How to Combine Bali + Gili Air for a Perfect Autumn Escape
- rimbagiliair
- Aug 30
- 8 min read
If you’re dreaming of a tropical getaway this autumn, why choose just one island when you can have the best of both worlds? Combining Bali’s vibrant culture with Gili Air’s laid-back island charm is one of the most rewarding travel experiences in Indonesia.
Whether you’re looking for bustling markets and sacred temples or turquoise waters and barefoot sunsets, this Bali + Gili Air itinerary will help you plan a smooth, unforgettable trip.
Why Bali + Gili Air is the Perfect Pairing
Bali and Gili Air may only be a few hours apart, but they offer two completely different worlds, making them the perfect combination for travelers who want variety without the hassle of long-distance travel.
Bali is alive with color, sound, and tradition. From sunrise ceremonies in ancient temples to vibrant markets bursting with fresh flowers and tropical fruits, the island is a sensory feast. You can spend your mornings exploring lush rice terraces in Ubud, your afternoons surfing in Canggu or Uluwatu, and your evenings enjoying world-class dining in Seminyak. Every corner offers a different adventure, whether it’s hiking volcanic peaks, chasing waterfalls, or indulging in luxurious spa treatments.
Then, after soaking in Bali’s energy, you can step into the slower rhythm of Gili Air. This small, car-free island greets you with quiet sandy lanes, bicycles parked under palm trees, and the gentle sound of waves lapping at the shore. Days here are unhurried: you might start with coffee by the sea, spend hours snorkeling with turtles just off the beach, then watch the sun melt into the horizon with your toes in the sand. It’s a place where time feels irrelevant, stress disappears, and simple pleasures take center stage.
Together, Bali and Gili Air give you the best of both worlds: the cultural richness and endless activities of Bali balanced by the serene, barefoot luxury of island life on Gili Air. You’ll leave feeling like you’ve had two holidays in one: an energizing adventure and a restorative escape.
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When to Go: Autumn Travel Advantages
From September to mid-December, Bali and Gili Air enjoy warm, sunny weather before the rainy season fully sets in. It’s also outside the peak summer rush, meaning:
Fewer crowds: If you’ve ever seen Bali in summer, you know the temples, rice fields, and beach clubs can get busy. In autumn, you’ll find fewer tourists at hotspots like Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest, Tegallalang rice terraces, and even the beaches of Canggu and Seminyak. On Gili Air, this translates into quieter beaches, more relaxed dining, and an even stronger sense of that “secret island” vibe.
Better Value for Money: Autumn is considered a shoulder season, which means villas and flights are often more affordable compared to July–August or the Christmas rush.
Pro Tip: For autumn 2025, Rimba Villas is offering a limited-time EARLYBIRD for direct bookings between September 1st 2025 and February 28th 2026.
Suggested Itinerary: 10 Days of Culture + Island Bliss
Think of this as your autumn love story in Indonesia, starting with Bali’s vibrancy and ending with Gili Air’s barefoot magic. Here’s how you could spend your days:
Days 1–2: Ubud (Bali’s Heartbeat)
Fly into Denpasar and head straight to Ubud, Bali’s cultural soul. Settle into a jungle-view villa and let the sounds of cicadas and flowing rivers ease you into holiday mode.
Morning: Start with sunrise yoga or simply sip a Balinese coffee overlooking the rice paddies.
Daytime: Visit the Tegalalang Rice Terraces for a walk through emerald-green steps of farmland. Pair it with a stop at Tirta Empul, a sacred water temple where you can watch (or join) purification rituals.
Evening: Dine at Locavore or Hujan Locale, two of Ubud’s most acclaimed restaurants. End your night strolling through the lively Ubud Art Market, picking up handwoven baskets or batik scarves.
Day 3: Adventure Day
Rise early and hike Mount Batur to catch sunrise above the clouds, it’s a must-do and autumn skies are often crystal-clear. On your way back, dip into Toya Devasya hot springs with views over the volcanic lake.
Prefer something gentler? Swap the hike for a day trip to waterfalls, Tibumana, Tukad Cepung, or Kanto Lampo, each feels like discovering a hidden world.
Day 4: Transition to the Sea
Spend this day in Canggu or Seminyak for a change of vibe.
Morning: Relax at a beach club like The Lawn or Finns, lounging with cocktails in hand.
Afternoon: Do some boutique shopping or get a Balinese massage.
Evening: Stay overnight here, making the next day’s boat transfer to the Gilis easy.
Day 5: Journey to Gili Air
Catch a fast boat from Padang Bai or Serangan (about 2–3 hours) and watch Bali’s outline fade behind you as turquoise waters open up.
Arrive on Gili Air, kick off your shoes (you won’t need them much), and check into Rimba Villas. Dive straight into your private pool, then wander to the beach for a sunset Bintang beer or fresh coconut. Dinner is best simple on your first night, try Zipp Bar Gili Air for grilled fish right on the sand.
Days 6–7: Island Time
Wake up with no alarms. Gili Air is about slow rhythms.
Morning: Borrow a bike and circle the island (it only takes about an hour). Stop at Sunrise Beach with a smoothie bowl in hand.
Afternoon: Snorkel straight from the shore, sea turtles are common near the northeast part of the island. If you want more, join a snorkeling trip around Gili Meno’s underwater statues.
Evening: Sunsets are magical here, claim a beanbag at Gili Lumbung Beach Club, Pelangi Restaurant or Legend Bar with live acoustic music drifting across the sand.
Day 8: Explore Beyond Gili Air
Take a short hop to Gili Meno (for serene beaches) or Gili Trawangan (for a lively day trip, if you crave some bustle). Return to Gili Air and spend the evening stargazing from your villa’s pool deck, the skies are unbelievably clear in autumn.
Day 9: One Last Perfect Day
Your last full day is about slowing down and soaking in the island pace. Start with a lazy breakfast on your villa terrace, slip into the pool for one more refreshing swim, or book a private massage right at Rimba for the ultimate send-off. As the day winds down, watch the light change from your sundeck before heading out for a farewell dinner, Pituq Cafe and Sands Beach Club are both excellent choices nearby.
Day 10: Back to Bali
Catch an early fast boat back to Bali. If your flight is the next day, stay in Sanur or Jimbaran for a calm last night. A seafood dinner on Jimbaran Beach, toes in the sand as the waves lap at your feet, is a perfect closing scene for your autumn escape.
Getting There: Travel Tips
One of the biggest questions travelers have is: how do I actually get from Bali to Gili Air? The good news is that it’s simpler than you think, as long as you plan ahead. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Fast Boat from Bali to Gili Air
Departure points: Most boats leave from Padang Bai (East Bali), Serangan (South Bali near Sanur), or Amed (closer if you’re staying in East Bali).
Travel time: Depending on departure port, it usually takes 2–3 hours to reach the Gilis. From Padang Bai, it’s the most direct route.
Cost: Tickets generally range from IDR 400k-700k* per person (approx. $24-42). Prices vary depending on the operator and season. *Subject to price changes, check the real time price here.
Booking tips: Buy tickets a few days in advance, especially in autumn when there are still plenty of travelers but fewer boats compared to peak summer. Many operators offer online booking.
Pro tip: If you’re prone to seasickness, choose morning departures when the sea is calmer. Sit near the back of the boat where the ride is less bumpy.
2. Transfers to the Port
Getting to the port can sometimes feel more stressful than the boat itself. Here’s how to keep it smooth:
Many fast boat companies include hotel pick-up in Ubud, Canggu, Kuta, Seminyak, or Sanur. Always confirm this when booking.
If not included, arrange a private driver (expect around IDR 300k-600k for a car from Ubud to Padang Bai).
Travel times vary depending on Bali’s notorious traffic:
Ubud → Padang Bai: about 1.5 hours
Canggu → Padang Bai: about 2.5 hours
Seminyak/Kuta → Serangan: 45–60 minutes
>>Pro tip: Give yourself extra time in case of traffic. It’s better to wait at the port than miss your boat.
3. Arrival at Gili Air
Boats usually stop at Gili Trawangan first, then Gili Air, and finally Lombok. Pay attention to the announcements so you don’t miss your stop.
> From Bali by fast boat: You’ll arrive directly at Gili Air’s harbour, where there’s a simple jetty. No need to get your feet wet, just step straight onto dry land.
> From Lombok (Bangsal Harbour): If you’re coming by local public boat, it’s a beach landing. You may have to step into shallow water when disembarking, so sandals are a smarter choice than sneakers.
4. On the Island
No motor traffic: There are no cars or scooters on Gili Air. You’ll get around by walking, cycling, or horse-drawn carts (called cidomos).
Most villas, including Rimba Villas, are just a short walk or bicycle ride from the harbor.
Pro tip: If your luggage is heavy, a cidomo can be worth it. At Rimba Villas, we can arrange a cidomo for you from the harbor. The price ranges from IDR 150k to 200k depending on the number of people and luggages.
5. Returning to Bali
Always allow at least one night in Bali before your international flight home. Boat schedules can be delayed due to sea conditions, and you don’t want to risk missing your plane.
Plan your last night near the airport in Sanur, Jimbaran, or Seminyak for a stress-free departure.
Where to Stay in Gili Air
Accommodation on Gili Air comes in many forms, from beachfront bungalows to boutique resorts, but if you’re looking for a place that feels like yours, where you can close the gate behind you and slip into your own little island sanctuary, a private villa is hard to beat.
That’s exactly what we created with Rimba Villas.
Rimba isn’t just about having a villa with a pool (though you’ll have that, too). It’s about arriving barefoot, sun-kissed, and instantly at home, welcomed with warmth that feels more like family than formal hospitality. Each villa was designed to reflect the laid-back soul of Gili Air: open living spaces that blur the line between indoors and outdoors, lush tropical gardens that offer privacy without isolation, and sparkling pools that invite you in at any hour of the day.
Every villa has its own personality, giving you a slightly different way to experience island life:
Villa Surya with its indulgent outdoor bathtub, a favorite for honeymooners who love starlit soaks after a dip in the pool.
Villa Kayu, a warm wooden retreat with its upstairs balcony, perfect for slow sunsets and lazy reading afternoons.
Villa Bayu, our most spacious home, surrounded by a huge tropical garden. Ideal for families or friends gathering to play, relax, and celebrate together.
Guests often tell us that staying at Rimba feels like having their own secret island hideaway. Some spend the day snorkeling with turtles and return to their terrace or sundeck to let the island breeze carry them into the evening. Others start the morning slow: coffee in hand, watching the light filter through palm leaves before strolling down to the beach.
But what makes Rimba special isn’t just the villas themselves, it’s the feeling. A sense that you belong here. That for a few days, this is your little piece of Gili Air to claim.
And in autumn, when the island is quieter, that sense of peace and intimacy becomes even stronger. It’s the perfect time for couples to reconnect, for honeymooners to start new traditions, or for solo travelers to breathe deeply into island time.
Special Offer: This season, you can make Rimba Villas your island home with our EARLYBIRD code, valid for stays until February 28th, 2026. It’s our way of saying: slow down, stay a while, and let this little corner of the Gilis leave its mark on you.
Final Thoughts
Combining Bali and Gili Air in one trip gives you the best of both: Bali’s cultural heartbeat and Gili Air’s pure island bliss. This autumn, take advantage of quieter travel seasons, better rates, and the chance to slow down and truly connect with your surroundings.
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