Compact
MPV / small van
IDR 825K from, per day
Comfortable for two to four with normal luggage, and the easiest on narrow mountain roads.
- Seats
- 4–6 seats
- Suits
- Couples and small groups
Car and driver · Silo 3
Flores Private Driver and Car Hire
Around IDR 700,000 to 1,500,000 a day, depending on vehicle, route length and whether you stay near Labuan Bajo or cross the island. Fuel, the driver’s meals and his accommodation are normally inside the rate.
Self-drive is possible but rare here. Most travellers hire the car with a driver.
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IDR 700k from
Per day, smaller vehicle
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IDR 1.5m to
Per day, larger or long route
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30–40 km/h
Realistic mountain average
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5–6 hrs
Sensible daily driving cap
What the rate covers
The day rate is more inclusive than it looks
A Flores day rate normally includes fuel, the driver’s own meals, and his accommodation on multi-day routes. That is worth knowing when comparing a headline number against a car-only rental quote.
What it does not include is your hotels, your meals, park and site entrance fees, or tips. Those are quoted separately so you can see what is actually being charged for the vehicle.
Mountain driving here averages 30–40 km/h. A route that looks short on a map is a long day in practice, which is why sensible itineraries cap driving at five to six hours.
Vehicles
Which car suits which trip
Group size and luggage decide this more than budget does.
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Roomier
Larger van
IDR 1m from, per day
More headroom and luggage space for a family or a group with camera gear.
- Seats
- 6–8 seats
- Suits
- Families and small groups with kit
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Long haul
Overland crossing rate
IDR 1.5m to, per day
The full Trans-Flores run, with the driver away from home for the duration.
- Seats
- Any size
- Suits
- Labuan Bajo to Kelimutu or Maumere
Rates move with vehicle size, route length and season. A long overland crossing costs more per day than a Labuan Bajo base, because the driver is away from home.
Inclusions
Inside and outside the day rate
Stated plainly, because this is where quotes differ most.
Not included:
Your hotels and meals, national park and site entrance fees, tips for the driver, and anything you buy along the way.
- The vehicle and the driver for the agreed hours.
- Fuel for the planned route.
- The driver’s own meals.
- The driver’s accommodation on multi-day routes.
- Parking and road tolls where they apply.
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or the airport.
Booking
Four steps to a car
Route length is what moves the rate, not the number of days alone.
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Send the route
Where you start, where you finish, and roughly what you want to stop for.
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Say the group size
It decides the vehicle, and the vehicle decides the rate.
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Receive the quote
A day rate with what is included stated line by line.
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Confirm
A deposit holds the car and the driver for your dates.
Want the route planned too
Add an itinerary to the car
If you would rather not plan the stops yourself, the same desk builds a full day-by-day route with hotels booked and drive times capped honestly.
Driver questions
Asked before every hire
Rates, inclusions and whether self-drive is realistic.
For the full set, see our FAQ — 135 questions answered.
How much is a private driver in Flores?
Around IDR 825,000 to 1,500,000 per day as of 2026, depending on vehicle size, route length and whether you stay near Labuan Bajo or cross the island.
Is fuel included?
Normally yes, along with the driver’s meals and his accommodation on multi-day routes. Confirm it in writing rather than assuming.
Can I self-drive in Flores?
It is possible but uncommon. The roads are mountainous and narrow, signage is thin, and the cost saving against a driver is small once fuel and risk are counted.
Does the driver speak English?
On tourist hires, yes — an English-speaking driver-guide is the standard. Say if you need another language and it can usually be arranged with notice.
How many hours a day?
Plan for five to six hours of driving. Mountain roads average 30–40 km/h, so more than that makes for a long, tiring day.
Can I hire for one day only?
Yes, particularly around Labuan Bajo. Multi-day crossings are where the rate rises, because the driver is away from home.
Do I tip the driver?
It is customary but not obligatory, and it sits outside the day rate. Anything you give goes to the driver directly.
What if I want to change the route mid-trip?
Usually workable if the driver is not committed elsewhere. Longer detours may change the rate agree it before you set off.
Talk to Komodo Luxury
Send your route and dates
This guide publishes the day-rate range. Komodo Luxury holds the vehicles and quotes in writing.
No obligation, and no price here changes because you asked.