A Lombok to Komodo open trip is a shared 4-day, 3-night boat crossing that departs East Lombok on fixed weekly sailing days, island-hops through Saleh Bay, Padar, Komodo and Pink Beach, and ends in Labuan Bajo, Flores. As of 2026, a seat on a shared departure costs roughly IDR 2,800,000 to 3,800,000 per person, depending on whether you sleep on a sharing deck or in a cabin. It is the cheapest realistic way to see Komodo dragons on this route, because the boat fills with other travelers instead of one group paying for the whole charter.
What Is a Lombok to Komodo Open Trip?
“Open trip” means the departure is open to individual bookings: solo travelers, couples and small groups all share one boat, one crew and one itinerary. You buy a seat, not the vessel. Boats on this route are typically wooden phinisi-style or converted local boats carrying around 15 to 30 guests, sailing one-way from Lombok to Labuan Bajo.
Departures run on fixed days each week rather than on demand. In high season (roughly April to October) most operators sail once or twice weekly; in shoulder months schedules thin out and some weeks are skipped for weather. This fixed schedule is exactly why the price stays low, and why you should confirm your sailing date before booking flights out of Labuan Bajo. If you need a specific date the schedule cannot cover, a private group charter departs whenever you want.
What Do You Get for IDR 2.8-3.8 Million?
Inclusions vary by operator, but a properly run shared 4D3N departure normally covers:
- Transport and route: the full one-way sailing from Kayangan Harbor area in East Lombok to Labuan Bajo, with stops typically including Kenawa Island, Saleh Bay (seasonal whale shark snorkeling), Satonda, Gili Lawa, Manta Point, Padar Island viewpoint, Komodo Island ranger trek and Pink Beach.
- Meals and water: three simple meals a day cooked on board, plus drinking water, tea and coffee. Expect honest Indonesian boat food, not fine dining.
- Sleeping setup: a mattress, pillow and blanket on the sharing deck, or a bed in a cabin if you paid the cabin rate.
- Basic gear and crew: snorkel mask and fins (on most boats), life jackets, an English-speaking trip leader and full sailing crew.
What is usually not included: Komodo National Park entrance and ranger fees (paid separately, and park fees have changed several times in recent years, so confirm the current amount when you book), alcohol and soft drinks, tips, and your travel to the Lombok departure harbor. For a full breakdown of what each budget level buys on this route, see our Lombok to Komodo price guide.
Sharing Deck or Cabin: Which Should You Choose?
The sharing deck is the classic backpacker option: mattresses laid side by side on an open or semi-open deck, sea breeze included. It is sociable, it is the cheapest ticket on the boat, and on calm nights it is genuinely pleasant. The trade-off is zero privacy and lighter sleep when the boat moves at night.
Cabins cost roughly IDR 500,000 to 1,000,000 more per person and give you a real bed, a door, and on better boats a fan or air conditioning. Couples and anyone over three days of travel fatigue tend to find the upgrade worth it. If you want en-suite cabins, better food and smaller guest numbers, that is no longer open-trip territory; compare our liveaboard cruise packages instead.
How Do You Book a Seat?
Booking a shared departure is a short process:
- 1. Message us on WhatsApp with your preferred travel week and how many people are joining. We reply with the confirmed departure dates around your window.
- 2. Choose deck or cabin. Cabin stock is limited (often only three to six cabins per boat), so cabins on high-season sailings sell out weeks ahead.
- 3. Pay a deposit to lock the seat. The balance is normally settled before departure. You receive a written confirmation with meeting point, pickup time and packing notes.
- 4. Meet the boat in East Lombok. Most departures include or can arrange land transfer from Senggigi, Mataram or Kuta Lombok to the harbor.
Traveling as a group of four or more? Ask about group pricing: shared departures frequently discount blocks of seats, and at a certain group size it becomes cheaper to take a small private boat outright. We will tell you honestly where that line sits for your dates.
Indicative Open Trip Prices (2026)
| Option | Sleeping arrangement | Indicative price per person |
|---|---|---|
| Sharing deck | Mattress on shared deck | IDR 2,800,000 – 3,200,000 |
| Shared cabin | Bed in a multi-bed cabin | IDR 3,200,000 – 3,500,000 |
| Private cabin (2 pax) | Double cabin for two | IDR 3,400,000 – 3,800,000 |
Disclaimer: these figures are indicative as of 2026 and shift with season, boat class, fuel costs and demand. National park fees are additional. Always request a written quote for your exact departure date; that quote, not this table, is the binding price.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Lombok to Komodo open trip?
The standard format is 4 days and 3 nights, one-way, ending in Labuan Bajo. Some operators run a shorter 3D2N version with fewer stops. If you are weighing formats, our comparison of 3, 4 and 5-day itineraries covers what each length realistically fits in.
Do open trip prices include Komodo National Park fees?
Usually not. Park entrance, trekking and ranger fees are collected separately, and the amounts have been revised more than once in recent years. Budget extra for them and confirm the current figure with us when booking.
When is the best season for the crossing?
April to October generally brings the calmest seas and the most reliable weekly schedule. December to February is rainy season, with rougher open-water sections and more cancellations. Whale shark encounters in Saleh Bay are seasonal and never guaranteed.
Can I sail the route in reverse, from Labuan Bajo to Lombok?
Yes. The same shared boats run the Flores to Lombok direction, which suits travelers who fly into Labuan Bajo first. Departure days differ from the Lombok-origin schedule, so check both when planning.
Check This Week’s Departures
Seats on shared sailings are limited and cabins go first. Send us your travel dates and group size on WhatsApp at +62 811-3823-875 or email bd@juaraholding.com, and we will reply with confirmed departure days, live pricing for deck and cabin, and any current group deals. Part of Juara Holding Group, operating from Bali across Indonesia since 2015.