Labuan Bajo to Bali: Flights, Ferry and Overland Compared
Fly Labuan Bajo (LBJ) to Bali (DPS) in about 1h10, or go overland. Compare time, cost, season and the buffers that matter after a Komodo trip.
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Last updated November 2026: the quickest way to go from Labuan Bajo to Bali is a nonstop flight from Komodo Airport (LBJ) to Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS). Google Flights lists a shortest nonstop of 1 hr 10 min, with flights every day. Overland and ferry routes exist, but they suit a narrow type of traveler, and our guide to reaching Komodo covers the reverse direction.
Featured image: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Quick answer: how to get from Labuan Bajo to Bali
Fly nonstop from LBJ to DPS. Google Flights shows a shortest nonstop of 1 hr 10 min, and some sample fare listings show 2 hr for the same route. Batik Air runs 25 weekly nonstops and Indonesia AirAsia runs 10. Fares move constantly, so treat every price below as an observation from 5 November 2026 and check current fares before you book.
Flight, connection or overland: which to choose
Nonstop is the sensible default for almost everyone leaving after a Komodo trip. Connections add layover risk without an obvious saving. Overland and ferry only make sense if you have spare days and no fixed flight. Skip overland if you have under a week or a tight international departure from DPS. Skip connections if you check bags and have an onward ticket the same day. Skip last-minute booking in peak months.
| Option | Time | Relative cost | Flexibility and bags | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonstop flight LBJ to DPS | 1 hr 10 min shortest listed | Lowest typical fares among flights | Fixed schedule, bags checked once | Most travelers, fixed dates |
| Flight with a connection | Longer; verify per itinerary | Higher typical fares on the listings seen | More handoffs, more luggage risk | Only if nonstops are sold out |
| Overland plus ferry via Flores, Sumbawa, Lombok | About 3 days 12h in one unverified snippet | Rp1,000,000–1,400,000 in the same snippet, unverified | Many transfers, weather exposure | Flexible travelers with spare days |
Flying LBJ to DPS: airlines, frequency and what a nonstop gets you
Two carriers sell nonstops on this route in the Google Flights data. Both list daily service. Connecting options are far more numerous on paper, but more flights does not mean a better deal. Wings Abadi lists 151 weekly connecting flights at a typical Rp6,600,000–8,200,000, well above the nonstop carriers. A nonstop keeps your bags on one aircraft and removes a missed-connection risk.
- Batik Air: 25 weekly nonstops and 33 weekly connecting flights, typical Rp2,700,000–4,850,000.
- Indonesia AirAsia: 10 weekly nonstops and 24 weekly connecting flights, typical Rp2,450,000–4,100,000.
- Citilink Indonesia: 37 weekly connecting flights, typical Rp9,100,000–11,500,000.
- Super Air Jet (16 weekly) and AirAsia (14 weekly): connecting only on the listings seen.
What it costs and when it's cheapest
On 5 November 2026, Google Flights showed a cheapest one-way fare of Rp1,151,543 and a cheapest round trip of Rp2,439,067 for 13–15 November, both on Indonesia AirAsia. Its 12-month pattern puts January as cheapest, at typical weekend fares of Rp1,600,000–2,950,000. July is the most expensive, at Rp4,300,000–4,700,000. Other snippets name October as cheapest, so the sources conflict. Check your own dates rather than trusting one month. Google also lists Bali's rainy season as October to March and peak travel in December and January. Read our Komodo season guide before locking dates. Our Flores weather overview covers conditions on the Komodo side. For forecasts, use the national meteorological agency. Book early for July and the year-end holidays.
Planning around a Komodo trip
Most travelers reach this route after a boat trip. Avoid same-day connections after a liveaboard or day tour, because boats can return late and weather can delay them. A 1 hr 10 min flight is short, but your buffer is what protects the ticket. Our Komodo boat tour guide shows how trips are structured. Browse Komodo tour options for return times, and see Labuan Bajo Tours: Day Trip, Overnight & Overland Options for land-based days. Ask your operator for the expected harbor return time before you pick a flight.
- Book the flight for the day after your last boat day, not the same evening.
- Confirm the check-in rules and baggage allowance on your airline's site.
- Pack for the airport the night before and keep passports in a daypack.
- Arrange your hotel-to-airport ride in advance; the airport is about 1 km from town.
- Check weather on BMKG the day before and again that morning.
Airports and transfers at each end
Komodo Airport is listed at about 1 km and 6 min from Labuan Bajo center, so the cutoff to leave your hotel is short. Our Komodo Airport guide covers the terminal. At the other end, Ngurah Rai is listed at about 11 km and 31 min from Denpasar center. Drive times to Ubud, Canggu, Seminyak or Uluwatu depend on traffic and were not supplied, so verify them with your driver or hotel. Lombok International Airport (LOP) is listed at 116 km and 5 hr 6 min from Praya, which shows how long overland legs run.
Komodo Airport is only 6 min from Labuan Bajo center, so a late boat return, not the drive, is the risk.
The overland and ferry route: when it makes sense
One search snippet describes a ferry-and-bus route of Rp1,000,000–1,400,000 and 3 days 12h. It is unverified and unexplained, so do not treat it as tested. The route crosses Flores, Sumbawa and Lombok before reaching Bali. Confirm schedules with ferry operators and check Indonesia's official tourism site for planning basics. Choose this only with spare days, flexible dates and light luggage.
Its unverified ferry-and-bus price of Rp1,000,000–1,400,000 sits below every nonstop typical range listed, but the route takes days.
Mistakes to avoid
Most problems on this route come from tight timing and stale information.
- Booking a same-day connection after a boat trip.
- Trusting a fare seen weeks ago instead of rechecking.
- Booking a separate onward ticket from DPS with no buffer hours.
- Assuming a cheapest month without checking your dates.
- Choosing overland on a short trip with a fixed flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Labuan Bajo to Bali?
Google Flights lists the shortest nonstop at 1 hr 10 min. Some sample fares show 2 hr, so check the schedule for your date.
Is there a direct ferry from Bali to Komodo Island?
No direct ferry is confirmed in our sources. One snippet describes a multi-day ferry-and-bus route of about 3 days 12h, which is unverified. Check current schedules with operators.
Notes for your Indonesia trip
Optional updates when we add or change a town or island guide.
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