By air
There are several airports in Flores, and the main one is at Maumere, (Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport), IATA: MOF. There are also daily flights between Labuanbajo, IATA: LBJ and Bali (IATA:
DPS), Lombok International Airport, (Bandara Internasional Lombok), (IATA: LOP) and Kupang/Timor's El Tari Airport (IATA: KOE).
By boat
Pelni ships call at Labuanbajo, Maumere, Larantuka and Ende and link the island with other parts of Indonesia. Numerous other ships also serve Flores, including the ASDP ferry from Labuanbajo to
Sape (Sumbawa) and the wooden ferries from Larantuka to the islands of Adonara and Lembata in the Solor archipelago. Check the Indonesian Pelni website but check with offices to be sure (the
arrival and departure times are flexible).
A number of companies organise 4 day sailing trips between Lombok or Bali and Flores which take in Komodo and Rinca. These cost around Rp 1,3 to 1,8 million. Passengers should be aware that these
trips can cross open waters and are on boats with no navigation or safety equipment other than some lifejackets (i.e. no radio, flares or life rafts).
There is a slow (daily) or fast (three times a week) boat to Labuan Bajo from Sape on Sumbawa. The fast boat also goes to Sumba twice a week. Call Kapal Cepat Express Bahari 0823 592 87 257 in
Sape, 0822 373 68 767 in LB or 0812 3743 6447 in Waikelo (Sumba).
By bus
Overland travel is a possibility as well, although it is a long haul from most places. From Mataram (Lombok), a combined ticket including all buses and ferries costs Rp 225,000. The journey takes
over 24 hours and has a buffet meal included in the price on Sumbawa. To Bima (Sumbawa), the bus is 'executive class', while the 2 hours from Bima to Sape are done in a crammed minibus. When
bought separately and traveling by local transport, the journey will probably be cheaper, but it requires several interchanges and you should consider whether it's worth the extra time and
hassle.
