East Nusa Tenggara Province Travel Forum

I'm planning to go from Bali or Lombok to Komodo but don't know what would be the bes way to get there

1. would it be cheaper to fly from Denpasar or Mataram to Labuanbajo?
2. is there any ferry connection between Bali and Komodo/Flores? Would that be better option?
I have heard that taking a tour from Bali to Komodo is very expensive.

As I'm on quite low budget, I'd be happy if someone can recommend a good way to get to Komodo.

In total I'll be in the area for 7 days (flying in and out from Bali), so on quite packed schedule. Would it be enoug time to see Bali, Lombok and Komodo?

Thank you in advance!

Since I dont know the flight fare for that journey, I can not answer your first question. But, if you have limited time, you better take flight to Labuanbajo from Bali, because it will take 2 days if you do island hopping. You can fly with Merpati or Transnusa.

For your 2nd question, there is no ferry link up Bali to Komodo (direct). You have to go to Lombok, then crossing The Sumbawa Strait by another ferry, and continue the journey to Labuansape before crossing to Komodo Island. To avoid any incovenients, I suggest to take bus from Mataram to Bima (Sumbawa), so you dont have to worry about buying ferry ticket or searching for another bus after the ferry trip. leave it to the bus crew. One good bus company who run Mataram-Bima service is Safari Dharma Raya. Actually that bus serves Jakarta-Bima, but sometimes some passengers get down at Mataram, so there are several vacant seat.
Here the address of the bus agent in Bali and Mataram:
Denpasar (Bali) Jl. Diponegoro No. 110 Phone number: 0361-236401
Mataram (Lombok)Jl. Sandubaya No. 15 Phone number: 0370-673168 Fax: 03670-672646
You can visit their site: www.safaridharmaraya.com. But all the information in Bahasa Indonesia.
I hope this will be helping you. Have a nice trip.

Thank you for thorough answer. I guess that we have to fly, because 2 days is a bit too long for us to spend in a ferry as we don't have too much time.
I heard that it's Ok to buy the flight tickets while being in Indonasia already.
What do you think about that? Would it be too risky not to buy tickets before? It will be 4 of us travelling.

Thanks!

I would not advise trying to see Bali, Lombok AND Flores OR Komodo in 7 days. I've made that trip, although quite a number of years ago, and I don't think you'd enjoy such a rushed and expensive journey with little time to enjoy the places you're visiting. It may be possible to visit Bali and Lombok in a week but even then, you're moving quite fast. I think it's always better to spend more time in one place appreciating it instead of hopping around and spending a lot of money just to visit a place very briefly.

I believe you are trying to do too much in only 7 days too.
Sometimes the flights between Bali and Flores can be cancelled without notice, esp the Flores/bali end so I think you need to take that into account as well.
Indonesia is definitely not a country that can be rushed around. I know as I have already been 7 times and will be headng back on April 10th this year for 26 days.
Pamela.

Yes, you can buy airline ticket when you arrive in Bali, but maybe you will get the normal price. Anyway, those airlines who serve that route have not online reservation. You can see that fare by visiting their site.
Btw, when will you come? Normally June-july are peak season. And I think you should consider the other posters suggestion about your limited time...

Thank you for the answer! I will go 22-30 March. Do you think that Bali would be very busy at that time? It's Easter holiday for Europe..

Maybe yes at the first 2 days, but the Indonesian tourist will leave Bali at Sunday and Monday morning.
Have you already booked your accommodation? If the answer is no, perhaps it wiil be difficult to find a room (for 22 & 23) since it is a long weekend for Indonesian. Normally in here, peoples go for holiday in long week end, and Bali is the favorite destination.
Cheers
Ingka