Travel Budget for Gili Trawangan Visit Gili Trawangan on a Budget or Travel in Style

The most affordable highest rated hotels in Gili Trawangan include:

• Pondok Santi Estate starting at $82
• Desa Dunia Beda Resort starting at $88
• Sunrise Resort Lombok starting at $134
• Mowies on the Beach starting at $63
• Villas Edenia starting at $69

Tips to Save Money on Accommodation in Gili Trawangan

Thanks to Gili Trawangan's great public transportation, you can stay outside the island for cheaper accommodations, but be aware of the potential for increased transportation costs and commute time.

Gili Trawangan is family-friendly, so finding a larger apartment or more spacious accommodation is ideal when traveling with children.

If you travel during the low or shoulder season (and skip summer), you'll enjoy lower accommodation prices and fewer tourists.

Walking is a common way to explore Gili Trawangan, so look for a place right in the heart of the action. This might, however, come at a higher price.

The closest airport to Gili Trawangan is in Lombok and there are several flights daily, which take only about 40 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport.

The Gili Islands are too small for an airport so the only way in is on a boat. From Bali, there are fast boats from Padangbai, Nusa Lembongan, and Benoa. Both slow and fast boats also leave from Lombok. Public boats leave from Bangsal from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. To get to Gili Meno and Gili Air, take a public or chartered boat.

On Gili T, there are no vehicles - no cars or motorcycles. To get around, you can walk, bike, or take a cidomo - a horse cart, which is recommended when you arrive or leave with luggage. Bikes for rent are plentiful; just walk down the main street and find a rental shop or rent from your accommodation.

Some of the standard hotel transfers and transport options include:

• Private Speedboat transfer Between Lombok and Gili Islands for $17 details

When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Gili Trawangan is around $12 (Rp201086) per person, with previous travelers spending from $5 to $24. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.

Typical meal prices in Gili Trawangan are as follows:

• Breakfast: $1 to $4
• Lunch: $2 to $5
• Dinner: $4 to $8
• Coffee: $1
• Fast Food or Street Food: $2

Gili T is no stranger to international cuisine; whether you're looking for local, Asian, or Western food, you're bound to stumble upon a place that will suit your palate and wallet.

For healthy Indonesian and western, vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan fare at affordable prices, stop into Pituq Cafe. Try the moussaka or watermelon salad and enjoy the rustic island vibe with beautiful views of the beach and free wifi.

Pearl Beach Lounge is no bargain, but what it lacks in low prices it will make up for in ambiance, as it's one of the best places to lounge, with comfortable beach beds and relaxing music, not to mention delicious Asian and Western food - try the duck pad Thai or gnocchi - and great cocktails.

Budget travelers and those seeking local flavor for both food and atmosphere will love the Gili Trawangan Night Market. Eat like a local and pay local prices for a variety of Indonesian dishes, like nasi campur with a variety of satay skewers, and fresh seafood BBQ. This is a hotspot for backpackers especially before heading off to pub crawls.

Enjoy the best pizza on the island at Trattoria Cucina Italiana, where food, service and alcohol are on point and well worth the moderate prices. Don't forget to indulge in the tiramisu and creme brulee to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Casa Vintage Beach is known for its delicious Caribbean food and idyllic ambiance. The restaurant is decorated with fairy lights and vintage white furniture include hammocks and swings, right on the sand. Highlights on the menu include veggie chili, trench town chicken, hummus and their famous Oreo cheesecake.

Accommodation

As Gili T becomes a more and more popular vacation destination, the varieties of accommodations have increased. If you're seeking the 5-star hotel experience, complete with luxurious swimming pools and modern amenities, check into Pandawa Conflict, a heritage resort, or the Luce d'Alma Resort and Spa, popular with honeymooners and just 5 minutes from the beach by bike, which the resort provides free of charge.

The Jambuluwuk Oceano Resort is a mid-range hotel, farther from the harbor, but quieter, located on north side of the island. The resort offers picturesque and spacious island-style bungalows, billiards, a swimming pool and a solid wifi connection. The Gili Ocean Club is conveniently located just ten minutes from the main street and the beach, but far enough so that you won't have to deal with noise at night. Gili Ocean Club features free delicious breakfasts and bike rentals.

If you're looking for budget accommodations, head to the village, where simpler guesthouses and homestays are owned and run by locals. Rumah Kundun offers basic rooms at cheap prices within walking distance of the harbor. Don't expect top-notch air conditioning, but rooms are clean and comfortable with fans. Rumah has friendly service, and the banana pancakes are boasted best on the island. Gili Nyepi, secluded and surrounded by lush gardens, is another solid choice for travelers on a budget, located only a few minutes walking from the beach. You won't have hot water, but considering the balmy weather of Gili T, that may not be a bad thing. The owner Denise has made a name for herself and Gili Nyepi with great hospitality including welcome drinks, breakfasts served daily on the veranda and friendly staff who share island insider tips. You'll feel right at home practicing yoga with Denise in the garden at no extra charge.

Food & Dining Tips

When you're dining out with kids, seek out restaurants that offer a kids' menu. This can help you save quite a bit since these meals are usually more affordable. Keep in mind that some restaurants might not showcase their kids' options, so be sure to ask your server before placing your order.

Numerous hotels provide breakfast as part of your stay, although others may charge you extra for it. The price and quality can vary from hotel to hotel. Being informed ahead of time can assist you in determining if you need to budget extra funds. The hotel buffet might be worth your money, or perhaps a cheaper option at a nearby bakery or cafe would suffice.

Have a picnic to save money and relish the beautiful scenery. Stop by a nearby grocery store or market, grab some fresh food, and choose a nice park or scenic location for your meal.

Keep a water bottle with you to cut down on drink purchases. It's also better for the environment.

Be sure to check which meals are part of your tour before you go. You might be responsible for some of your own food costs, which could stretch your budget further.

If you're looking to experience the culinary culture in Gili Trawangan, taking a food tour or cooking class is a terrific way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. Some of the best food-related activities here include:

• Indonesian Food Cooking Class of Gili Air for $33 details
• Gili Trawangan Sunset BBQ Dinner Cruise with snorkeling for $91 details
• Learn to cook authentic Indonesian food at Gili Cooking Classes for $33 details

Some of the most popular sights include:

• Gili Trawangan Beach (Free)
• Snorkeling and Scuba Diving for $75
• Horse Riding on the Beach for $50
• The Gili Trawangan Night Market (Free)

Besides lounging on the beach, there are many activities on the island of Gili T, especially those in the water. Whether you're a seasoned scuba-diver or snorkeler or you're ready to learn, Gili is the place to start. Diversia Diving is among the best diving schools around, which offers PADI Open Water courses as well as refresher courses. Diversia's divemasters are known to be patient, friendly and helpful, not to mention fluent in many languages to help divers of all backgrounds.

There is also a plethora of diving schools which also offer inexpensive snorkeling tours, such as Subwing Gili Islands or IQ Divers Gili, which take snorkelers and divers out on the water at the same time. Don't be surprised if you see turtles and sharks among the beautiful schools of fish and colorful coral reefs.

Land dwellers can explore the island on foot or by bicycle with the many bike rental companies on the island. Some accommodations will allow you to borrow bikes for no additional cost, but be sure to bring your own lock and don't leave your bike unattended without one.

Visit the Gili Trawangan Turtle Hatchery, funded by a non-profit, allows visitors to see turtles hatch from eggs and at different life stages before they're returned to the ocean. If you didn't see any while diving, you'll be sure to see some here at the hatchery.

Take a day trip to Gili Meno or Gili Air; boats leave twice daily to the other islands and tickets can be purchased directly from the harbor. If you find a large group, you can also charter a boat for 10 or more people for convenience. Rent a fishing boat and learn how to spear fish at night with Wonderland Guesthouse or Coral Voice Homestay and Bar.

Sunset Stables and Stud Horse Riding Adventures offer horse riding with friendly guides who are happy to take photos of riders.

For local entertainment, if you don't mind the sight of blood, stop by the marketplace on a Sunday afternoon to watch presean, a traditional stick-fighting battle between two fighters selected from the audience using sticks and shields. The winner is determined in five rounds, by the fighter who either gained the most points or got his opponent to surrender because of bleeding.

Sightseeing Tips

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling:
Scuba diving in Gili Trawangan ranks among the top activities to enjoy. 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.

Beaches:
Numerous travelers flock to Gili Trawangan to unwind on the beach. 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.

Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Gili Trawangan. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:

• 5H Snorkeling & Breakfast Cruise on Utopia Catamaran for $104 details
• Lombok Private Tour Waterfall And Traditional Village Including Beach for $62 details
• Kuta Tour (South Of Lombok Beutiful Tour) for $49 details

Nightlife Tips

While nightlife can be a blast, skipping a few rounds can significantly lower your travel expenses.

Nightlife is fun, but be cautious when drinking. Thieves target distracted people, so stay with your group and trust your instincts to keep yourself safe.