How to Budget for a Trip to Gili Trawangan: Low, Medium, and High-Cost Travel Plans

Gili Trawangan is a small island located off the northwest coast of the Indonesian island of Lombok. It has been known for years as a backpackers party haven but has more recently become a great place for families, couples, divers, and everyone in between. This mix makes it a fantastic choice no matter if you are on a shoestring budget or are looking for a little bit of island luxury. Let’s talk about how to budget for a trip to Gili Trawangan.

Getting to Gili Trawangan

Travel to Gili Trawangan usually starts from Bali, whether by boat or plane. Lombok does have an international airport but at the time of writing, all direct flights originate in South East Asia.

Low Budget

If you are keeping your spending to a minimum, there are a couple of very cheap options for getting to Gili Trawangan. The passenger ferry from Padang Bai in Bali takes around 4 hours to Lembar in Lombok and costs just around US$4. The most expensive part of this journey is a taxi from Lembar to Bangsal port where the public boat leaves to the Gili Islands. The taxi can cost up to $30 and then the boat just $2. Your total for this trip would be under $40 per person.

Medium Budget

The next option is a speedboat from Bali directly to Gili T which, depending on the company, is between $25 – $65 one way. These boats take around 2 hours and generally have comfortable seats, refreshments, and on board toilets.

You could also choose to fly from Bali to Lombok and then get a taxi to Bangsal port for a fast boat transfer to Gili Trawangan. Wings Air flies direct from Bali to Lombok for around $60 each way depending on the time of year. A taxi from the airport to Bangsal will cost around $15 and a fast boat to the island is around $10. The total for this trip can be anywhere from $25-$85 per person one way.

High Budget

If you want to get to the Gili Islands fast and in style, helicopter charter is the way to go. For 4-5 passengers you can expect to pay $3000 for the 45 minute journey. The views might just be worth the cash.

Food and Drinks

Low Budget

There are plenty of local warungs, street vendors and budget cafes on Gili Trawangan. The night market is an excellent way to eat cheaply in the evenings and try lots of different local foods. If you drink alcohol, buy from one of the minimarts on the island and find a quiet spot on the beach for your sunset drinks to save some cash.

Medium Budget

Trendy cafes and restaurants have popped up all over Gili Trawangan and offer good food at good prices. You can eat excellent local seafood at beachfront restaurants and sunset bars at relatively low prices.

High Budget

There are a few fine dining experiences on Gili Trawangan that you could enjoy for a special occasion. Imported wine and spirits will push your budget higher as well. If you really want to splash out, private chef experiences are also an option.

Activities & Experiences

Low Budget

One of the great things about Gili T is how many free activities there are. Whether you explore the beaches, hike up Gili Trawangan Hill, or just swim and read a book on the beach, you won’t spend a penny. Renting bicycles and snorkeling gear is also really cheap.

Medium Budget

If you don’t mind spending a little money, guided snorkeling or island hopping tours, paddleboard rental, or cooking classes are excellent options. Yoga sessions and spa treatments are also very reasonable.

High Budget

Special experiences like diving certifications, private island-hopping tours, luxury spa treatments and sunset cruises are on the higher end of the budget for Gili Trawangan holidays.

Some private trips will even include champagne or romantic setups for a special occasion.

Transportation on the Island

Low Budget

The cheapest ways to get around the island are on foot or by bicycle. As there is no motorized transport, these are both easy options.

Medium Budget

The only other option for transport on the island is by horse-drawn cidomo. These horse carts cost around 50,000 – 150,000 for a short trip to a specific destination and around IDR 250,000 – 350,000 for a tour around the entire island.

There are no high budget transport options on Gili Trawangan

Estimnated Sample Daily Budgets

When you plan your budget think about your accommodation, transport, food, and activities for the day. A low budget will come in between $25–$40 a day, medium budget at $70–$120, and a high budget at around $200-250+.

Choosing a budget that fits your style of travel is important. If you like a room with all mod cons you won’t want to choose a Gili Trawangan hostel. Also remember that you can mix up high, medium, and low budget options to get the best out of your holiday. Staying in a medium budget option like Villa Almarik doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a cheap trip to the local night market for dinner.

Gili T is a really versatile island for all kinds of travelers. If you would like to find out more about planning a trip to Gili Trawangan, drop us a comment below or email to info@almarik-lombok.com.