Major city · Indonesia
Gili Air
Stay 2–3 nights: walk the island in 90 min, snorkel the east reef for turtles, and sleep on the south or east coast near the boat landing.
Gili Air is the middle Gili: quieter than Gili Trawangan, busier than Gili Meno, and the closest of the three to Lombok. There are no cars or motorbikes, the coastal path circles the island in about 90 minutes, and most beds, warungs and dive shops sit on the south and east coasts facing Lombok. Two nights covers the reef and the sunsets; three lets you slow down or add a snorkel trip to the neighbouring islands.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (dry season)
- avoid Jan–Feb (rain and swell), Jul–Aug (crowds and rougher crossings)
- Airports
- LOP · DPS
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Gili Air112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Gili Air, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.Indonesia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckTelkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.Indonesia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.Indonesia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.Indonesia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Indonesia-wide
- SafetyGili Air is small and low-crime; the real risks are boat overloading at Bangsal, sunburn and coral cuts on the reef…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency (Indonesia) · 110 police · 118 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBali shuts completely for Nyepi; government offices close Friday midday for prayer; Lebaran slows the country for two weeks.Indonesia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLOP Lombok International (Praya) (About 2 h by road to Bangsal, then a 30-min public boat, or a fast boat from Teluk Nare).
- Getting aroundWalk: the coastal path circles the island in about 90 min.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Beerlarge bottle at a bar / can at a shopRp 40,000–70,000Rp 25,000–35,000
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse dorm bed, a night, per personRp120,000
- Mid-range bedBungalow or hotel double room, a night, per roomRp700,000
- High-end bedBungalow or hotel double room, a night, per roomRp1,800,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp400,000 · Mid Rp800,000 · High Rp1,800,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LOP Lombok International (Praya) (About 2 h by road to Bangsal, then a 30-min public boat, or a fast boat from Teluk Nare) · DPS Bali Ngurah Rai (Fast boats from Padang Bai, Serangan or Benoa take roughly 2–3 h to Gili Air; operators publish their own timetables)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Care
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Care
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jan (20 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Gili Air: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
20 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
19 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk: the coastal path circles the island in about 90 min. Bicycles rent for roughly Rp 30,000–50,000 a day. Horse carts (cidomo) wait at the harbour at a standard Rp 200,000 per trip as of mid-2025 — no bargaining. No cars or motorbikes on the island.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Gili Meno
goDoor to door: About 15–20 min by boat
Island Hopping boat from Gili Air at 08:30, or a charter boatIsland Hopping boat from Gili Air at 8:30 AM, or a charter boat
Official Island Hopping fare Rp 20,000 one way; the return boat leaves Gili Meno at 16:20.Official Island Hopping fare Rp 20,000 one way; the return boat leaves Gili Meno at 4:20 PM.
Gili Trawangan
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min by boat
Island Hopping boat at 15:00, or via Gili Meno in the morningIsland Hopping boat at 3:00 PM, or via Gili Meno in the morning
Official fare Rp 23,000 one way; the return boat leaves Trawangan at 16:00.Official fare Rp 23,000 one way; the return boat leaves Trawangan at 4:00 PM.
Lombok (Bangsal and Senggigi)
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min by boat plus road time
Public boat from Gili Air to Bangsal, then road transfer
Public boat Rp 18,000 one way; the Bangsal touts are the main hassle — buy at the official office.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
South coast near the boat landing
Closest to arrivals and the ticket office; handy for a short stay with bags.
East coast
Beachfront bungalows and dive shops; the reef and turtle spots are a short swim out.
West coast
Sunset-facing bars and beach clubs; quieter, 20–30 min walk from the landing.
Village centre
Cheapest warungs and the island's biggest shop; 10–15 min walk to any beach.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rp 350,000–600,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp 600,000–1,200,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rp 1,200,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Bungalow or hotel double room1 × 3 nights × Rp700,000 | Rp2,100,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × Rp800,000 | Rp4,800,000 |
| Public boat Gili Air ↔ Bangsal, both ways2 × Rp36,000 | Rp72,000 |
| Bicycle rental, one day2 × Rp40,000 | Rp80,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × Rp150,000 | Rp300,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp735,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp1,348,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp8,087,000≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in rupiah; boat tickets and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Nasi campur or soto ayam at a village warung | Rp 10,000–30,000 |
| Grilled fish at a beachfront restaurantPick the fish from the display and agree the price first. | Rp 60,000–150,000 |
| Beer: large bottle at a bar / can at a shop | Rp 40,000–70,000 / Rp 25,000–35,000 |
| Bicycle rental, per day | Rp 30,000–50,000 |
| Horse cart (cidomo), any trip on the islandStandard price as of mid-2025; no bargaining. | Rp 200,000 |
| Snorkel trip to the three GilisHalf-day, usually with gear included; agree what is included before you pay. | Rp 150,000–350,000 |
| ATM withdrawal | Up to Rp 2.5 million per transaction at the CIMB Niaga ATM |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bangsal harbour has persistent touts: buy only from the official Koperasi Angkutan Laut Karya Bahari office and ignore anyone offering to 'solve' a transport problem.
- Public boats to Bangsal are capped at 20 passengers but are sometimes overloaded: if it looks unsafe, wait.
- All boat services stop by late afternoon, well before dark — plan arrivals for the morning or early afternoon.
- You wade through shallow water when disembarking: wear sandals or go barefoot, and bag electronics for the crossing.
- Bring enough rupiah: ATMs are few and can run out, and card acceptance is limited outside hotels.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency (Indonesia)
- 112
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 113
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Gili AirGili Air
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Police110
- Ambulance118
Embassy
No embassies on the island; the nearest consulates and embassies are in Bali (Denpasar) and Jakarta — check your country's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Public boat Gili Air → Bangsal: Rp 18,000, about 30 min
- Island Hopping Gili Air → Gili Meno: Rp 20,000, departs 08:30Rp 20,000, departs 8:30 AM
- Island Hopping Gili Air → Gili Trawangan: Rp 23,000, departs 15:00Rp 23,000, departs 3:00 PM
- Cidomo, any trip on the island: Rp 200,000, no bargaining
Say or show
- Selamat pagi — Good morning (suh-LAH-mat PAH-ghee)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (tuh-REE-mah KAH-see)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (buh-RAH-pah har-GAH-nyah)
- Tidak mau — I don't want it (TEE-dak MAH-oo)
- Di mana kapalnya? — Where is the boat? (dee MAH-nah kah-PAL-nyah)
- Tolong — Help (TOH-long)
Cash is king on Gili Air: bring rupiah, and treat the ATM as a backup rather than a plan.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Gili Air. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct (dry season) · avoid Jan–Feb (rain and swell), Jul–Aug (crowds and rougher crossings) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Boat-arrival contract: morning crossings, wade-out footwear, waterproof bags, and a plan B if the afternoon boats stop early.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: the landing and south coast, the east reef, the village centre, and the west sunset strip.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (snorkel spots, dive shops, sunset bars) and eat pages with last orders.
- Bangsal and Lombok transfer fixtures so arrivals can go green.