When should you fly instead of taking ferries or long overland routes in Indonesia?
Flights are often worth it when Indonesia starts stretching across islands. Ferries and overland routes can be part of the adventure, but they should not quietly consume the holiday you came for.
Answer
In Indonesia, the cheapest route is not always the best-value route. A ferry, bus and driver combination can sound efficient until it steals a full day, drains your patience and leaves no margin for weather. Flights are worth considering when you are linking Bali with Java, Flores, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Raja Ampat gateways or other big jumps. Slower routes still have a place, especially when the journey itself is part of the experience. But do the honest calculation: door to door, in heat, with bags, after delays. If the answer is a day of logistics for a minor saving, fly and spend the energy where the trip actually changes.