Lombok is a natural next stop for travellers heading west after Labuan Bajo — or a point of departure for those coming from Bali and the Gilis before arriving. There is no direct flight between the two, and the overland route is a genuine undertaking. Here is the full picture.
Who This Is For
Travellers finishing their time in Labuan Bajo who want to continue to Lombok, or those planning a broader Indonesia itinerary that connects the two destinations.
Flying: Connect Through Bali
The fastest and easiest route is Labuan Bajo to Bali by air, then Bali to Lombok by air. Both legs are short (around 1h15 and 30–40 minutes respectively) and well-served by Indonesian domestic airlines including Batik Air, Lion Air, and Garuda Indonesia.
Total travel time including a reasonable Bali layover: 4–6 hours. This route also allows you to spend a night or two in Bali in transit if your schedule permits, which many travellers choose to do.
Flying Directly to Lombok (Connecting Flights)
Some itineraries connect Labuan Bajo to Lombok via a single connection — either through Bali or Makassar. Check Google Flights or airline apps for current routing. Connection times at Bali need to be reasonable (minimum 2 hours); at Makassar, allow at least 3 hours.
The Overland Route: Labuan Bajo to Lombok via Sumbawa
For travellers with time and the right attitude, the overland route through Sumbawa is a legitimate adventure. The full journey takes approximately 24 hours and involves three main legs.
Leg 1 — Labuan Bajo to Sape by sea: A PELNI or ASDP public ferry crosses from Labuan Bajo Port through the park waters to Sape on the eastern tip of Sumbawa. The journey takes 7–8 hours and departs once daily from Labuan Bajo, typically in the morning.
Leg 2 — Sape to Poto Tano by bus: A bus or shared vehicle takes you west across Sumbawa from Sape to Poto Tano on the island’s western coast. This leg takes 6–9 hours on reasonable roads.
Leg 3 — Poto Tano to Kayangan (Lombok) by ferry: The ASDP ferry from Poto Tano crosses to Kayangan Port on Lombok’s north-east coast. The crossing takes about 2 hours.
The Honest Assessment
The overland route is cheap, scenic, and a genuine slice of Indonesian public transport. It is also unreliable on exact timings, physically tiring, and requires a full day (or more, if connections miss). Take it if the journey itself appeals. Fly if you need to be somewhere at a specific time.
Costs Compared
Flying (with Bali connection): approximately USD 80–150 total. Overland: IDR 100,000–300,000 in ferry and bus tickets. Very cheap.