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How to get to Komodo Island

How to get to Komodo Island

how-to-get-to-komodo-island 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 essential for anyone planning to visit this amazing destination, part of the Lesser Sunda Islands in East Indonesia.

Most of you may already know that this island is world renowned for the Komodo Dragon, the largest living lizard in the world, and can be seen easily here. 

Komodo comprises three islands: Komodo, Rinca, and Padar. It is all part of the Komodo National Park and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. In total, 26 islands surround the area, and the main island of Flores is your gateway to Komodo.

Labuan Bajo is The closest town, where the main Komodo Airport is located. You can find all the hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, convenience shops, and ATM machines here.

How to go to Komodo Island?
wings-air-flight-labuan-baj How to get to Komodo Island
Wings Air flies daily from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo, Flores.

The best way to get to Komodo Island is to fly in from Bali using commercial airlines like AirAsia, Wings, Garuda or Batik Air.
I have tried several airlines to fly to Labuan Bajo, Garuda, Wings and Batik Air, but I have yet to try AirAsia to Labuan Bajo. One of these days, I will explore the AirAsia MOVE app to see if I can get a good deal.
labuan-bajo-airport-flores How to get to Komodo Island
Labuan Bajo Airport was renovated in mid-2015.

The Labuan Bajo Airport or Komodo Airport (LBJ) is also an eye-opener as they recently renovated it to a modern airport with two main gates.

Note that all flights here are via turboprop ATR72-500 planes, which take about ninety minutes. Look out the window 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, 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, booking this service from a reputable travel company that will arrange your bus and ferry tickets is highly recommended. Do this if you love the sea and have time to spend. 

labuan-bajo-taxi-prices-komodo How to get to Komodo Island
Taxi prices at Labuan Bajo Airport.

Taxis at Labuan Bajo

When you arrive at Labuan Bajo, local taxis will 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 tell the taxi counter or taxi man where you want to go. There is no local bus service in Labuan Bajo either. 

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 ask your hotel or homestay to book one for you and driving around the island is relatively easy.

labuan-bajo-jetty How to get to Komodo Island
Labuan Bajo jetty is the main gateway to Komodo Island.

How to go to Komodo and Rinca Island

This is the common question: getting to Komodo Island from Labuan Bajo. The best way is to book a tour from any company 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, 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, Rinca Island (Pronounced Rincha).

You will arrive at Loh Buaya, the main jetty to Rinca, and 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.

komodo-national-park How to get to Komodo Island
The entrance at Komodo Island.

Photos of Komodo Island and the Komodo Dragon

Below are some random photos taken during my trip to Komodo Island using my Samsung Galaxy smartphone and my Nikon DSLR camera.

komodo-dragon-picture How to get to Komodo Island
Komodo Dragon close-up, photo taken with Samsung Galaxy Note 5.

komodo-island How to get to Komodo Island
A Komodo is seen walking along the beach at Komodo Island.

komodo-trekking How to get to Komodo Island
Trekking at Rinca Island. The photo was taken with Samsung Galaxy Note 5.

labuan-bajo-street-island-m How to get to Komodo Island
Map of Labuan Bajo, Flores.

komodo-map How to get to Komodo Island
Komodo and Labuan Bajo Map.

Conclusion

This trip to Labuan Bajo and Komodo Island was part of the #INAtopbucketlist organized by Indonesia Tourism with other media, photographers and social media influences from 14 countries worldwide.

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.

For the best deals on flights and hotels to Komodo Island, I recommend you check the AirAsia MOVE app, as they currently connect with several other airlines and offer some of the best deals around.

If you have any comments, questions or feedback, please 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.

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Ciki

Very nice David! Well written and loaded with info! I sooo wanna go again! ;D

comments user
Malaysia Asia

Thanks Mei! Me too, hope to go again next year 🙂

comments user
Noel Morata

Fantastic overview David, loved the tour and photos.

comments user
Noel Morata

Fantastic overview David, loved the tour and photos.

comments user
amei

Hi David, do you have a rough price estimation of such komodo tour from Labuan Bajo would cost how much?Thanks.

comments user
Jayrush

May i know what tour agency did you use? Thanks

comments user
Malaysia Asia

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.

comments user
Malaysia Asia

Hi Noel, thanks for the kind words 🙂

comments user
Malaysia Asia

Jayrush, I used this company – Travel Sparks http://travelsparks.co/ and you can contact them for more information.

comments user
Anonymous

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

comments user
Hezekiah Jc

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.

comments user
Malaysia Asia

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

comments user
Mumun

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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