Labuan Bajo (LBJ) is the gateway to Komodo National Park, and it is generally the more straightforward of Indonesia's two major liveaboard hubs to reach, with direct domestic flights from several cities.
Direct routes into Labuan Bajo
Labuan Bajo has direct flights from Jakarta (CGK), Bali or Denpasar (DPS), and Surabaya (SUB), among other Indonesian cities. Most international travellers connect through Jakarta or Bali, both well-served by international routes, then take a direct domestic flight the rest of the way.
Still worth an arrival buffer
Even with direct flights, domestic schedules can shift, and Labuan Bajo's airport can see weather-related delays during the wet season. Arriving the day before your liveaboard's departure remains the safer default, particularly if your trip has been planned around a fixed departure date.
Most operators arrange the harbour transfer directly and will want your arrival flight number to coordinate pickup.
Getting from the airport to the harbour
Labuan Bajo's airport is close to the town and harbour, and the transfer is typically short. Some operators include this transfer as part of the voyage; others ask guests to arrange it separately, so it is worth confirming which applies to your booking.