Getting There & Around
No cars, no motorbikes — just bicycles and horse-drawn cidomo carts, by law
All three Gili Islands ban motor vehicles entirely — a rule that shapes everything about how they feel to visit. Getting there is by boat; getting around once you're there is by bicycle, on foot, or by cidomo, the traditional horse-drawn cart that doubles as the islands' taxi service.
Quick facts
Getting to the Gilis
Public and fast boats run from Bali (Padang Bai, Amed or Sanur — Sanur routes are fastest but pricier) and from Bangsal harbour on Lombok, the shortest and cheapest crossing. Fast boats from Bali take roughly 1.5–2.5 hours depending on departure point; from Bangsal it's 15–30 minutes depending on which Gili.
Bicycles
Rental bikes are the default way to get around any of the three islands — cheap, easy, and enough for a full island loop in an hour or two even on the largest, Trawangan. Sand and uneven paths in places make a basic bike more practical than anything fancier.
Cidomo carts
The horse-drawn cidomo is the islands' taxi — useful for luggage transfers from the harbour to accommodation, or if walking/cycling isn't an option. Agree on a price before boarding, as with any unmetered local transport, and expect this as the standard for moving anything heavier than a daypack.
Practical tips
- —Sanur–Gili fast boats are quicker but cost more than routing via Lombok's Bangsal harbour — factor in your overall itinerary before choosing.
- —Bring cash for the cidomo ride from the harbour — card payment isn't standard for this kind of local transport.
- —Check your rental bike's brakes and tires before riding off — quality varies between operators.
- —Motorized transport genuinely doesn't exist here (a few electric utility carts aside) — don't expect to find a 'scooter rental' shop like on Bali or Lombok.
