Labuan Bajo Airport, officially Komodo Airport (IATA code LBJ, ICAO WATO), is the single-terminal jumping-off point for Komodo National Park on the western tip of Flores. Flights from Bali take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes; the terminal sits about 3 to 5 km from town, a 10 to 15 minute drive to your hotel or the harbour. A private transfer runs from USD 8.
Labuan Bajo Airport at a glance: code LBJ, one terminal
The airport most people call Labuan Bajo Airport carries the formal name Komodo Airport, sometimes written as Komodo International Airport. Its three-letter IATA code is LBJ, the code you will see on your boarding pass and luggage tag, and its ICAO code is WATO. An older name, Mutiara II, still appears on a few cargo and aviation databases, but every passenger airline and booking site uses LBJ today.
This is a compact airport. There is one main passenger terminal, two boarding gates, a single baggage carousel, and no jet bridges, so you walk across the apron to and from the aircraft. The building is modern and clean rather than sprawling, which is good news on arrival: there is very little distance between the aircraft door and the taxi rank outside. From wheels-down to standing on the kerb with your bag rarely takes more than fifteen minutes.
LBJ handles mostly domestic flights and holds international status, though international service is limited and routes change. The vast majority of arrivals come from within Indonesia, principally Bali and Jakarta, so most foreign visitors connect through one of those two hubs.
Flights to Labuan Bajo: from Bali, Jakarta and beyond
The two workhorse routes into LBJ are Denpasar (Bali, airport code DPS) and Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta, code CGK). Carriers that commonly serve the airport include Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, Batik Air, Super Air Jet and Wings Air, with AirAsia appearing on international service.
- Bali (DPS) to Labuan Bajo (LBJ): a nonstop flight of about 1 hour 5 to 15 minutes. In peak season you can expect roughly four to eight nonstop flights a day combined across the airlines, concentrated in the morning.
- Jakarta (CGK) to Labuan Bajo (LBJ): the shortest nonstop is around 2 hours 30 minutes, with typical gate-to-gate times of 2 hours 30 to 40 minutes.
Wings Air uses ATR turboprops, so its pure flight time can edge slightly longer and some itineraries route through other Flores or Bali points. If you want the simplest journey, book a nonstop morning DPS to LBJ service. That puts you on the ground in Labuan Bajo by mid-morning with the whole day ahead, which matters if you plan to head straight to a boat. For a smooth airport-to-jetty handover, our Labuan Bajo airport to harbour transfer meets you at arrivals and drives you directly to the pier.
Getting from the airport to town and the harbour
Distances around Labuan Bajo are short. The town centre and the main waterfront are roughly 3 to 5 km from the terminal, which translates to about a 10 to 15 minute drive depending on traffic and exactly where your hotel sits. The harbour where day-trip boats and liveaboards moor is around ten minutes by car in normal conditions. You are never far from anything here.
Your options on arrival:
- Official airport taxi: there is a taxi counter inside the terminal with posted, per-destination flat fares rather than a running meter. Expect roughly IDR 60,000 to 100,000 (about USD 4 to 7) per car for up to three or four passengers to most town or harbour hotels.
- Hotel pickup: many mid-range and upper properties arrange a car for you, sometimes complimentary. Confirm this when you book your room so a driver is waiting with your name at arrivals.
- Pre-booked private transfer: the most reliable choice if you are arriving with luggage, dive gear, family or a tight boat departure. A driver greets you by name, helps with bags, and takes you straight to the door of your hotel or to the correct jetty.
Ride-hailing apps such as Grab and Gojek operate in parts of Indonesia, but availability at the LBJ terminal is inconsistent and not something to rely on for a fixed schedule. If your timing is firm, book transport in advance. You can compare door-to-door fares on our Labuan Bajo private car rates page, and if you are heading to a hotel rather than the pier, the Labuan Bajo airport to hotel transfer covers every property in and around town.
ATM, cash and money at Komodo Airport
Cash matters in Labuan Bajo, and the airport is thin on banking. Arrivals has a single ATM, a Bank Mandiri machine, and on busy days it can run dry. There is no reliable currency exchange counter inside the terminal, and other banks such as BNI or BRI are not confirmed at the airport itself.
The practical takeaway: withdraw rupiah in Bali or Jakarta before you fly, or bring some cash with you. You will need physical IDR for several things that do not take cards, including park conservation fees inside Komodo National Park, ranger tips, small warung meals, and many airport taxis. With the rupiah trading around IDR 16,000 to the US dollar in 2025, a budget of IDR 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 (roughly USD 60 to 125) in cash covers most arrival-day needs comfortably. Town has more ATMs from several banks if you need to top up later.
SIM cards, data and staying connected
You can usually buy a SIM at the LBJ arrivals area, where a small kiosk sells Telkomsel and other operator cards, though opening hours can be limited around flight banks. If the airport stand is closed, Labuan Bajo town has a Telkomsel GraPARI outlet plus phone shops and convenience stores near the harbour that sell tourist data packages. Indonesian law requires passport registration, which the staff handle for you on the spot.
Telkomsel generally has the strongest, most reliable coverage in the tourist areas of Labuan Bajo and on the more popular boat routes, though signal drops out among the outer islands of the national park, which is normal. If you would rather arrive already connected, a global travel eSIM that roams on the Telkomsel network is widely usable; buying a local Telkomsel eSIM on the spot in a small town is less dependable, so set up an eSIM before you travel if that is your plan.
Arrival facilities and what to expect inside
Because LBJ is small, there is not a great deal inside, and that is part of its charm. You will find the baggage carousel, an information point, the taxi counter, the SIM kiosk and the Mandiri ATM in the arrivals area, along with basic seating. There is no confirmed formal airline lounge. Snacks and drinks are limited compared with a major hub, so if you are connecting onward by boat the same day, it is wise to carry water and something to eat. The upside of a small terminal is speed: arrivals here is one of the quickest in Indonesia.
Where the airport fits in your Komodo trip
For most visitors the airport is simply the first ten minutes of a Komodo adventure. Boats depart from Pelabuhan Labuan Bajo, the town port, and the developed waterfront often called Marina Labuan Bajo, both close to the terminal. From there you reach the headline sites: the ridge-top viewpoint on Padar Island, the dragons at Komodo Island (Loh Liang) and Rinca Island (Loh Buaya), Pink Beach (Pantai Merah), the drift snorkel at Manta Point, the sandbar at Taka Makassar, and smaller stops like Kelor and Kanawa. Sunset trips often add Kalong Island to watch flying foxes lift off at dusk.
The dry season, roughly April to October with the calmest seas from May to September, is the prime window; November to March brings more rain and rougher water. A shared open-trip day tour runs about USD 60 to 120 per person, a private speedboat charter for the day around USD 450 to 800 for the boat, and phinisi liveaboards from roughly USD 150 per person for a 2D1N up to USD 1,000 and beyond for luxury multi-night sailings. Komodo National Park conservation fees are paid separately in cash, commonly IDR 350,000 to 600,000 per person per day depending on which islands you visit and whether it is a weekend. If you want the whole journey arranged end to end, including a polished boat and a driver at the airport, browse luxury Labuan Bajo trips and Komodo charters.
Booking your airport transfer
The simplest way to start your trip on the right foot is to have a driver waiting before you land. Private airport transfers with Labuan Bajo VIP Transfer start from USD 8 per car for the run between Komodo Airport and town, town hotels or the harbour, with a named meet-and-greet, help with luggage and a fixed price agreed in advance, so there is no haggling at the kerb after a long flight. Tell us your flight number and we time the pickup to your actual arrival. Chat on WhatsApp to lock in your transfer, or read more in our Labuan Bajo transfer FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
What is the airport code for Labuan Bajo?
The airport code for Labuan Bajo is LBJ, the IATA code for Komodo Airport. Its ICAO code is WATO. You will see LBJ on flight bookings, boarding passes and luggage tags. The airport is also written as Komodo Airport or Komodo International Airport, and an older name, Mutiara II, occasionally appears in aviation databases.
How far is Labuan Bajo Airport from the town and harbour?
Komodo Airport sits about 3 to 5 km from Labuan Bajo town centre and the waterfront, a drive of roughly 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic and your hotel location. The harbour where boats depart is around ten minutes away by car. Distances are short, so transfers are quick and inexpensive.
How much is a taxi from Labuan Bajo Airport?
The official airport taxi counter charges posted, per-destination flat fares rather than using a meter. Expect roughly IDR 60,000 to 100,000, about USD 4 to 7, per car for up to three or four passengers to most town or harbour hotels. A pre-booked private transfer with a named meet-and-greet starts from USD 8 and removes any kerbside negotiation.
Is there an ATM at Labuan Bajo Airport?
Yes, but only one. Arrivals has a single Bank Mandiri ATM, and it can run out of cash on busy days. There is no reliable money changer at the terminal. Withdraw rupiah in Bali or Jakarta before you fly, since you will need cash for park fees, tips and small purchases that do not accept cards.
Can I buy a SIM card at Labuan Bajo Airport?
Usually yes. A small kiosk in arrivals sells Telkomsel and other operator SIMs, though hours can be limited around flights. If it is closed, Labuan Bajo town has a Telkomsel GraPARI outlet and phone shops near the harbour. Telkomsel has the strongest local coverage. A global travel eSIM that roams on Telkomsel is a good alternative if you prefer to arrive connected.