motorbikes. Inter-island public boats run on their own schedule
How to reach Gili Islands by air
Lombok International Airport (LOP) at Tanak Awu is the nearest airport, about 1 hr 40 min to 2 hr by road to Bangsal or Teluk Nare harbour, then a short boat. Most Indian visitors fly to Ngurah Rai (DPS) in Bali and take a fast boat. We found no direct India to Lombok flights.
How to reach Gili Islands by train
There is no passenger train service on Lombok or the Gilis, so there is no railway station for the islands. All travel is by road and boat.
How to reach Gili Islands by road
On Lombok, taxis and shuttles run from the airport and Senggigi to Bangsal and Teluk Nare harbours. Allow about two hours from the airport. The islands themselves have no roads for vehicles.
Getting around Gili Islands
On the Gilis, move on foot, by bicycle or by cidomo horse cart. Public inter-island boats run on their own schedule, and charters are available. Do not swim between islands because of strong currents.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Gili Islands
- Choose a stay close to the harbour or main strip and use horse carts for arrival and luggage.
- There is only a simple clinic on each island. Serious cases go to Lombok or Bali, so carry travel insurance with evacuation cover and your regular medicines.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.