Region and archipelago in Indonesia and Timor Leste
Photo: Flickr user: Rosino https://www.flickr.com/photos/rosino/, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Nusa Tenggara ("Southeast Islands"), also known as the Lesser Sunda Islands, is a region in southeastern Indonesia.
By plane
The main airports, with frequent flights from Jakarta and Denpasar (Bali), are Lombok (LOP), Labuan Bajo (Flores, LBJ) and Kupang (West Timor, KOE).
By boat
There are frequent ferry services from Bali to Lombok. There is a ferry from Padang Bai, whilst there is a fast boat to GilI Islands and Senggigi from Sanur, Benoa, Kuta, Padang Bai and Amed.
By bus and ferry
From Bali in the west to Timor in the east, the classic island-hopping backpacker trail across Nusa Tenggara runs something like this:
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Bima · Regional · BMU
Loading places around the airport…
Ende is a city in Flores. It mostly serves as the gateway between Flores and Sumba island or Kupang.
Kupang is a city in West Timor and the provincial capital of East Nusa Tenggara. There isn't much to see or do in Kupang, but it is not an unpleasant city in which to spend a day or two.
Once a small fishing village, Labuan Bajo (also spelled Labuhanbajo and Labuanbajo) in Flores is a bustling, yet somewhat dusty port town. It is the gateway to Komodo Island and its surrounding islands, and many come here to scuba dive the incredible reefs and visit Komodo National Park.
Mataram is the largest city on Lombok with 440,000 inhabitants (2023). It is the capital of West Nusa Tenggara province (Nusa Tenggara Barat, NTB), Indonesia.
Maumere is in Flores, Indonesia.
The Senggigi region is the main tourist destination on the island of Lombok in Indonesia. The main town is Senggigi, and the whole area is well known for its beautiful west facing beaches.
Sumbawa Besar is a city on the island of Sumbawa in Nusa Tenggara, eastern Indonesia.
Waingapu is the largest town of the island of Sumba in the Nusa Tenggara region of Indonesia.
Waikabubak is a small town on the island of Sumba in the Nusa Tenggara region of Indonesia.
The Gili Islands, just off the northwest tip of Lombok, Indonesia, are very relaxed and laid-back, with countless little beachside cafes playing reggae and serving up questionable "energy" drinks. At the other end of the scale, elaborate seafood buffets, fresh salads and good quality western and Asian food.
Komodo National Park is in the Nusa Tenggara region of Indonesia, between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores.
Mount Tambora (Gunung Tambora) is an active volcano located on the island of Sumbawa in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. It is classed as a supervolcano, among the most powerful on Earth.
Mount Rinjani (Gunung Rinjani) is an active volcano and a national park in Lombok and one of the largest mountains in Indonesia. On a clear day you can see breathtaking views from the summit.
Moyo is an island off the north coast of Sumbawa.
amazing multi-coloured volcanic crater lakes

a surfer's paradise at the very bottom of Asia
Articles and travel topics about Nusa Tenggara and Indonesia.
Full 2026 list of visa-free countries for Philippine passport holders. Check ASEAN entry rules, stay limits, and Bureau of Immigration clearance tips.
6 min read
Complete 2026 guide to global tourist taxes and access fees. Compare entry fees in Venice, Bali, Bhutan, Kyoto, and Edinburgh, and learn how to pay them.
8 min read
Explore the rainy seasons in Asia month by month. Compare Southwest and Northeast monsoons, typhoon belts, dry island escapes, and travel dates.
8 min read
Full 2026 list of visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries for Indian passport holders. Check entry requirements, stay limits, and transit visa rules.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.