Daily costs per person in US dollars. The Gili Islands are affordable by Southeast Asian standards — budget travellers can live well on very little, especially on Gili Air. Bring cash from the mainland.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: IDR (Rupiah) (Cash essential, limited ATMs)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $7–18 | $20–55 | $80+ | Dorms → bungalows → beachfront villas |
| Food | $5–10 | $10–25 | $30+ | Night Market → beach cafes → seafood BBQ |
| Transport | $2–5 | $5–15 | $25+ | Bicycle → public boat → private charter |
| Activities | $5–15 | $25–50 | $60+ | Shore snorkel → boat trip → scuba diving |
| Boat Transfer | $10–15 | $20–35 | $50+ | Public boat → shared fast boat → private speedboat |
| Daily Total | $20–50 | $55–140 | $200+ | Budget backpacker → comfortable mid → luxury beachfront |
Money-saving tips
Eat at the Night Market
The Gili Trawangan Night Market near the harbour serves full meals for IDR 25,000–50,000 — grilled fish, nasi goreng, and fresh juices at a fraction of restaurant prices. Open nightly from 6pm.
Snorkel from shore
The best snorkelling on all three islands is free — just wade in from the east coast beaches. Sea turtles and coral reefs are accessible directly from shore without paying for a boat trip.
Island-hop by public boat
Public boats between the three Gili Islands cost IDR 35,000 per hop — far cheaper than private charters. They run roughly every 30 minutes during daylight hours from each island's main harbour.
Bring cash from the mainland
ATMs on Gili Trawangan charge high fees (IDR 30,000–50,000 per withdrawal) and frequently run out of cash. Withdraw enough Indonesian Rupiah in Bali or Lombok before crossing.
Stay on Gili Air for value
Gili Air has the best accommodation value of the three islands — clean guesthouses from IDR 100,000 per night. Gili Trawangan is 30–50% more expensive for equivalent quality.
Compare dive shop prices
PADI Open Water courses range from $300–450 USD between shops. The cheapest is not always the best — check group sizes, equipment quality, and recent reviews before booking.
