FAQ'S
GETTING THERE/ROUTES/WHEN
- What is the best way to get to Flores?
The quickest way is by airplane from Denpasar, Jakarta, Kupang or Makassar.
- What is the best airport to enter Indonesia when I come to Flores?
It depends on what you want to do before you come to Flores. If combinated with other islands in NTT, for example Sumba or Alor, Jakarta is an option with good connections to Kupang, the hub for other islands further east, but Denpasar is ok as well. Also Makassar on Sulawesi has flights to Labuan Bajo and Maumere.
From Jakarta there is also direct flight to Labuan Bajo wit Batik Air (Lion Group). However,
the most used airport to get to Flores is Denpasar, Bali.
- When is the best time to buy intercontinental tickets?
From Europe the best time to buy tickets for the high season (July and August) are 10 to 12 months before.
The best time to buy a ticket for the Christmas period is between March and May.
For other months you best can search for a ticket 3 to 5 months in advance. The cheapest months are usually February to May and September to November.
I suppose for other continents this is more or less the same.
- To which airport should I fly on Flores?
Flores has 6 airports, from east to west: Larantuka, Maumere, Ende, Bajawa, Ruteng and Labuan Bajo
If you want to go to Komodo NP only you can fly to Labuan Bajo. There are flights from Jakarta, Denpasar, Makassar and Kupang. Carriers are Batik Air, Citilink, Garuda Indonesia, NAM Air, Transnusa and Wings Air. For the classic route from east to west Maumere is the most convenient one. There are flights from Denpasar, Makssar and Kupang, served by Garuda Indonesia, NAM Air, Transnusa and Wings Air.
Ende is less convenient as there are no direct flights anymore between Denpasar and Ende, all flights are with trans in labuan Bajo or Kupang.
The difference in traveling time between Ende to Moni or Maumere to Moni is half an hour when coming from Maumere town or 15 minutes more when coming from the Airport. Also, when starting in Maumere you have the chance to enjoy Koka beach, the most beautiful beach on the mainland of Flores.
If you want to start in Bajawa there are flights Denpasar-Labuan Bajo-Bajawa with Wings Air or from (Jakarta) Kupang with Wings Air and Transnusa.
- Are there also connections between airports on Flores?
Yes, there are.
Bajawa-Labuan Bajo
Ende-Labuan Bajo vv
Labuan Bajo-Bajawa
Labuan Bajo-Ende
Labuan Bajo-Maumere
Maumere-Labuan Bajo
- When is the best time to buy domestic tickets?
Outside the months July and August, the Idul Fitri period (check the calender first) and around Christmas and New Year about 2 months in advance will be ok.
- Are domestic airlines safe?
In June 2018 the news came that all Indonesian carriers have been removed from the European Commission's airline blacklist. See news earlier this year. There is no need to avoid carriers like NAM Air, Transnusa or Wings Air.
- How much weight of luggage can I take with me?
Batik Air, 20 kgs
Garuda Indonesia: 20 kgs
Lion Air checked in luggage has to be paid
NAM Air 15 kgs
Transnusa 10 kgs
Wings Air checked in luggage has to be paid
- Are there boats to Flores?
Yes you also can travel by boat to Flores in different ways.
a. there are tourist boats from Lombok which sail to Labuan Bajo. One of the companies is Perama Travel based on Bali https://www.peramatour.com/
b. you can travel from Makassar (Sulawesi) to Larantuka or to Maumere with a Pelni ship https://www.pelni.co.id/ (the website is not to easy to navigate)
c. Pelni also offers touristic trips from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo or the other way around Pelni promo Denpasar to Komodo
d. You also can travel with ASDP, a smaller ferry from several islands in the aerea.
https://www.indonesiaferry.co.id/
Alor
Kalabahi-Larantuka
Sulawesi
Bira-Labuan Bajo
Jampea (Selayar islands, Sulawesi)
Jampea-Labuan Bajo
Sumba
Waingapu-Aimere
Waingapu-Ende
Sumbawa
Sape-Labuan Bajo
Timor
Kupang-Aimere
Kupang-Ende
Kupang-Larantuka
e. many small wooden or fiber boats from Sumba and Adonara/Lembata
- Do I need to buy a visa to enter Indonesia?
If you intend to stay no longer than 30 days you don’t need a visa. You get a stamp at the airport, at the seaport or at the landborder.
If you intend to stay 31 to 60 days there are two options:
a. you can buy a visa at the airport which is extendable at one of the immigration offices (for Flores in Maumere or Labuan Bajo). This is not advisable if you intend to travel, unless you will be on the same spot for a week or so.
b. you can buy a visa at one of the embassies or consulates abroad; this visa is 60 days valid.
- What is the best time of the year to go Flores?
The dry season is roughly from May to October, however you still can expect some rain, especially in the highlands around Ruteng, Bajawa and Moni.
The rainy season should start in November untill April with the months January and February as the worst. However seasons on Flores, like elsewhere in the world are not so strict anymore these days.
In the rainy season it can be difficult to climb mountains or sometimes not possible at all. The rainy months are also not so attractive for diving and snorkling. But on the other hand in the rainy season Flores is at its most beautiful as the most dry parts of the island like north coast, around Labuan Bajo, Komodo National Park and the far east in Larantuka and Adonara will turn into green again. But also many landslides because of the heavy rains. To spot komodo dragons the months between September and May/June are the best.
- Which route should I take?
The more or less classic route on Flores is from Maumere to Labuan Bajo or the other way around. The (by me) so called semi-classic route is from Maumere to Labuan Bajo or the other way around via Riung.
A full trip will cover the far east including Larantuka, Adonara and Solor.
As there is actually only one good road on the island, the Trans Flores Road from Larantuka to Labuan Bajo, most visitors stick to the classic route. If you have time enough other roads off the main road although in bad shape are very rewarding as you see the island even more pure.
- How long will I be on the road every day?
This partly depends on how many days and which part you want to visit. The sections like Maumere to Ende, Bajawa to Ruteng etc. are an average of 4 hours non stop. Other sections like Maumere-Moni and Moni-Riung or Bajawa may take shorter/longer.
Please do not underestimate the travelingtimes. The average speed on Flores is 35 kilometers/hour on the mainroad. Roads off the Trans Flores are often potholed and bumpy and the speed is sometimes only 10 kms/hour. Also check this part Transport by road about halfway the page.
- How long should a trip be?
Trips to Flores can be made in a few days only up and untill the full 30 day visafree period (and even more). If you are in a hurry you can fligh a part of the trip (which is a shame as you miss the beauty of the island). So it depends on your time an interests actually. Within one week you can see the highlights. With 10 to 14 days you have more time to take it easy and you can start in Larantuka (airport Maumere as the route via Kupang is more expensive and takes more time). Three to four weeks gives you the chance to explore even more and you could combine public transport with travels (shared car or minibus) and private car and go off the beaten track. If you need advise, please contact me.
More concrete?
- 4 days is the absolute minimum overland roadtrip
Maumere-Moni-Bajawa-Ruteng-Labuan Bajo
6 days is more comfortable - 6 days is the absolute minimum overland roadtrip via Riung
Maumere-Moni-Riung-Bajawa-Ruteng-Labuan Bajo
8 days is more comfortable - 8 to 10 days: add Larantuka
Check also these parts