A Travel Price Comparison for Indonesia Bandung vs. Gili Trawangan for Food, Nightlife, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Bandung or Gili Trawangan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Bandung or Gili Trawangan? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bandung

Bandung is a scenic, laidback, and cultural city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Bandung travel costs.

Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan is a tropical, idyllic, and laidback island. Gili Trawangan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Gili Trawangan travel costs.

Bandung and Gili Trawangan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bandung or Gili Trawangan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Gili Trawangan. Although Bandung and Gili Trawangan are popular destinations, Gili Trawangan has more sights and attractions for tourists. Gili Trawangan is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Bandung attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, hiking, and shopping. Gili Trawangan is more touristy than Bandung and is known for its beautiful water and impressive scuba diving. It is also well known for beautiful beachfront setting. Bandung is famous for its fashion and shopping outlets, its local street food, and its cooler temperatures.

How is Bandung different from Gili Trawangan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Gili Trawangan and Bandung. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bandung or Gili Trawangan?

Bandung is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Gili Trawangan is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Bandung specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with museums and landmarks like the Sri Baduga Museum, which displays prehistoric artifacts. There's also the Asian African Conference Museum, a geology museum, and the Indonesia Postal Museum. The Mandala Wangsit Siliwangi Museum shows items relating to Indonesian wars and weapons while the Virajati Seskoad Museum has information on the Indonesian Army school.

Gili Trawangan offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of art and cultural museums on the island, but most people spend their time soaking up the idyllic setting.

Is the Food Better in Bandung or Gili Trawangan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bandung is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Gili Trawangan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Bandung has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city is a wonderful foodie destination with tons of street food and local options. The population is predominantly Sundanese, and the cuisine reflects that. The dishes involve a lot of raw vegetables and fresh ingredients. Make sure you try the batagor (fried tofu), soto Bandung (meat soup), and siomay (fish or chicken dumplings).

Dining out in Gili Trawangan is an experience not to be missed. As the largest and one of the most touristy of the Gili Islands, you'll find a wide range of cuisines. There's everything from Mexican to Greek available. You'll also find plenty of tropical fruits and some local Indonesian cuisine as well.

Is Bandung or Gili Trawangan Better for Nightlife?

Gili Trawangan is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Gili Trawangan is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. This is the "party island" of the Gili Islands. It has a wild nightlife scene that is particularly popular with backpackers. There are tons of beach bars that have live music, DJs, and nightly parties. There are also regular boat parties. The party scene is pretty well coordinated across the bars, and one bar will stay open late each night while the others close around midnight. This keeps the partygoers concentrated in one location and keeps the energy high for everyone.

Bandung has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a large student population and a number of bars around town. The nightlife has a laidback vibe and many people enjoy hanging out with friends a local pub.

Is Bandung or Gili Trawangan Better for Resorts?

Gili Trawangan is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Bandung is not a resort destination.

Gili Trawangan has a handful of resorts to choose from. The island was long known for its backpacker vibe which included poorly concentrated beach huts. More recently there's been an upswing in upmarket accommodation, particularly on the quieter western and northern sides of the island.

Bandung is not a resort destination.

Is Bandung or Gili Trawangan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Gili Trawangan is an unbeatable place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Bandung is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Gili Trawangan a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. Snorkeling and diving are a highlight on the island, and a big draw for many visitors. The island is small, with a large concentration of tourists, so if you book a boat trip, you'll likely be surrounded by others. This doesn't mean you won't be able to enjoy colorful fish, a magical undersea world, and the occasional sea turtle.

Bandung is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bandung or Gili Trawangan Better for Beaches?

Gili Trawangan is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, Bandung is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Gili Trawangan. The island is filled with white sand beaches, most of which have restaurants and beachside bars nearby. One of the busiest beaches is near the port, but a quieter area is nearby Surf Point. The sunset side of the island is perfect in the evening when the sun starts to dip below the horizon, but the beaches on that side aren't as great as the other side of the island.

Bandung is not a beach destination.

Is Bandung or Gili Trawangan Better for Hiking?

Bandung is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Gili Trawangan is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Bandung. There are tons of great hiking trails just outside of town. Some are undiscovered while others are more popular. The trails will take you through forests, by volcanoes, and to dramatic craters.

Gili Trawangan is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bandung or Gili Trawangan?

Bandung is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Gili Trawangan is lacking in good options for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Bandung draws large crowds to its stores. This is the ultimate shopping destination in Indonesia. Visitors come from throughout the country and abroad to buy designer goods and name brands, often at a discount price. You'll find both knock-offs and authentic merchandise, so be aware when you're purchasing something, which you might be buying.

Gili Trawangan has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find most things you need on the island, but this isn't a place people usually shop for fun.

Is Bandung or Gili Trawangan More Beautiful?

Gili Trawangan is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Bandung is not a destination known for its beauty.

Gili Trawangan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Crystal blue waters and white sand beaches make this an idyllic island paradise. The setting is perfect for hanging out by the water and soaking up the island vibe.

Bandung is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bandung or Gili Trawangan Better for Families?

Gili Trawangan is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Gili Trawangan is a very family-friendly destination. There are many kid-friendly activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and biking. There are also glass bottom boat tours and a great laidback island vibe that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Do note that this is one of the more popular islands for backpackers, so there is a big party scene.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bandung. Kids will enjoy taking in a cultural show with traditional dance and music. Near the city you can also get outside and enjoy the stunning scenery at White Crater or Gunung Tangkuban Perahu. There's also the Bandung Geological Museum and Trans Studio amusement park.

Is Bandung or Gili Trawangan Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bandung and Gili Trawangan make for a great place to visit.

Bandung makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While most honeymooners make their way to a beautiful Indonesian beach, if you're looking for a break from the heat then this city makes a good stopover. The city is near many beautiful outdoor settings such as the White Crater. There are also many nice luxury resorts and hotels.

Couples visit Gili Trawangan frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. White sand, blue water, and a true tropical island paradise make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. It's one of the more energetic of the Gili Islands, so if you're looking for a calm retreat, there may be better options, but it still has wonderful resorts and great diving.

Is Bandung or Gili Trawangan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Gili Trawangan is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Gili Trawangan. It's the most popular of the Gili Islands for backpackers so you'll find tons of hostels and a great nightlife scene. The energy is high and the scenery and idyllic beaches are wonderful.

Bandung is a great city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers love Indonesia and this city is no exception. There are plenty of hostels around town and many great activities to enjoy.

Is Bandung or Gili Trawangan Better for Students?

Bandung is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Gili Trawangan is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Bandung. Many of the expats in town are students, so you'll have a number of people to hang out with. This is also an affordable town for study abroad.

Gili Trawangan is not popular with students.

Is Bandung or Gili Trawangan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Bandung and Gili Trawangan.

Bandung has some public transit options. There are both public buses and a public van service (Angkutan Kota) that operates on set routes.

You'll find some public transit in Gili Trawangan, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many tourists enjoy getting around the island by cidomo, which are horse-drawn carts. Otherwise, walking or biking are your best options.

Is Bandung or Gili Trawangan a more walkable city?

Bandung and Gili Trawangan are great when it comes to walkability.

Bandung is very walkable. There are a number of walkable neighborhoods around town.

Gili Trawangan is a very walkable city. While it's the largest of the Gili Islands, it still small enough to walk around in about two hours and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bandung Worth Visiting? and Is Gili Trawangan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Gili Trawangan or Bandung?

How long in Bandung or Gili Trawangan?

It's fun to spend time in either Bandung or Gili Trawangan. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Gili Trawangan due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bandung, and 2-4 days is enough time in Gili Trawangan.

Families should spend more time in Gili Trawangan than Bandung. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Gili Trawangan, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Gili Trawangan than Bandung if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Gili Trawangan.

One day in Bandung or Gili Trawangan?

In Bandung, you'll find museums and nightlife. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Gili Trawangan, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Bandung or Gili Trawangan?

Bandung is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Gili Trawangan, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Gili Trawangan has to offer.

Five days in Bandung or Gili Trawangan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bandung. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Gili Trawangan is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Bandung or Gili Trawangan?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Bandung. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Gili Trawangan. Many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting Gili Trawangan. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bandung and Gili Trawangan, we can see that Bandung is more expensive. And not only is Gili Trawangan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gili Trawangan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gili Trawangan and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bandung would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bandung than you might in Gili Trawangan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bandung Expensive? and Is Gili Trawangan Expensive?.