The Bali Sun is always ahead of the curve, and while everyone is thinking about Christmas vacation plans, we are already looking ahead to 2026.
Next year, we know that travel trends are going to change in Bali, and one big shift will be towards multi-stop vacations in Indonesia, all starting in Bali.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism has identified five super priority regions of the country that they want to turn into five new Balis.
These are Lake Toba North Sumatra, Borobudur in Central Java, Mandalika in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Likupang, North Sulawesi and Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara.
Bali lovers may not know Labuan Bajo by name, but they will certainly know this world-famous destination for its inhabitants. Labuan Bajo is the gateway to Komodo National Park.
As the only place in the world where the fierce Komodo Dragons live, and as such, Labuan Bajo is a must-visit for nature lovers, and for anyone interested in diving deeper into Indonesian culture, too.
Above ground, it’s all about the Komodo Dragons when touching down in Labuan Bajo, but the region is also home to some of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in Indonesia that are not to be missed.
One of the best ways to explore Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park is on a liveaboard boat. This gives tourists the chance to set sail around the archipelago like the intrepid explorers they are, while enjoying all the luxury they might expect from a vacation in Indonesia.
Until now, the most popular way to reach Labuan Bajo from Bali has been via a short domestic flight from I Gusti Ngurah Rai.
All that is about to change; from December 2025 onwards, it will be possible to set sail from Bali to Labuan Bajo directly.
Those well-versed in Indonesian travel will know that this route is not necessarily new, but it is now more widely and consistently available, and with increased demand for multi-stop vacations between Bali and other top destinations in Indonesia, this service will be in high demand in 2026 and beyond. The next departures will leave Bali on 27th November and 2nd December.
The ferry service that operates between Bali and Labuan Bajo is offered by two vessels, the KM Binaiya and the KM Tilongkabila. The journey time ranges between 27 and 37 hours, and tickets are as little as IDR 295,000. This is the shoestring budget, backpacker-style adventure.
Traveling on the economy route on the Bali-Labuan Bajo ferry is a legitimate travel experience, but for those seeking a little more comfort and perhaps a little more speed, there are tour providers out there who offer Bali to Labuan Bajo cruise experiences that include stop-offs, guided dives, and luxury on-board accommodation.
Of course, there is always a middle ground, too. Tourists who want to organise their own over-ocean adventure across Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, and East Nusa Tenggara can totally make that happen.
With daily departures from Bali’s Sanur and Padangbai Harbors to the Gili Islands and Lombok, it is easier than ever for tourists to sail towards new horizons.
Operators like GoBoat offer affordable fares and straightforward booking systems for tourists who want to organise their own travel.
After enjoying a few days in the Gili Islands and Lombok, travelling by sea to Labuan Bajo is easy to organise too, and offers tourists the chance to experience even more of Indonesia on the move.
To reach Labuan Bajo from Lombok, the first step is to take the ferry from Lombok to Sumbawa, then travel overland to Sape Port, and hop on the Pelni or ASDP ferry to Labuan Bajo.
This is a super budget-friendly option that offers many opportunities to explore off-path destinations along the way, but it is better for those with more time on their hands.
If a multi-stop vacation split between beloved Bali and beyond beautiful Labuan Bajo sounds like a great idea, but the idea of ferries and fast boats doesn’t sound like the vibe, flying is a great option too.
There are five flights daily from Bali to Labuan Bajo with both Indonesia AirAsia and BatikAir. Round-trip prices are often as little as USD 100.
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