Flights to Maumere or Ende from Bali Denpasar

Hi everyone, I’m currently working on a 30-day itinerary for May/June 2027. 10 days in eastern Java (Malang, Bromo, waterfalls, Meru Beriti Park, Banyuwangi, and Ijen), a short transit in Ubud for a few days, then Flores before heading back to Jakarta. We’ll spend 15 days in Flores (the classic route: Moni, Bajawa, Riung, Ruteng, ending in Labuan Bajo). I’d love some firsthand feedback on flights to Maumere or Ende from Bali Denpasar. I know there are no direct routes and that you have to connect through Labuan Bajo or Timor (I think), which isn’t an issue in itself. But I’ve read here and there that flights to these destinations can be delayed—or worse, canceled—and that it’s better to fly in and out of Labuan Bajo, which isn’t exactly ideal... Thanks for any tips or experiences you can share!

Hello,

But I’ve read here and there that flights to this destination could be delayed or worse, canceled

I don’t recall seeing any info suggesting that the Denpasar-Kupang route is at higher risk of delays/cancellations than Denpasar-Labuan Bajo.

it was preferable to land and depart from LB, which isn’t exactly ideal...

No. What I think is preferable is to arrive in Maumere or Ende via Kupang or Labuan Bajo and depart from Labuan Bajo.

Currently (2026), the fastest and daily one-way option is Denpasar-Labuan Bajo on Batik Air*, then Labuan Bajo-Ende on Wings Air*, depending on the period, roughly 3h to 5h55 total travel time including layover, for 118 to 132 €. Then return Labuan Bajo-Denpasar or Jakarta with several airline choices.

*2 airlines from the same group.

What I think is preferable is to arrive in Maumere or Ende via Kupang or Labuan Bajo and leave from Labuan Bajo.

Yes, that's what we've planned to do. Arriving in Ende and departing from LB (to Jakarta). Some comments in other forums, mostly English-speaking ones, are quite alarmist about flights to Ende and especially Maumere. The eruption of the Lewotobi volcano is probably the reason for that. Thanks for your feedback! 🙂

Hi there,

My experience with flights to Flores dates back to summer 2025: Outbound: Denpasar – Maumere / Return: Labuan Bajo – Lombok.

On the way out, we had a layover in Kupang (Lion Air + Wings Air), and the second flight was 2–3 hours late, but it gave us a stunning approach over Flores just before sunset.

On the way back, there was also a delay (due to the Lewotobi eruption the day before), but we were able to leave and fly between the rain clouds. Others at LB airport had been more or less camping there since the day before.

We knew before leaving that delays and cancellations are common. Lewotobi had been very active for several months, and we’d planned extra time, especially for our final return to Jakarta. We also counted on our lucky stars, and everything worked out!

Safe travels!

Really enjoyed reading your travel journal about Indonesia, 😇! We’re using the same host... We’ll be doing roughly the same route, though we’ll stay a bit longer in LB. We won’t be going to Lombok, already (well) visited.

Thanks for stopping by my travel journal! I’ve already read several of yours too—gorgeous photos and amazing hikes... 😉

For Flores, the Bajawa area really won us over and deserves a stop for a few days. The surroundings are stunning, and the scooter rides through the countryside are super fun, just cruising along the little roads. But there aren’t many places to stay, and some can be a bit iffy in terms of cleanliness... You’ve gotta find the right one (not ours!...😛)

And for Labuan Bajo, it’s great you’re staying longer. Better for spending a few days exploring around Komodo National Park—our day trip was a letdown. Same goes for the scooter rides around the area, I bet they’re really nice!

Thanks for stopping by my travel journal! I’ve already read several of yours too—gorgeous photos and amazing hikes... 😉

For Flores, we really loved the Bajawa area and think it’s worth stopping for a few days. The surroundings are stunning, and the scooter rides through the countryside are super fun, just following the small roads. But there aren’t many places to stay, and some can be a bit iffy in terms of cleanliness... You’ve gotta find the right one (not ours!...😛)

And for LB, it’s great you’re staying longer. Better to spend a few days sailing around Komodo National Park—the day trip left us disappointed. Plus, I bet the scooter rides around the area are really nice!

Hi Béatrice,

I just reread your Flores travel journal, and now I’m wondering if the Komodo cruise is even worth it... We’d planned 2 nights on board. I’m having second thoughts. Maybe flying into Maumere (instead of Ende) would make more sense. Here’s what we’ve got planned so far:

Arrival in Ende 2 nights in Moni 2 nights in Riung 3 nights in Bajawa 1 night in Ruteng Then Labuan Bajo for the famous cruise and 2 nights/3 days, possibly followed by Pirate Island.

If we add 2 nights in Maumere, we’d lose them in Labuan Bajo. At the same time, I’ve read a lot of comments on other forums about flights to Maumere being canceled or seriously delayed... From what you’ve said, there are also sometimes big delays leaving LB, and that’d be more of a hassle since our flight from Jakarta is the next day...

Hi Anne-Marie,

At the beginning, you mentioned 2 weeks in Flores—it seems like the duration in your description is shorter?...

We didn’t do the Komodo cruise with nights on a boat, but I would’ve loved to! That said, it’s a budget consideration, and my partner isn’t too keen on spending time on a boat. I love it, though... I think it’s worth it if you choose the right provider. 🙂

In LB, it must be really nice to explore the area by scooter, since no one does it! All the tourists are there just for the marine park. I think you can find some quiet roads in the surrounding areas, enjoy the scenery, and have some great encounters.

For flights/cancellation/delay risks, you’re never completely safe... Those who lived through the COVID period or recently the war in the Middle East, stranded abroad, could tell us about it. We took a calculated risk by planning a bit of extra time (but not too much), and we closely followed the news about Lewotobi. But we also accepted in advance that there might be a minor hiccup in the trip’s flow, though nothing dramatic. 😛

Happy planning—you’re going to have a blast!

Arrival Ende 2 nights in Moni 2 nights in Riung 3 nights in Bajawa 1 night in Ruteng then Labuan Bajo with the famous cruise and 2 nights/3 days, followed by (maybe) Pirate Island.

If we add 2 nights in Maumere, we lose them in Labuan Bajo.

It’s too bad it’s no longer 2 weeks in Flores—this turns that part into a rush, a tough physical challenge on this island...

From what you’re saying, there are also sometimes significant delays when leaving LB, and that would be more annoying since our flight from Jakarta would be the next day...

If we reversed the order of the islands (Flores-Bali-Java), that risk wouldn’t exist.

I just reread your travel journal about Flores. I'm starting to wonder if the Komodo cruise is worth it... We had planned 2 nights on board. I'm having second thoughts. Maybe arriving in Maumere (instead of Ende) makes more sense. Here's what we have planned so far:

Arrival in Ende 2 nights in Moni 2 nights in Riung 3 nights in Bajawa 1 night in Ruteng then Labuan Bajo with the famous cruise and 2 nights/3 days, followed by (maybe) Pirate Island.

If we add 2 nights in Maumere, we lose them in Labuan Bajo. At the same time, I've read quite a few comments on other forums mentioning cancellations or significant delays for flights to Maumere...

Hello

If it's to go directly to Moni, it's better to land in Ende—it's closer than Maumere. Many taxis wait to take you to Moni for a modest fee.

2 nights in Riung is too few: if you're coming from Moni, you'll arrive in the evening, so that's only one full day there. Given the travel time to get to and from Riung, you should stay 3 nights. So you'll need to remove one night from Moni or somewhere else.

Yes, a Komodo cruise is a must if you're into diving or snorkeling. Again, you need 3 nights because the last day involves a morning return, so 2 nights means only 1.5 days there—too little to enjoy the many amazing spots. However, don’t do this cruise without diving or snorkeling. Agencies offer high prices on fancy boats, but if you go to the port, you can find cheap cruises on basic but perfectly fine boats.

I’d skip Maumere and add 3 nights in Riung and 3 nights on the cruise.

Thanks to all three of you for your feedback! 🙂

In Flores, we’ll be staying for a total of 15 days, including Labuan Bajo and Komodo. When I read other travelers’ trip reports, the length of our itinerary from Moni to LB seems pretty standard, but maybe I’m wrong... I’ll think about the route and maybe tweak it. Flights from Bali to Ende are super early. Do you arrive in Moni in the evening? If there’s a big delay, probably, but if not? I’m definitely thinking of adding one night in Riung. (That’ll mean cutting something else—probably Meru Betiri Park in Java.) We’ll likely go with a driver from Ende to LB to make the most of our sightseeing. Funny enough, it’s often the 2-night cruise ("3 days"—which is pretty debatable, honestly) that’s recommended on other forums, mostly English-speaking ones. I was thinking of chilling on Pirate Island after the cruise to end the trip on a relaxing note. As for the order of the itinerary, I don’t think I’ll change it. For us, it makes more sense to start with the eastern part of Java. Either way, if there’s an issue with delayed or canceled flights, it could happen in either direction, right? Our LB/Jakarta flight is the day before our return flight to France, so we’ll spend one night in Jakarta.

For flights / cancellation / delay risks, you’re never completely safe... Those who lived through the COVID period or recently the war in the Middle East, stranded abroad, could tell us about it.

Cheers, 😇

Flights from Bali to Ende are very early in the morning. Do we arrive in Moni in the evening? If there’s a significant delay, probably, but if not?

Depending on the day of the week and assuming no delays or cancellations, you’ll arrive in Moni by mid-afternoon at the latest.

I’m actually thinking of adding 1 night in Riung. (It’ll mean cutting something else—probably Meru Betiri Park in Java.)

Yes to adding a night in Riung. But even though I don’t know Meru Betiri, I’d say Ubud—the only Balinese stop that doesn’t make much sense for your trip—is what you should cut. Instead, plan just one transit night in Jimbaran (close to the airport) to catch the "very early" flight to Ende (via Labuan Bajo)* the next day. That way, you’d gain 2–3 days to explore Flores more comfortably. Save a proper visit to Bali for your next trip.

* Book both flights as a single purchase.

We’re thinking of hiring a car with a driver from Ende to LB to maximize our visits.

That’s debatable—it might push you to rush.

As for the itinerary order, I don’t think we’ll change it. For us, it makes more sense to start with East Java. Anyway, if there’s a problem with delayed or canceled flights, it’ll happen in both directions, right?

True, but if the issue happens on the way to Flores, there’s no practical air backup plan. To make up for lost time, you’d have to speed up or adjust your original itinerary. Meanwhile, if it happens between East Java and Jakarta (much rarer since you’re not "in the middle of nowhere" anymore), you’d have plenty of backup options to reach JKT (way more flights, overnight buses, etc.).

In Flores, we’ll be staying for a full 15 days, including Labuan Bajo and Komodo. When I read other travelers’ trip reports, the length of our itinerary from Moni to LB seems pretty standard, but maybe I’m wrong...

15 days is great. You can always stay longer, but you’ve gotta make choices if you don’t have months of vacation 😏

Flights from Bali to Ende are super early in the morning.

Agree with Songsam: stay in Jimbaran right next to the airport.

I think I’ll actually add one night in Riung.

Perfect 😎

Our LB/Jakarta flight is the day before our return flight to France. We’ll spend one night in Jakarta.

Normally, one buffer night should be enough. If the flight’s canceled, you should be able to find another one pretty easily. I’ve had flights canceled several times, and I’ve always been able to rebook—except once when I was coming back from Papua, where there were only two flights a day. So when one was canceled, I was worried the other would be full.

Thanks to both of you for these useful tips. Ubud is kind of a must-visit for family reasons, and yes, we’ll spend the night (loyal to the same hotel!) in Jimbaran before catching our flight to Ende. That was already the plan. Adding an extra day in Riung seems like a smart move. Instead, we’ll cut back somewhere in Java. Meru Betiri Park still tempts me, or maybe just skipping the Ijen ascent, which we’re not really into after all. So instead of spending 2 nights in that area—specifically in Licin—we could just stay one night and head straight to Bali the next day. I haven’t had any feedback on Betiri Park. It’ll be a discovery (or not). 😇 As for the car with a driver, nothing’s decided yet, but I don’t quite get why this option would make us rush. But it might not be the best idea... So we’ll see.