Java
Tours in Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta is the cultural capital of Java and the base for the two greatest monuments in Indonesia: Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world, and Prambanan, the finest Hindu complex in the country. It is also a working city with a sultan, a batik tradition, a serious student population and an active volcano on its northern skyline. Two temples bring people here; the city is what makes them stay an extra day.
Booking a trip to Yogyakarta
Asik Travel arrange trips across Indonesia and are adding destinations steadily, though they have not published a fixed Yogyakarta itinerary yet. Their planning team builds custom routes, so Yogyakarta is worth asking them about directly rather than waiting for a listing to appear.
What Yogyakarta is actually good for
Borobudur
A ninth-century Buddhist monument of stacked terraces carrying more relief panels than any comparable structure on earth. Access to the upper terraces is limited and timed, so book ahead rather than turning up.
Prambanan
Tall, sharp Hindu towers built at roughly the same period as Borobudur and, for many visitors, the more striking of the two. It is far quieter at the end of the day than in the morning rush.
Mount Merapi
One of the most active volcanoes in the world, on the city's northern horizon. Jeep tours run across the lava fields and past villages destroyed in the 2010 eruption.
The Kraton and Taman Sari
The sultan's palace, still a functioning court, and the ruined water castle nearby with its bathing pools and underground mosque.
Batik and silverwork
Yogyakarta is the centre of Javanese batik, and Kotagede has been a silversmithing district for centuries. Workshops here are genuine rather than staged for coaches.
When to go
May to September is the dry season and the most comfortable window. The wet season from November to March brings heavy afternoon rain, which particularly affects the volcano trips and any sunrise plan.
Getting there
Yogyakarta International Airport at Kulon Progo handles flights from across Indonesia and some international routes, connected to the city by rail. The train from Jakarta takes roughly seven to eight hours and is a comfortable, scenic alternative to flying.
What it costs
One of the better value cities in Indonesia. Budget travellers manage on $20 to $30 a day. The temple tickets are the significant fixed cost, and foreigner pricing at both sites is considerably higher than the domestic rate.
Worth knowing first
- Borobudur upper-terrace access is limited and timed. Turning up on the day without a booking can mean seeing the monument only from ground level.
- The famous Borobudur sunrise is now usually viewed from Setumbu hill nearby rather than from the monument itself. Book the right product for what you actually want.
- Foreigner ticket prices at both temples are much higher than domestic ones. Budget for it rather than being surprised at the gate.
- A combined Borobudur and Prambanan day is common but long. Doing one properly in a morning and the other late the next day is a better experience.
Yogyakarta questions people actually ask
Is the Borobudur sunrise worth it?
It depends what you are buying. Sunrise from inside the monument is restricted and expensive; most sunrise tours now go to Setumbu hill, which looks across at Borobudur with mist in the valley. That is a lovely view, but it is a view of the temple rather than an early morning on it. Read the product description carefully.
Borobudur or Prambanan if I only have time for one?
Borobudur is the bigger name and the more remarkable structure, so most people choose it. Prambanan is closer to the city, cheaper to reach, and its towers photograph better in late light. If you are short on time and not a temple specialist, Borobudur.
How many days do I need in Yogyakarta?
Three. One for Borobudur, one for Prambanan and the city, one for Merapi or the south coast beaches. Two is workable if you accept a rushed temple day.
How do I get from Jakarta to Yogyakarta?
The train is the pleasant option at roughly seven to eight hours, comfortable and scenic, and it lands you in the middle of the city. Flying is faster door to door but the airport is well outside town, which eats into the saving.
Elsewhere in Indonesia
Photographs by TripAdvisor (klaster612), TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor (I9333GEmassimilianop).
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It does not change what you pay, and it does not decide which trips appear here.