There is no direct boat or ferry from Bali to Komodo Island. The usual route is a flight from Denpasar (DPS) to Labuan Bajo (LBJ) on Flores, about 1 hour 10 minutes, followed by a boat trip into Komodo National Park from Labuan Bajo harbour. Without flying, you can take a 4-day shared boat trip from Lombok or go overland across Lombok and Sumbawa with a public ferry from Sape, which takes 24–30 hours.
Bali to Komodo: quick comparison
| Option | Travel time | Price (IDR and approx. USD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight DPS → Labuan Bajo (LBJ) | About 1h 10m in the air | Roughly IDR 900,000–1,600,000 (US$50–88) one way, more in July–September | Most travellers |
| Shared boat trip Lombok → Labuan Bajo | 4 days / 3 nights, with island stops | About IDR 3.2–7.75 million (US$177–428) per person, park fees extra | Travellers who want the journey to be the trip |
| Overland via Lombok, Sumbawa and the Sape ferry | 24–30 hours | About IDR 350,000–500,000 (US$19–28) in transport | Tight budgets with time to spare |
👉 Compare Bali to Labuan Bajo flights on Bookaway
How do you get to Komodo Island from Bali?
Komodo National Park has no airport of its own. Its gateway is Labuan Bajo, a harbour town on the western tip of Flores. Every visit to Komodo, Rinca or Padar starts there, on a boat with a licensed operator, so the trip from Bali has two parts: getting to Labuan Bajo, then joining a day trip or a liveaboard into the park.
Flights from Bali to Labuan Bajo
According to FlightConnections, Indonesia AirAsia, Batik Air and Nam Air fly nonstop from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo, with around 35 flights a week (about five a day) and a flight time of roughly 1 hour 10 minutes. The earliest departure is around 07:05, arriving 08:20; the last leaves around 17:15. Bookaway’s route page lists fares from about US$51.
Komodo Airport (LBJ) is only about 3 km from the harbour, a 10–15 minute ride, so you can be on a boat or at your hotel soon after landing. Fares rise in July–September and around Indonesian holidays; book early for those dates.
Can you get from Bali to Komodo without flying?
Yes, but it takes much longer. There is no direct public ferry from Bali or Lombok to Labuan Bajo. The two realistic options are:
- Shared boat trip from Lombok (4 days / 3 nights). Operators run boats from Kayangan in east Lombok to Labuan Bajo, usually departing around 14:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays between April and November. Stops normally include Sumbawa (often a whale-shark swim in Saleh Bay), Komodo and Padar. Published prices run from about IDR 3.2–3.8 million for an open deck to IDR 4.2–7.75 million for a cabin, with park fees extra (Asik Travel, September 2026). Expect one long open-sea crossing of 16–18 hours, mostly overnight.
- Overland with public ferries. Bali → Lombok by ferry (see our Bali to Lombok guide), then Kayangan → Poto Tano across to Sumbawa (about 1½–2 hours), a 10–12 hour bus to Sape, and the ASDP ferry from Sape to Labuan Bajo (6–8 hours). In total that is 24–30 hours and about IDR 350,000–500,000 in transport (Flores Island Travel, August 2026). The Sape ferry usually sails once a day and can be cancelled in rough weather.
If you travel this way, check the sailing on Ferizy, ASDP’s booking site, before committing to onward plans.
Can you do a day trip from Bali to Komodo?
Not in a practical way. Speedboat day tours from Labuan Bajo typically leave around 06:30 and return around 17:00, while the first flight from Bali lands around 08:20 and the last one back leaves Labuan Bajo in the afternoon. Some agencies sell “express” packages, but you would miss most of the tour or need a private charter. Plan at least two nights in Labuan Bajo: one day for the boat trip and a buffer for weather or flight changes.
How to visit Komodo Island once you are in Labuan Bajo
You choose between a speedboat day trip and a liveaboard (overnight boat, usually 2 days / 1 night or 3 days / 2 nights). A typical speedboat day covers Padar viewpoint at sunrise, Komodo or Rinca to see the dragons with a ranger, Pink Beach and Manta Point, from 06:30 to about 17:00. Tour listings start from around US$80 per person before park fees; liveaboards cost more but avoid the early start and long return ride.
Since 1 April 2026, park entry is booked online through the SIORA system, and visitors cannot register themselves: your boat operator books the tickets with your passport details. That makes the operator choice important, so book with an established company and confirm in writing that park tickets are included or itemised.
How much are Komodo National Park fees in 2026?
Operator guides that cite the national tariff regulation (PP 36/2024) list these fees for foreign visitors (Komodo Luxury, updated September 2026; Komodo Guide, 2026):
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Park entrance, foreign visitor | IDR 250,000 (about US$14) per person per day, every day of the week |
| Harbour fee | IDR 25,000 (about US$1.40) per person per port entry |
| Diving surcharge | IDR 25,000 per diver per day |
| Ranger or guide | Charged separately on Komodo, Rinca and Padar; sources differ on the amount, so ask your operator |
Tickets are dated: since 22 September 2026 an e-ticket is valid only for the date printed on it and is non-refundable, so a weather-cancelled day usually means rebooking rather than shifting the same ticket.
Will Komodo Island be closed to visitors in 2026?
No full closure is scheduled. Instead, the park has had a daily visitor quota of about 1,000 people since April 2026, spread across entry sessions, and peak dates in June–August can sell out one to three weeks ahead. The bigger risk is weather: the Labuan Bajo harbourmaster suspends boat departures when waves are high, as happened for about a month in January 2026 and on several shorter occasions later in the year (Komodo Resort, September 2026). Keep a spare day in your plan.
Is it safe to visit Komodo Island?
Yes, if you follow the rules. Komodo dragons are wild predators, and walks on Komodo and Rinca are always led by a park ranger, who carries a forked stick to keep the animals at a distance. Stay with the group, keep at least a few metres from any dragon and never feed wildlife. Tell the ranger beforehand if you have an open wound.
At sea, choose a licensed operator with life jackets for everyone, and do not sail when the harbourmaster has suspended departures. Currents around the park can be strong, so snorkel only where your crew tells you to. For the Bali part of the trip, see is Bali safe.
When is the best time to go from Bali to Komodo?
April to October is the dry season and the easiest time for boat trips. April–June and September–October are often the best balance of weather and crowds; July–August is busy and the quota fills fastest. December to February is the riskiest period for rough seas and cancelled sailings, and March and November are shoulder months with occasional bad spells. Shared boat trips from Lombok usually run only from April to November.
How much does a Bali to Komodo trip cost?
For a short trip from Bali, budget roughly: return flight IDR 1.8–3.2 million (US$100–175), a speedboat day tour from about US$80, park fees of about IDR 275,000 per day, and two nights in Labuan Bajo. A 3-day / 2-night liveaboard replaces the day tour and one or two hotel nights. For a wider budget across Bali, Lombok and Flores, see how much a trip to Indonesia costs.
Where to stay in Labuan Bajo
Stay near the harbour if you have an early boat departure; most speedboat tours collect guests from central Labuan Bajo hotels. Hillside hotels have the sunset views but need a short ride down to the port.
👉 Compare hotels in Labuan Bajo on Booking.com
For more routes, costs and practical planning, explore all our Indonesia travel guides.
FAQ
How long does it take to get from Bali to Komodo?
About 1 hour 10 minutes by plane to Labuan Bajo, then 1–2 hours by speedboat to Komodo or Rinca. Without flying, allow 4 days on a shared boat from Lombok or 24–30 hours overland.
Is there a ferry from Bali to Komodo?
No direct ferry. The public ferry to Labuan Bajo leaves from Sape on Sumbawa, which you reach overland via Lombok.
Do I need to book Komodo National Park tickets in advance?
Yes. Since April 2026 entry is booked through SIORA by your boat operator, within a daily quota, so book your tour early, especially for June–August.
How many days do you need for Komodo?
Two nights in Labuan Bajo is the minimum for one full day in the park. Three or four nights gives a buffer for weather and time for a liveaboard or diving.
Which airport is closest to Komodo National Park?
Komodo Airport (LBJ) in Labuan Bajo, about 3 km from the harbour where park boats depart.
Times, fees and prices checked on November 10, 2026.
