Earlier, I shared a preview of what my time looked like in Gili Trawangan. If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen the flood of reels, stories, and photos—swings in the ocean, sunset bike rides, snorkeling with turtles, and a few beers/cocktails on the beach.
And of course, I got tons of DMs asking “Saan yan?”, “How did you get there?”, and “Magkano gastos niyan, momsh?”
So, here we are.
This post is for all my fellow lakwatseros and lakwatseras who want to visit this little slice of paradise without maxing out their credit card. Whether you’re flying out of Manila, Cebu, or elsewhere in the PH, this guide breaks down exactly how to get to Gili Trawangan — in the most sweldo-safe way possible.
Ready to plan that trip? Let’s gooo.
Flight Routes & Options
Since Gili T. doesn’t have its own airport (nope, not even a tiny one), your first mission is to fly into either Bali or Lombok—then take a boat from there. It might sound like a bit of a detour, but once you're cruising through clear waters on your way to that swing-in-the-sea moment, it’ll all be worth it.
I flew out of NAIA Terminal 3 via Cebu Pacific Air, which has direct flights to Bali. Yup—no layovers, no fuss, just around 3 hours of air time and you’ll be landing straight in Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), Bali.
Here’s a rundown of your other options too, depending on where you're flying from:
🛫 Major Departure Cities in the Philippines
- Manila (NAIA Terminals 2 & 3) - Most convenient, especially for Cebu Pacific’s direct flights to Bali. Other airlines like Philippine Airlines, Scoot, and AirAsia usually offer connecting flights via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Jakarta.
- Clark (Clark International Airport) - Sometimes cheaper than flying out of Manila, especially with budget airlines like Scoot or Jetstar via Singapore.
- Cebu (Mactan-Cebu International Airport) - A solid option for travellers from the Visayas. Expect stopovers (Singapore, KL) before reaching Bali or Lombok.
- Davao (Francisco Bangoy International Airport) - Limited international options, but you can route through Manila or Cebu first.
🛬Arrival Hubs in Indonesia
- Bali – Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) - Direct flights from Manila (via Cebu Pacific), plus lots of fast boat connections to Gili T. Great if you want a taste of Bali before heading to the islands.
- Lombok – Lombok International Airport (LOP) - Closer to Gili Trawangan, but usually requires a stopover in KL, Jakarta or Bali if you’re flying from the PH. Ideal if you're skipping the Bali scene and want to get straight to island life.
If you're after convenience, direct to Bali is the way to go. But if you're feeling a little adventurous (and maybe wanna rack up more airport stories), Lombok could be your play.
Where to Book the Cheapest Flights
Let’s be real: the biggest chunk of your budget usually goes to flights. But if you know where (and when) to look, you can slash a few thousand pesos off—enough to cover your first few nasi gorengs and Bintang beers in Bali. Here’s where I do my usual flight hunting:
I Compare Flights On…
- Google Flights -The GOAT for checking multiple airlines at once. You can view prices across dates, spot promo fares, and even track flights for price drops.
- Skyscanner - Great if your travel dates are flexible. Hit that "Cheapest Month" option and it’ll show you the lowest fares across the calendar.
- AirAsia App - If you’re flying budget, this is a must. Sometimes, the app-only promos are cheaper than third-party sites.
Local Hack: Where I Actually Book Flights
So here’s a not-so-secret tip I’ve been using lately (and no, this isn’t sponsored):
I compare flight prices between Google Flights, the GRAB App (look for Agoda/Booking.com flights), and... wait for it... GCash Travel.
Surprisingly, GCash Travel often has the cheapest rates, especially for international flights. We’re talking up to ₱1,000 to ₱2,500 savings compared to other booking platforms.
The catch?
Flights are usually at odd hours—late night or super early morning. But if you’re a budget traveler like me, you already know the game: sleep is optional, savings are not.
Timing is Everything
Want to score the best deals? Follow these sweldo-safe rules:
- Book 1–2 months in advance (sweet spot for international fares)
- Avoid weekend departures – fly out Tuesday to Thursday if you can
- Set flight alerts – Google Flights and Skyscanner both offer this
- Clear your cookies or browse in incognito – yes, that price jump after the third search is real.
How to Reach Gili T from Bali or Lombok
Okay, so you’ve landed in Indonesia—either in Bali or Lombok—and now it’s time to make your way to Gili Trawangan. There's no airport on the island, which means your only option is by boat. But don’t worry, it's all part of the adventure.
Depending on where you land, here’s how to get to Gili T the easiest, safest, and most cost-friendly way:
If You’re Coming from Bali...
Option 1: Serangan Port
Distance from airport: ~30–40 mins
Boat travel time: 2.5 to 3 hours to Gili T
Why choose this: It's more convenient if you’re staying near South Bali (Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu) and you want to avoid long land travel.
Downside: Longer time at sea = higher chance of seasickness if you're not used to boats.
Option 2: Padang Bai Port
Distance from airport: ~1.5 to 2 hours drive (depends on Bali traffic, of course)
Boat travel time: 1.5 to 2 hours to Gili T
Why choose this: The boat ride is shorter, faster, and generally calmer. Plus, most of the reliable fast boat operators depart here.
Downside: You’ll need to arrange land transport from the airport to the port (you can book a van, GrabCar, Gojek, or shuttle).
Pro Tip: Most fast boat companies offer a combo package that includes hotel pick-up from Bali + boat ticket = less stress, less logistics to handle.
If You’re Coming from Lombok..
Welcome to the shortcut! Lombok is much closer to Gili T, so you’re just one short boat ride away from paradise.
Port to head to: Bangsal Port
Distance from Lombok airport: ~1.5 hours by car
Boat ride time: Less than 20 minutes
Options:
- Public boat: Leaves when full, super cheap (~₱50–₱100), but expect to wait.
- Chartered fast boat: More expensive (~₱700–₱1,000), but leaves on your schedule.
Reminder: Be mindful of touts around Bangsal Port—book your boat from a verified ticket counter or ahead of time through your hotel.
If you're prone to motion sickness, take something before the ride (Bonamine is your bestie), and sit at the back of the boat where it’s less bumpy. Oh, and don’t forget to pack a dry bag—just in case the waves want to say hello.
What Pinoys Should Know Before Landing in Any Indonesian Airport
You’ve booked your sweldo-safe flights, planned your route to Gili T, and you're ready to live your best island life—but before your plane touches down, here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you breeze through Indonesian immigration like a pro.
Visa Requirements for PH Passport Holders
Good news!
As a Philippine passport holder (and part of ASEAN), you can enter Indonesia visa-free for up to 30 days. No pre-approval, no forms, no fees. Just show up and they’ll stamp you in.
Look for the “ASEAN Member” lane at immigration—it’s usually faster, and yes, we get our own special spot!
Important Entry Requirements Before You Land
Indonesia has a few digital forms and payments you need to sort out before (or immediately after) landing:
- e-CD Form (Electronic Customs Declaration) - Can be filled out online before arrival: https://ecd.beacukai.go.id/ . You’ll get a QR code—save it or screenshot it for scanning at customs
- SATUSEHAT Health Pass (SSHP) - Required for health declaration on arrival
- International Tourist Levy – If you’re landing in or passing through Bali, you’ll need to pay the IDR 150,000 (~₱550) tourist levy online via Love Bali.
You can pay before or after landing, but some immigration officers will ask for proof of payment—so best to do it ahead of time.
Power Sockets & Charging Essentials
Voltage is 230V at 50Hz, which is compatible with most PH gadgets (chargers, laptops, etc.).
Do you need an adaptor?
Yes, if your devices have the flat Type A plugs (the usual ones we use in the PH). Grab a universal travel adaptor from Shopee or your local hardware store before flying—it’ll save you from hunting for one in a Bali minimart at 10PM.
And That’s a Wrap for Part 1!
You now have the full sweldo-safe lowdown on how to get to Gili T from the Philippines—without the headache, and definitely without going broke.
Coming up next in this 3-part series: Where to Stay and What to Do in Gili T. Stay tuned, and if you’ve got any questions or travel tips of your own, slide into my DMs on IG or Tiktok or drop them in the comments.
xOxO,
Joy.C
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