Yogyakarta to Ijen
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What to expect when visiting Ijen
Mt. Bromo and Mt. Ijen are two popular volcanoes in East Java. Both have their own charm – Bromo with its stunning views and Ijen with its blue fire. If you get the chance, we definitely recommend visiting both of these highlights in Java.
With a distance of 140 km between Bromo and Ijen, you can fit climbing both peaks in just 2 days. That’s if you’re in a hurry and don’t get tired easily. If you have more time, you may want to include a visit to the nearby Sewu Waterfalls as well.
Note that to climb Mt. Ijen, you first have to get to Banyuwangi. Located 35 km away, it is the usual base camp for the so-called “mountain of fire” of Mount Ijen.
Starting point
First things first. There are four common base camps for hiking Mt Bromo: Cemoro Lawang (next to the Bromo), Probolinggo (50 km northeast), Malang (55 km west), and Surabaya (125 km northwest). In short, if you’re thinking of exploring Bromo and Ijen along with Sewu Waterfalls, Malang is your best bet. If you’re only planning on visiting the volcanoes, we recommend that you stay in Cemoro Lawang.
Where to stay when visiting Ijen?
There are almost no accommodations around the Ijen Volcano, and that’s why it’s best to stay in Java’s far eastern city, Banyuwangi. This city is about 35 km away from Ijen and has numerous guesthouses and Airbnbs, as well as a couple of restaurants (but don’t expect Western food!).
PRO TIP: Instead of travelling straight from Yogyakarta to Ijen, we recommend making one stop at Bromo Volcano on the way and possibly also at Sewu waterfall.
Organizing a tour from Banyuwangi
If you want to get the full experience and get close to the craterâs sulphuric blue flames, youâll need a guide. Also, note that the most popular time to visit Ijen is at night as this gives you a magnificent view of the blue fire. Hiking this mountain in total darkness without a guide is not recommended.
Tours normally cost around 350,000 IDR (âŹ21) on weekdays and 50,000 IDR (âŹ2.90) more during weekends. This includes the entrance fee to the crater: 100,000 IDR (âŹ5.90) on weekdays and 150,000 IDR (âŹ8.80) during weekends. For private tours, expect to pay around 400,000 IDR (âŹ23).
Almost any guesthouse in Banyuwangi will be able to book a tour for you, which includes pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Banyuwangi, a gas mask for the tour, as well the entrance fee.
Maarten’s insider tip: When I hiked Ijen in November 2022, we stayed at Betah Homestay, which I can highly recommend. The guesthouse looks fabulous and the owner is very knowledgeable about the area. If you book a tour with him, he will find you the best guide and provide you with new gas masks.
PRO TIP: If you are wearing silver jewellery like a necklace, better leave it at the homestay. The sulfur gases can discolour the silver and darken your jewellery.
3 ways to get from Yogyakarta to Ijen
There are 3 ways to travel the distance of 605 kilometers (376 miles) from Yogyakarta to Ijen by bus to Banyuwangi (13 hours to 19 hours 30 minutes), train to Banyuwangi (11 to 13 hours) and flight to Blimbingsari (13 hours 30 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 11 hours to 19 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by train to banyuwangi. The lowest priced tickets start from 95,000 IDR (âŹ5.60) for the train to banyuwangi.Yogyakarta to Ijen by Train to Banyuwangi
A direct way to travel from Yogyakarta to Ijen is by train. There are only two train departures daily, at 07:00 and 18:20.
This journey takes 11 to 13 hours. Tickets start from 95,000 IDR (âŹ5.60) for economy seats and 530,000 IDR (âŹ31) for executive seats.
Departure and arrival station
The trains depart from two stations in Yogyakarta city centre. Tugu Station and Lempuyangan Station are about 2 km apart in the city centre. Only economy seats are available at Lempuyangan, while you can book economy, executive and business classes from Tugu Station. We would recommend booking a business or executive class for this +10-hour trip.
In Banyuwangi, the trains arrive at Kota Banyuwangi Station, previously named Karangasem Station. You can already find several accommodations right outside the train station.
Train schedule from Yogyakarta to Banyuwangi
From the train station, itâs a 15-minute taxi ride to the city centre. Fares start from 20,000 IDR (âŹ1.20) with Grab. Motorcycle taxis are also available outside the train station.
Yogyakarta to Ijen by Bus to Banyuwangi
There are long-distance bus services from Yogyakarta to Banyuwangi daily. Bus tickets start from 295,000 IDR (âŹ17.30).
The bus ride takes 13 hours to 19 hours 30 minutes, which is a few hours longer than the train. However, keep in mind that the bus may take longer due to traffic and delays at scheduled rest stops.
Departure and arrival station
Safari Dharma Raya and Kramat Djati Jakarta buses both depart from Yogyakarta city centre. For the specific pick-up point, you can choose the closest one from you when you book your tickets on 12GoAsia.
The buses arrive at Ketapang Bus Station, located 10 km away from Banyuwangi city centre. You can try to ask the driver to drop you off in the city centre. Otherwise, you have to take a taxi back to Banyuwangi.
Bus schedule from Yogyakarta to Banyuwangi
There are also buses departing from Terminal Giwangan, about 6 km from Malioboro in the city centre. Mila Sejahtera offers several bus trips from 11:00 to 19:00. Tickets cost 200,000 IDR (âŹ11.70) per person, and you can only buy your tickets at the station.
Yogyakarta to Ijen by Flight to Blimbingsari
Itâs also possible to take a flight from Yogyakarta to Banyuwangi, but note that there are no direct flights on this route. All flights make one or two stopovers, making the flight time at least 13 hours.
Flights to Banyuwangi are available only at the new Yogyakarta International Airport. In Banyuwangi, youâll arrive at Blimbingsari Airport (BWX), located about 20 km away from Banyuwangi city centre.
Considering the travel time and the airfares, we recommend taking the train, which is a more interesting experience and produces far fewer emissions than a flight.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Yogyakarta city centre to Yogyakarta International Airport
Yogyakarta International Airport in Kulon Progo is located 42 km away from Yogyakarta city centre.
The easiest way to travel from Yogyakarta city centre to this airport is by train. It takes 40 minutes from Tugu Station near Malioboro and tickets are as cheap as 20,000 IDR (âŹ1.20). The train station is conveniently connected to the airport building.
If your hotel in Yogyakarta is far from the train station, you can also take the DAMRI bus to the airport for about 70,000 IDR (âŹ4.10). The bus has several pick-up points within and outside the city centre. Travel time is about 1.5-2 hours, depending on the traffic.
By taxi, it takes about 1.5 hours to Yogyakarta Airport with fares from 205,000 IDR (âŹ12).
Step 2: Yogyakarta Airport to Blimbingsari Airport by Flight
There is no direct flight from Yogyakarta to Blimbingsari Airport. All flights include one or two stopovers in Jakarta, Makassar, or Medan.
Including the layover, the quickest flight takes 12.5 hours, while some flights with two layovers take up to 21 hours. See here a sample flight itinerary:
- Yogyakarta to Jakarta (1h 15m)
- Layover at Jakarta (9.5 hours)
- Jakarta to Blimbingsari (1h 50m)
Airfares start from 2,000,000 IDR (âŹ115) from Yogyakarta to Banyuwangi.
Step 3: Blimbingsari Airport to Banyuwangi city centre by Taxi
From Blimbingsari Airport to Banyuwangi city centre, you can hail a taxi outside the airport building. Fares start from 1,800,000 IDR (âŹ105).
Grab offers cheaper rates for about 60,000 IDR (âŹ3.50). Note that Grab taxis are not allowed inside the airport terminal, so you need to exit the gate to reach the pick-up point.
There were also DAMRI buses connecting Blimbingsari Airport with the ferry port and the city centre. However, the last time we checked (February 2023), we couldnât confirm the availability of these buses. A ticket used to cost 25,000 IDR (âŹ1.50).
TIP: Relax and unwind at Sumberkima Hill Retreat
If youâve just completed your overland journey through East Java, youâre likely in need of some relaxation time. Rather than hurrying off to one of Baliâs popular tourist spots, why not spend a few nights in the north of Bali and truly feel like youâre on vacation after a week of intense travel through Java?
Sumberkima Hill Retreat is the perfect place to experience real peace and enjoy stunning views of Ijen (and perhaps Bromo Volcano) simultaneously. In our Java to Bali itinerary, Iâve provided additional tips on how to kick off your adventure upon arrival in the north of Bali via ferry from Java.
If you already know where to go, donât miss the chance to at least check out the Sumberkima Hill retreat on booking.com.
Frequently Asked Questions about Yogyakarta to Ijen
What is the distance from Yogyakarta to Ijen?
The distance from Yogyakarta to Ijen is 605 kilometers (376 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Yogyakarta to Ijen?
The fastest way to get from Yogyakarta to Ijen is by train to banyuwangi and takes 11 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Yogyakarta to Ijen?
The cheapest way to get from Yogyakarta to Ijen is by train to banyuwangi with ticket costs starting from 95,000 IDR (âŹ5.60).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Yogyakarta to Ijen. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When sheâs not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines⊠Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, sheâll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maartenâs passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, youâll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
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Hola!! Muchas gracias por toda la info que tenĂ©is para facilitar el viaje đ
Nos gustarĂa saber cual es la forma mas rĂĄpida de poder ver bromo e ijen. EstarĂamos alojados en yogyakarta y tendrĂamos que coger un tren, lo que no sabemos es si ir a probolingo o malang y desde alguno de estos sitios coger algĂșn tour/guia.
Muchas gracias y un saludo!!
đ
Hi Irati,
Thank you very much for your comment. I recommend reading this post about Bromo basecamps to help you decide which destination is best for you and your travel companions. When I was planning this trip with my family, I analyzed every possible option and summarized my conclusions in that post. Also, check out the 7-day Java to Bali itinerary in case Bali is indeed your final destination.
If youâre not planning to visit Sewu Waterfalls, I recommend Cemoro Lawang as itâs the closest location to Mount Bromo. If you depart from Malang or Probolinggo, youâll need to get up 1-2 hours earlier, on a night that is already short. My recommendation is to travel this distance during the daytime instead and stay close to Bromo.
Hope that helps and enjoy this amazing trip through Java!
Best,
Maarten
PD: Esta respuesta estĂĄ escrita en inglĂ©s para que sea Ăștil para los viajeros de todo el mundo. Recomiendo usar Google Translate para traducir esta respuesta al español.
Hola!!
Lo primero de todo, muchas gracias por toda la info que teneis para facilitar el viaje đ
He estado mirando la entrada “De Yogyakarta a Ijen en tren hasta Banyuwangi” y veo que decĂs que sĂłlo hay dos salidas de tren diarias, a las 07:00 y a las 18:20 y que ese viaje dura entre 11 y 13 horas
Queremos coger el de por la mañana y es Economy (Subclass C). Como son ese tipo de trenes de subclase C?
Es que como son tantas horas por hacernos un poco una idea…
Ese tren sabeis si hace parada tamebien en Probolingo o es el mismo tren??
Muchas gracias por todo!
Un saludo
Hi Irene, economy class seats will be a bit uncomfortable for long rides, but it’s doable. However, you won’t get a lot of privacy or legroom and you likely have to share the seat next to you with other travellers.
As for the subclass, it refers to the position of the wagon relative to the locomotive. Subclass C is located further back, which means it tends to be quieter and safer compared to other subclasses. But to be honest, I didn’t notice a real difference when I travelled this route by train.
If you want to take the Yogyakarta to Probolinggo route, you can take the same train heading to Banyuwangi (Sri Tanjung 242). The travel time is shorter, about 8.5 hours, and you’ll arrive in Probolinggo at around 16:00. Business class seats are also available for this route, which will give you more privacy (see our guide about travelling by train in Indonesia.
And one extra tip: As you already travel all the way from Yogya to Ijen, it would be a shame to not make a stop at the mount Bromo. From Probolingo it’s only about a 1.5 hour drive to Cemoro Lawang, which is the town located at the entrance of mount Bromo.
PD: Esta respuesta estĂĄ escrita en inglĂ©s para que sea Ăștil para los viajeros de todo el mundo. Recomiendo usar Google Translate para traducir esta respuesta al español.