Villa Burung Gili Air

Gili Air Bike Rental: Get Rolling!

If you’re planning a trip to Gili Air, renting a bike is one of the best ways to explore the island. With just barely 1,500 inhabitants, Gili Air is a place of serenity and tranquility. The island is small enough to be explored on foot, but a bike rental will make your journey much easier and more enjoyable. Renting a bike is actually one of the best things to do whilst you’re on Gili Air, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable way to explore any of the gorgeous Gili islands.

Bike rentals are readily available all over the island, and the cost of renting a bike is generally around IDR 50,000 (USD 3) a day. You can often rent a bike from your accommodation, or you’ll find bikes for rent at many other guesthouses and hotels, and at pop-up bike rental stands literally all over the island. If you really can’t find a rental near your accommodation, there are always many bikes for rent right near the harbour where you’ll arrive by boat, just next to the Oceans 5 dive centre and hotel.

Renting a bike in Gili Air is the best way to explore the island at your own pace. With no cars or motorbikes on the island, it’s a peaceful and safe way to get around. You can ride along the beach paths, explore the island’s many restaurants, bars and cafes, and even venture off-road to discover some of the island’s back paths and tropical hidden gems. So, if you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to explore Gili Air, renting a bike is definitely our recommendation.

getting around on the gili islands by bike, things to do gili islands

Why Rent a Bike on Gili Air

If you’re planning a trip to Gili Air, renting a bike is the best form of transport, and a way to explore the island. Here are some reasons why:

Convenience

With no motorized transport allowed on the Gili islands, renting a bike is the most convenient way to get around. Bikes are easy to maneuver and can take you to all the main attractions on the island. You can stop wherever you like and take in the beautiful scenery or visit the local shops and restaurants. You’ll notice all other tourists and locals on the island are also riding bikes, it is simply the most common, enjoyable and convenient way to get around.

Cost-Effective

Renting a bike is also a cost-effective option. It’s cheaper than renting a horse-drawn cart (cidomo). The longer you rent a bike for, the more likely you are to get a discount. On average, renting a bike cost around IDR 50,000 (USD 3) per day. The only cheaper way to get around the island is walking on your own two legs 🙂

Eco-Friendly

Renting a bike is also an eco-friendly option. It’s a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and explore the island without leaving a negative impact on the environment. By renting a bike, you can help preserve the natural beauty of the island and contribute to sustainable tourism. Not to mention great for your health as well as the health of our environment.

How to Rent a Bike on Gili Air

If you want to explore the beautiful island of Gili Air, renting a bike is a great option. Here’s what you need to know to rent a bike on Gili Air.

Finding a Bike Rental on Gili Air

There are many rental stalls set up along the roadside everywhere on Gili Air that offer bicycles for rent. You can always find bike rental stalls right near the harbor where all the boats arrive, or along the main road area. Most accommodations also offer bicycles for rent, so it’s worth checking with your accommodation first. Villa Burung offers guests two free bikes for usage as part of the villa rental, as do most villas, hostels & hotels on the island.

Choosing the Right Bike

When renting a bike, choose the right one for your needs. Gili Air is a small island, so a standard bike with one gear is sufficient for most people. However, if you plan to cycle around the island or go off-road, you may want to consider renting a mountain bike with multiple gears, or even fatter tyres for riding on deep sand.

A few other things to keep in mind when choosing your bike are a basket or rack to put your bags/swimming gear in as you ride around the island. Most rental places will supply you with a lock, so check this is being provided too. Finally, a light – Gili Air can be a very dark (or inconsistently lit) place to ride after the sun goes down, so if you don’t have your own head lamp, or you’re not comfortable riding with your phone as a torch, then you’ll want to request a bike that has a light for navigating after dark!

If you have children, we have seen many little kids bike trailers on the island, as well as children/babies bike seats affixed to bikes. If you’re travelling with your family, it’s probably best to email or WhatsApp your accommodation ahead of your arrival to specifically request they source you a bike with a kids trailer, or a baby seat/s affixed – just to be sure of availability and to check pricing.

Electric Bikes on Gili Air (e-bikes)

Recently we have seen more and more electric bikes (e-bikes) on Gili Air, so if you’re just arriving – walk up to a friendly local and enquire near the harbour at a bike rental stand – we are sure the guys will be able to point you in the right direction if you’d prefer to rent an electric bike or e-bike on Gili Air. If you really want or need an e-bike, it is probably the best idea to email or WhatsApp your accommodation ahead of your arrival to put in this specific request – this way you can ensure availability and check on pricing.

Negotiating the Price of your Gili Air Bike Rental

Bike rental prices on Gili Air can vary slightly, so it may be worth shopping around if a few dollars really matter to you, to find the best deal. Most likely you will get what you pay for – and a good bike in well serviced condition is something we think is well worth paying the standard price for! Most rental shops charge around 50,000 IDR per day for a standard bike. You can try to negotiate the price, especially if you plan to rent the bike for several days. Just keep in mind that you’ll most likely get what you pay for, and in our view, skimping on a bike is not an area we’d be cutting costs on whilst you’re on Gili Air.

Common Sense Precautions

When cycling on Gili Air, it’s important to take some standard sensible safety precautions. Make sure the bike is in good condition before you set off, and if it isn’t take it back and swap it for a better bike – the locals are super friendly & will help with any small maintenance issues as you ride around the island. Be aware of other horse-drawn carts (these have bells on them to warn other road users) and tropical-zen’ed-out-wandering pedestrians floating along the street! Finally, it can be wise to remember to lock your bike securely when you park it, especially in the evenings near the bars/restaurants. Although there is very little, if any, crime on Gili Air, an innocent drunken mistake may result in someone accidentally taking your bike home from the bar (many of the bikes on the island look exactly the same!)

Renting a bike on Gili Air is a great way to explore the island at your own pace. Just follow these tips to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable cycling experience.

Tips for Biking on Gili Air

If you’re looking for an affordable and eco-friendly way to explore Gili Air, renting a bike is the best and most excellent choice. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your biking experience on the island.

Gili Air Bike Rental

Navigating the Island

Gili Air is a small island, but it’s easy to get lost if you’re not familiar with the area (although this is part of the fun!!). Take some time to study a Google map on your phone before you start your journey and ask don’t hesitate to stop and have a chat to ask locals for directions if you’re unsure about the route. There are cute signs nailed up and posted all about the island pointing you in the right direction (or sometimes wrong direction haha) of key places/landmarks, so pay attention and you can generally find your way. It’s a small and very friendly island, and you’ll soon know it like the back of your hand 🙂

Staying Safe

Gili Air doesn’t have any cars or motorbikes, but there are still some hazards to watch out for. Be aware of pedestrians, other bikers, and horse-drawn carts. Probably the biggest tip is to not forget a hat and sunscreen, take a light for the evening dark ride home, and remember that everyone will be riding on the side of the road they think is normal in their country – which can be a cute and also chaotic experience!

Riding at Night

Biking around Gili Air at night can be a fun and even romantic experience, but it’s important to take some precautions. Bring your own head lamp or use your phone torch as a light to navigate and make yourself visible to other road users. The roads on Gili Air can be very poorly lit, and often the power can cut out altogether. It’s wise to have a bike that comes with a light, but if yours doesn’t make sure you plan to light the way home after dark, especially if you’ve had a few drinks!

BYO Lights

Some bike rental shops provide bikes with in-built electric/battery operated lights, but it’s always a good idea to bring your own. Lights can help you see the road better and make you more visible to others. Consider bringing a headlamp or a phone torch or even a flashlight for extra visibility.

Exploring Hidden Gems

Gili Air has some hidden gems that are only accessible by wandering aimlessly on your bike. Take some time to explore the island’s back roads and discover secluded beaches, hidden palm-tree-lined farming areas, and experience local village life. Don’t be afraid to get lost – that’s part of the adventure!

Maintaining the Bike

Before you rent a bike, check it over to make sure it’s in good condition. Check the brakes, tires, and gears, and make sure everything is working properly. If you notice any problems during your ride, return the bike to the rental shop and ask for a replacement. Stopping at any bike hire stall on the island is fine if you just need to pump up a tyre or ask to borrow a tool to tighten something.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to rent a bike on Gili Air?

Bike rental prices on Gili Air can vary depending on the type of bike and the rental duration. On average, you can expect to pay around 50,000 IDR (3 USD) per day for a regular bike and 100,000 IDR (7 USD) per day for a e-bike (this e-bike price may vary and is unconfirmed).

How long does it take to bike around Gili Air?

It takes around 1-2 hours to bike around Gili Air, depending on how many stops you make along the way. The island is relatively small, so it’s easy to explore it by bike in a short amount of time. If you end up in a particularly sandy beachside path, you may need to get off and walk/push your bike, so that can take a bit longer than anticipated (but all adds to the fun and adventure!)

What are some things to do while biking around Gili Air?

Biking around Gili Air is a great way to explore the island and its many attractions. Some popular things to do while biking around Gili Air include visiting the local shops and markets, exploring the paths along the beaches, and enjoying the island’s many bars, restaurants and cafes. Get lost exploring the back streets of the island, experience how the locals live & enjoy watching kids playing happily on the streets – it’s all quite idyllic, trust us!

How do you get around Gili Air?

Biking is the most popular ways to get around Gili Air, but you can also explore the island on foot or by horse-drawn carriage (called cidomo). Additionally, there are a few e-bikes starting to pop up now on the island, but they are not as common as regular bikes and cidomo (the traditional mode of transport). Note that there are no motorbikes or cars on the Gili islands at all – by ordinance of the local governing bodies.

Is Gili Air worth visiting?

Yes absolutely, Gili Air is definitely worth visiting. The island is known for its beautiful white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and laid-back tropical vibes and friendly community atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to dive, snorkel or relax on the beach, party the night away, explore the local shops and markets, or enjoy some delicious food, Gili Air has something for everyone – don’t miss it!