These are the taxi, shuttle and local bus prices, which we managed to gather during our trip in Flores. Most tourists start exploring after their Komodo boat tour, so the Labuan Bajo taxi prices are first.
Those are the prices which we paid in IDR cash in October 2022, so not theoretical costs but real numbers.
Overall, central Flores has excellent places such as Ruteng (traditional villages and volcanoes), Bajawa (even better traditional villages and volcanoes), Kelimutu (multi-colored volcano craters) or Riung (a private mini-Komodo boat tour).
To see them, there are three main transportation options: (1) scheduled Gunung Mas minibuses, (2) private or shared taxis, and (3) local buses.
Gunung Mas
Gunung Mas is a travel agency organizing scheduled rides along the Trans-Flores Highway from Labuan Bajo to Ruteng, Bajawa, Ende and Moni (for Kelimutu). They are using Toyota or Isuzu minibuses in decent condition. Their engines are usually strong enough to scale steep passes quickly and the air conditioning is strong.
Many or most passengers will be local guests. Book in the Gunung Mas office in Labuan Bajo (close to the airport), Ruteng (town center) or Bajawa (outside of town). Alternatively, book through your hotel or homestay owner or staff.
The Gunung Mas shuttles from Labuan Bajo at 07:30am and 09:00am are frequently sold out. Please book at least the day before.
You will be picked up from your accommodation at the scheduled time. Please allow for the “Indonesia flexible time”, +/-15 minutes. Yes, the bus might arrive early as the driver might have changed the pickup order.
You will usually be dropped off in your next accommodation. Important: NOT in Bajawa. Unfortunately, Gunung Mas does not enter the center of Bajawa but will drop you off outside of town at Terminal Watujaji (2.5 kms from town center).
Local buses
Tourists are usually not taking many local buses in Lombok or Bali. Over there we are usually at the mercy of the expensive private or shared taxis.
However, in Flores the local buses are frequently taken by foreign visitors. Those are colorful buses painted with bright religious symbols or other fashionable motifs. They have few fixed stops and will pick up and drop off almost anywhere you wish. In addition, they will transport all things imaginable (or not) on a public bus. Chickens and cockerels. Boxes of bathroom tiles. Tables and chairs. 20kg sacks of rice. Bags of sweet potatoes. All making for a memorable journey. And it is pretty guaranteed that you will be greeted with a smile by all fellow passengers.
There is usually at least one 20-30 minute stop in a four-hour ride with for lunch and bathrooms. The local restaurant (warung, makasan padang) will be usually inexpensive and offering fresh food. We dined there and did not have any stomach problems afterwards. Excellent news.
Book ahead and sit in front
In general, you can book them through your homestay or hotel owner, who will probably know the bus owner and drivers well. As an added benefit, you might be the first passenger on the bus and choose your seat.
Try to get the seat next to the driver for three reasons: (1) the inevitable chickens will be far behind you. Moreover, (2) there are usually two thin seats next to the driver. You can sit in one and place your bag in the other. If you are travelling in a group, sit in the first row as the rice/potatoes/chickens will be behind you. Finally, (3) the views to Ruteng and Bajawa are stunning.
Also, local buses will usually pick you up from your accommodation at the formerly stated time plus the “Indonesia flexible time” of +/-15 minutes. Yes, one local bus knocked at our door at 7:11 am instead of 7:30-8:00am as previously communicated. A miracle.
Finally, they will also usually drop you off at your next accommodation, INCLUDING Bajawa.
Current Labuan Bajo taxi and bus prices
All prices per person, unless otherwise noted.
Labuan Bajo
Labuan Bajo airport – Labuan Bajo accommodation: IDR 70,000 ($4.70) PER CAR
Labuan Bajo – Ruteng: Gunung Mas shuttle, IDR 120,000 ($8), 4 hours, pick up: Labuan Bajo accommodation, drop off: Ruteng accommodation; three departure times: 7:30am, 9:00am, 11:00am. Frequently sold out, especially the 7:30 and 9:00am departures, book at least the day before
Labuan Bajo accommodation – Labuan Bajo airport: IDR 65,000 ($4.30) PER CAR (cheaper as more competition from the city)
Ruteng
Ruteng day tour: destinations (rice terraces, Hobbit’s Cave, Todo traditional village), IDR 700,000 PER CAR, 6 hours
Ruteng – Bajawa: shared car (3 tourists), IDR 150,000 ($10), pick up: Ruteng accommodation, drop off: Bajawa accommodation
Bajawa
Bajawa – Moni (for Kelimutu): local bus (Gunung Mas NOT entering Bajawa center), IDR 120,000 ($8), 7 hours
Bajawa traditional village day tour: destinations (Bena, Luba, Tololela, Bla, hot springs), IDR 700,000 PER CAR , 7 hours
Bajawa – Ruteng: shared taxi IDR 150,000 ($10), local bus IDR 100,000 ($6.70)
Bajawa – Labuan Bajo: shared taxi IDR 250,000 ($16.70), local bus IDR 150,000 ($10)
Riung
Moni – Ende: Gunung Mas, IDR 50,000 ($3), 1.5-2 hours (depending on the duration of the lunch stop), bus stop on the road opposite Mopi’s restaurant; private car: IDR 500,000 ($33)
Ende – Riung: local bus (no Gunung Mas available), IDR 80,000 ($5.30), 4 hours, departing from the Ndao bus station in Ende between 12 and 4pm (check the exact time on your day).
Warning: the Ndao bus station is just a few small local shops along the road across the Pertamina gas station. Please do not make the same mistake as we did – ask for the exact departure time before. Otherwise, it is not the most pleasant experience to spend 2-3 hours next to a busy road with little shade.
Riung islands day tour: whole boat-only, IDR 500,000 plus IDR 100,000 park ticket fee plus IDR 100,000 lunch (expensive but excellent barbecue fish on the beach)
Riung – Bajawa: local bus, IDR 80,000 ($5.30), 4 hours, 6:00am departure time
Where to go next after Labuan Bajo
Similar to this price overview, check the Bali Taxi and Ferry Prices or How to get to Gili islands if heading west after Flores.
If you are staying in Flores, a Komodo tour, Riung (Flores) or Bena Traditional Village (Flores) around Bajawa are great options to do.
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