How to get to Komodo Island
One of the must-visit places in Indonesia is Komodo and having been there three times, I have come up with this article on how to get to Komodo Island for you.
This information is also important for anyone who is planning to visit this amazing destination which is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands in East Indonesia.
Most of you may already know that this island is world renown for the Komodo Dragon, the largest living lizard in the world and can be seen easily here.
Komodo is actually made up of three islands which are Komodo, Rinca, and Padar and is all part of the Komodo National Park and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
In total, 26 islands are surrounding the area and the main island of Flores is your gateway to Komodo.
The closest town is also Labuan Bajo which is where the main Komodo Airport is located. It is here where you can find all the hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, convenient shops, and ATM machines.
In total, 26 islands are surrounding the area and the main island of Flores is your gateway to Komodo.
The closest town is also Labuan Bajo which is where the main Komodo Airport is located. It is here where you can find all the hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, convenient shops, and ATM machines.
How to go to Komodo Island?
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Wings Air that flies from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo, Flores |
The best possible way to get to Komodo Island is to fly in from Bali by using Wings Air, a subsidiary of Lion Air.
You also need to book your flights from the Lion Air Website because there are no Wings Air website.
If you google it, you will see other 3rd party airline ticket websites selling the flight tickets. There are also three Wings Air flights daily from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo which are;
You also need to book your flights from the Lion Air Website because there are no Wings Air website.
If you google it, you will see other 3rd party airline ticket websites selling the flight tickets. There are also three Wings Air flights daily from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo which are;
DENPASAR (BALI) (DPS) to LABUAN BAJO (LBJ) |
Flight | Details | Depart | Arrive | Economy | |||
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Wings Air
| 0 Stops 1h 20m | Denpasar (Bali) (DPS) Mon 08:15 | Labuan Bajo (LBJ) Mon 09:35 | ||||
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Wings Air
| 0 Stops 1h 30m | Denpasar (Bali) (DPS) Mon 11:55 | Labuan Bajo (LBJ) Mon 13:25 | ||||
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Wings Air
| 0 Stops 1h 20m | Denpasar (Bali) (DPS) Mon 14:00 | Labuan Bajo (LBJ) Mon 15:20 | ||||
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Labuan Bajo Airport, newly renovated in mid-2015 |
Note that all flights here are via turboprop ATR72-500 planes and the flights take about ninety minutes.
You may also want to look out the window just before arriving as the scenery before landing is absolutely breathtaking.
The airport is simple and not as complicated as when you exit, you are already at the main entrance of the building. A taxi and information counter is available here.
An alternate or budget way to travel to Labuan Bajo from Bali is by using a ferry and bus which is a two-day journey one way.
The benefit of this is seeing the many beautiful islands along the way and you can also make stops at other islands.
However, it is highly recommended you book this service from a reputable travel company that will arrange your bus and ferry tickets. Do this is you love the sea and have time to spend.
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Taxi prices at Labuan Bajo Airport |
Taxis at Labuan Bajo
When you arrive at Labuan Bajo, there are local taxis available to take you to your desired hotel. The prices are laid out on a general notice board with the prices in Indonesian Rupiah or IDR.
You can simply tell the taxi counter or taxi man where you want to go. There is no local bus service in Labuan Bajo too.
Renting a Car at Labuan Bajo, Flores
For those who prefer this option, you can do so at the airport where you can negotiate with the operators and it costs about IDR500,000 to 600,000 per day, plus-minus.
Alternatively, you can also ask your hotel or homestay to book one for you and driving around the island is relatively quite easy.
How to go to Komodo and Rinca Island?
This is the main question - getting to Komodo Island from Labuan Bajo. The best way is to book a tour from any of the tour companies in Labuan Bajo town.
The Komodo Island packages usually include visiting three islands and seeing the Komodo Dragon.
The islands are Rinca, Komodo and Padar Islands which are all about 40 minutes boat ride apart. However, on Padar Island, there are no more Komodo's there but worth the hike up. Read further below about this.
From the main jetty in Labuan Bajo town, the boat journey takes about 1 hour to the first island which is Rinca Island (Pronounced Rincha).
Here you will arrive at Loh Buaya, the main jetty to Rinca, and then walk about 10 minutes to the park centre.
From here, park rangers will explain the do's and don'ts on the island before they take you on your guided walk to see the dragons.
Note there will be quite a bit of walking and hiking uphill, but the rewards are stunning when you reach the top.
So please come in walking shoes or sports shoes. Overall, you can spend about 2 to 3 hours on this island.
Here you will arrive at Loh Buaya, the main jetty to Rinca, and then walk about 10 minutes to the park centre.
From here, park rangers will explain the do's and don'ts on the island before they take you on your guided walk to see the dragons.
Note there will be quite a bit of walking and hiking uphill, but the rewards are stunning when you reach the top.
So please come in walking shoes or sports shoes. Overall, you can spend about 2 to 3 hours on this island.
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The entrance at Komodo Island |
Photos of Komodo Island and the Komodo Dragon
Below are some random photos that were taken during my trip to Komodo Island.
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Komodo Dragon close up, photo taken with Samsung Galaxy Note 5 |
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A Komodo is seen walking along the beach at Komodo Island |
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Trekking at Rinca Island. The photo was taken with Samsung Galaxy Note 5 |
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Map of Labuan Bajo, Flores |
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Komodo and Labuan Bajo Map |
Conclusion
This trip to Labuan Bajo and Komodo Island was part of the #INAtopbucketlist organized by Indonesia Tourism together with other media, photographers and social media influences from 14 countries around the world.
In total, we spent a good two weeks exploring Indonesia which includes Komodo Island and Flores. For more information, you can visit the Indonesia Tourism Website.
You can also follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook under the name @MalaysiaAsia for more photos of Komodo Island and my other travels.
If you have any comments, questions or feedback, please feel free to leave them in the comment form below. I hope this article on how to get to Komodo Island was helpful and have a great trip there.
13 comments
Very nice David! Well written and loaded with info! I sooo wanna go again! ;D
Thanks Mei! Me too, hope to go again next year :)
Fantastic overview David, loved the tour and photos.
Fantastic overview David, loved the tour and photos.
Hi David, do you have a rough price estimation of such komodo tour from Labuan Bajo would cost how much?Thanks.
May i know what tour agency did you use? Thanks
Hello Amei, since I went on a fam trip, the price was not shared but you can contact http://travelsparks.co/ as they organize tours to Komodo Island.
Hi Noel, thanks for the kind words :)
Jayrush, I used this company - Travel Sparks http://travelsparks.co/ and you can contact them for more information.
Thanks for the amazing information. My wife and I were looking for some basic and honest information on heading to Komodo when we googled it and found your write up and information. It has helped us heaps in arranging our trip and again, great work on this!
Zack/Emily
Thanks David, you have given a great overview of the tours! helps me alot.
may i know, (the 3 islands tour)
1) duration of this tour? day trip? best is overnight trip?
2) in komodo pink beach, how much time given for snorkeling or hiking?
3) how much to pay for the boat tour? sharing with other tourists.
Hello Hezekiah,
Thanks for the question. As for the questions, I'dd do my best to assist.
1. Duration: Day trips are the normal here. Go morning, back evening. Overnight trips are also arranged. There are budget overnight and also luxury ones. Depending on your budget.
2. Pink Beach, if you charter your own boat with your group, time is all up to you. But usually about 1-2 hours here should be enough.
3. I went with Indonesia Tourism, so I did not get the actual price. I suggest you Google it or ask in some forums. I'll also ask around.
David
I'm so glad to hear you said the climb to Padar Island was hard. It was a struggle. Huff! The sight was nice, right?
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