If you are in Java or Bali and wish to travel from one to the other, then flying is not your only option. You can also travel by road, on a scooter, in a car or on a bus. To do this, you will need to cross between Java and Bali via the Ketapang Gilimanuk Ferry. Not many visitors to Indonesia know much about the ferry, how to buy tickets or where to find it. So I decided to create this quick guide to help you out.
This article may contain affiliate links. If you click on those links and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you I will get a small commission. This will go a long way toward keeping this website running. As always, thank you for your support! Click HERE for more information.
Table of Contents
- Where to Find the Ketapang Gilimanuk Ferry
- How to get there
- Where to buy tickets
- What to expect
- How long does it take?
- Hints and Tips
- Summary
Where to Find the Ketapang Gilimanuk Ferry
The Ketapang Gilimanuk Ferry can be found at the crossing point from Bali to Java, or vice versa. On the Bali side, the road will take you right to the harbour at Gilimanuk, and then you just have to follow the signs into the ferry port.
On the Ketapang side, the harbour can easily be located right beside the main road. Many people make the mistake of thinking the ferry crosses from Banyuwangi. Although this is the main city along the Eastern Java tip, the ferry actually leaves from Ketapang, approximately 10 km to the north.
How to get there
Getting to Gilimanuk ferry terminal on the Bali side is easy. If you have your own scooter or car, you simply drive to Gilimanuk, and go as far as the road will take you. At Gilimanuk it terminates right at the ferry port.
If you don’t have your own transport, then you have the option to hire a driver to take you to Gilimanuk. There are many operators in Bali that offer pick up services to transfer you to Gilimanuk. Check out THIS ONE for a reputable option.
From the Java side, you will have pretty much the same options. The only difference is that you can get to Banyuwangi by train if coming from Surabaya or Lumajang. From Banyuwangi you can then simply call a GoCar to transport you to the Ketapang Ferry Terminal.
Where to buy tickets
Tickets can be bought at many different places alongside the road as you approach the ferry terminals on either side. For a few kilometers or more you will see signs all along the side of the road beckoning you to stop and buy your Ketapang Gilimanuk Ferry tickets.
Personally, when I’m riding my scooter to the ferry, I skip the first couple, and then stop at one that is easy and safe to pull into, and looks reputable. While I’m sure they all are, a couple are nothing more than a ramshackle hut on the side of the road. I prefer to find a larger place that may also have a toilet attached and a place to stretch my legs.
All of these places buy your ticket for you from the online website, and then print them out for you. You will need to supply them with your identification details (passport) and registration number of the vehicle/scooter you are driving or riding. Of course if you are on foot then this isn’t an issue.
Ticket prices are changing all the time. Nearly every 12 months they fluctuate, and what is even more confusing is that the price is actually different on the Java side to the Bali side! I have no idea why.
At time of writing, it cost around 47k Rp to cross with a scooter from Bali to Java on the ferry. In the other direction it was only about 43k Rp.
I believe that to cross without a vehicle – ie on foot, is less than 10k Rp. A car is a lot more expensive, and then trucks and buses a lot more again.
You will find the latest prices displayed at the ticket offices along the side of the road on the way to the Ketapang Gilimanuk Ferry. Otherwise, head to Ferizy.com which is the online ferry ticket site to check them out.
What to expect
Once you have your ticket, head down to the ferry port. It’s straightforward for cars to simply drive through, but for scooters you will have to look off to one side for the special scooter lane. On the Ketapang side it actually has its very own entrance off the main road. Last time I was there I forgot, and found myself turning around, heading back out onto the road again and turning back in.
The good thing about being on a scooter is that you will most likely be able to squeeze onto a full ferry at the last minute. There’s nearly always room for one more scooter!
Simply show your ticket (sometimes a few times) and follow the directions of staff toward the nearest ferry. Once there, they will let you know when you are free to board. Ride or drive to the ferry and roll on board, where the crew will direct you where to park. It’s as simple as that!
Once on board, secure your vehicle and take your valuables with you. Head for the nearest stairs and climb up a few levels until you find a place to sit and relax for the crossing.
On most ferries you will find a small canteen where you can get coffee, snacks, pop mie, or cold drinks. It’s not hard to just kick back and relax for the crossing and enjoy the views.
How long does it take?
The crossing on the Ketapang Gilimanuk Ferry takes around 45 minutes to an hour. This all depends upon how busy it is though. I’ve had short crossings and I’ve had some that took a few hours. If there are a lot of boats running at once, it’s possible that you might sit out in the channel for an hour or so waiting for an available wharf.
On one such crossing, I counted 30 ferries. At any given time there were 10 in the Ketapang side, 10 on the Gilimanuk side, and 10 at “sea”.
If you can, try to get a daytime crossing. The views are amazing, and sitting out in the middle of the channel on a clear day seeing the towering peaks of the Java volcanos is glorious.
Hints and Tips
Here are a few helpful hints and tips to keep in mind when catching the Ketapang Gilimanuk Ferry.
- As mentioned already, don’t stop at the first place along the road to buy your ticket. Skip a couple and stop somewhere that it is safe and easy to pull over.
- Try to avoid catching the ferry on major holidays. Especially in school holidays as the line ups can have you waiting for hours. I’ve had friends and family waiting for 4 to 6 hours just to get on the ferry during these periods.
- If you can, board the ferry either on foot or with a scooter. You will board faster and skip most of the line during the busy period.
- If you must travel during the holidays, consider taking a sleeper bus. They are becoming common these days and do the run from Bali to Jakarta, Jogja and other major centers. At least you can sleep through those long lines.
- Consider the time of day that you cross. Even though there are no views, crossing at 2am could be a good option. Most people will leave home early in the morning, so a late morning or early afternoon crossing will be the busiest times.
Summary
The Ketapang Gilimanuk Ferry is a great way to transit from Bali to Java or vice versa. It’s relatively quick, and allows you to see a part of the country that you wouldn’t see if you opted to fly.
Leave a reply