This tiny island (it's VERY tiny - trust us) in the Indonesian archipelago is where you can swap your shoes for sandy toes and your worries for an endless horizon of turquoise waters.
Dip into the warm ocean, where corals and sea turtles await. Explore the island by bicycle (there are no cars), soaking up the atmosphere and smiling faces along the way.
The Good
- โ Coffee
- โ๏ธ Fantastic weather
- ๐ฎ Safe
- ๐ธ Very affordable
- ๐๏ธ Nature & beaches
- โบ๏ธ Relaxing
- ๐คฟ Scuba diving
- โฑ๏ธ Great beach
- ๐ฅฐ Beautiful
The Bad
- ๐ Poor nightlife
- ๐๏ธ Limited accomodation options
- ๐ก Unreliable wifi
- ๐ก Not many public wifi spots
- ๐ Limited public transport
- ๐ธ Very Touristy
- ๐ง Tricky to reach
- โ๏ธ Far from airport
- ๐ฆ Power cuts
- ๐ Poor infrastructure
Living costs
- Gili Air is the 2nd cheapest place (out of 12) to live in Indonesia
- It's about 117% cheaper to live in Gili Air than it is Prague
- You can expect to spend around $900.62 per month living here
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- Prices are estimates and should be used as a guide only. We accept no responsibility for inaccuracies in data.
- Prices adjusted to reflect exchange rates as of 3rd Jun 2026
Safety
Generally safe with low crime rates; however, petty theft can occur, so remain vigilant.
Transport
Bicycle
Just like its neighbour Gili Trawangan there are no motor vehicles on Gili Air so bicycle is the easiest way to get about.
They are cheap (around 50k IDR per day) to hire can be rented from vendors and hotels all over the island.
Some places will also offer complimentary biks too so make sure you check before hioring one.
Horse Drawn Cart
The next option (if you have a lot of luggage) is to jump on a horse drawn cart. You will see these lined up along the roads and will often see (and hear) them trundling along the streets. Just make sure you give them plenty of clearance when passing.
Walking
Gili Air is tiny so you can easily get to most places on foot. Walking around the island is a great way to find your bearings and discover cafes and those all importamnt sunbathing spots too.
Internet speed
Internet can be a bit sketchy on Gili Air - in our experience not many places had decent wifi and some hotels and guest houses you would only be able to connect near to reception or main communal areas
Time difference
๐คซ Pro tip
If the weather turns it's not unusual for boats from the Gili Islands to Bali to be cancelled for a day or two. So be sure to give yourself plenty of wiggle room if you are on a tight schedule timewise and need to get back to Bali to catch flights etcWhen to visit
Average temperatures
Who it suits
Places near Gili Air
Gili Trawangan
Parties, beachfront bars, and unreal sunsets
Lombok
Volcanoes, waterfalls, and traditional Sasak culture
Amed
Scuba, snorkeling, and fishing villages
Ubud
Indonesian culture, rice terraces, and spiritual retreats.
Sanur
Serene beaches, yoga, and chilled vibes.
Kuta
Nightlife, surfing, and cheap beers.
Seminyak
Sun-kissed beaches, trendy cafes and fancy boutiques.
Canggu
Surfers, coconuts, and beach clubs.
Pererenan
Trendy, developing beach town
Uluwatu
Stunning clifftops and surf breaks