ASDP runs a car-and-passenger ferry between Labuan Bajo and Sape on Sumbawa (the gateway town for Bima), a crossing of roughly 75 nautical miles that ASDP lists as one 10:00 WITA departure a day, every day except Tuesday — six sailings a week. Book through ASDP’s official Trip Ferizy platform (trip.ferizy.com) or the ASDP corporate site rather than relying on a fixed timetable published elsewhere, since schedules and departure times shift.
If you’re heading overland-and-sea from Labuan Bajo toward Sumbawa, Lombok, or onward to Bali by road and ferry rather than flying, the Sape crossing is the relevant route — not the tourist speedboats and phinisi that dominate most Komodo trip planning. This guide covers what the route actually is, how it fits into ASDP’s wider network out of Labuan Bajo, and where to book rather than guessing at a schedule.
What is the Labuan Bajo to Sape ferry route?
It’s a state-operated ASDP crossing connecting Labuan Bajo’s harbor to Sape, a port town on the eastern tip of Sumbawa in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province. Sape itself sits roughly 2–3 hours by road from Bima, the larger town most travelers associate with the region, so “the Bima ferry” and “the Sape ferry” often refer to the same ASDP service in casual conversation, even though the ship docks at Sape rather than Bima directly. The route runs approximately 75 nautical miles, according to ASDP’s own route documentation.
How often does the ferry actually run?
ASDP’s Sape port listing gives the Labuan Bajo–Sape crossing one departure a day at 10:00 WITA, every day except Tuesday — six sailings a week, which still distinguishes it from several of ASDP’s other, lighter “perintis” (pioneer) routes out of Labuan Bajo — such as connections to Waingapu on Sumba, or occasional links to Bira and Jampea in South Sulawesi — which run less frequently and less predictably. That said, the six-a-week pattern describes how the route generally runs, not a guarantee for any specific date; weather, vessel maintenance, and demand can all affect a given day’s sailing, so confirm your exact date is running before finalizing other travel plans around it.
Where do I book, and can I trust a timetable I found online?
Book directly through ASDP’s official Trip Ferizy platform (trip.ferizy.com) or the ASDP corporate website. Treat any fixed departure-time timetable you find on a third-party travel blog or forum as a rough historical reference at best — ASDP schedules shift with season, vessel rotation, and operational changes, and a specific time posted even a few months ago may no longer be accurate. Booking through the official platform also gives you a current, confirmed departure time rather than one that may have already changed.
How is this different from the tourist boats that leave from the same general area?
The ASDP ferry network serves a different purpose than the phinisi charters, speedboats, and open trips that most Komodo-bound travelers book. ASDP ferries carry vehicles and passengers on scheduled, longer-distance inter-island routes as part of Indonesia’s state ferry system, while tourist boats are privately operated, purpose-built for national park sightseeing, and depart from the town waterfront rather than necessarily the same terminal ASDP uses. If your trip is specifically about seeing Komodo National Park rather than moving a vehicle or connecting overland to Sumbawa, a tourist boat — not this ferry — is almost certainly what you want; see our speedboat charter guide or one-day Komodo trip guide instead.
What else does ASDP run from Labuan Bajo besides the Sape route?
Alongside the near-daily Sape crossing, ASDP operates lighter, less frequent “perintis” services from Labuan Bajo to Waingapu (Sumba) and to Pulau Rinca, plus occasional links toward Bira and Jampea in South Sulawesi. These pioneer routes exist mainly to serve inter-island connectivity for residents and overland travelers rather than tourism day trips, and their schedules are considerably less predictable than the Sape crossing. Our full ASDP ferry route guide covers all of these routes together with sourcing for each. If you’re specifically comparing this route against PELNI’s long-haul passenger ships, see our PELNI ferries guide, since the two state operators run genuinely different service types.
Should I fly or take the ferry to Sumbawa/Bima instead?
That depends on your priority. Flying between Labuan Bajo (LBJ) and nearby regional airports is faster and more predictable for a fixed itinerary, while the ASDP ferry is the practical choice if you’re bringing a vehicle, traveling on a tighter budget, or want to see the strait between Flores and Sumbawa as part of the journey rather than skipping it by air. If your onward plan continues by road through Sumbawa toward Lombok, our Labuan Bajo to Lombok by sea guide covers how that longer multi-leg journey typically works.
What should I confirm before booking this ferry?
Four things are worth checking directly on Trip Ferizy or with ASDP before you commit other plans around this crossing: the confirmed departure date and time for your specific day (not a general “it sails every day” assumption), whether you’re bringing a vehicle and what documentation that requires, the current one-way duration estimate for that specific sailing, and whether your travel dates fall in a period where ASDP has issued any weather-related advisory for the route. Sea conditions along this corridor can prompt schedule changes, particularly outside the core dry season.
How long does the crossing take, and what does it cost?
ASDP does not publish a single fixed crossing duration or fare that stays constant year-round on its public materials in a way we can responsibly restate here as a locked-in figure — sailing time over roughly 75 nautical miles depends on the specific vessel and sea conditions, and fares are set and updated by ASDP through Trip Ferizy rather than a printed rate card that’s safe to quote months later. Rather than publish a number here that could already be outdated by the time you read this, check the current duration estimate and fare directly on Trip Ferizy when you search your specific date — the platform shows both before you complete a booking, at no cost to check.
Does weather affect this route?
Yes, as with any open-water crossing in this part of Indonesia. Rougher conditions during the January–March peak of the November–March wet season can lead to schedule adjustments or, in more severe cases, the harbormaster suspending departures for smaller vessels fleet-wide. The Sape route’s larger, purpose-built ferries are generally less weather-sensitive than the small speedboats used for Komodo day trips, but checking for any current advisory before travel — especially outside the April–October dry season — is still worth doing rather than assuming the crossing runs unaffected in all conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Does the ferry go to Bima or to Sape?
The ferry docks at Sape, a port town roughly 2–3 hours by road from Bima. “Bima ferry” and “Sape ferry” are commonly used to describe the same ASDP service.
How far is the Labuan Bajo to Sape crossing?
Approximately 75 nautical miles, according to ASDP’s own route documentation.
Is this the same boat as the Komodo tour boats?
No. This is a state-operated ASDP car-and-passenger ferry running a scheduled inter-island route, separate from the privately operated tourist boats used for Komodo National Park day trips and charters.
Where do I check the current schedule and buy tickets?
Through ASDP’s official Trip Ferizy platform (trip.ferizy.com) or the ASDP corporate website, rather than a third-party timetable that may be outdated.
Can I bring a car or motorbike on this ferry?
Yes — this is a car-and-passenger route, distinct from ASDP’s smaller passenger-only pioneer services. Confirm vehicle booking requirements directly on Trip Ferizy.
Is the Sape ferry safer than a small tourist speedboat in rough weather?
Larger ASDP ferries are generally less sensitive to chop than small open speedboats, though any vessel can be affected by a severe weather advisory; check for current conditions before travel regardless of vessel type.
Last updated: 29 August 2026.
Travelers who want to see Komodo National Park along the way rather than just transit past it often book a private Komodo-to-Sumbawa sailing charter instead of the plain ferry crossing.
Follow-up questions on Labuan Bajo to Bima and Sape by Ferry
How far is Komodo Island from Labuan Bajo port vs from Bima?
In practical travel terms, Komodo Island is far closer to Labuan Bajo port than to Bima. From Labuan Bajo, day-trip boats typically reach Komodo in a couple of hours or less depending on the vessel; all access is by chartered or tour boat, as there is no scheduled public ferry into the park. From Bima you first need to reach Sape by road, then charter a boat across a much longer open-water stretch, which is why almost all Komodo trips start from Labuan Bajo instead. If your main goal is Komodo National Park rather than crossing to Sumbawa, it is far more efficient to base yourself in Labuan Bajo and use the Sape ferry only for onward overland travel.
How long is the ferry from Labuan Bajo port to Sape?
The ferry from Labuan Bajo port to Sape covers roughly 75 nautical miles, and you should treat it as most of a day in motion once loading and unloading are included. Pure sailing time often runs around half a day, but this varies with sea conditions, vessel used, and whether there are any operational delays. Boarding starts well before the scheduled departure, particularly for vehicles, so plan to be at the ASDP terminal early rather than walking on at the last minute. On the Sape side, factor in time to disembark and then travel the additional 2–3 hours by road to Bima if that is your final destination.
Where do I check the timetable and journey time for the Sape–Bima ferry?
Rely on ASDP’s own Trip Ferizy booking platform rather than any static schedule image circulating in forums or blogs. The route runs six days a week, but actual departure hours move around with season, maintenance, and vessel rotation, so yesterday’s timetable may not match next month’s. When checking Trip Ferizy, look at both the stated departure and the estimated duration, then add extra buffer time on each end for loading, unloading, and potential weather-related slowdowns. If you are connecting onward by road or to another ferry in Sape, avoid tight same-day connections and assume that the crossing occupies most of the day or night on which you sail.
How do I continue on to Bima or Sumba by ferry?
Onward connections run on ASDP’s network rather than tourist boats. For Bima, you first sail Labuan Bajo–Sape with ASDP, then continue by road 2–3 hours to Bima since there is no separate international-style ferry into Bima town itself. For Sumba, Labuan Bajo is linked to Waingapu via a lighter “perintis” (pioneer) ferry that runs much less predictably than the Sape route, so you must check live schedules and be prepared for gaps of several days or more between departures. Overland-and-sea travelers sometimes chain these segments together (e.g., Flores–Sumbawa–Lombok) but should always build in contingency days, as missed connections between ferries in eastern Indonesia are common when planning too tightly.
How reliable is the published Labuan Bajo–Sape departure time?
Treat what you see as valid only for the specific date you are booking. ASDP manages this route as a six-day-a-week service, but actual departure hours can shift forward or backward, and occasionally a sailing is moved or cancelled for maintenance or weather. On Trip Ferizy, confirm that your chosen date shows Labuan Bajo–Sape as operating, then note whether your ticket is for a morning, daytime, or nighttime departure. It is worth screenshotting your booking page and keeping the booking code handy, since terminal staff will refer to ASDP’s live system if there is any discrepancy between an older announcement and the day-of schedule.
How do I get to Waingapu on Sumba by ferry or PELNI ship?
It helps to separate ASDP’s pioneer ferry from PELNI’s long-haul passenger ships. The ASDP Labuan Bajo–Waingapu link is a perintis route with infrequent, changeable sailings, so you must check current listings close to your travel date and be flexible if a planned departure disappears. PELNI, by contrast, runs its own large passenger vessels on multi-port routes, and you need to see whether any of those ships call at both Labuan Bajo and Waingapu on a leg that fits your timing. Because neither option is as regular as the Labuan Bajo–Sape ferry, most travelers build extra buffer days into their Sumba plans or accept that they may need to adjust dates once they see what is actually running.
Labuan Bajo port or Bima, which port has more frequent boats to Komodo?
Labuan Bajo, by a wide margin — the tourism industry developed around it rather than around Bima. Labuan Bajo is the recognised gateway to Komodo National Park, with numerous daily tourist boats, charters, and liveaboards heading into the park (though none of these are scheduled public ferries). From Bima, reaching Komodo requires a long transfer via Sape and a private charter across a broader stretch of sea, something very few short-stay visitors attempt. For practical and cost reasons, anyone planning to visit Komodo should route themselves through Labuan Bajo rather than expecting regular boats from Bima.
Is Waingapu or Labuan Bajo more convenient for Komodo?
Labuan Bajo, decisively: it sits just outside the park while Waingapu is on another island entirely. Waingapu, on Sumba, is an entirely different island with no direct access to Komodo; you would need multiple ferries and long sea crossings to get anywhere near the park. Waingapu only makes sense as a base if your priority is Sumba itself, not Komodo National Park.
Which ferry routes connect this port to Sape, Bima and Lombok?
These routes form the backbone of the overland Flores–Bali corridor. The only direct ferry from Labuan Bajo in this chain is to Sape on Sumbawa, which then connects by road to Bima and onward to the rest of Sumbawa. From Sumbawa’s western side you link to Lombok via another state-run ferry, and from there continue by road and sea to Bali. When planning this multi-leg journey, check each ferry segment separately (Labuan Bajo–Sape, Sumbawa–Lombok, and Lombok–Bali) and leave enough margin between them to absorb delays without missing your next connection.
Does the Sape ferry cross by night or by day?
Both patterns have run historically, so it depends on ASDP’s schedule at the time you book. Daytime crossings make it easier to see the islands and straits you are passing, and can be more comfortable for travelers not used to sleeping on a ferry. Night departures, on the other hand, can help you maximise daylight at your origin and destination, arriving in Sape with enough time to continue by road to Bima. When choosing a sailing on Trip Ferizy, weigh the scheduled arrival time against local transport availability at Sape, since reaching Bima late at night may mean fewer onward options.
How do Labuan Bajo port and Sape fit together on an overland route from Bali?
The two ports are complementary rather than competing. Coming from Bali, you typically travel by road and ferry through Lombok and Sumbawa to reach Sape first, then take the ASDP ferry across to Labuan Bajo as your final sea leg. Labuan Bajo is where you actually switch from overland travel into Komodo National Park trips, since there is no scheduled public ferry from Sape or Bima directly into the park. In planning terms, treat Sape as your Sumbawa–Flores gateway town and Labuan Bajo as your Komodo base, and make sure your timing allows at least one full day in Labuan Bajo before any pre-booked Komodo boat itinerary.
Where to go from here
- ASDP Ferries at Labuan Bajo: Routes
- our guide to pELNI Ships to Labuan Bajo
- our guide to flores to Lombok
- more on boat Departure Times at Labuan Bajo
- Every route guide in Getting to Labuan Bajo
Booking the boat itself
This guide does not operate boats. Bookings are fulfilled by Komodo Luxury, and this site may earn a referral commission.
