How to Go from Semarang City to Yogyakarta City (Bus, Shuttle, Train or Private Transfer)

Hi travellers, in this article, we would like to give you a guidance about how to go from Semarang City to Yogyakarta City. For your information guys, Semarang is the capital city of Central Java Province. It is considered as a business city, the 5th largest city in Indonesia. Actually Semarang is not a popular destination for tourists both domestic or foreign tourist. Normally, travellers visit Semarang after visiting Karimunjawa Island or Tanjung Puting National Park (Borneo) due to Semarang Airport has a direct flight to reach those places. Or possibly they need to do business in Semarang since Semarang has one of the busiest International Sea Port of Indonesia.

In the other side, Yogyakarta, often called “Jogja,” is very different. It’s known as the cultural heart of Indonesia, rich in history and traditions. The city is famous for its royal palace (Kraton), traditional arts, and nearby UNESCO World Heritage sites like Borobudur Temple and Prambanan Temple. While Semarang is fast-paced and more modern, Yogyakarta offers a quieter, more traditional charm that draws in visitors looking for a unique cultural experience.

Semarang is also getting famous as a stop point for cruise ships around the world. If you are a cruise ship passenger, please do not continue to read this article, instead please read this article : How to go from Tanjung Emas (Semarang Port) to Borobudur or just jump to this Private Excursion Service from Semarang Port to Borobudur Temple. Because cruise ship passengers do not have much flexibilities like the other people. Normally the ships arrive in the morning and depart in the evening. Cruise Ship Passengers need a well experienced tour agency to make sure everything running in time. This article is for the one who wants to go to Yogyakarta City from Semarang city area or airport, not from the sea port because it has a huge different for the transfer option.

If you want to go for the opposite direction, check this article of How to get to Semarang City from Yogyakarta.

Contents

The Route Option to Go from Semarang to Yogyakarta City
Transportation Options from Semarang City to Yogyakarta City
Bus from Semarang City to Yogyakarta City
Shuttle Service to go from Semarang City to Yogyakarta City (Daytrans)
Taxi from Semarang City to Borobudur Temple
Book Your Private Car Transport from Semarang City to Yogyakarta City
What to do In Yogyakarta

The Route Option to Go from Semarang to Yogyakarta City

There are 4 routes options to go from Semarang City to Yogyakarta City.

Via Main Route. It is a regular highway connecting Semarang City and Yogyakarta City. Most of public transportations will pass this way. The route will be Semarang – Bawen – Ambarawa – Temanggung – Magelang – Muntilan – Yogyakarta. Via this route, you will take around 3 hours to reach Yogyakarta City from Semarang depends on the traffic.

Via Ketep Pass as Alternative Route. For me, this is the best option to take. Via Ketep Pass, you will see a beautiful scenery along the way from Semarang to Yogyakarta. In the good weather, you will see a beautiful twin mountain, those are Merapi and Merbabu Mountain. The route will be Semarang – Bawen – Salatiga – Ketep Pass – Magelang – Muntilan – Yogyakarta. But, there is no public transport will go via this way. Only if you book a private car service or a taxi, then you can choose this option. If you get a good driver, you may ask the driver to stop in Kedung Kayang Waterfall, you will see an amazing waterfall with Merapi Volcano as a background. Also, you have to stop in Ketep Pass itself, it is the best spot to see the twin mountain. And via this route, it will be less traffic compared if you go via main route.

Via Toll Route. This is the fastest option to go from Semarang to Yogyakarta. You will pass a part of Trans Java Toll Road. It is a toll road connecting the westernmost of Java Island (Merak Port) till the easternmost of Java Island (Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi) with total distance around 1100 KM. Just FYI, This toll road is also a part of Asian Highway 2 (AH2) that connecting Nusa Dua Bali to Khosravi, Iran. By the toll road, you can exit at Prambanan Exit Toll. You can visit Prambanan Temple on that day as well. The toll road fee will be around IDR 150.000. The toll price is subject to change following the national policy.

By Train. Going from Semarang City to Yogyakarta City can be the option, however it is not efficient. Instead going straight from the north to the south in one line, the train is making a circle of Central Java Province. It stops in many cities. It takes around 7 hours just for 100 KM distance. But, it can be your option if you want to see small cities around Central Java Province.

Transportation Options from Semarang City to Yogyakarta City

There are several transportation options from Semarang to Yogyakarta. I will let you know any option of it. Hopefully you can choose which is the best one for you.

Bus
Shuttle Service (Day Trans Shuttle)
Taxi (Online Taxi: Gojek and Grab )
Private Car Service from Semarang to Yogyakarta operated by borobudursunrise.com
Train (Joglosemarkerto)

Bus from Semarang City to Yogyakarta City

Going from Semarang City to Yogyakarta by bus is the cheapest option compared with any other option like Private Car Service or Taxi. There are 2 kind of bus that can take you from Semarang City to Yogyakarta, it is economy and executive bus. If you are from City Centre or Semarang Airport, do not go to the bus terminal, you should go to this place instead, Ada Setia Budi Supermarket. In the opposite street of Ada Setia Budi Supermarket you will see a lot of bus parking. It is not bus terminal, it is just a normal stop for the buses before going to the other cities.

Ask the locals which bus is going to Yogyakarta City. If you take the executive one, you go directly from Ada Setia Budi bus stop directly to Yogyakarta. But, if you take the economy one, you will need to stop at Magelang Bus Terminal, then you will be transferred to the other bus that going from Magelang Bus Terminal to Yogyakarta City. The executive bus will cost around IDR 80.000 and the economy one will cost around IDR 50.000.

The different between the economy and executive is actually not much. Only the executive has A/C and the economy is not, and the executive is a bit faster than the economy one.

In Yogyakarta, you should stop at Jombor Bus Terminal, do not go to the last stop, you will waste a lot of time. And mostly the bus will drop you in the opposite street of the terminal in front of Indomaret Shop, they are not going inside Jombor Bus Terminal. From Jombor Bus Terminal, you can take an online taxi to reach your accommodation in the city centre. Please be noticed, the buses and the terminals are really in basic conditions. We never see tourists take the bus option. However, if you are a backpacker and thrilled to have new experience, this option is really for you.

If you think the bus option is not for you, then you should read the other option.

Shuttle Service to go from Semarang City to Yogyakarta City (Daytrans)

Shuttle will be another public transport option. I can recommend you a popular shuttle service that connecting Semarang City to Yogyakarta City. It is Day Trans. This shuttle services will cost you around IDR 120.000. But the choice is up to you guys, maybe you can check which one has closest departure point from your place. You can check it in the google maps by typing Daytrans Semarang.

If you arrive in Semarang Airport, then it is lucky for you. There is Daytrans Departure Point at Semarang Airport. You can reserve the tickets in advance. You can book it via Day Trans Official Website. There will be several arrival point in Yogyakarta City. You can find which one is closer to your destination. If your accommodation is at the city centre close to Malioboro Street or Prawirotaman Street, then Daytrans Gading should be your final destination.

You can walk if your accommodation is close to Malioboro Street, Sultan Palace or Prawirotaman Street. Or just take an online taxi (Gojek/Grab) if it is a bit further.

Taxi from Semarang City to Borobudur Temple

You can order taxi both online and regular taxi to take you from Semarang City to Borobudur directly. In my opinion, online taxi has more fair price. If you want a regular taxi, you need to be expert on bargaining the price, there is no exact price if you will order a regular taxi, the range will be around IDR 800.000. Taxi will be much more expensive, compared by buses or shuttle service, but if you will go in a group more than 2 people or you have some luggage with you, taxi will be worth it. It will give you a direct transport from your accommodation Semarang City till your final destination in Yogyakarta City. You do not need to change to several transport unlike if you choose the public transports.

Book Your Private Car Transport from Semarang City to Yogyakarta City

You can plan all your journey by booking your private transfer in advance. This transport service is operated by us, Borobudursunrise.com. Our team are able to speak in english well and having experiences to work in travel industry in Yogyakarta. So on your way from Semarang City to Yogyakarta, the driver also can give you an explanation about Javanese culture or some insights about what to do in Borobudur Temple. The drivers are flexible. In case you would like to pass the alternative route and stop in Ketep Pass or Kedung Kayang Waterfall for taking picture, having a cup of coffee or lunch you just need to tell the driver, they will be glad to let you to enjoy the stop.

Please check our transfer service between Semarang City and Yogyakarta in this link. If you need other tour packages in Yogyakarta City, it is also a good idea to contact Borobudursunrise.com. We are working hard to maintain our quality service. It can be proven by our high rating of reviews in Trip Advisor and Viator. You could also send us an email at [email protected] for any inquiry.