How to Go from Semarang City to Borobudur Temple (Bus, Shuttle, Private Transfer)

Hi travellers, in this article, we would like to give you a guidance about how to go from Semarang City to Borobudur Temple. 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 and 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.

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 Borobudur Temple from city area or airport, not from the sea port because it has a huge different for the transfer option.

So, if you are planning to go from Semarang City directly to Borobudur Temple, you are in the right article to get all detail informations. I will explain all the transport possibility from the cheapest one till the fastest one also the route options connecting Semarang to Borobudur for around 100 KM.

The Route Option to Get to Borobudur Temple from Semarang City

There are 3 routes options to go from Semarang City to Borobudur Temple

1. 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 – Borobudur. Via this route, you will take around 3 hours to reach Borobudur Temple from Semarang City depends on the traffic.
2. 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 Borobudur. You will see a beautiful twin mountain, those are Merapi Volcano and Merbabu in the good weather. The route will be Semarang – Bawen – Salatiga – Ketep Pass – Magelang – Borobudur. 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.
3. Via Toll Route. This is the fastest option to go from Yogyakarta to Semarang. 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 time we wrote this article, the toll road only available from Semarang City to Ambarawa District. In the exit toll in Ambarawa City, you have to go out then continue to go to Borobudur Temple via normal highway. Toll road will be your best option if you want to be able to reach Borobudur Temple in time before its closing time at 15.30 PM. It will reduce the time significantly especially if the toll road has already fully connected from Semarang City to Yogyakarta City in the future.

Transportation Options from Semarang City to Borobudur Temple

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

1. Bus
2. Shuttle Service (Day Trans Shuttle)
3. Taxi (Online Taxi: Gojek and Grab )
4. Private Car Service from Semarang to Borobudur operated by Borobudur Sunrise Tour

Bus from Semarang City to Borobudur

Going from Semarang City to Borobudur Temple 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 Borobudur Temple, 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 Magelang City. Remember! Magelang City not Borobudur. Once you have reach Magelang Bus Terminal, you should transfer to the other bus that going to Borobudur Temple. The cost of the bus from Semarang City to Magelang City is around IDR 50.000 to IDR 100.000 (+- USD 5). And the cost from Magelang Bus Terminal to Borobudur Terminal is around IDR 30.000 (+- USD 3). 

The bus will not stop at the gate of Borobudur Temple, you still need to walk around 2 KM to arrive at the gate. Or if you plan to stay at the hotel nearby, you can order an online taxi (Gojek / Grab) from Borobudur Terminal.

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 Borobudur Temple (Daytrans)

Shuttle will be another public transport option. I can recommend you a popular shuttle service that connecting Semarang City to Borobudur. 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 starting point. You can check it in the google maps by typing Daytrans Semarang.

If you are arriving 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. This shuttle will not go directly to Borobudur Temple, you should stop at Armada Town Square. From Armada Town Square (Artos Mall) you should order an Online Taxi (Gojek/Grab to reach your destination in Borobudur.

Though the shuttle service does not take you to the final destination, it is still better than taking a local bus.

Check the information about Borobudur Temple before you explore the temple.

Taxi Service

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 700.000. or, order Blue Bird Taxi to get more fair price, that is the most trusted taxi company in the entire Indonesia.

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 Borobudur Area. You will not need to change to several transport unlike if you choose the public transports.

Book Your Private Car Transport from Semarang City to Borobudur Temple

So, I can recommend you a private transport service to take you from Semarang to Borobudur. Also you can plan all your journey by booking it 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 Borobudur, 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.

What to do In Borobudur

After you know the way to reach Borobudur Temple from Semarang City, now is the time for you to know any kind activities or things to do while you are staying in Borobudur.

1. Enjoy the Magical Borobudur Sunrise.
2. Sunrise via Punthuk Setumbu Hill.
3. Batik Making Experience. 
4. Cycling Around Villages in Borobudur.
5. Try to Make Your  Own Pottery Made of Clay.
6. Visit Chicken Church.
7. See How to Make Tempe (fermented soya been) and Tofu (Tahu in local name).
8. Having Lunch or Dinner in Amanjiwo Resort.
9. Rafting in Progo and Elo River.
10. Tasting Luwak Coffee.

Check this link if you need more explanation about things to do around Borobudur.

Thank you for visiting our blog.