An open trip to Komodo is a shared 3-day, 2-night (3D2N) boat trip where you join other travellers and pay per person, from about Rp 2,500,000 for a shared cabin in 2026. You sleep onboard a phinisi, eat all your meals on the boat, and visit the headline stops: Padar Island, Pink Beach, Manta Point, and Komodo Island to see the dragons. OTK (Open Trip Komodo) runs these departures every Monday and Friday from Labuan Bajo, so you pick a date, pick a cabin, and join the group.
What "open trip" actually means
An open trip is the shared version of a Komodo cruise. Instead of renting a whole boat, you book one or two spots and share the trip with other travellers, paying per person. That is what makes it the cheapest way to sail Komodo, and it is ideal if you are travelling solo, as a couple, or as a small group on a budget.
The alternative is a private charter, where you book the entire boat for your own group and pay per boat. A charter gives you full privacy and a custom schedule, but it costs far more. For most independent travellers, the open trip is the natural choice, and you still get the same islands and the same route.
What you get on a 3D2N open trip
The 3D2N format means two nights sleeping onboard and three days on the water. A standard open trip includes the boat and your cabin, all meals, drinking water, a guide, snorkeling gear, and every stop on the route. You travel slowly and overnight, which is the whole point: you reach Padar at sunrise before the day boats arrive.
Across the three days you visit a tight loop of the best spots: Kelor Island and its viewpoint, snorkeling at Manjarite, the flying foxes of Kalong Island at sunset, the Padar sunrise hike over its three bays, Pink Beach, a ranger-led dragon trek on Komodo Island, the Taka Makassar sandbank, Manta Point, and Strawberry Rock. Each boat lists its own full day-by-day itinerary on its trip page.
How much an open trip Komodo costs
In 2026, an open trip Komodo 3D2N runs from about Rp 2,500,000 to Rp 3,500,000 per person for a shared cabin, and roughly Rp 4,000,000 to Rp 8,000,000 per person for a private cabin on the same boat. The price depends on the boat's age, its facilities, and the season. On opentripkomodo.net you can check the live price of each boat on its trip page or ask over WhatsApp, so nothing is hidden.
The price usually includes the boat and cabin, meals, water, a guide, snorkeling gear, and all the stops. It usually excludes your flight to Labuan Bajo, hotels before or after the trip, the Komodo National Park entrance fee (Rp 250,000 for Indonesian citizens and Rp 650,000 for foreign visitors per person), crew tips, and personal spending.
When open trips depart, and how to book
Open trips run on a fixed schedule rather than on demand. At OTK they most often depart every Monday and Friday from Labuan Bajo, so plan your flights around those days. The best sailing months are the dry season, roughly April to October, with July to September the calmest and the busiest.
Booking is simple: pick a boat and a date, then secure your spot with a deposit (uang muka), and pay the balance before departure. Because seats are limited per boat, it is best to book well ahead in the busy July to September window, when departures fill quickly. The boat type matters for comfort, so if you want to compare hulls and cabins, read our guide to the phinisi boats of Labuan Bajo.
What to bring on an open trip
Pack light but smart. For the open deck you want reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses; if you get seasick, bring motion-sickness tablets and take them before you sail. Pack quick-dry clothes and swimwear, a light layer for the cool night breeze at anchor, a dry bag for your phone and camera, and any personal medication.
Bring enough cash for the Komodo National Park entrance fee, crew tips, and small extras, because there are no ATMs once you leave Labuan Bajo. Meals and drinking water are provided onboard, so you do not need to carry food, just your own snacks if you are picky. Phone signal drops between islands, so download offline maps and tell people you will be off-grid for a few days, and pack a power bank since cabin sockets are limited and shared.
Who an open trip is best for
An open trip suits anyone who wants to see Komodo without paying for a whole boat. Solo travellers and couples get the lowest fare and an easy way to meet people. Small groups of friends split a few cabins and still pay per person.
If you are a group of ten or more, or you want a private schedule and total privacy, a private charter makes more sense. For everyone else, the open trip is the simplest, cheapest way onto the water. Browse every departure currently open on the boats page.
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How much does an open trip Komodo 3D2N cost?
In 2026, expect Rp 2,500,000 to Rp 3,500,000 per person for a shared cabin, and Rp 4,000,000 to Rp 8,000,000 for a private cabin, depending on the boat and season. Check the live price of each boat on its trip page or ask over WhatsApp.
What is included in an open trip Komodo?
The boat and cabin, all meals onboard, drinking water, a guide, snorkeling gear, and every stop on the route. It excludes your flight to Labuan Bajo, hotels, the Komodo National Park entrance fee (Rp 250,000 for locals and Rp 650,000 for foreign visitors), crew tips, and personal spending.
When do open trips to Komodo depart?
At OTK they most often depart every Monday and Friday from Labuan Bajo. The best months to sail are April to October, with July to September the calmest and most crowded, so book ahead in peak season.
Is an open trip good for solo travellers?
Yes. You take a shared cabin, pay the lowest per-person fare, and share the boat with other travellers, which makes it easy to meet people. If you want privacy, you can upgrade to a private cabin on the same trip.
What should I pack for an open trip Komodo?
Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, quick-dry clothes and swimwear, a light layer for the night breeze, a dry bag, motion-sickness tablets if you need them, and personal medication. Bring cash for the park fee and crew tips, plus a power bank, since there are no ATMs and sockets onboard are limited.
