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What to expect from Mount Bromo?
Mount Bromo is one of Indonesia’s main landmarks known for its unique lunar landscape. It is one of three volcanoes located within the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, which occupies a 10 km crater. The volcano is constantly active, making it a unique natural treasure.
The dramatic landscapes are surrounded by the ‘sea of sand’ which is in fact a huge caldera of volcanic ash sand. The stark grey landscape is contrasted by rolling green hills of savannah surrounding the peaks.
Despite being an active volcano, Mount Bromo is relatively easy to climb and takes less than an hour to reach the summit. Sunrise hikes are particularly popular, as the views from the top are truly spectacular.
Visitors can take in the views of Mount Bromo, Mount Batok, and the towering peak of Mount Semeru through the clouds. The effort of an early morning start is well worth it to witness the stunning sunrise from the summit.
From where to visit the Bromo Volcano?
While the overland distance between Yogyakarta to Bromo is about 285 km (177 miles), the actual distance you need to travel depends on where you want to stay the night before your hike to Bromo.
If you haven’t decided yet where you want to visit Bromo, this guide about the best basecamp for visiting Bromo will help you out.
How to get from Yogyakarta to Bromo
The train is the cheapest way to travel from Yogyakarta to Bromo with fares from 90,000 IDR ($5.50). Trains are available to Probolinggo, Malang, and Surabaya. Travel time can range between 5.5 and 8.5 hours.
Another option to reach Bromo is by minivan from Yogyakarta to Malang. The two departure times won’t let you make it in time for a sunrise tour to Bromo. This means you’ll need an additional night of accommodation if you take the minivan. Tickets start from 300,000 IDR ($19.50).
If you don’t want to spend long hours on a train or minivan, direct and indirect flights operate from Yogyakarta to Surabaya. Including the transfers to and from the airports, travel time takes 2 hours if you take the direct flight from the old Yogyakarta Airport.
Joining an organised tour is the best option if you have limited time and don’t want to worry about transportation. You can join a multi-day tour from Yogyakarta or a sunrise tour from any of the four basecamps. Rates start from 700,000 IDR ($45.50).
Itinerary from Yogyakarta to Bromo
Flight via Surabaya
- Yogyakarta City Centre
- 15 minutes
- Adisucipto Airport
- 1 hour 5 minutes
- Juanda Airport
- 30 minutes
- Surabaya City Centre
Yogyakarta to Bromo by Train
The train is a convenient way to travel from Yogyakarta to Bromo. You can take a train to these three basecamps:
- Train to Probolinggo: 7-8.5 hours
- Train to Malang: 5.5-6 hours
- Train to Surabaya: 4-5 hours
From these basecamps, it takes about 1 to 2.5 hours to reach Mt. Bromo. We also explain here how to get from Probolinggo to Cemoro Lawang, which is the closest basecamp to Bromo.
Option 1: Train to Probolinggo
When travelling from Yogyakarta to Bromo, you can take a train to Probolinggo. This city on the north coast is about 2.5 hours away from Mount Bromo.
There are four train departures from two train stations in Yogyakarta city centre. You can choose between economy, business, and executive class seats for this route.
Tickets to Probolinggo start from 90,000 IDR ($5.50) and the train ride from Yogyakarta to Probolinggo takes 7 to 8.5 hours.
You can easily book a Bromo tour from Probolinggo to Mt Bromo.
Departure and arrival station
Trains to Probolinggo are available at both Tugu Station and Lempuyangan Station. Tugu station is about 500 m from Malioboro Street and 1.5 km away from Lempuyangan Station.
You will be dropped off at Probolinggo Train Station in the city centre. From here, you can take a taxi to Cemoro Lawang or a minibus to the bus terminal.
Train schedule from Yogyakarta to Probolinggo
Optional: From Probolinggo to Cemoro Lawang
If you want to stay in Cemoro Lawang the day before your trip, you can take a taxi from the train station to Cemoro Lawang.
Public transportation from Probolinggo to Cemoro Lawang beside Bromo is quite complicated, as the minibus terminal in Probolinggo is infamous for scamming. We explain this below.
Minivan to Cemoro Lawang
To go to Cemoro Lawang near Mt. Bromo, you can take a minibus from Bayauangga Bus Terminal, located 20 minutes away from the train station. Outside the train station, take a yellow minibus to the bus terminal for 5,000 IDR ($0.30).
At Bayauangga Terminal, you’ll find a number of buses heading to different cities. The bus to Cemoro Lawang has no specific schedule, and it departs only when it is full of 15 passengers. The waiting time can take long during the low season or on weekdays, but it’s possible to leave early by paying for the whole ride.
A ticket costs 35,000 IDR ($2.20) per person, which is 525,000 IDR ($34) for the whole minibus of 15 passengers. You can split this cost with the other passengers if they agree.
The last time we checked (March 2023), we couldn’t confirm the schedule for the last trip, but there used to be buses until 16:00.
Minibus scam
Although it is less frequent nowadays, there have been many instances in recent years of minibus drivers targeting foreign travellers when going to Bayauangga Bus Terminal.
Travellers have sometimes been misled and taken to tour company offices on the way. Here, they are offered overpriced bus tickets to Mt. Bromo for which the minibus driver receives a kickback. Simply stay on the bus and politely state you wish to go to the public bus terminal.
Beware of touts and tour agents approaching you at Bayauangga Terminal. They will force you to pay a higher fee. If you don’t pay, you won’t be able to board the bus or if you’re already on the bus, they’ll tell you to get off.
Tourists who have travelled here suggest waiting for the bus outside the bus terminal. Walk past the bus station and wait for the bus to Cemoro Lawang on the side of the road. The bus will pick you up and here, you can pay the correct fare directly to the bus driver.
Taxi to Cemoro Lawang
If you don’t want to risk being scammed, you can take a taxi from the train station to Cemoro Lawang. It takes around 2 hours by taxi, and fares start from 275,000 IDR ($17.50) with Grab.
There are also tour companies like Java Adventure Trail offering private and small group tours. They’ll pick you up from your hotel in Probolinggo city centre. You can also pre-book extras like a jeep tour or a horse ride across the volcanic landscape.
Option 2: Train to Malang
Another option is taking a train from Yogyakarta to Malang. For this route, there are only three train departures daily.
Tickets for economy seats start from 215,000 IDR ($13.50), but for this 5.5 to 6-hour train ride to Malang, we recommend booking business or executive class seats.
Departure and arrival station
The trains to Malang depart only from Tugu Station. It is conveniently close to many of the city’s hotels and is served by the Trans Jogya city bus service.
The train arrives at Malang Station, 1 km away from Malang city centre. A short taxi ride to the city centre costs around 15,000 IDR ($0.90).
There is no direct public transport from Malang to Mt. Bromo. The best way to reach Mount Bromo from Malang is by booking an organized tour.
Train schedule from Yogyakarta to Malang
With this train schedule from Yogyakarta to Malang, there is no train departure that will let you make it in time for a sunrise hike to Mt. Bromo. This means you’ll have to first spend the day in Malang and do a sunrise trip the next morning. During day time, you can make a side trip to the incredible Sewu waterfall.
Option 3: Train to Surabaya
Although the city of Surabaya is further away from Bromo, it’s a quicker journey by train from Yogyakarta. There are also more train departures from Yogyakarta to Surabaya, which is why this route is also a popular option for those visiting Bromo.
There are several departures from 00:14 to 18:30, and it takes only 4-5 hours to reach Surabaya.
Rates for an economy ticket start from 180,000 IDR ($11.50). There are more trains for the executive class with tickets from 260,000 IDR ($16.50).
Departure and arrival station
Same as the other train options, trains to Surabaya depart from Tugu Station in Yogyakarta.
You’ll arrive at Surabaya Gubeng Station in the city centre. This station is only a short taxi ride away from several central Surabaya attractions, monuments, and hotels.
Train schedule from Yogyakarta to Surabaya
At Surabaya Gubeng Station, there are trains to Malang and Probolinggo, so you can break up the journey to Bromo for a stopover in Surabaya. It takes two hours to reach these other basecamps.
Yogyakarta to Bromo by Minivan to Malang
Minivans are also available from Yogyakarta to Malang. Just like the train, we couldn’t find any minivans that arrive at Malang before midnight. Even more inconvenient, the minivans take 1.5-2 hours longer than the trains and arrive in the middle of the night.
With the minivan, it’s too late to join a Bromo Tour and too early to start your day. This means you will need an additional night of accommodation.
Minivan tickets from Yogyakarta to Malang start from 300,000 IDR ($19.50).
Departure and arrival station
Although there are several bus and minivan trips from Yogyakarta to Malang, the minivans only depart at either 18:00 or 19:00. The difference is the departure location, with some of them departing and arriving outside the city centres.
We suggest using the filter option by selecting Kota Yogyakarta as your departure point and Kota Malang as your arrival point. CV Haway Trans Jaya and CT Travel offer hotel pick-up and drop-off in Yogyakarta and Malang city centres.
Minivan schedule from Yogyakarta to Malang
Yogyakarta to Bromo by Flight to Surabaya
Thinking of taking a flight from Yogyakarta to Bromo? The nearest airport is located in Surabaya.
While more airlines are operating at the new Yogyakarta Airport (YIA) in Kulon Progo, all these flights make a stop in Jakarta or Bali. Direct flights from Yogyakarta to Surabaya are available only at Adisucipto Airport (JOG).
Step 1: Yogyakarta city centre to the airport
Adisucipto Airport is located just 6 km away from the city centre, so travelling to this airport is quicker and cheaper.
You have 3 ways to reach Adisucipto International Airport from Yogyakarta city centre:
- 15 to 20-minute train – 8,000 IDR ($0.50)
- 1-hour bus – 3,600 IDR ($0.20)
- 45-minute taxi – 60,000 IDR ($3.90)
Meanwhile, Yogyakarta Airport is in Kulon Progo, about 47 km southwest of the city centre. The same transport options are available when travelling to this new airport:
- 40-minute train – 20,000 IDR ($1.30)
- 1.5 to 2-hour bus – 70,000 IDR ($4.50)
- 1.5-hour taxi – 205,000 IDR ($13)
Whichever airport you choose to depart from, the best option is to travel by train since the arrival train stations are conveniently connected to the airport buildings.
Step 2: Yogyakarta to Surabaya by Flight
A direct flight from Yogyakarta to Juanda International Airport in Surabaya takes a little over an hour.
Only Wings Air offers direct flights from Yogyakarta to Surabaya. The flight departs at 08:30 from Adisucipto Airport, and airfares start from 1,300,000 IDR ($84).
There are more flights available at the new Yogyakarta Airport. You can book with Citilink, Batik Air, Lion Air, and Garuda Indonesia with airfares from 1,100,000 IDR ($71). Since all these flights make a stop in Jakarta or Bali, travel time will take at least 4.5 hours, depending on the layover.
You can compare the flights from both airports by clicking on the link below. Make sure to double-check the departure airport when booking your ticket.
Step 3: Surabaya Airport to city centre by Bus
Juanda Airport is located 19 km south of Surabaya city centre. Unlike the airports in Yogyakarta, this airport is not connected to a train station. This means you’ll have to take a bus or a taxi to the city centre.
DAMRI buses are available outside the airport terminals. Bus 1 can take you to Purabaya Terminal within 30 minutes and tickets cost 35,000 IDR ($2.20). At this terminal, you can continue by bus to Malang or Probolinggo.
By taxi, you can get to Purabaya Terminal more quickly with rates starting from 65,000 IDR ($4.20).
Organized tours to Bromo
Limited in time and want to avoid the hassle of organizing your own transport?
You can join a sunrise tour from the four basecamps: Cemoro Lawang, Probolinggo, Malang, and Surabaya. These tours typically include transportation, guide, and entrance fee to Bromo.
Multi-day organised tours are also available from Yogyakarta to Bromo. In addition to the inclusions mentioned above, these tours will also take care of your accommodation near Bromo.
Below, we’ve compiled the best tours we found online:
Tour packages to Bromo
If you want to make the most of your Java trip, consider hiking Ijen, another popular volcano in East Java. There are tours that depart from Yogyakarta, cover Bromo and Ijen, and then continue to Bali by ferry. Rates vary from 1,500,000 IDR ($97) to 3,000,000 IDR ($195).
These trips can be fairly tiring because they include very early starts to hike the two mountains with only a few hours to rest afterwards before hitting the road again. One popular tour organiser is Bromo-Tour, but you can also book one easily on your own in Yogyakarta.
For more information, check our Bromo to Ijen page.
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.
