Indonesia (Bali + Lombok) · 2-3 weeks
The classic Indonesian island loop. Bali first (Ubud + Canggu), fast-boat to the Gilis (party + snorkel), Lombok for Rinjani volcano trek or Kuta surf, back to Bali. 2-3 weeks. Everyone starts here for a reason.
Distances measured 18 September 2026
5 stops in walking order. Click any pin for the stop's editorial.
Pick a mood and every stop shows the hostels that fit it.
Bars on site, pub crawls, people up late.
Hostelworld listings. AirConnect earns a commission if you book through these links. Route bali-gilis-lombok-loop.
3-4 nights
Arrival area from Denpasar (DPS). Surf town + digital-nomad hub. Rice paddies + beach clubs + $3 nasi campur lunches. Best first-timer base in Bali.
Hostels in Canggu →Where to stay in Canggu
Hostelworld listings for Canggu. AirConnect earns a commission if you book through these links. Route: bali-gilis-lombok-loop.
Don't miss
3 nights
🚐 shared minivan · 31 km by road · about 0h 31m driving
Road distance and driving time from OSRM on OpenStreetMap. A bus takes longer: check the operator for schedules and fares.
Perama Bus or Grab
Times and tickets, Canggu → Ubud on 12Go →Bali's cultural heart — rice terraces, yoga studios, art markets, Monkey Forest. Slower pace than Canggu. Base for Mount Batur sunrise trek.
Hostels in Ubud →Where to stay in Ubud
Hostelworld listings for Ubud. AirConnect earns a commission if you book through these links. Route: bali-gilis-lombok-loop.
Don't miss
3 nights
⛵ boat · 158 km by road · about 5h 18m driving
Road distance and driving time from OSRM on OpenStreetMap. A bus takes longer: check the operator for schedules and fares.
Gili Getaway or Wahana fast-boat
Times and tickets, Ubud → Gili Trawangan on 12Go →Book online 2 days ahead. Rough crossing possible in wet season.
The party Gili. No cars, no dogs, just bicycles. Snorkel with turtles, day-hop to Gili Meno/Air, beach bar sunsets. Fast-boat from Padang Bai.
Hostels in Gili Trawangan →Where to stay in Gili Trawangan
Hostelworld listings for Gili Trawangan. AirConnect earns a commission if you book through these links. Route: bali-gilis-lombok-loop.
Don't miss
3-4 nights
⛵ boat · 78 km by road · about 1h 09m driving
Road distance and driving time from OSRM on OpenStreetMap. A bus takes longer: check the operator for schedules and fares.
Gili Trawangan → Bangsal → Kuta Lombok via shared van
Lombok's south coast — the empty version of Kuta Bali. World-class surf breaks (Desert Point, Selong Belanak beach beginners). Base for the Rinjani trek if you're going.
Hostels in Kuta Lombok →Where to stay in Kuta Lombok
Hostelworld listings for Kuta Lombok. AirConnect earns a commission if you book through these links. Route: bali-gilis-lombok-loop.
Don't miss
2 nights
⛵ boat · 187 km by road · about 5h 40m driving
Road distance and driving time from OSRM on OpenStreetMap. A bus takes longer: check the operator for schedules and fares.
Fast-boat Lombok → Padang Bai + Grab to Uluwatu
Back to Bali's south — clifftop temples + advanced surf breaks (Padang Padang, Uluwatu, Bingin). Sunset Kecak fire dance at the temple. Last stop before airport.
Hostels in Uluwatu →Where to stay in Uluwatu
Hostelworld listings for Uluwatu. AirConnect earns a commission if you book through these links. Route: bali-gilis-lombok-loop.
Don't miss
Local data for each country on the route, installed before you cross. AirConnect earns a commission if you buy through these links.
5-stop loop starts here. Hostelworld is the standard for SE Asia — private twins alongside dorms.
Hostels & private rooms in Denpasar (DPS)
Solo-friendlyHostelworld is the largest inventory — most properties list private twin rooms alongside dorms, so it works for couples + solo travellers alike. Free cancellation on flexible rates, verified reviews from people who actually stayed.
Browse Denpasar (DPS) hostels2-3 weeks. It runs through 1 countries (Indonesia), about 454 km by road measured between the stops.
May-September (dry season), avoid Rinjani in wet March-Apr. Rainy season (June-October) closes some overland routes and reduces the slow-boat schedules on the Mekong.
It depends on your passport, and the rules change — Thailand, for one, has altered its visa-free stay more than once since 2024. Check each country on the route against your nationality with the AirConnect visa checker before you book, and apply for any e-visa before you reach the border rather than on arrival.
It is not a legal requirement for most travellers, but it is strongly advisable: overnight buses, motorbike hire and adventure activities are all common on this route. Whatever policy you choose, check that it covers motorbikes and emergency evacuation, which many basic policies exclude.
Indonesia (Airalo Indolink 5GB, covers Bali + Lombok). A single regional plan avoids swapping SIMs at each border; the alternative is one local eSIM per country, which you can install before you cross.