Took a private fastboat from Gili T to Bangsal port to avoid the hassle with the public boat. They parked the boat against 2 other boats so we had to jump across. Without saying anything, 4 guys took our light suitcases and walked over to the collection point. They all had wheels and are very light but they still carried them over their shoulders. I was running low on cash so i just gave one of the guys around 50k, which he didnt want. He wanted a 100k for all 4 guys. Didnt look like any ATMs around so dug into my bag and found another 40k. Said thats all I had, so they took it. Was called in by a guy to sit in the back office where he was trying to "interrogate" me about my stay in Lombok. I looked around, this guy isnt a govt official of any capacity so I kept my answers light. All he was trying to do was find a way to squeeze more money from me, so he offered a taxi ride back from my Senggigi hotel to port for 300k, slyly writing down that number on a piece of paper. I said I had no cash. He replied by saying I can pay half now, half later. I stared at him and said no money. He "released" me from interrogation LOL then went in my taxi to Senggigi. I asked the driver if he wants to pick me up and bring me back to the port in a few days, he said sure. I asked him how much je wants. He said he's happy with only 150k. Got his number for the way back.

I wish I could select zero stars. If you stop at Bangsal port then prepare yourself metally before you get off the boat. The touts are at the door and do not take no far an answer. We had a guy try to stand in front of us to grab our bags before we could get them. We told him MANY times we did not need any help. We were able to grab our own bags. He followed us the whole way down the jetty to the port, we were constantly telling him we don't want help. We walked out of the port to a convenience store, he waited outside and followed us again when we came out. We walked into the port again to try to find the public ferry, he still followed us. In the end it was too stressful and we booked a hotel in Lombok for a couple of days and walked far away from the port to get a ride (we paid 150k to get to Mataram) This is the worst port experience we have ever had. We will go back again to look for the public ferry but we are not looking forward to it at all.

Found this place a bit annoying - lots of people trying to "help" carry bags when getting off the public boat from the Gilis, then demanding payment (50,000 IDR) for walking 30 metres up the beach. I get that people need to make a living but this is not the best way to go about it! Many of the other tourists were intimidated and a bit confused. There's also heaps of touts trying to sell tours or transport. It's ok, but you have to have your wits about you.

I was so anxious about getting here because of the reviews and comments of Bangsal Port. It's actually not as bad as many of the reviews. Just as long as you are prepared and not a gullible tourist. I rode the scooter here from Senggigi along the coastal road which was very pleasant. There are many establishments where you can park your scooter overnight. I parked at Kayama Parkir which is just facing the ticketing booth of the port. The fee is only idr10k per night. They have security guard there. You are required to not steering lock your bike so they and move it a little bit. And you can leave your helmets with the bike. Tickets to gili Trawangan were idr23k for the public ferry. The private boats are much more expensive and they are very crowded. These public boats were not very crowded even on a weekend. Only thing is with the public boats, you need to be ready to get your feet wet. The private boats board from the jeti. The trip to gili Trawangan is about 15-20mins. When you purchase the tickets, you will receive red, yellow or white ticket. They will announce which color ticket passenger is allowed for boarding. There is a public toilet there. When you arrive gili Trawangan, you might want to consider pony rides to the hotel if you have heavy baggages because it can be a bit far to walk even though it seems like a very small island.