How to go from Yogyakarta City to Borobudur Temple

Hello guys, thank you for visiting our site. I am Tinton Arya, the founder of BorobudurSunrise.com and YogyakartaTour.com, the most trusted tour agency in Yogyakarta City. In this article I would like to give you an information about how to go from Yogyakarta to Borobudur Temple.

Yogyakarta is the place for the two of Unesco World Heritage Site that is Borobudur Temple and Prambanan Temple. Borobudur is the biggest Buddhist Temple in the world and Prambanan Temple is the largest Hindus Complex in Indonesia or the second in South East Asia after Angkor Wat. One of the unique thing about Yogyakarta is, it become the only region in Indonesia with the monarchy system. Yogyakarta has a King to rule the region. That is why if you search Yogyakarta in the maps it will appear Special Region of Yogyakarta.

Borobudur Temple is around 45 KM from Yogyakarta City as the main gate of Borobudur Temple. Whenever you are in Indonesia, if you would like to visit Borobudur Temple you have to arrive in Yogyakarta City first. Even actually Borobudur is located in a city called Magelang, but Magelang does not have train station or an airport. So, whether you go by flight, train or bus, Yogyakarta will be your first destination.

Before we continue to the main topic, please contact us if you need a tour in Yogyakarta City. We have an excellent review by Trip Advisor or by Viator. You may check our tour package in this link : Yogyakarta Tour or YogyakartaTour.com. You can also contact us via email at hello@borobudursunrise.com or just simply pressing the whatsapp button in the right corner.

A short brief about Yogyakarta & Borobudur:

Yogyakarta was formed in the 8th century. It is a centre of literature and art. There are many sites which you can visit in Yogyakarta.

Cultural Sites: The most favourite sites of most of the people are Taman Sari, Prambanan Temple Complex and Kraton Ngayogyakarta. Taman Sari is a water castle. Prambanan Temple Complex is a Hindu site. Kraton Ngayogyakarta is the royal palace.
Art: Yogyakarta has a lot of attractions for art lovers. One can enjoy lots of interesting art-related workshops, puppet shows, and a lot more.
Food: One can experience the traditional dishes of Yogyakarta. For example: Gudeg, Bakpia Pathok, and Angkringan street food. Gudeg is made of stewed jackfruit. It is served with chicken & rice. Bakpia Pathok is a sweet roll. It can be stuffed with chocolate, cheese or moong beans. Angkringan street food comprises various snacks which are not heavy on your pocket.
Why should you visit Yogyakarta? If you want to experience amazing culture, Javanese arts, puppetry, literature and such things, then you should surely visit Yogyakarta before heading to Borobudur.

Borobudur was formed in 800CE. It is the largest buddhist temple in the world. You can find hundreds of statues in the temple. There are many sculptures as well which depict ancient stories of Buddhists. It was restored by the government in 1991. There are so many attractions which you can find nearby too. For example: Sewu, Pawon, and Candi Mendut. You can find other temples as well.

A little reminder, before you decide to go to Borobudur Temple even you still in your home country, please be remember that there is a limitation to climb the temple up. Only 1200 people per day are allowed to climb to the top of Borobudur Temple. Read this article, Borobudur Ticket Information, so your visit to Borobudur Temple will not fail because you do not hold the climb up ticket before hand.

How to go from Yogyakarta to Borobudur?

Bus from Jombor Bus Terminal:

If you are travelling from Yogyakarta to Borobudur, and you are tight on budget, then grabbing a bus is the best option.

Getting to Jombor Bus Terminal:

There are 2 ways to reach Jombor Bus Terminal, the cheapest option is to go by Trans Jogja Bus, and the second option is to go by online taxi (Gojek or Grab).

Trans Jogja Bus

Trans Jogja is a Bus Rapid Transit System within Yogyakarta City. You can just find any bus stop close to your accommodation. Ask the bus staff which bus number will go to Jombor Bus Terminal, they will be happy to let you know. The bus will cost you only IDR 3.600 or just 30 cents.

Online Taxi (Grab or Gojek)

Trans Jogja Bus is cheap but it can take you forever just to go from your hotel to Jombor Terminal. And also can be tiring if you do not get a seat in the bus. The other option is just download local online taxi apps, can be Gojek or Grab. It will be more simple to reach Jombor Terminal.

Details of the bus ride:

Once you arrive at Jombor Bus Terminal. Go to the information desk and ask which bus is going to Borobudur.
The bus leaves after almost every half an hour to 1 hour. No certainty. Just be patient.
Perhaps, there will be no other foreigner in the bus except you. Even I am as local never take this bus. So, be ready to be totally stranger
The bus will cost around IDR 30.000. (Price may change on the day of your trip)
The bus facility is very basic without any A/C.
Local people use the this bus as a daily commuter and also to load their stuff. It can be vary, sometimes you will see local people load their chicken inside the bus. So really be ready with anything you see on this amazing trip.

Arrival:

The Journey from Jombor Bus Terminal to Borobudur Terminal it can be 1 hour or more. The bus will stop anywhere to pickup passenger in the middle of the way.
You will be dropped at the Borobudur Terminal, it is located in the same complex with Borobudur Local Market. From the drop off point, you will have to walk almost 2 KM to the gate of Borobudur Temple

Return:

You can either buy a return ticket or a one-way ticket.
The last bus leaves around 5PM. Always confirm the schedule in advance.

Tips:

Do not forget to bring a rain jacket.
Do not bring too much luggage. You should only bring important things because there is no extra storage area on buses.
Wear comfortable clothes.
Wear closed shoes.

Additional Information

From Jombor Terminal is also available a shuttle. The shuttle company is managed by Sinar Jaya. Find a Sinar Jaya Kiosk at Jombor Bus Terminal and ask the staff about the shuttle that going to Borobudur Terminal.

Here is the shuttle looks like:

Motorbike Rental:

Riding a bike from Yogyakarta to Borobudur is an exciting experience. For those people who are looking for motorbikes on rent, they could look for three rental options. Local shops, Hotels, and rental platforms.

Local shops: Mostly, you can find motorbikes on rent in local shops near Malioboro or Prawirotaman Street. It costs IDR 100,000 – 140,000 per day. Prices may vary depends on the type of the bike.
Hotels: Guests can also rent motorbikes directly from hotels. The rates are slightly higher than local shops.

Documents:

A few documents are necessary for renting a motorbike from Yogyakarta to Borobudur . Locals need passports and KTP. On the other hand, foreigners need an international driving license.

Route:

Take the route of Jalan Magelang (Magelang Street) to exit Yogyakarta. Then you should continue north and follow the signpost of JI. Raya Borobudur. There is a lot of morning fog near Merapi so take extra care.

Fuel:

You can fill your fuel at any fuel filling station in any gas station. Fill it around 3 litre, it will be enough to cover your trip from Yogyakarta to Borobudur.

Safety & Comfort:

It is mandatory to wear a helmet. For safety purposes, it is important to wear closed shoes and carry rain gear. Do not forget to watch out for traffic patterns in advance. Always park in official parking areas only.

Book Tour Package

The most common things for foreigners to go from Yogyakarta City Centre to Borobudur is by booking a tour package. They are a lot of tour organizers within Yogyakarta City. You can book it online or offline. If you want to book the tour offline, just go to Prawirotaman Street, there will be a lot of tour organizers.

Packages:

There some options of packages to travel from Yogyakarta to Borobudur. Shared tour or private tour.

Shared tour : If you are looking for a budget friendly option then go for a shared tour. It is a group transport.
Private tour : It is the best option for families. You can select your own timings. Private tour is a good option for those travellers who focus more on photography.

Cost:

There are some different packages to travel from Yogyakarta to Borobudur: Shared standard, car hire only or private tour. Here is the costing and features of all the packages:

Shared Tour: You will be picked up and dropped off to the hotel. The basic cost is around IDR 200.000 to 300.000. It is only for the transport. You need to purchase the entrance tickets separately. You can find this sharing tour. Normally the tour agency will combine this package including with Prambanan Temple.

Transport Only Tour : You can easily find the transportation only tout in Prawirotaman Street. It will cost around IDR 600.000 to IDR 750.000 per day. You can visit other places like Prambanan Temple or Sultan Palace with this option.

Private package: In this package, you will get a car, tour guide and flexible time options. For private tour you could check this package Borobudur and Prambanan Temple Tour or check this link for more complete package option YogyakartaTour.com. We have excellent review by TripAdvisor and Viator

Why should you book your tour?

You should definitely book your tour with BorobudurSunrise.com or YogyakartaTour.com. You will not have to worry about your transport and tickets. There will not be any problem about timings too. You will have the facility of tour guides. They make your experience from Yogyakarta to Borobudur more enriching. Thirdly, you get early access. You arrive at your location before it becomes too rushy. Hence, you enjoy cool air.

Tips:

You should book in advance. It is best to book at least two weeks before. The peak period is from the month of June to September. Do not forget to confirm your pickup location and exact time. You should wear layered clothing and closed shoes.

Online Taxi By Gojek or Grab:

If you are travelling in a group, and want a cheaper option than booking a tour, then you should grab an online taxi from Yogyakarta to Borobudur for your convenience.

Booking:

Firstly, you need to download Gojek or Grab.
Set the pickup location.
Set the drop-off location. It should be set to “Borobudur temple”.
Pick your option whether you need a car ride or a bike ride. If you need more space, then choose a car ride. If you need an option which is lighter on your pocket, then go for a bike ride.

Safety:

It is convenient and safe to travel with your luggage.
The app also supports the English language.
Drivers are already aware of the routes, you can make a deal with the driver to wait you at the gate of the temple so you can go back again to the city centre with the same driver.

Things to consider:

During peak hours, holidays or rainy weather, the charges often increase.

Ideal Time To Visit:

When you are planning your trip from Yogyakarta to Borobudur, timing can make a huge difference in your tour.

Sunrise:

During the time of sunrise, there is less crowd. You will feel calm in the soft golden light. You should wear a warm layer of clothes. The tickets are limited at this time. Keep a torch or phone light with you.

Daytime:

Light conditions are not that favourable for photography lovers. There is too much crowd after 9AM. At this time, souvenir shops are also open.

Season:

During the time of April to September, the sky is clear. There is very little rain. On the other hand, there is high rainfall during the time of October to March.

What Else Can You Expect During The Tour from Yogyakarta to Borobudur?

It is important to know what else you can expect on your tour from Yogyakarta to Borobudur.

Photography:

You can bring a camera with a wide angle lens. There are many objects that can be used. For example: trees, sprouting stupas. There is early morning mist as well. During midday, the shadows are harsh so it is better to visit early or late.

Nearby Places:

There are three temples nearby which you can also visit. Candi Pawon, Candi Mendut, and Sewu Temple.

Local Village:

You can find many exciting things in the local village as well. You can also visit Taman Wisata Tino. It is a local business which curates baskets. You can also find many interesting workshops. For example: Batik Tulisan Painting workshop. You can also watch coffee plantations or even volunteer as well. For example: Wanurejo.

Important Information:

When you are travelling from Yogyakarta to Borobudur, always keep the following things in mind:

Rules For Temple:

Do not smoke.
Do not talk loudly.
During the prayers, you need to be respectful.
Do not trace cravings on relics with fingers. Relics should be kept clean.

Money Tips:

Bring some cash for local vendors and local taxis.
Credit cards are accepted at hotels but this facility is not available at local shops near the temple.

Essentials:

Bring a portable charger.
Do not forget to bring a water bottle which is reusable. You can refill it at the temple too.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I really need a guide for my tour from Yogyakarta to Borobudur?

It is not important to keep a guide with you but a guide helps us understand the history more clearly. You can also download a trusted e-book as well for self guidance.

Can I also go to Prambanan along with Borobudur in one day?

Yes. It is only 2 hours away. You can pick a private taxi or you can also grab a tour package too.

Are there veg/non veg options near Borobudur?

Yes, local shops offer many non-veg options. Bigger hotels have veg food in their menu too.

Are there any safety concerns from Yogyakarta to Borobudur?

It is safe. You need to be cautious while travelling on bike. Do not forget to keep your belongings safe in rushy areas.

Final Words:

Travelling from Yogyakarta to Borobudur is an amazing cultural experience. Even if you are travelling to Indonesia for the first time, it could be a great opportunity for you to experience the exciting Javanese culture. Yogyakarta is not only a starting point. It has its own history, fine arts, delicious food, and welcoming people. You can observe the breathtaking transition from the streets of Malioboro to the beautiful sunrise of Borobudur.

It depends on your own preference on how you want to travel from Yogyakarta to Borobudur. If you want a relaxing experience, then go for Borobudursunrise.com. If you want to travel at your own pace, then renting a motorbike is the best option for you. Renting a motorbike will offer you more flexibility. If you are looking to travel from Yogyakarta to Borobudur on a budget, then the public bus from Jombor can be a great option for you. And, if you are seeking a modern mode of transport with good navigation and fixed fares, then choose Gojek or Grab. Each mode of transport has its own experience. You might even choose to experience the journey from Yogyakarta to Borobudur several times while trying different transport methods to experience the different flavours of travelling.

Whatever method you choose, planning for your tour in advance is important. You should book your stay through trusted options. For example: Traveloka or Tiket.com. If you want to experience the beautiful sunrise then you need to wake up early. Do not forget to bring your camera to capture the unforgettable views and ambiance. This is a memory which you will carry long after your trip ends.