How Do You Get from Lombok to Flores?
The fastest way from Lombok to Flores is a 1-hour flight from Lombok International Airport (LOP) to Labuan Bajo (LBJ), costing $40-80 USD. Alternatively, the 3-4 day sailing trip via Komodo costs $150-400 USD and is a spectacular adventure. The overland route via ferry and bus through Sumbawa takes 2-3 days and costs under $50 USD total but is grueling.
Three Very Different Journeys
Flores is the next major island east of Lombok, separated by Sumbawa and a stretch of the Flores Sea that includes Komodo National Park. The distance is substantial — roughly 500 km as the crow flies — and the journey involves crossing open ocean, navigating between volcanic islands, and potentially traversing the full width of Sumbawa. How you make this journey depends entirely on your budget, time, and appetite for adventure.
Option 1: Fly (1 Hour)
The practical choice for most travelers.
Route: Lombok International Airport (LOP) to Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo (LBJ), Flores.
Flight time: Approximately 1 hour.
Airlines: Wings Air and NAM Air operate this route on small turboprop aircraft (ATR 72 or similar). These seat about 70 passengers.
Frequency: Typically 1-2 flights per day, but not always daily. Schedule depends on season and demand. During peak tourist season (July-September), flights are more frequent and also more likely to sell out. In low season, service may be reduced to every other day.
Cost: 600,000-1,200,000 IDR ($40-80 USD) one way. Book 2-4 weeks in advance for the best fares. Last-minute booking can double the price or result in no availability at all.
Baggage: Strictly enforced weight limits (typically 10-15 kg checked, 7 kg carry-on). Excess baggage fees are charged per kilogram. If you are carrying dive gear, surfboard, or heavy luggage, check fees before booking or consider renting equipment in Labuan Bajo.
From Labuan Bajo: The airport is a short drive from Labuan Bajo town. Taxis and hotel transfers are available. Labuan Bajo itself is a small but rapidly growing town that serves as the gateway to Komodo National Park, with plenty of accommodation, restaurants, dive shops, and tour operators.
Best for: Travelers short on time, those continuing onward from Flores to other Indonesian destinations, and anyone who wants to arrive fresh and ready to explore rather than recovering from days of travel.
Option 2: Sailing Trip (3-4 Days)
The adventure option that turns the journey itself into the destination.
The Lombok-to-Flores sailing route is one of the classic backpacker and adventure travel experiences in Southeast Asia. Rather than flying over the chain of volcanic islands between Lombok and Komodo, you sail through them, stopping at remote islands, snorkeling pristine reefs, and sleeping under the stars on the deck of a wooden boat.
Duration: 3 nights / 4 days is the standard itinerary.
Typical route (eastbound):
Day 1: Depart from Lombok in the morning (usually Labuhan Lombok on the east coast, or sometimes Senggigi). Cross to Moyo Island off the coast of Sumbawa. Moyo is a nature reserve with excellent snorkeling, a waterfall accessible by a short jungle trek, and barely any development. Anchor overnight in a sheltered bay. The sunset over the Lombok Strait from Moyo is extraordinary.
Day 2: Sail to Satonda Island, a tiny volcanic island with a crater lake at its center. The reef around Satonda is pristine and rarely visited by other boats. Continue to Sangeang Api, a dramatically active volcano that rises from the sea with smoke sometimes visible from the summit. Snorkel the black sand reef at the volcano's base. Anchor overnight.
Day 3: The highlight day. Sail to Komodo National Park. Trek on Komodo or Rinca Island with park rangers to see Komodo dragons in the wild — the world's largest living lizard, growing up to 3 meters long. The dragons are impressive but the rest of the park is equally spectacular: dry savannah landscapes, eagles circling above, wild deer and buffalo. Afternoon snorkeling at Pink Beach (Pantai Merah), where the sand is tinted pink by crushed red organ pipe coral. Anchor in the park overnight.
Day 4: Morning hike on Padar Island for the famous three-bay viewpoint — a 30-minute steep climb rewarded by one of the most photographed panoramas in Indonesia. Final snorkeling stop, then motor into Labuan Bajo harbor by midday or early afternoon.
Cost:
Budget shared boat: $150-200 USD per person for the full trip. Basic wooden boat, mattresses on the open deck, communal meals, shared bathroom. Groups of 10-20 passengers. The cheapest way to do the trip.
Mid-range: $250-400 USD per person. Better food, smaller groups (6-12 passengers), semi-private sleeping areas or basic cabins, Western-style bathroom. Better maintained boats with more comfortable seating areas.
Luxury phinisi: $500-1,000+ USD per person per day. Traditional sailing vessel with private cabins, en-suite bathrooms, chef-prepared meals, and professional crew. For couples and small groups who want the adventure without sacrificing comfort.
What is included: All meals on board, drinking water, snorkeling equipment, Komodo National Park entrance fees, guided dragon trek, and transport to your accommodation in Labuan Bajo.
What is not included: Alcoholic beverages (bring your own), dive equipment (some boats offer diving at extra cost), tips for the crew, and your onward transport from Labuan Bajo.
Booking: Available through travel agents in Kuta Lombok and Senggigi, operators in Labuan Bajo (for the reverse direction), and online through platforms like Klook, GetYourGuide, and operator-specific websites. Book at least 5-7 days in advance during peak season (July-September). In low season, walk-up bookings 1-2 days ahead are possible.
Best for: Travelers with time and a sense of adventure. The sailing trip is consistently rated as one of the top travel experiences in Indonesia. It combines transport with activity, culture, and natural beauty in a way that no other option can match.
Option 3: Overland via Sumbawa (2-3 Days)
The hard way. For extreme budget travelers and those who enjoy the challenge of Indonesian overland travel.
The route:
Leg 1: Ferry from Labuhan Lombok (east coast of Lombok) to Poto Tano (west coast of Sumbawa). Duration: 1.5-2 hours. Cost: approximately 22,000 IDR per person plus vehicle if applicable.
Leg 2: Bus or car across Sumbawa from Poto Tano to Sape on the east coast. Distance: approximately 280 km. Duration: 8-12 hours by bus, 6-8 hours by car. The road crosses the full width of Sumbawa through Sumbawa Besar and Bima. Road conditions are variable — the main highway is mostly paved but slow, with frequent stops in towns.
Leg 3: Ferry from Sape (east Sumbawa) to Labuan Bajo (west Flores). Duration: approximately 8 hours. The ferry typically departs in the morning (schedules are irregular and subject to change). Cost: approximately 55,000 IDR per person.
Total cost: Under $50 USD for transport only, plus food and potential overnight stays in Sumbawa.
Total time: 2-3 days, depending on ferry schedules and whether you stop overnight in Sumbawa or push through.
The reality: This route is physically demanding and logistically challenging. The bus across Sumbawa is long, hot, and uncomfortable. The Sape-Labuan Bajo ferry runs on an unpredictable schedule and can be canceled for weather or mechanical reasons. Few people choose this route unless they are either on an extremely tight budget or specifically want to experience Sumbawa (which has its own attractions — Hu'u surf break, the Tambora volcano, traditional villages).
Best for: Extreme budget travelers, those specifically interested in Sumbawa, and travelers who enjoy overland journeys as experiences in themselves.
Comparing the Three Options
| Factor | Flight | Sailing Trip | Overland |
|--------|--------|-------------|----------|
| Duration | 1 hour (+transfers) | 3-4 days | 2-3 days |
| Cost | $40-80 USD | $150-400+ USD | Under $50 USD |
| Comfort | Good | Variable | Low |
| Scenery | Aerial | Spectacular | Variable |
| Adventure level | Low | High | Very high |
| Reliability | High | Weather-dependent | Unpredictable |
| Includes Komodo | No (separate trip) | Yes | Ferry passes near |
Planning Tips
One-way strategy: Many travelers fly one way and sail the other. This is the optimal combination — you experience the sailing adventure without backtracking, and you save time on one leg. Fly Lombok to Labuan Bajo, explore Komodo by day trip, then sail back to Lombok. Or sail Lombok to Flores, then fly back (or onward to Bali).
Onward from Flores: Labuan Bajo has flight connections to Bali (1.5 hours), Jakarta, and other Indonesian cities. From Flores, you can also travel overland to Ende and Maumere (for Kelimutu volcanic lakes, one of Indonesia's most incredible natural sights), or continue further east toward Timor. Flores itself is a fascinating island that merits several days of exploration.
Seasonal considerations: The sailing trip and overland route are best during dry season (April-October) when seas are calm and ferry services are reliable. During wet season, rough seas can delay or cancel both the sailing trip and the Sape-Labuan Bajo ferry, potentially stranding you in Sumbawa. Flights to Labuan Bajo remain relatively reliable year-round.
Travel insurance: Ensure your policy covers the sailing trip if you choose that option. Maritime transport in Indonesia is not always covered under basic travel insurance policies. Check for specific exclusions.