A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Picton vs. Gili Trawangan for Nightlife, Beaches, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Picton or Gili Trawangan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Picton and Gili Trawangan. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Picton

Picton is a quaint, relaxing, and picturesque town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food. See Picton travel costs.

Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan is a laidback, tropical, and idyllic island. With stunning beauty, Gili Trawangan attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Gili Trawangan travel costs.

Picton and Gili Trawangan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Picton or Gili Trawangan?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Gili Trawangan. Although Picton and Gili Trawangan are both popular with visitors, Gili Trawangan has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Gili Trawangan is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Picton is known for its museums and attractions, hiking, shopping, and small town charm. Gili Trawangan is more touristy than Picton and is popular for its beautiful water and impressive scuba diving. It is also home to beautiful beachfront setting. Picton is popular for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails.

How is Picton different from Gili Trawangan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Gili Trawangan and Picton. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Picton or Gili Trawangan?

Picton is very good for its museums and history. However, Gili Trawangan is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Picton offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

Gili Trawangan offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of art and cultural museums on the island, but most people spend their time soaking up the idyllic setting.

Is the Food Better in Picton or Gili Trawangan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Picton and Gili Trawangan offer high quality local cuisine and restaurants.

Dining out in Picton is an experience not to be missed. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Gili Trawangan. As the largest and one of the most touristy of the Gili Islands, you'll find a wide range of cuisines. There's everything from Mexican to Greek available. You'll also find plenty of tropical fruits and some local Indonesian cuisine as well.

Is Picton or Gili Trawangan Better for Nightlife?

Gili Trawangan is very popular for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

Gili Trawangan is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. This is the "party island" of the Gili Islands. It has a wild nightlife scene that is particularly popular with backpackers. There are tons of beach bars that have live music, DJs, and nightly parties. There are also regular boat parties. The party scene is pretty well coordinated across the bars, and one bar will stay open late each night while the others close around midnight. This keeps the partygoers concentrated in one location and keeps the energy high for everyone.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Picton. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Picton or Gili Trawangan Better for Resorts?

Gili Trawangan is a good destination for its resorts. However, Picton is not a resort destination.

Gili Trawangan has a few great resort options. The island was long known for its backpacker vibe which included poorly concentrated beach huts. More recently there's been an upswing in upmarket accommodation, particularly on the quieter western and northern sides of the island.

Picton is not a resort destination.

Is Picton or Gili Trawangan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Gili Trawangan is very popular for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Picton is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Gili Trawangan. Snorkeling and diving are a highlight on the island, and a big draw for many visitors. The island is small, with a large concentration of tourists, so if you book a boat trip, you'll likely be surrounded by others. This doesn't mean you won't be able to enjoy colorful fish, a magical undersea world, and the occasional sea turtle.

Picton is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Picton or Gili Trawangan Better for Beaches?

Gili Trawangan is very popular for the beach. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its beaches.

Gili Trawangan offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island is filled with white sand beaches, most of which have restaurants and beachside bars nearby. One of the busiest beaches is near the port, but a quieter area is nearby Surf Point. The sunset side of the island is perfect in the evening when the sun starts to dip below the horizon, but the beaches on that side aren't as great as the other side of the island.

Picton is considered a top beach destination. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

Is Picton or Gili Trawangan Better for Hiking?

Picton is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Gili Trawangan is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Picton. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

Gili Trawangan is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Picton or Gili Trawangan?

Picton is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Gili Trawangan is lacking in good options for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Picton. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Gili Trawangan has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find most things you need on the island, but this isn't a place people usually shop for fun.

Is Picton or Gili Trawangan More Beautiful?

Gili Trawangan is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Picton is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Gili Trawangan attracts visitors from all around. Crystal blue waters and white sand beaches make this an idyllic island paradise. The setting is perfect for hanging out by the water and soaking up the island vibe.

Picton is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Picton or Gili Trawangan Better for Families?

Both Picton and Gili Trawangan are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Picton is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

Gili Trawangan is a very family-friendly destination. There are many kid-friendly activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and biking. There are also glass bottom boat tours and a great laidback island vibe that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Do note that this is one of the more popular islands for backpackers, so there is a big party scene.

Is Picton or Gili Trawangan Better for Couples?

Picton and Gili Trawangan both high quality destinations for a couple.

Picton is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

Gili Trawangan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. White sand, blue water, and a true tropical island paradise make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. It's one of the more energetic of the Gili Islands, so if you're looking for a calm retreat, there may be better options, but it still has wonderful resorts and great diving.

Is Picton or Gili Trawangan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Gili Trawangan is very popular for backpackers. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Gili Trawangan is a very popular island to visit for backpackers. It's the most popular of the Gili Islands for backpackers so you'll find tons of hostels and a great nightlife scene. The energy is high and the scenery and idyllic beaches are wonderful.

Picton is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

Is Picton or Gili Trawangan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Picton and Gili Trawangan offer good public transit options.

Picton has a few public transit options. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Gili Trawangan has some public transit options. Many tourists enjoy getting around the island by cidomo, which are horse-drawn carts. Otherwise, walking or biking are your best options.

Is Picton or Gili Trawangan a more walkable city?

Picton and Gili Trawangan both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Picton is a very walkable destination. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

Gili Trawangan is very walkable. While it's the largest of the Gili Islands, it still small enough to walk around in about two hours and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Picton Worth Visiting? and Is Gili Trawangan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Gili Trawangan or Picton?

How long in Picton or Gili Trawangan?

It's fun to spend time in either Picton or Gili Trawangan. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Gili Trawangan due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Picton, and 2-4 days is enough time in Gili Trawangan.

Families should spend more time in Gili Trawangan than Picton. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Gili Trawangan, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Gili Trawangan than Picton. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Gili Trawangan that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Gili Trawangan than Picton if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Gili Trawangan.

One day in Picton or Gili Trawangan?

In Picton, you'll find food and shopping. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Gili Trawangan. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Picton or Gili Trawangan?

Picton is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Gili Trawangan is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Picton or Gili Trawangan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Picton. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Gili Trawangan. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Picton or Gili Trawangan?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the town of Picton. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the laidback destination of Gili Trawangan. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Picton and Gili Trawangan, we can see that Picton is more expensive. And not only is Gili Trawangan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Picton is in Pacific and Gili Trawangan is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Gili Trawangan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gili Trawangan and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Picton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Picton than you might in Gili Trawangan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Picton Expensive? and Is Gili Trawangan Expensive?.