3 ways to get from Karimun Jawa to Karimun Jawa
There are 3 ways to travel the distance of 87 kilometers (54 miles) from Karimun Jawa to Karimun Jawa by flight (7 hours), ferry via Jepara (2 to 5 hours) and ferry via Semarang (7 to 9 hours). The journey duration ranges between 2 to 9 hours and the quickest way is by ferry via Jepara. The lowest priced tickets start from 110,000 IDR ($7) for the ferry via Semarang.Where to stay in Karimun Jawa?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Karimun Jawa at the bottom of this page.
Karimun Jawa to Karimun Jawa by Ferry via Semarang
An alternative option is to take a ferry from Semarang to Karimun Jawa. While Semarang is a bigger city than Jepara and has a bigger port, the ferries from Semarang Ferry Terminal are available only every other week.
Travel time from Semarang to Karimun Jawa takes 7 to 9 hours, which is about twice as long as the slow ferry from Jepara. The ferries depart Semarang every other Friday or Saturday at 22:00. In Karimun Jawa, the ferries arrive between 06:00 and 07:00 the day after.
Ferry tickets start from 110,000 IDR ($7). For the schedule and online booking, you can click the button below:
Departure and arrival port
The ferries depart from Tanjung Emas Semarang, located about 3-4.5 km from Poncol and Tawang train stations in the city centre. From Jenderal Ahmad Yani Airport, it’s a 20-minute taxi ride to the port.
Unlike the ferries from Jepara, the ferries from Semarang arrive at the Port of Legon Bajak on the north side of the island. From here, it takes approximately 45 minutes to the town centre.
Karimun Jawa to Karimun Jawa by Ferry via Jepara
Jepara is the main gateway for people travelling to Karimun Jawa. From Jepara, you can reach Karimun Jawa by either fast or slow ferry. Both ferries on this route operate multiple days a week.
The fast boat is operated by Bahari Express and takes 2 hours from Jepara to Karimun Jawa. Tickets cost 200,000 IDR ($12.80) for the executive class and 230,000 IDR ($14.70) for the VIP class when you buy them at the port.
The KMP Siginjai slow ferry costs only 125,000 IDR ($8) per person. It’s a bigger ferry that takes 3 hours longer than the fast boat. If you easily get seasick, this slow ferry is a better choice for you as it’s more stable. You can also bring your motorcycle or car from Jepara to Karimun Jawa with this ferry.
Departure and arrival port
Both the fast boat and slow ferry depart from Jepara Kartini Ferry Terminal. This terminal is 10 minutes away from Jepara City Square.
In Karimun Jawa, the ferry terminal is located on the south coast. Outside the port, you’ll find several motorcycle rental shops. You can rent a motorcycle as soon as you arrive to get to your accommodation.
Ferry schedule from Jepara to Karimun Jawa
Bahari Express is available for online booking on Direct Ferries, but tickets cost 400,000 IDR ($26) online. This is about 100,000 IDR ($6.40) more expensive than when you buy them at the port. Tickets for KMP Siginjai can only be bought at the port.
In case you will buy the tickets at the port, arrive about an hour before the scheduled departure time to ensure you get a ticket for this slow ferry. However, during holidays and high season (April to June) tickets usually sell out fast. If you travel during this season, we recommend booking your tickets in advance or asking your accommodation on the island to buy your ferry tickets for you.
Karimun Jawa to Karimun Jawa by Flight
The plane used to be a quick way to reach Karimun Jawa from Semarang because the flight took only 30 minutes.
Karimunjawa Dewadaru Airport (KWB) is basically a small airfield with limited flights. Only Wings Air used to offer flights from Semarang to Karimun Jawa every Monday, Friday and Sunday. The flight departed at 11:20 and the fare was around 400,000 IDR ($26).
Aircraft were small turboprops with limited seats so they used to get booked up fast in the summer and on popular holiday long weekends.
We rather recommend taking a ferry on this route because short-haul flights like this produce high carbon emissions that negatively affect the environment.
Coming from other destinations in Indonesia?
There are no direct routes to Karimun Jawa from other cities. From Surabaya, Yogyakarta, and Jakarta, you need to travel to either Jepara or Semarang to take the ferry to Karimun Jawa.
Make sure to check the ferry schedules above so you can plan ahead for your trip. See below for a more detailed guide.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
From Surabaya to Karimun Jawa
Your best option when travelling from Surabaya to Karimun Jawa is by train via Semarang. You can then take the ferry from Semarang or head to Jepara, where ferries have more departures in a week.
It’s also possible to take a flight from Surabaya to Semarang, but all flights on this route make a stopover in Jakarta, making for a longer trip.
By Train
In Surabaya, you can take the train from Pasar Turi Station to Semarang’s Tawang Station or Poncol Station. Trains to both stations are available almost every hour.
Travel time is 3-4.5 hours with train tickets starting from 100,000 IDR ($6.40).
If you’re travelling on the day the Pelni ferries are available from Semarang to Karimun Jawa, you can directly take a taxi from the train station to the ferry terminal.
Otherwise, you’ll need to go to Jepara and take the ferry there. From the train station, take a short taxi ride to Kencana Travel Terminal. Kencana offers hourly bus trips from Semarang to Jepara. The bus ride takes about 3 hours and costs around 95,000 IDR ($6.10).
The Kencana Travel Terminal in Jepara is a 10-minute taxi ride to Jepara’s Kartini Terminal, where ferries for Karimun Jawa depart from.
From Yogyakarta to Karimun Jawa
When travelling from Yogyakarta to Karimun Jawa, you can also travel overland to Jepara or Semarang and take a ferry from one of these ports.
Yogyakarta to Jepara
There are local buses from Yogyakarta to Jepara daily. One of the buses that you can book online in advance is Day Trans, which departs from Gading. This bus company offers air-conditioned minibuses for 130,000 IDR ($8.30) per person.
The bus ride takes 7 hours and the minibus parks at the Day Trans terminal in Jepara, which is just a 10-minute taxi ride to the ferry terminal.
Flight options from Karimun Jawa
With the schedule, we suggest taking the 23:00 bus trip to Jepara. This way, you’ll arrive at around 06:00 with enough time before the 09:00 ferry from Jepara to Karimun Jawa.
Yogyakarta to Semarang
More bus companies operate from Yogyakarta to Semarang, but keep in mind that the ferries from Semarang to Karimun Jawa are available only every other week.
The buses on this route depart every hour from 04:00 to 22:15 with rates from 100,000 IDR ($6.40). Travel time is about 3-4 hours.
From Jakarta to Karimun Jawa via Semarang
There are two ways you can reach Semarang from Jakarta: by train and by flight. In Semarang, both the airport and train station are a short taxi ride away from the ferry terminal.
You can also head to Jepara by bus to take the ferry to Karimun Jawa.
By Train
The train journey takes between 5 and 7 hours from Gambir Station in Jakarta to Semarang Tawang Station. Train tickets on this route range from 360,000 IDR ($23) to 1,200,000 IDR ($77), depending on the class seat.
Trains are available from 07:15 to 20:35 and travel time from Jakarta to Semarang takes 5-5.5 hours.
By Flight
The flight from Jakarta to Semarang takes only an hour. You can fly out of Soekarno-Hatta or Halim Perdanakusuma airports to Jenderal Ahmad Yani Airport in Semarang.
There are flights from 06:55 to 17:30 on this route with airfares starting from 430,000 IDR ($28).
Due to Jakarta’s heavy road congestion, taking the train is by far the fastest and easiest way to get from the city centre to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
The train journey to the airport takes about 50 minutes and a ticket costs 70,000 IDR ($4.50). You can board the train at Sudirman Baru Station in the city centre and alight at Jakarta Airport Station. Then you can connect with the free sky train light rail system to whichever terminal your flight takes off from.
Best places to stay in Karimun Jawa
Eco Casa Resort - Treating Yourself
Eco Casa Resort is exactly what you imagine when you think of an island getaway. It’s only seconds from Barakuda Beach and it’s surrounded by lush palm trees. With a small number of bungalows, the hosts create a heartwarming atmosphere and a place for you to feel comfortable.
The bungalows are traditional yet comfortable, offering views of the vibrant turquoise water that you might be able to hear from your bed.
- Amazing hosts
- Beautiful bungalows
- Private beach
- Tasty free breakfast
Double rooms start from $50+ per night
Omah Alchy Cottages - Mid Range
A 5-minute drive from Karimun Jawa Harbour, Omah Alchy Cottages boasts traditional Javanese-style bungalows overlooking the sea. Every room comes with its own private balcony, with some of them offering nets where you can laze right over the water.
The host Coco is amazing and super helpful, making sure you have the best time on the island. The family also run an onsite restaurant which serves delicious food that you have to try.
- Amazing host
- Bungalows with private terraces
- Cosy vibe
- Onsite restaurant
Double rooms between $30-50 per night
L’isola Che - Budget Friendly
L’isola Che perfectly matches the spirit of Karimunjawa. It’s laid back and calm, plus the hosts are incredibly friendly. Silvia and John will help you in any way they can and that starts with making you feel instantly at home.
The guesthouse is a great place to meet other travellers. You can spark up a conversation over the delicious complimentary breakfast. The rooms are simple but clean and comfortable. It’s a great budget option.
- Amazing hosts
- Clean and comfortable
- Sociable atmosphere
- Delicious free breakfast
Double rooms between $15-30 per night
Frequently Asked Questions about Karimun Jawa to Karimun Jawa
What is the distance from Karimun Jawa to Karimun Jawa?
The distance from Karimun Jawa to Karimun Jawa is 87 kilometers (54 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Karimun Jawa to Karimun Jawa?
The fastest way to get from Karimun Jawa to Karimun Jawa is by ferry via Jepara and takes 2 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Karimun Jawa to Karimun Jawa?
The cheapest way to get from Karimun Jawa to Karimun Jawa is by ferry via Semarang with ticket costs starting from 110,000 IDR ($7).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Karimun Jawa to Karimun Jawa. 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 she’s 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, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
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.
Hoi!
Ten eerste bedankt voor alle informatie.
Heb je nog tips voor de terugreis van Karimun Jawa naar Jepara?
Kan je bij de haven van Jepara een retour boeken of kan dat op Karimun Jawa?
Alvast bedankt 🙂
Hola!!!! Quiero ir a karimunjawa en setiembre, vendremos des de labuan bajo, tendremos que ir hasta jakarta y de jakarta a semarang y de ahi hasta jepara. Lo que no sabía es que había un ferry desde semarang nocturno… quizás eso me sale mejor no?
Gracias!!!!
Hi Judith, there are indeed ferries from Semarang to Karimun Jawa. However, the ferry on this route departs only every two weeks (every other Friday). The schedule for September isn’t out yet on the Pelni website, but their departures for August are set for the 4th and 18th.
You can keep checking the website and wait for the September schedule to check if it matches your travel date. Online booking is also available on the website. Keep in mind that this ferry from Semarang to Karimun Jawa takes 7-9 hours, much longer than the 2 to 5-hour ferry ride from Jepara.
PD: Esta respuesta está escrita en inglés para que sea útil para los viajeros de todo el mundo. Recomiendo usar Google Translate para traducir esta respuesta al español.
Hallo,wie komme ich am besten/schnellsten von Jakarta nach Jepara?
Einen Flug von Semarang nach Karimun Jawa habe ich leider nicht gefunden(wurde eingestellt?)
Danke schon mal für eine Antwort
LG
Walter
Hey Walter, unfortunately, flights from Semarang to Karimun Jawa are unavailable and right now we can’t confirm when they will resume.
There are also no direct transfers from Jakarta to Jepara, so you’ll need to travel via Semarang first. The fastest and most convenient option is a one-hour flight from Jakarta to Semarang.
From the airport, you can take a taxi to Jepara Kartini Ferry Terminal. Or, a cheaper alternative is to take the Kencana Luxury Shuttle from its terminal in Semarang city centre to Jepara. I hope you have a safe trip!
PS: Diese Antwort ist auf Englisch verfasst, um sie für Reisende aus allen Ländern hilfreich zu machen. Wir empfehlen die Verwendung von Google Translate, um diese Antwort ins Deutsche zu übersetzen.
La tasa de entrada al parque de Karimunjawa es de 150.000 IDR deberías actualizar la información ya que en mi caso si lo sé, no voy. Tengo foto del ticket.
Hi Maria, thanks for leaving a comment! We looked into the most recent entrance fees to Karimun Jawa National Park and they match the info you shared with us. We’ve updated this part on the page, thanks to your comment.
PD: Esta respuesta está escrita en inglés para que sea útil para los viajeros de todo el mundo. Recomiendo usar Google Translate para traducir esta respuesta al español.
Hallo, ich habe deinen Artikel Abschnitt „Mit der Fähre über Semarang“. Gesehen. Habe leider online keine weiteren Informationen dazu gefunden. Wie neu sind deine Angaben? Kann man das Ticket schon online kaufen ? Liebe Grüße
Hi Michelle, for the Semarang to Karimun Jawa route, you can check Pelni website for the ferry schedule. You’ll also be able to buy your ferry tickets here.
We also suggest checking the ferry options from Jepera to Karimun Jawa. These ferries depart multiple times a week and have shorter travel time compared to the ferries from Semarang. You can book your ferry tickets from Jepera to Karimun Jawa on the Bahari Express website.
We’ve also made sure that we have the most up-to-date information on our Karimun Jawa page to help you the best we can. I hope you have a wonderful trip to Karimun Jawa!
PS: Diese Antwort ist auf Englisch verfasst, um sie für Reisende aus allen Ländern hilfreich zu machen. Wir empfehlen die Verwendung von Google Translate, um diese Antwort ins Deutsche zu übersetzen.