Skip to content
Search hostels
A surfer rides the waves during a stunning sunset on a Bali beach, showcasing water sports excitement.

Backpacker route · 2–3 weeks

Bali, Lombok and Flores: Canggu to Labuan Bajo

A two-to-three-week island route from Bali's west coast and rice terraces to the Gili islands off Lombok and on to Labuan Bajo in Flores. Each hostel is booked separately.

Photo: Brayden Shaw / Pexels

This route moves east across the Indonesian islands: Bali for surf, rice fields and cliffs, the Gili islands off Lombok for a slower, car-free pace, and Labuan Bajo on Flores as the gateway to Komodo National Park. Together they give a varied trip with short flights and boat hops rather than long overland journeys.

UK government advice says travelling by boat or ferry in Indonesia can be dangerous and that sea conditions can change quickly, so choose operators carefully, check for life jackets and avoid night crossings. The advice also says volcanoes can erupt without warning, so follow local guidance. Each hostel on the route is booked separately.

Each hostel on this route is booked separately with Hostelworld. There is no combined package, and transport is booked with each operator. Duration basis: Estimated by adding the suggested nights at each stop (roughly 14–19 nights) to the boat and flight days between them. Island hops are weather-dependent and sometimes need a spare day.

  1. To Ubud: Road transfer, typically around 1–1.5 hours depending on traffic.

  2. To Uluwatu: Road transfer, typically around 1.5–2 hours; traffic can be heavy.

  3. To Gili Trawangan: Road transfer to a harbour on Bali's east coast, then a fast boat to the Gili islands, typically a half to full day in total. Boats can be cancelled in rough seas.

  4. To Labuan Bajo: A short boat to Lombok, a transfer to the airport (LOP) and a flight to Labuan Bajo (LBJ), often via Bali; allow most of a day. Direct services change often, so check at the time of travel.

You’ll complete your booking with Hostelworld. We may earn a commission from qualifying bookings.

Route tips

  • Book flights and boats around sea conditions, and avoid same-day tight connections.
  • Check boat operators for life jackets and capacity before boarding; UK government advice recommends this.
  • Check the Visit Indonesia site for current rules, including those for visiting Bali, Komodo and national parks.
  • Dry season in this area is often around May to September; check rainfall forecasts for your dates.
  • Each hostel is booked separately, so confirm check-in times with your arrival boat or flight.

Sources and review

Reviewed by the HostelConnect editorial team on 8 November 2026. Check entry rules, transport and conditions with official sources before you travel.