Most common F.A.Q.

Welcome to our frequently asked questions page. This page will provide you with answers to the most frequently asked questions by pressing the links below. Find all your questions related to the destinations, how to make a booking, booking confirmations, reservations, cancellations, changes to bookings, prices, payments and other questions right here. 

Don't forget to check out our Travel Tip pages for fun tips on your possible destinations. For more information on the fast boats you can check out the individual fast boat pages under the Gili Fast Boat page, for more information on the hotels offered in the different locations you can have a look at the Hotels page, for more info on the dive sites and dive companies offered on each destination you can click on the Diving page and to see which discount vouchers we offer you can have a look at our Discount page.

In addition, all questions related to how to book can be found on our How To Book page as well. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to send us a message through the chat box or by e-mail.

Destination questions

Is it possible to do a day trip to the Gili Islands from Bali?
Unfortunately, due to the distances involved, this is strongly advised against. The fast boat services originate in Bali and almost immediately turn around and go back (sometimes via other islands). Afternoon and evening departures back to Bali are less common due to generally poorer sea conditions later in the day. If you wanted to do a day trip despite this, you would have a few hours on the island max, with most of the day (typically 4hrs) taken up on the boat there and back. We strongly recommend spending at least one night on the islands. Alternatively, we advise you to visit Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida instead. You can book a day trip to Lembongan or Nusa Penida here. 

How do I book a boat ticket to the Gilis?
It´s easy, just fill in your dates, number of passengers and route on the ´Gili Fast Boat´ or home page, then click ´Search´ and you will be able to see which boats are available, how much they cost and where they depart from. Then just click ´Book´ and follow the booking process. The booking process is quick and easy, and after payment you will receive immediate e-tickets.

Which is the most suitable boat for me to take?
It really depends on where you are departing from in Bali and how long you want to spend in a boat. If you are staying in South or West Bali then Serangan Harbour (Gili Getaway or Blue Water Express) or Sanur Beach (Scoot - sails via Lembongan) are the closest. If you are staying in Ubud or south east Bali then departing from Padang Bai (Gili Gili or Blue Water Express) are more suitable and the boat journey is about an hour shorter than from Serangan. If you are in East Bali or further north, then Amed (FreeBird Express) is the shortest possible crossing by boat, but bear in mind that Amed is about a 3-4 hour drive from the Kuta / Seminyak area. Search for boat availability.

Can I book a fast boat from Lombok to Gili?
The best way to get from Lombok to the Gili Islands is by booking a speedboat boat and land transfer through our sister sister here www.gili-islandtransfers.com.

Which boats go to Gili Air?
Blue Water Express, Eka Jaya and Gili Getaway depart from Serangan harbor while Gili Gili, Eka Jaya and Blue Water Express run the ferry service from Padang Bai harbor. You can book Free Bird Express if you' re planning to depart from Amed.

Which boats go to Gili Meno?
Only Eka Jaya currently offer a service to Meno without having to transfer to a different boat. Alternatively, taking a boat to Trawangan and then transferring to Meno with a local boat from there is common practice. There are a number of public services you can take when you get there, or you can pre book a speedboat with us using the search-box. 

What´s the best way to book Lembongan to the Gilis?
Scoot Cruises sails to the Gilis via Nusa Lembongan and offers an island hopping service which means that you can book a ticket from Bali to the Gilis, then hop off the boat in Lembongan and continue your journey a few days later. Or you can do so on the way back to Bali. When booking on our website it is more expensive if you book the individual parts of the journey so make sure you just book Bali to Gili, or Gili to Bali. Use the date you want to leave (Bali and/or Gili) and when you receive an email from Scoot please reply to them stating your island hopping wishes, detailing when you would like to continue your journey. They will be happy to arrange your itinerary accordingly. If you have already pre-arranged your journey to Lembongan and just want a ticket from there to the Gili Islands/Lombok, you can search for this using our homepage.

How to get from Bali to Gili Gede? 
The most convenient way to go from Bali to Gili Gede is with Gili Getaways service from Serangan Harbour via Nusa Penida. The journey time from Bali to Gili Gede with Gili Getaway is approximately 2 hours. From October 2023 to March 2023, Gili Getaway service Gede on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. From April 2024 to September 2024, they will service Gede every day except Sunday.
An alternative solution would be to book fast boat tickets from Padang Bai or Serangan to Senggiggi. This can be done on our sister site: Gilitickets.com.
You could then book a private transfer from Senggigi to Gede on  Gili-islandtransfers.com or take a local boat from Senggigi to Gede.

I want to depart from Seminyak but return to Ubud, how do I do this?
Simply make a search for a return ticket for the dates you wish to travel and choose one company/route for the outbound journey and another one for the inbound journey from the results. In this case I would suggest departing with Gili Getaway and returning with Blue Water Express (to Padang Bai) as travel time will be kept to a minimum and hotel pick-up and drop-offs are included. Search for boat availability.

Is is possible to bring my dog on board?
No, Dogs are not allowed to enter the Gili Islands. 

Are there port fees/taxes, departure fees/taxes? 

Some ports have service fees:

If the port fees are not included in your ticket(s), they will be collected in cash upon check-in at the port.

Making a booking

How can I make a booking?
Bookings can be made online 24 hours a day. Simply fill in the information in the search box on our homepage and follow the steps.

Do I receive e-tickets?
Yes, as soon as you have completed the booking process you can download your e-tickets (pdf format) immediately in the web browser. You will also receive an immediate email notification confirming the details of your booking from reservations@gilibookings.com, including a copy of your e-tickets attached. If you do not receive this email within a few minutes please login to your email provider and check your Spam/Junk folders. Please then mark our email as Safe/Not Junk. If still not found, please contact us for assistance.

Do I get charged a booking fee?
No, you pay for the tickets only. Full payment is required to secure the booking, this is also refundable, see cancellation information in Terms and Conditions. The only additional payment you may incur is for a pick up or drop off outside of the free pick up /drop off zones. This is payable on the day of travel to the boat company.

Is there a time limit on when I can make a reservation?
You have the option of booking a fast boat ticket up to a year in advance but we would not recommend leaving bookings to the last minute as availability becomes limited.

Can I make a booking for travel today?
Unfortunately, the online booking cut off is generally 24 hours in advance of departure time. There are some exceptions to this rule, so you can always use the search box to check if any availabilty remains. If you contact us, we may still be able to assist booking you aboard one of our featured services by checking with our fast boat operators for last minute seating availability.

Why is there limited seat availability when I use the search box?
If you are booking last minute a lot of the fast boats may already be fully booked.  Our website shows the live seat availability and is controlled by the fast boat companies themselves.  If you cannot find availablity on our website then these boats are full, in this situation we suggest you check for availability with other fast boats on www.gilitickets.com.

What happens to my fast boat ticket if my flight is delayed?
If your flight is delayed please contact the fast boat company immediately (contact details printed on your tickets). We ask fast boat companies to be sympathetic to guests that are delayed through no fault of their own and as a result hope that you will not be charged. We cannot guarantee they will not charge you if inside the cancellation period, however if you are not satisfied with the way they deal with the situation please let us know by email.

Can I book hotels on Gilibookings.com?
You can browse our selection of hand picked accommodation at different budget ranges for Bali, Lombok, Lembongan and the Gili Islands on our website here: https://www.gilibookings.com/hotels. Actual bookings are handled by our trusted global affiliates, Agoda.com and Booking.com. We feature all types of accommodation from large hotel chains, to independent hotels, apartments and guest houses.

Confirmation of my reservation

What happens when I make a fast boat reservation?
Once you have chosen the fast boat you would like to book and ensured the details are correct you will be asked to provide a few personal details. After you have selected your special offer you will be taken through to a secure payment screen where you can pay with your credit card or with a PayPal account. As soon as you have confirmed your booking and agree the amount that will be charged to your credit card, we will send you an email confirming all the details of your booking and contact details for the fast boat. The fast boat company will also receive an email with your reservation details.

Do I need to confirm my booking directly with the fast boat company?
No, you are not required to re-confirm your reservation with the fast boat company. Once you make a reservation our system, you and the fast boat company will receive an automatic email to confirm the booking.

How long does confirmation take?
Confirmation of your booking should be instant when booking online. You will receive and email confirming all your booking details. This email should be with you within 10 minutes of making a reservation.

What should I do if don't receive email confirmation of my booking?
Check your junk mail. If it's not in there and you have not received email confirmation please contact us at office@gilibookings.com giving us all the details so that we can investigate. Just provide us with either your name or the fast boat company name and dates of travel. We will then be able to re-send your booking confirmation and e-tickets to you.

Does the credit card holder have to be present at check-in?
No, you can pay with someone else’s credit card. The Cardholder doesn't need to be a passenger.

Change or cancel a reservation

I made a booking, what do I do if I wish to cancel/amend my booking?
For fast boat bookings simply contact the company directly to make the necessary changes. The contact information is on the e-tickets you received when you made the booking. All changes to dates will be subject to availability. In the event of a cancellation please copy the email you send to fast boat company to office@gilibookings.com so we can process your refund.

What is the cancellation policy for hotels featured on the Gilibookings website?
As an affiliate of Agoda.com and Booking.com, the cancellation policy for hotels can be found on www.agoda.com and www.booking.com respectively. The details and conditions of the cancellation policy will be different for each booking depending on the hotel, period of stay, room type, etc. Booking conditions, including cancellation policies can be viewed at any time during the hotel booking process. The cancellation policy/booking conditions link can be found in the middle of every page of the booking form. It will also be stated in the confirmation email sent to you. If you cancel your booking via their self-service option, the cancellation policy will be shown again upon cancellation.

Can I change the dates of my tickets?
Yes, when you make a booking you will receive immediate confirmation and e-tickets. On your e-tickets is a contact email address and phone number. Simply email your preferred dates and the changes will be made. (this is subject to availability).

Can I cancel my tickets?
Yes, you can cancel your tickets but the cancellation policy applies, which varies per boat carrier. In most cases, all bookings cancelled more than 2 weeks from the date of travel will receive a full refund. Cancellations less than 2 weeks but more than 48 hours from the date of travel will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations received less than 48 hours from the date of travel are usually not elligable for a refund. You can read the specific cancellation policy of each of our featured boat companies underneath the map and timetable on the individual boat company pages of our website.

Prices and payment

Do I make payment with you or with the fast boat company?
For fast boat tickets you pay the total price of the ticket to us when you book it. This is refundable by Gilibookings.com if you cancel more than 2 weeks from the departure date. See cancellation policy for more info.

Why should I book a boat with Gilibookings?
We only work with the most reliable boat companies with a proven track record. Bookings are quick and easy. When you book with us you can select a variety of discount vouchers from local businesses that will save you €€€ and make our tickets cheaper than anyone else's. See our Discount Vouchers page for more details. Furthermore we are recommended by The Lonely Planet and by Trip Advisor destination experts as the best place to book your boat tickets.

What are the methods of Payment?
You can pay by credit card, using a PayPal account, or for certain areas local online bank transfers are available such as POLI (Australia/New Zealand) and Sofort/Giropay (Germany/Benelux).

What currency will I have to pay in?
The currency you pay the fast boat tickets in is Euros €.

How do you calculate exchange rates?
Due to the fluctuating nature of currency exchange we are unable to quote a specific exchange rate. To find out the current exchange rate, we recommend that you check with your bank or a foreign exchange agent however these differ day to day and the price your bookings is confirmed at is what you will pay at the hotel, however Gilibookings.com has no control over changing of exchange rates therefore you may find the exchange rate changes from your booking date to arrival.

What cards are accepted to secure a hotel reservation?
Agoda.com only accepts credit card (Visa, Master Card, AMEX, JCB and Carte Bleue) and PayPal. You are required to fill in your credit card details or log-on to your PayPal account to complete the booking process. Currently, all other methods of payment are not acceptable.
Booking.com hotels all accept credit card payments (Visa, Master Card). Some hotels also accept other credit cards, such as American Express, for reservation purposes. You can see which credit cards a hotel accepts in the Hotel Policies section under the hotel description and also when making your booking. American Express is not widely accepted in Indonesia so it is definitely worth checking with the hotel prior to arrival.

Why do the prices differ by day or from the last time I checked the website?
Gilibookings.com is all about getting our customers a good rate. Fast boat prices will vary depending on how busy they are, which can mean different rates for different dates. We also periodically factor in exchange rate changes. We fluctuate along with these trends.

Do you charge a credit/debit card fee?
No. We do not charge any extra fees when you make a booking. Your bank however may levy a transaction fee for making an international payment. In such cases we advise you to contact you bank or card issuer. When making a hotel reservation through Booking.com, the hotel you stay with may charge extra fees for credit card transactions but you should check with the hotel before you travel. Most hotels in Bali, Lombok, Lembongan and the Gili Islands, Indonesia charge 3% for credit card payments.

Website Security & Privacy Policy

How do I know your site is secure?
Once you have booked through Gilibookings.com, your details are stored on our secure server, which cannot be accessed by anyone external to our company. These details are protected by the latest SSL (Secure Socket Layer) technology, which is independently certified by Global sign. The hotel bookings take place on our affiliate sites; www.booking.com and Agoda. Please see their Terms and Conditions, Privacy Statement, and FAQ.

What do you do with my personal information
For fast boat bookings your details will be passed to the boat company. Your card details will be securely dealt with by our payment providers, PayPal and Emerchantpay. Any information entered into the online booking page is securely encrypted and protects your personal information from being tampered with. We will keep your card details on file indefinitely after you have made a reservation. This is to assist in any customer service issues that may arise and to ensure that we meet any legal requirements relating to tax, etc.

Miscellaneous

Who are Gilibookings.com?
We've taken 20 years of business experience in the Bali and Lombok region and combined this with 15 years of experience building highly professional websites. The result is Gili Bookings.com, an easy way to book your transport between each of these paradise islands. Our goal is to provide you with efficient and safe fast boat transfers, as well as the very best selection of holiday accommodation, hotels and villas, and getting you the very best rates and discounts. We also provide information specifically about the region to help make your holiday as enjoyable as possible.

How do I leave feedback about the Gilibookings.com site?
We would really appreciate any comments/ feedback you have on the Gilibookings.com site - just email us at office@gilibookings.com to give us any feedback you have. You can also check out and like our facebook page.

How do I report a technical issue?
If you experience any problems while on Gilibookings.com please let us know and we will try and fix the issue straight away. Send us an email to office@gilibookings.com

How do I leave a hotel review?
We suggest that you use one of the popular review websites like TripAdvisor.