Should You Start from Lombok or Labuan Bajo?
The choice can make a big difference in your trip. Here’s a simple guide to help you decide.
Exploring the stunning Komodo National Park is a must for anyone visiting Indonesia. But should you start your adventure from Lombok or Labuan Bajo? The choice can make a big difference in your trip. Here’s a simple guide to help you decide:
Lombok offers 4-day, 3-night (4D3N) trips, but these can feel long with lots of travel time . On the other hand, Labuan Bajo has shorter options like 2-day, 1-night (2D1N) or 3-day, 2-night (3D2N) tours. If you prefer a quicker trip with less transportation time, Labuan Bajo might be the better choice for you.
Also, safety varies between the two options. Slowboats may lack essential safety equipment like radios and lifeboats, while speedboats are generally safer but more expensive. Always ensure that your tour meets safety standards and offers good value.
Strangely, tours from Labuan Bajo are often pricier than those from Lombok. For instance, day trips from Labuan Bajo start at 800k IDR per person for slowboats and 1.3 million IDR for speedboats. Despite the higher cost, Labuan Bajo offers flexibility with a variety of tour lengths to suit your schedule and interests. Joining a group tour from Labuan Bajo can save money and provide more flexibility, as many groups consolidate participants to fill boats.
Interestingly, booking in person usually gets you better deals than booking online, so consider waiting until you arrive to finalize your plans. Labuan Bajo offers many day and multi-day tours, making it a versatile starting point. However, camping on Komodo Island isn’t allowed, so you must book a tour.
For a well-rounded experience, a 2D1N tour balances travel time and activities, offering stargazing, sunrise at Padar, and hotel comfort after the trip. Traveling backpacker-style means using local transport and booking last-minute tours for savings.