How To Get To Flores Island By Land

Flores Island By Land

How to get to Flores Island - Indonesia by Land ? this is best site to tell you if you plan to visit this amazing island. Flores will entangle you with its impressive landscape and unique cultural features. Be aware though that it takes time to explore the hidden treasures that are spread over this 450 km long beautiful island. As the road are often steep, curvy, and in a mediocre condition, you will rarely go faster than 30 km/h. In addition the islands' pace of living is generally slower than your usual rhythm. Thus, travelling in Flores requires some patience and some time to adjust. The so-called ‘Transflores highway’ is the main road that connects Flores from west to east. Starting from Labuan Bajo and ending in Larantuka, this 700 km-long road twists and tumbles across the island. This route never gets boring: it leads you to waterfalls, crosses mountains, and passes traditional villages. For more remote natural and cultural explorations, the Transflores highway offers you a good starting base to take side roads into undiscovered areas.

Bike & Car rental

Alternative to public transport, hiring a car with an experienced driver gives you the flexibility to stop wherever you want.

Most of the cars are owned privately, and the sector is not yet providing international standard tourism services. A small number of tour operators have own cars. So far, no cars are rented for self-drive.

A motorbike is a good option to travel around Flores as well, as some of the remote areas can only be reached by this means of transport. However, longer distances are for experienced drivers only as the roads are sometimes in a miserable condition.

Motorbikes can be rented in the district capitals. Do not forget to bring an international driving license with you to rent a car or motorbike.

Public transportation

Within the district capitals and larger towns, it is quite easy and cheap to handle short distances by hopping on and off the bemo (minibus).

The ojek, a motorbike taxi often offered by young men who want to make an extra income, is another option for shorter distances. As it is quite popular to be an ojek driver, you will also find these young chauffeurs in more remote places. Of course the price is negotiable.

For longer distances, you may choose to ride on one of the many busses and trucks that bring their passengers from one town to the other. It is advisable to reserve a seat in advance (preferably the front row so it will be less bumpy) at a local travel agent because the busses can get crowded. They mostly depart and arrive via public bus stations. Exact time schedules are not available, and busses will only depart once all seats are occupied.

Travel companies

Travel Companies provide buses to cove longer distances from one town to the other. These busses operate on fixed routes and generally go from point to point with no intermediate stops. The buses will, however, pick up and drop off passengers at their departure/arrival addresses. This relatively comfortable way to travel is popular among both visitors and locals.

Some Tours of Flores Island that you may interest :

Flores Island Tour 7 Days