How to Get to Flores, Indonesia
Getting to Flores by Air
Labuan Bajo (LBJ) is the main gateway, it has the most flights, all Komodo connections, and is the base for liveaboard cruises. If Komodo and western Flores are your focus, fly here. See the Labuan Bajo Airport guide for arrivals, transport to town, and what to do first. For advice on timing your booking, see when to book flights to Flores.
Maumere (MOF) is useful for eastern Flores, if you plan to visit Kelimutu via Moni, the Sikka regency, or start your journey in the east before heading west. Wings Air and TransNusa fly Bali → Maumere with stops.
Flight prices from Bali (DPS)
| Route | Airline | Duration | One-way price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bali → Labuan Bajo (LBJ) | Garuda, Lion, Batik | 1 hr | IDR 400K–900K |
| Bali → Maumere (MOF) | Wings Air, TransNusa | 1.5–2 hr | IDR 350K–750K |
| Jakarta → Labuan Bajo | Garuda, Citilink | 3–4 hr | IDR 1M–2.5M |
Prices vary widely. Book 1–3 weeks ahead. Check Tiket.com and Traveloka.
Connecting flights within Flores
TransNusa and Wings Air operate ATR turboprop routes connecting Labuan Bajo, Ruteng, Bajawa, Ende, Maumere, and Larantuka. These regional hops cost IDR 200K–500K and are useful if you’re short on time, though schedules can be irregular. Check Tiket.com for current routes.
Getting to Flores by Boat
Lombok–Komodo liveaboard (most popular tourist route)
This is the classic backpacker route, a shared boat from Lombok to Labuan Bajo over 3–4 days, stopping at Komodo, Pink Beach, Rinca, and snorkeling sites. Boats depart from Teluk Nara, Lombok (30 min from Senggigi or Bangsal by taxi).
- Duration: 3 nights / 4 days
- Cost: USD 100–250 depending on boat quality
- Season: April–October recommended (calmer seas)
- Booking: Most boats fill via hostels and booking agents in Lombok or Bali. Avoid the cheapest boats, food and safety standards vary widely. Look for operators with positive recent reviews on Tripadvisor or backpacker Facebook groups.
ASDP ferry: Sape (Sumbawa) → Labuan Bajo
For the hardcore overlanders doing the full Nusa Tenggara island-hop:
- Bali → Lombok (fast ferry, 2 hours from Padangbai)
- Overland across Lombok and Sumbawa by bus
- Sape (Sumbawa) → Labuan Bajo by ASDP ferry (8 hours, IDR 50K–120K)
Total journey time from Bali: 2–3 days. This is an adventure, not a practical option for most visitors.
What Are the Visa Requirements?
Citizens of most countries enter Indonesia visa-free for 30 days or can get a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at Komodo Airport (LBJ) and Maumere Airport (MOF) for USD 35. The VOA is extendable once for another 30 days at the immigration office in Labuan Bajo or Maumere.
Check the current Indonesian visa policy before travelling, the free-visa list changes occasionally.
What to Do When You Land at Labuan Bajo Airport
Komodo Airport (LBJ) is small and easy to navigate. Here’s what to do on arrival:
SIM card: A Telkomsel or Indosat SIM card counter operates in the arrivals hall. Telkomsel has the best coverage across Flores (including highland areas). A tourist SIM with 30 days and 15-20 GB data costs IDR 80,000-150,000. Get it here, it’s cheaper than in town and you’ll need connectivity immediately.
Money: There is one ATM in the arrivals hall (BNI). It works but has cash limits. Better to arrive with some IDR already. The airport also has a currency exchange booth with rates slightly below town centre rates.
Taxi to town: Flat rate IDR 80,000-100,000 from the airport to Labuan Bajo town centre (5 minutes). No public buses. No Grab. Official airport taxis are outside the arrivals exit. Negotiate before getting in; the rate should be fixed but informal taxis may try IDR 150,000+.
Water and snacks: Limited options airside. Buy water from the taxi area or head straight to your guesthouse.
Should You Book Komodo Tours Before You Arrive?
In peak season (July-August): yes, book in advance. Popular liveaboard dates and shared day tours on good boats fill up weeks ahead. Budget boats may still have space but the difference in quality is significant.
In shoulder season (May-June, September-October): you can book on arrival. Walking the Labuan Bajo waterfront and comparing tour operators in person is an effective way to find the right operator at the right price.
Off-season (November-April): plenty of availability, good negotiating room on prices.
For liveaboards specifically: book 1-2 months ahead for peak season, 2-3 weeks ahead for shoulder, anytime for off-season. Liveaboard booking guide →
How Do You Leave Flores?
Most travelers exit via one of three routes:
Fly Labuan Bajo → Bali: The simple way. Daily direct flights, 1 hour, same airlines that brought you in.
Fly Maumere → Bali: Good for the overland route. Fly into LBJ, travel east overland, exit from MOF. Avoids backtracking 350 km.
Ferry from Larantuka: For travelers continuing east into the Alor Archipelago, Lembata, or West Timor. From Kupang (West Timor) you can fly back to Bali or to Dili (East Timor).
Lombok liveaboard (reverse): Some do the trip west-to-east, Labuan Bajo → Lombok. Less common (most prefer to start in Lombok and finish in Labuan Bajo) but fully available.
Flores airports guide → Getting around Flores by car and bus →
Frequently asked questions
What is the main airport for Flores?
Komodo Airport (LBJ) in Labuan Bajo is the main entry point for western Flores and Komodo National Park. It has direct daily flights from Bali (DPS) with Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, and Batik Air (45–60 min, IDR 400,000–900,000 one way). Maumere Airport (MOF) in eastern Flores also has Bali connections but fewer daily flights.
How do I get from Bali to Flores?
The quickest way is flying Denpasar (DPS) → Labuan Bajo (LBJ), daily direct flights, 1 hour, IDR 400,000–900,000. Book at least a week ahead for reasonable prices. Garuda Indonesia is most reliable; Lion Air and Batik Air often cheaper. There are no direct ferries from Bali to Flores, the ferry route (Bali → Lombok → Sumbawa → Flores) takes 2–3 days.
Can I get a ferry from Lombok to Flores?
Yes, the Lombok–Komodo liveaboard route is popular, but it's a tourist boat (3–4 days, USD 120–250). For budget land travel, ASDP ferries connect Lombok → Sumbawa → Flores on the Trans-Nusa ferry network, but this overland route through Sumbawa takes 2–3 full days. Most travelers fly.
Are there flights from Jakarta to Flores?
Yes, Garuda and Citilink fly Jakarta (CGK) → Labuan Bajo (LBJ) with a stop in Bali or direct. Flight time is 3–4 hours including connection. Prices are higher than from Bali (IDR 1,000,000–2,500,000). Flying via Bali with an overnight is often cheaper.
How do I get from Komodo back to Bali?
The reverse flight from Labuan Bajo to Bali (Denpasar) runs daily and costs the same as the outbound, IDR 400,000–900,000. Many travelers do a one-way overland trip: fly into Labuan Bajo, travel east along the Trans-Flores Highway to Maumere or Larantuka, then fly out from Maumere (MOF) back to Bali. This avoids backtracking.
Is there a fast boat from Sumbawa to Flores?
Slow ferries (ASDP) run Sape (eastern Sumbawa) → Labuan Bajo once or twice daily (8 hours, IDR 50,000–120,000 deck class). There are no fast boats on this route. If you're doing the Lombok–Komodo overland, factor in overnight buses and a full day at sea.
Which airlines fly to Labuan Bajo?
Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Batik Air, TransNusa, and Wings Air serve LBJ. Garuda is the most punctual. TransNusa has small propeller planes (turboprop) on some routes, fine but noisy. Book via Tiket.com or Traveloka for best domestic prices; international cards work on both platforms.
Is Komodo Airport (LBJ) easy to navigate?
Yes, it's a small, single-terminal airport with one baggage carousel. Taxis from the airport to Labuan Bajo town are a flat IDR 80,000–100,000 (5 minutes). There are no public buses. Grab doesn't operate in Labuan Bajo, negotiate taxi prices before getting in.