What is the safest and cheapest way to see Komodo island, leaving from and returning to Bali?
We will be spending 3 weeks in Indonesia and Bali, and intend to take a trip out to Komodo to see the dragons and wildlife. We predict a three day excursion.
There are boat and flight trips offered by travel agents here and online before we go, but is it better to arrange when there? Cheaper? Less safe?
There is also the option of travelling from Bali, Lombok or Flores. We will be in Bali originally.
Does anyone have any experience of doing this excursion?
Best Answer
Ferries in Indonesia are generally unsafe. The smaller they are, the worse they are, with the latest accident on a Lombok-Bali tourist boat (25 injured) just last week as I type this.
Since Komodo and Rinca (the main dragon hotspots) are small islands without their own airports, you'll have to get on a boat at some point, so all you can do is minimize the distance. The nearest airport is the sneakily named Komodo Airport, actually near the town of Labuanbajo on the nearby island from Flores. The airport is well served by flights from Denpasar, Bali, and Komodo is only a few hours away from Labuanbajo by boat.
The easiest option is to arrange an all-in package tour from Bali, which can be done online or with any tourist agency on the island; fares for a two-day, one-night tour appear to hover around US$250. If you choose to roll your own, Lion Air has return DPS-LBJ airfares for ~US$110 on random dates next week, and you can haggle with the boat/tour operators in Labuanbajo on arrival; this way you'll at least have some idea of what boat you're getting into.
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How do you get to Komodo Island from Bali?
There is no direct connection from Bali to Komodo National Park. However, you can take the taxi to Ngurah Rai airport, fly to Labuan Bajo, take the walk to Labuhanbajo, take the ferry to Komodo National Park, then take the travel to Komodo National Park.How many days do you need in Komodo Island?
Two to three days is the perfect amount of time to visit Komodo National Park. We did a 2 day, 1 night tour which was the perfect amount of time to hit all the best things to do in Komodo.How much does it cost to visit Komodo?
Fees to enter the UNESCO World Heritage Site may soon jump from $10 to $1,000.How long is the ferry from Bali to Komodo Island?
Taking a ferry from Bali to Labuan Bajo may excite budget travelers to the area, but don't get too excited just yet. Ferries serving this route usually take around 36 hours \u2013 though that does mean saving on accommodation for one night.How to get to Komodo National Park Bali and see Komodo Dragons
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Answer 2
From my experience the fastest, safest and also CHEAPEST way to Komodo is flight through Labuan Bajo. In Bali domestic airport you can find NAM air, KalStar and other airlines office. In Labuan Bajo you can find plenty of tour operators. They are good if you you don't know what you want as they offer the same. If you know what you want and don't want to spend much money than you can take guide and plan your own trip choosing what you want to do more (snorkeling, hiking, watch komodo dragons, sunbathing).
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