Overview Compare Train Bus Tours
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.
How to get from Bromo to Ijen
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.
3 ways to go from Bromo to Ijen
Depending on what base camp you are staying in, you can travel from Bromo to Ijen in 3 ways. You can travel by train to Banyuwangi (3.5 to 7 hours), by bus to Banyuwangi (4.5 to 10 hours), or by organised tour (1-3 days). Fares range from 30,000 IDR ($1.90) to 950,000 IDR ($61).
When taking the train from Bromo to Ijen, you can find a direct line from three of Bromo’s base camps to Banyuwangi. The train is our preferred method because it is comfortable and cheap with fares from 30,000 IDR ($1.90). Depending on the location of your base camp, the journey will take between 3.5 and 7 hours.
If you want to travel by bus from Bromo to Ijen, we recommend taking executive buses to Ijen. Although they’re more expensive than local buses, they guarantee comfort and security. Ticket prices for executive buses to Banyuwangi start from 180,000 IDR ($11.50).
It’s also possible to join an organised tour from Bromo to Ijen. With Bromo-Tours, a 2D1N tour to Ijen costs 850,000 IDR ($55) per person if you’re in a group of 6. Midnight tours are cheaper at around 450,000 IDR ($29) per person.
Organizing a tour from Banyuwangi
If you want to get the full experience and get close to Ijen’s sulphuric blue flames, you’ll have to visit Ijen at night. Once you reach the crater, you’ll be able to witness a magical blue fire before seeing the sun rising over the crater lake.
Tours normally cost around 350,000 IDR ($22.50) on weekdays and 50,000 IDR ($3.20) more during weekends. This includes the guide, transport to Ijen, and the entrance fee to the crater. The entrance fee is 100,000 IDR ($6.50) on weekdays and 150,000 IDR ($9.50) at weekends. For private tours, expect to pay around 400,000 IDR ($26).
Almost any guesthouse in Banyuwangi will be able to book a tour for you. The tour includes pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Banyuwangi, a gas mask for the tour, and 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.
Sidetrip to Sewu Waterfalls
If you’re staying in Malang, it’s a great opportunity to also visit the Sewu Waterfalls before heading to Ijen. Tumpak Sewu Waterfalls is a multi-tiered waterfall in East Java, some 70 km south of Mt. Bromo.
When you add a visit to Sewu waterfalls, we recommend taking the southern route via Jember station to Bunyuwangi, which is faster than travelling back to Malang. See here how to get to Sewu waterfalls and continue your journey to Ijen (Banyuwangi).
Itinerary from Bromo to Ijen
Bromo to Ijen by Train to Banyuwangi
Direct trains are available from Bromo to Ijen if you’re staying in one of these three base camps:
- Train from Probolinggo: 3.5 to 4.5 hours
- Train from Surabaya: 5.5 to 7 hours
- Train from Malang: 7 hours
If you stay in Cemoro Lawang, you’ll need another 1.5-2 hour taxi or minibus between Cemoro Lawang and Problinggo.
Train to Banyuwangi
To reach the Ijen basecamp, you’ll need to take the train going to the town of Banyuwangi on the eastern end of Java. The main train station is Banyuwangi Kota Station, previously named Karengasem Station. Since it’s located only 4 km away from the town centre, you have lots of options for accommodation in the area.
The trains also head to Ketapang Station beside Ketapang Ferry Port, where ferries to Bali depart from. This train station is located about 10 km away from the town centre, and there are fewer hotels around. This station is recommended if you don’t want to visit Ijen but want to go straight to Bali.
You can buy your tickets at the train station, but we think you’ll save a lot of time if you book them online via Tiket.com. The earlier you book, the better chance you have of scoring cheaper tickets.
Option 1: Train from Probolinggo
The base camp with the shortest travel time to Banyuwangi is the city of Probolinggo on the north coast. It takes only 3.5 to 4.5 hours by train from Probolinggo to Banyuwangi.
There are 5 train departures from 00:48 to 19:05. Ticket prices start from 30,000 IDR ($1.90) for economy seats and 285,000 IDR ($18.50) for executive seats.
Departure station
The trains depart from Probolinggo Train Station in the town centre. It’s right in front of Central Park and about 1 km from the Port of Probolinggo.
From your hotel, you can take a minibus to the train station for about 5,000 IDR ($0.30).
Train schedule from Probolinggo to Banyuwangi
Option 2: Train from Surabaya
Surabaya is the capital city of East Java, so there are several trains departing from this city.
From Surabaya to Banyuwangi, the train ride takes 5.5 to 7 hours, depending on the train you take. Tickets range between 60,000 IDR ($3.90) and 385,000 IDR ($25).
Departure station
In Surabaya, you can catch the train to Banyuwangi from three train stations. Most of the trains depart from Surabaya Gubeng in the city centre.
Surabaya Kota Station is near Chinatown and the ferry terminal. Meanwhile, Wonokromo Station is the closest station to Juanda International Airport. Both stations are about 4 to 5 km away from Surabaya Gubeng.
Train schedule from Surabaya to Banyuwangi
Option 3: Train from Malang
From Malang, you have only one option for the train to Banyuwangi. The train departs at 16:30 and you’ll arrive in Banyuwangi at midnight, just in time for a sunrise tour to Ijen.
Only economy seats are available from Malang to Banyuwangi, which costs 65,000 IDR ($4.20) per person.
Departure station
Malang Station is located 1 km away from Malang city centre. A short taxi ride from the city centre to the train station costs around 15,000 IDR ($0.90).
Train schedule from Malang to Banyuwangi
Bromo to Ijen by Bus to Banyuwangi
Another option is to take a bus from Bromo to Ijen. Buses are also available from the same base camps: Probolinggo (4.5-6 hours), Malang (9 hours), and Surabaya (7.5-10 hours).
For us, the train is the better option in terms of travel time and costs. However, if you’re not really keen on taking long train rides, you can read on for a detailed guide!
Option 1: Bus from Probolinggo
Same as when taking the train, you’ll get to Banyuwangi the quickest when coming from Probolinggo. You can take the cheaper local bus at the public bus terminal or book super executive shuttle buses online.
The last time we checked (February 2023), though, we couldn’t confirm the schedule and fare for the local buses. Tickets used to cost 75,000 IDR ($4.80) for the 6-hour journey from Probolinggo to Banyuwangi. Keep in mind that the public bus terminal in Probolinggo is infamous for scamming, which we explain below.
If you don’t want to risk getting scammed, book super executive buses online instead. Fares are more expensive starting from 280,000 IDR ($18), but you’ll get a lot more comfort in return when booking this option.
Departure and arrival station
The main bus station in Problinggo is Terminal Bayuangga. From the city centre, you can take the yellow minibus to this terminal for 5,000 IDR ($0.30). Beware that the minibus driver will likely bring you to a tour company to offer you overpriced bus tickets for which they receive a kickback. Simply stay on the bus and politely state that you wish to go to the public bus terminal.
Meanwhile, the super executive buses have different pick-up points:
- Sinar Bali 99: the Giant supermarket and Ketapang police station in Probolinggo
- Lorena: along Jl. Raya Bromo
The local buses arrive at Karangente Bus Terminal near the city centre, while the super executive buses head to Ketapang Ferry Terminal, 10 km away from Banyuwangi.
Bus schedule from Probolinggo to Banyuwangi
Public bus terminal scam
Many “drivers” and “bus attendants” will try to lure you into buses that supposedly go straight to Banyuwangi. These scammers are usually not actual drivers and attendants. The buses are known to make a final stop elsewhere, from where you’ll have to take another bus to Banyuwangi and pay for that ride again.
Scammers will also overcharge you for bus tickets in an aggressive manner. If you don’t pay, they’ll force you to get off the bus. Thieves are also rampant at this terminal, so keep an eye on your belongings at all times.
Travellers who have been in Probolinggo say that it’s better to wait for the bus from the street, maybe 1 km away from the bus station (in the direction that you are heading). Here, you can pay the correct fare directly to the driver.
Option 2: Bus from Malang
Several buses operate from Malang to Banyuwangi. You can choose between 4 departure times, but we suggest taking the bus that departs at 17:00 or 18:00 if you want to make it in time for a sunrise hike in Ijen.
Tickets start from 180,000 IDR ($11.50) for the 9-hour bus ride from Malang to Banyuwangi.
Departure and arrival station
All buses offer hotel pick-up and drop-off in Malang and Banyuwangi city centre.
The only exception is the Dewata Indah bus that drops passengers off at Karangente Bus Terminal, which is the same arrival point for the local buses from Probolinggo.
Bus schedule from Malang to Banyuwangi
Note that more buses are available on Easybook with the 19:00 departure time for the same price.
Option 3: Bus from Surabaya
Of all four base camps, you have the most bus options when coming from Surabaya. We recommend taking an executive shuttle when travelling by bus from Surabaya to Banyuwangi. These shuttles are comfortable and direct rides, albeit more expensive than the local bus.
You can book a ticket online via 12GoAsia or EasyBook. Executive bus fares start from 180,000 IDR ($11.50) and it takes about 7.5 to 10 hours to Banyuwangi.
Departure and arrival station
All executive shuttles offer hotel pick-up and drop-off in Surabaya and Banyuwangi city centres. On the other hand, DAMRI buses depart from Terminal Bangurasih and arrive at their own station in Banyuwangi city centre.
Note that there are several other bus companies departing from different districts in Surabaya city. You can check which bus departs closest to your hotel by using the filter option on EasyBook. Most of them have the same departure time of 19:00 with fares from 200,000 IDR ($13).
Bus schedule from Surabaya to Banyuwangi
There are also several local buses that operate from Surabaya to Banyuwangi. However, most of them don’t make a stop in Banyuwangi city centre. They either go straight to Ketapang Harbour (30 minutes from town) or end their journey in Jember, from where you’ll have to take another bus to Banyuwangi.
The last time we checked (February 2023), we couldn’t confirm the schedule of the local buses. These buses from Surabaya to Banyuwangi used to cost 110,000 IDR ($7).
Bromo to Ijen by Organised Tour
If you don’t want the hassle of planning your trip from Bromo to Ijen, you can join organised group tours instead.
This option is usually more expensive than when taking public transportation, but everything will be planned for you. From roundtrip transfers, tour guides, entrance fees, and masks, you won’t have to worry about anything during your trip. Most tours also include 1 or 2 nights of accommodation.
Midnight tours are available if you want just a quick trip to Ijen and plan on going back to the base camp. There are also a number of tour companies offering multi-day tours going to Bromo, Ijen, and even Bali.
Tours to Bromo and Ijen
Frequently Asked Questions about how to travel to Ijen
How to get from Banyuwangi to Ijen
Mt. Ijen, located 35 km northwest of Banyuwangi, is a 1.5 to 2-hour drive from Banyuwangi city centre.
There are 3 ways you can travel from Banyuwangi to Mt. Ijen: by renting a private 4×4 jeep and driver, by joining an organised tour, or by renting a scooter and driving on your own.
Can I rent a private jeep to reach Ijen?
Yes, rates for a private transfer start from 1,370,000 IDR ($89) for a group of 6 on Viator. The package includes a 4×4 ride with a driver, plus fuel and parking fees. Some tours also provide a gas mask and headlamp.
Can I drive to Ijen by motorbike?
Renting a scooter is the cheapest way to get from Banyuwangi to the foot of Mt. Ijen. It should cost less than 100,000 IDR ($6.50) to rent one for 24 hours. However, we only recommend this for veteran drivers who have a lot of experience riding in Southeast Asia.
The roads from Banyuwangi to Ijen are especially difficult since you’ll be travelling at night and probably passing those roads for the first time. Also, keep in mind that you’re about to hike after, and it will be better to save your energy for that.
If you want to see what Ijen is famous for, which is its blue fire, then you should definitely get to the crater before sunrise. Most travellers depart from Banyuwangi at midnight so they can start their climb as soon as it opens at 02:00 in the morning. The hike to the Ijen crater takes 2 to 3 hours.
Most popular routes in Indonesia
About the author(s)
Based in Bali, Maarten’s 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, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
Hi! We are looking to go to indonesia and we would like to organize a trip with you to Bromo and Ijen from Surabaya and finish or surabaya or bali depending.
The dates will be 16-18 of october more or less.
Could be possible to organize with you?
Kind regards!
Hi Marta, that sounds like a great plan. We don’t organize any trips, but I recommend checking out our post about travelling from Java to Bali. This itinerary also includes a visit to the Sewu waterfall and several more tips. If you want to visit Bromo and Ijen in one tour, you can also book this Bromo + Ijen tour with Klook, leaving from Malang. Malang is easy to reach from Surabaya.
Have an amazing trip! Maarten