Padang Bai Harbour Guide: What to Expect Before Your Fast Boat

Padang Bai Harbour, on Bali’s east coast, is the main departure point for fast boats to the Gili Islands and Lombok. It is about 1.5 to 2 hours’ drive from Kuta and Seminyak. Gili Gili Fast Boat sails from here daily at 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM. Arrive one hour before your boat leaves.

Quick facts

• Departures: 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM, daily
• Check-in: 1 hour before departure
• To Gili Trawangan: about 1 hour 30 minutes
• Luggage: 2 bags free (up to 25 kg) plus 1 hand-carry bag
• Harbour tax: charged per person at Padang Bai and on the Gili Islands. Bring cash.

Getting to Padang Bai

Drive times are about 1 hour from Sanur, 1 hour 15 minutes from Ubud, and 1.5 to 2 hours from Kuta, Seminyak or the airport. Leave early, as traffic grows after 8 AM.

The easiest option is hotel pickup with your ticket. The driver collects you between 5:30 and 7:30 AM for the 8:30 boat, or between 6:30 and 9:00 AM for the 10:00 boat, and takes you straight to check-in. When you buy a ticket with transport, pickup is free from Ubud, Seminyak, Kuta and Sanur. Outer areas such as Uluwatu, Canggu and Amed cost extra.

Coming with your own driver? Ask for the Gili Gili Fast Boat check-in on Jalan Silayukti, not the public ferry terminal. Open it in Google Maps.

Check-in in 4 steps

1. Arrive 1 hour early and go to the Gili Gili Fast Boat check-in on Jalan Silayukti.
2. Show your booking on your phone. A screenshot is fine.
3. Get your boarding pass and luggage tags. Bags are tagged by island and loaded for you.
4. Wait for the boarding call. Keep your passport, phone, money and medication in your hand luggage.

Schedule from Padang Bai

Times can change with the weather. See the full boat schedule, including return trips.

Good to know

• Bring cash. Small rupiah notes for harbour tax, porters and snacks. Gili Meno has very few ATMs.
• Ignore ticket touts. Book in advance, say “I’m with Gili Gili,” and hand bags only to our staff.
• Rainy season: from November to March the sea can be rougher. Morning boats are usually calmer. If the harbour cancels crossings for weather, you can reschedule or get a full refund. See our FAQ.
• Nyepi: all Bali harbours close for 24 hours on Bali’s Day of Silence, Monday 8 March 2027.
• Time to spare? Blue Lagoon Beach is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the harbour, with calm water for snorkelling.

“Departure from padangbai at 8.30 was smooth, no delays, waiting in lines or other hassle.”

543hannuk, Tripadvisor review

FAQ

How early should I arrive at Padang Bai Harbour?

One hour before departure: 7:30 AM for the 8:30 boat, 9:00 AM for the 10:00 boat.

Is there a harbour tax at Padang Bai?

Yes. A small harbour tax is charged per person at Padang Bai and when you arrive on the Gili Islands. Bring small rupiah notes. Fees are set by local authorities and can change.

Can I buy a ticket at the harbour?

Sometimes, but boats often fill up in busy periods. Booking ahead guarantees your seat and lets you add hotel pickup.

Book your fast boat from Padang Bai

Gili Gili Fast Boat is rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google from more than 470 reviews and has sailed from Padang Bai since 2009. Read passenger reviews or see our routes to Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, Gili Meno and Lombok.

Book now

By Komang Ashvin · Updated 15 October 2026