Daily costs per person in USD. Flores is one of Indonesia's most affordable islands. Budget travellers can explore comfortably on $15-25 per day.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: IDR (Rupiah) (1 USD ≈ 15,700 IDR)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $6–10 | $15–30 | $50+ | Basic guesthouses → eco-lodges → boutique |
| Food | $3–6 | $8–15 | $20+ | Warungs → restaurants → hotel dining |
| Transport | $3–6 | $8–15 | $30+ | Local bus → motorbike → private car |
| Activities | $3–5 | $10–20 | $30+ | Self-guided → village tours → guided treks |
| Kelimutu Entry | $9.50 | $9.50 | $9.50 | 150,000 IDR national park fee |
| Daily Total | $15–25 | $40–80 | $130+ | Flores rewards budget travellers |
Money-saving tips
Flores is remarkably cheap
Outside of Labuan Bajo (which is inflated by Komodo tourism), Flores is one of the cheapest islands in Indonesia. Meals cost 15,000-30,000 IDR ($1-2), guesthouses 100,000-200,000 IDR ($6-13), and transport between towns is 30,000-60,000 IDR ($2-4) by local bus.
Share transport to Kelimutu
Ojek (motorbike taxi) to the Kelimutu trailhead costs 40,000-50,000 IDR return per person. Chartering a bemo fits 4-5 people for 150,000 IDR total. Split between travellers it is the cheapest option. Ask at your guesthouse to join a group heading up the same morning.
Rent a motorbike for flexibility
Motorbike rental on Flores costs 70,000-100,000 IDR ($4.50-6.50) per day and gives you complete freedom on the island. Petrol stations are sparse, so fill up in every town. The roads are paved but winding and you need confidence on mountain switchbacks.
Buy ikat textiles at source
Hand-woven ikat textiles sold in Bali tourist shops for $50-100+ can be bought directly from weavers in Ende, Moni, and Bajawa villages for 100,000-500,000 IDR ($6-32). The quality is better and your money goes directly to the artisan families who spent months creating them.
Eat at warungs not restaurants
Small family-run warungs serving nasi campur, mie goreng, and local dishes cost a fraction of tourist-oriented restaurants. In Moni, a filling meal with drink costs 20,000-35,000 IDR ($1.30-2.25). Point at what looks good or say nasi campur for a mixed plate.
Travel by local bus, not tourist shuttle
Local buses connecting Ende, Moni, Bajawa, and Ruteng cost 30,000-60,000 IDR ($2-4) per journey. Tourist shuttles charge $10-20 for the same routes. Local buses are slower and less comfortable but the savings add up over a multi-day Flores crossing.
