The Gili Islands are a group of 3 small islands in Indonesia off the coast of the larger island of Lombok. These islands are a great alternative or weekend trip from Bali as they have better beaches, amazng diving and just a fun travel scene overall. Better beaches than Bali? Oh yes, no doubt (except for the Nusa Islands)!
The Gilis are a hard core party destination, a paradise, a divers dreams, and so much. But, you really have to know first what YOU actually want. Based on your own expectation, you should choose your island and hostel.
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Captain Coconuts hostel |
| 🎒 For Backpackers: | Gili Castle |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | La Boheme |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Rabbit Tree Hostel |
| 🥳 Party Hostel: | Broken Compass hostel |
| 👫 For Socializing: | Mad Monkey |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Gili Buana |
| 🤿 For Snorkeling: | Tipsea Turtle |
It is important for your overall experience to understand the difference between these 3 Gili Islands. Below we also added a map with all hostels, and our own recommendations on food and things to do.
1. Gili Trawangan = PARTY
Also know as Gili T, it is the largest of the 3 and has become known as the party island. Still with a strong laid back beach culture, the island comes alive at night. If that sounds like your scene, this is likely the island for you.
2. Gili Meno – Quiet and smallest
is the quietest and smallest of the islands. This is the perfect destination for those who want to get away from it all and enjoy a secluded island paradise. Still this island has great diving and snorkeling for those days when you want some adventure.
3. Gili Air – more for Couples and Families
is the closest to Lombok. It has a great mix of the other two islands, socialising and relaxing. A great choice for backpackers or travelers who want to get away from their mundane life while meeting new people or relaxing. Gili Air is the best choice for families and couples.
Good to know: You can also visit the other islands, obviously. Just ask at your hostel for a transport over or take a snorkel trip. We have been to all 3 islands, actually.
Fun fact: Gili simply means Island. Just a random fact you can annoy people with in the hostel.
Whichever island you choose, you’ll need some place to stay. We’ve rounded up the best hostels in the Gili Islands to help you make your choice that much easier. Whether your looking for a place to relax or a place to party, we’ve got some great options for you.
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
We put all hostels and backpacker places in Gili Islands on this big hostel map. It will help a lot in planning your Gili Islands Backpacking trip. We also answer common FAQ.
What we cover in this article?
- cheapest hostels in Gili Islands
- best hostels in Gili Islands for solo traveler
- discounts and promo codes
- How to book?
- All hostel and sights on a map
- FAQ
- Flights
Any questions about hostels in Gili Islands?
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Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
Quick Introduction to Gili Islands
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Gili Islands cost 5€ – 18€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 14€ up to 66€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.
Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
Tips for Visiting Gili Islands:
Before you go, here are some quick tips for visiting the Gili Islands and making the most of your stay.
- You can’t fly directly to any of the islands, but the closest airport is Lombok International Airport (LOP). Be sure to plan your trip accordingly.
- There are no cars or motorized vehicles on the islands, but all of the islands are small enough to walk or bike. Many of the hostels on this list rent bikes for cheaper than other places on the islands. (On that note, we actually saw a few scooters here…)
- If you’re on a budget, you can save money on food by eating at the many stalls around the islands that are much cheaper than the more expensive western restaurants.
- A further way to save money and help the environment while you’re at it is by bringing a reusable water bottle with a filter. Check our recommended packing list here. This is a great tip in general for traveling around Bali, Indonesia and South-East Asia.
- You wouldn’t believe, but some people die here because of partying hard and then go diving with a weak body. It is not common obviously, but we heard stories…
- If you want to island hop, there are ferries to and from each of the islands every day.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
Top 8 Gili Islands Hostels
Best Hostels in Gili Meno Island
Let us kick start this list with the smallest islands, Gili Meno.
1. The Rabbit Tree Hostel – Gili Meno
On the island of Gili Meno, the best place for solo travelers is the Rabbit Tree Hostel.
This hostel has fun themed rooms with several options for whatever you need. They have several dorm or couple rooms, one single room, and one family room. The themes for these rooms include a ball pit room, a flying boat room made of bamboo, a room full of pillows, a treehouse-themed room, and more. Some rooms have air conditioning while others have fans. Similarly, some rooms have private bathrooms and others have shared bathrooms.
Guests have said that the staff is friendly and the place is kept clean. They offer activities such as a cinema, a game cube with Mario-Kart, ping-pong, game nights, and restaurant delivery. Nearby on the island you can visit Gili Meno’s underwater statues, relax on the beach, go snorkeling or diving, try out horseback riding, or grab a bite to eat or a drink at the number of bars and restaurants on the island
Location: The Rabbit Tree Hostel has a great location. It is in the center of the island, so everything is within about a 20-minute walk. This is enough to walk around the entire island, actually. On Meno Island you really do not need to worry about the location.
Check prices: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
Best Hostels in Gili Trawangan
Second we go into the coolest party hostels on Gili Trawangan. Here we actually have a dedicated articles for the best hostels in Gili Trawangan.
2. Mad Monkey – Gili Trawangan
This beachfront property on Gili T offers a 12-meter infinity pool overlooking the ocean, a sandy beach area for guests to enjoy, a restaurant and bar, air conditioning, WiFi, and more. They offer dorm rooms—mixed or female-only—and rooms in air-conditioned teepees.
Mad Monkey prides themselves on the social scene of their hostels, and this location is no exception. They offer many activities where you can meet others, including live music every Sunday at their poolside stage and weekly pool parties with a DJ and happy hour.
Location: This hostel is located on the northwest side of the island. Many of the island’s attractions are within walking distance, but the hostel also has bikes available to rent to make your journey around the island easier. Check our map for reference.
Check prices: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
3. Gili Castle – Gili Trawangan
Gili Castle is one of the most recommended hostels on Gili Trawangan. It’s 3-bed dorms and private rooms are comfortable and air conditioned, equipped with personal lockers and plugs. They have a big social area, a swimming pool with a jumping bridge, a 6-meter rock climbing wall, a jumping tower, a bar, and great music.
As said, each dorm has a max of 3 beds only. So the dorms are really small, which is quite cool.
This place is one of the most legendary hostels in Indonesia. It is a party hostels in its purest form, really. Get ready for beer pong, drinking games, and pub crawls.
It is the sister hostel of Gili Mansion, just next door.
Gili Castle and Mention also organized weekly beach cleanups. Join ’em. It will give you a perspective on how the Gilis are run, too.
Location: On the eastern side of the island, Gili Castle has a great location. It’s close to great snorkeling points, beaches, restaurants, and parties. When arriving by boat, you only need to walk like 5 minutes from the peer.
Check prices: Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
4. Broken Compass – Gili Trawangan
Four brothers who grew up traveling the world created this wonderful Broken Compass hostel. They focus on organic growth through good service and word of mouth recommendations. Both dorm rooms and private rooms are available, all with air conditioning and a large fan. In their dorms, each bunk has a privacy curtain, reading light, and a personal locker with charging point inside. All bookings come with breakfast.
The hostel has a bar and restaurant, a great place to chill or socialize with other travelers. Not quite as social as some other hostels, this place is great for those traveling in groups or for those who want a quieter stay.
Location: Also on the east side of Gili T, the Broken Compass is close to many bars, restaurants, beaches, and other fun activities.
Check prices: Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
5. La Boheme – Gili Trawangan
La Boheme, like many hostels, has 3-bed dorms or private rooms for those who prefer their own space. All rooms have personal lockers, fans, and plugs. Some have air conditioning while others have fans only.
Their big lounge area has comfy bean bag chairs, an LCD projector, and free WiFi. They offer free breakfast (fresh fruit and pancakes) and have free delivery from Le Petit Gili Restaurant or the use of their kitchen for other meals. You can relax at the swimming pool or rent bicycles, kayaks, or snorkeling equipment.
Location: Just off the main road, La Boheme is within 5 minutes of the main strip of the island where the night life is lively.
Check prices: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
Best Hostels on Gili Air
Last but seriously not the least, comes the hostels on Gili Air. This is our favorite, prefered island. It is more chill in many ways. Locals are much more relaxed, we felt, and the overall atmosphere is much more relaxing. From here you can take day trips and snorkeling trips over to the Gili T and Meno.
Gili Air is also small, so you can walk to anywhere with in 20 minutes. In theory, you could rent a bike…but it’s not worth the trouble here. On Gili T we recommend renting a Bike, yes.
6. Captain Coconuts – Gili Air
This one of a kind Captain Coconuts hostel is very mindful of its environmental impact. Their rooms are constructed with recycled antique timber doors and windows. They make sure through their solar hot water system and bio-septic system that their guests’ travel footprints will not negatively affect the island’s environment.
A complimentary breakfast is available to guests, along with WiFi, and a natural stone pool and deck. The resort’s bamboo lodge offers a unique experience to guests; each bed is suspended from the roof and is equipped with privacy/mosquito screens and private fan, with lockers fitted with charging stations for your convenience. For more privacy, you can stay in one of their standard or deluxe rooms, or book the two bedroom villa for your family or friends.
Location: On the southwest part of the island, Captain Coconuts is within walking distance of many activities such as one of the best places to watch the sunset. On Gili Air, the location of the hostel is not that important anymore. Gili Air is small and walkable.
Don’t miss out our full guide for Captain Coconuts in Gili Air.
Check prices: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
7. Gili Buana – Gili Air
Described as a “home away from home,” Gili Buana has a cozy feel with its traditional design and decorations. Choose from shared or private rooms depending on your budget. They offer an Indonesian or international breakfast to enjoy in their outdoor dining area. Relax by the poolside or take a dip in the refreshing water.
Guests have said that this hostel has an amazing staff, a large pool, good air conditioning, and hot showers.
Location: Gili Buana is just a short walk to the beach, various diving centers, and other attractions. You can also rent bikes from the hostel.
Check prices: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
8. Tipsea Turtle – Gili Air
This beachfront Tipsea Turtle property has a tropical jungle for a backyard, the perfect setting for their swimming pool and bar. On the beach, they have six deluxe bungalows, each with modern amenities such as en suite bathrooms. They also offer dorm rooms for those on a tighter budget, including female only dorms, or private rooms for those who want their space.
Along with the pool, they have WiFi, free breakfast, a bar and cafe, daily activities, and easy access to a diving center. They’ll help you participate in sunset cruises, snorkeling, or sunset walks.
Location: With its location on the northeast side of Gili Air, the Tipsea Turtle is close to the beach and many great restaurants and diving or snorkeling locations.
Check prices: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
What about the cheapest hostels in Gili Islands?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Gili Islands.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Gili Islands
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Best Hostels in Gili Islands for Solo Travelers?
What is seriously the best hostel in Gili Islands for solo-travelers?
The best hostel in Gili Islands for solo-travelers is Captain Coconuts Hostel.
This is a resort style Hostel Situated in Gili Air, sustainably designed and they are mindful of environment and surroundings. The hostel exterior is so beautiful with its small bungalows and pool. They have very unique swinging dorm beds and maybe you will need to get used to it. But then it will be really nice to gently rock to sleep in them at night and wake up to the sun rising between the palm trees in the early morning.
Again, this is the best hostel in Gili Isands for solo traveler, both male and female.
Check prices: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.
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How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Gili Islands best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Need an eSIM Card for Gili Islands?
Get your eSIM Card with Airalo.com instantly online. It is easy to set up and cheap! Read our review of Airalo here.
No more searching for mobile stores. Get your eSIM Card for now and enjoy it instantly after landing in your new destination.
Our Favorite Hostels in Gili Islands put on a map + sights
How about we put all hostels that we just mentioned on a map? Of course, we did this for you.
Below you find our handmade map with all hostels, our secret tips, and so much more.
Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map having all sights and potential hostels on it. We thought this map will help you with planning your trip too.
Any questions about hostels in Gili Islands? 🤔
Join our Facebook Group!
Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked question:
Flights to Gili Islands?
You can’t fly directly to any of the islands, but the closest airport is Lombok International Airport (LOP). Be sure to plan your trip accordingly.
You can also take a speedboat from Bali directly to the Gili Islands. We added all places on how to get to Gili from Bali in the map.
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
More handmade Guides for you
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Gili Islands.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- Best Hostels in Gili Trawangan
- Best Hostels in Bali and COOLEST Party Hostels In Bali
- Best Hostels in Lombok Island
- Best Hostels in Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembogan
- Best Hostels in Canggu
- Coolest party hostels in Canggu
Over to you
Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!
Your question will help us to improve this Gili Islands guide.
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.
Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks
