The short version
Fly to Komodo Airport (LBJ) in Labuan Bajo, on the western tip of Flores. From there, every tour into the national park leaves by boat from the harbour, 5–10 minutes from the airport.
Most visitors fly in from Bali (DPS), about 1 hour 15 minutes away, with several flights a day. Adventurous travellers can also arrive by sea on a multi-day sailing trip from Lombok.
Flying to Labuan Bajo
Komodo Airport has a modern terminal and daily domestic connections. Flight times and airlines change seasonally, so check current schedules when you book.
| From | Flight time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Bali (Denpasar, DPS) | ≈ 1 h 15 min | Several flights daily |
| Jakarta (CGK) | ≈ 2 h | Daily |
| Other Indonesian cities | Varies | Often via Bali or Jakarta |
Arriving by sea from Lombok
A classic backpacker route is the Lombok–Komodo sailing trip: 3–4 days on a liveaboard across the Flores Sea via Sumbawa, stopping at islands, snorkel spots and sometimes whale-shark sites before ending in Labuan Bajo. It is a tour and transport in one.
Try the 4-day whale shark & Komodo sailing trip from Lombok, which picks up from Senggigi, the Gili Islands and Kuta Lombok.
Public ferry and overland
Budget travellers can go overland across Lombok and Sumbawa by bus, then take the public ferry from Sape (eastern Sumbawa) to Labuan Bajo — roughly 6–8 hours, usually once a day. Schedules are irregular and weather-dependent.
National shipping line Pelni also calls at Labuan Bajo on long-distance routes. Both options are cheap but slow; most visitors with limited time fly.
From the airport to your hotel
The airport is only about 2 km from the harbour. Taxis wait outside arrivals, and many hotels offer free or paid pickups. Ride-hailing apps work in town. Expect 5–10 minutes to the centre and about 15 minutes to Waecicu Beach.
Most Komodo tours include pickup from hotels in Labuan Bajo, so you rarely need your own transport. See where to stay in Labuan Bajo.
Getting into the national park
There are no roads or public ferries for tourists into Komodo National Park — you visit on a licensed boat. Your options are a shared day trip, a liveaboard or a private charter, all leaving from Labuan Bajo.
- Shared speedboat day tripThe fastest and most affordable way to see the highlights in one day.
- Liveaboard (2–4 days)Sleep on board, see sunrise on Padar and reach the quieter north and south.
- Private boat or yachtYour own itinerary and pace; excellent value when split between a group.
Visas and entry to Indonesia
Many nationalities can enter Indonesia with an electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VOA), valid for 30 days and extendable once, applied for online before travel or on arrival at major airports. Rules change, so check the official Indonesian immigration website before you fly.
Labuan Bajo is in the WITA time zone (UTC+8), the same as Bali.
