YOGJAKARTA TRAVEL GUIDE

Yogjakarta is a city in the Eastern island of Java Indonesia.  It is stratetically located between Surayabaya and Jakarta, two(2) of the most popular cities of Indonesia. Yogyakarta has several historical tourist attractions like temples and museums in colonial buildings. It is renowned as a center of education (Kota Pelajar), classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry, and puppet shows. The city is named after the Indian city of Ayodhya from the Ramanaya epic. Yogya means “suitable, fit, proper”, and karta, “prosperous, flourishing”.
The key attraction of Yogyakarta is ‘Kraton’ (the Sultan’s Palace). The Sultan’s palace is the center of Yogya’s traditional life and despite the advance of modernity; it still emanates the spirit of refinement, which has been the hallmark of Yogya’s art for centuries.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. How To Enter Yogjakarta As Foreigner
  2. How To Get There
  3. Transportation
  4. Places That We Have Been
  5. Local Foods We Have Eaten
  6. Where We Stay
  7. Yogjakarta Itinerary

Where is Yogjakarta

Yogyakarta (often spelled Yogjakarta) is a city located on the island of Java in Indonesia. It is in the southern part of the island, near the Indian Ocean.

How to Enter Yogjakarta as Foreigner

"Jalan Malioboro Horse Cart"

Yogjakarta is part of Indonesia, all immigration policies apply to all foreign visitor entering Indonesia

  1. Must hold a valid passport with validity of six (6) months
  2. Return ticket.

For more details on, please click here. Selected countries are required to obtain Visa on Arrival according to Indonesian immigration.  But for Philippine nationals, since it is under ASEAN countries, visa on arrival is no longer needed.  After which a 30-day stay will be given to the visitor.

Best Time to Visit Yogjakarta

Street of Malioboro Indonesia

Yogjakarta can be best explore during the dry season which usually takes place between April to October.

  1. Dry Season (April to October)
    During this time, the weather is generally pleasant with less rainfall and more sunshine. The temperature ranges from 25°C to 32°C makes it perfect for outdoor activities.
  2. Rainy Season (November to March)
    This is the rainy season, where it experiences occasional heavy rains, especially in the afternoons or evenings. Expect frequent rain showers and thunderstorms, which can limit outdoor activities.

It was late in November when we travel Yogjakarta where it was a rainy season. And it was indeed rainy most of the time when we explored Borobudur and Malioboro.

How To Go Yogjakarta

City Bus Map of Yogjakarta Indonesia
  1. 1. By Air (Flight)
    The most convenient way to reach Yogyakarta is by air. The city is served by Adisutjipto International Airport which is about 8 kilometers from the city center.
  2. By Train
    If you’re traveling from another Indonesian city, especially Jakarta or Surabaya, you can take a train to Yogyakarta. From Surabaya: You can take a train from Surabaya Gubeng Station to Yogyakarta, which takes around 5-7 hours.

It was around 11 am when we departed through AirAsia from Singapore to Surabaya.  The actual plan was to visit Mt Bromo in Surabaya, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, we skip climbing Mt Bromo and headed straight to Yogjakarta. We took the train that is scheduled to leave from Surabaya to Yogjakarta. It was almost a 4-hour journey on the train.  We departed Surabaya at around 5:30 pm and reached Yogjakarta past 9 in the evening.

Local Transportation

Surabaya Train Station Signage to Bima and Jalur

During our stay in Yogjakarta, we rode the public bus to visit both the Prambanan and Borobudur temple, that is with the help of locals which we politely asked, the way and the bus to ride. Also comes in handy is the GPS-google maps which helps us navigate our destination. Within Malioboro street, there were horses that offered a ride with a cart which will let you experienced a different way to explore the city. 

Where To Go In Yogjakarta

"Hindu Temple Candi Prambanan Yogjakrarta"

Prambanan
Kranggan, Bokoharjo, Prambanan
Entrance Fee: Rp 250,000
Opening Hours: 6:00am-5:00pm (Daily)

It is built in the 10th century Hindu temple with compound dedicated to Shiva in Indonesia.

How To Get There
From Malioboro Street, ride bus Route 1A or 1B at the bus stop, then alight at the final stop of the journey. Walk approximately 10 minutes to reach the main gate.

Malioboro Street
Sosromenduran, Gedong Tengen
Entrance Fee: FREE
Opening Hours: 24hrs

It is the known street in the city where considered as center of shopping district, local food cuisine, souvenir shops and products.

"Stupa-Borubudur With Clouds In the Mountain"

Borobudur
Jl. Badrawati, KW. Cand
Entrance Fee: Rp 450,000
Opening Hours: 6:00am-5:00pm (Daily)

It is the world largest Buddhist temple that is credited as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites that was built-in the early 9th-century.

How To Get There
Ride bus Route 2B at Malioboro street to Jombor Bus Terminal. At Jombor ride a bus that leads to Muntilan.  Muntilan is the town, where the famous Borobudur is located. Once reach Muntilan terminal,  ride motorcycle or hike to the foot of Borobudur.

Local Foods To Try

"Nasi Goreng Egg Breakfast And Tea"
"Mee Goreng with Egg Breakfast and Tea"

A taste of local Indonesian food which was served as complimentary breakfast which composed of rice, egg and noodles. Nasi Goreng, also know as “fried rice” is one of the specialty food in Indonesia, which contains local rice, meat and vegetable.  On top of this was Fried Egg and with slice tomato and cocumber with added spicy flavor.

Where We Stay

View of Mount Merapi from Yogjakarta Indonsia
Cempaka Guest House Bike Rental

Our two nights stay in Yogjakarta was split into two hotels as we intend to visit the temple of Borobudur the next day morning.  As advised, Borobodur is best to visit in the early morning.  So we booked one night at Cempaka Guest House located at Borobudur.

Cempaka Guest House
Jl. Medang Kamulan No. 8B, Borobudur
Room Rate: Rp 340,000/night

This guest house is located approximately a walking distance to the main entrance of Borobodur Temple.  Also local coffee shops and restaurant are also nearby. During our stay we have availed a free breakfast which was serve. 

Final Thoughts

Welcome to Candi Temple in Borobudor Indonesia

It was such a different adventure in Yogjakarta from riding the train, bus and chasing sunrise in famous temples. The photogenic landscape of the temples was beautiful. Exploring the city was fun as we get to stroll around and see shopping mall, local markets with a variety of stuff, people haggling and ate local food. Yogjakarta has more than just culture, lively city, and a shopper’s delight. A simple place with a lot to offer.

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Yogjakarta
Travel Guide Itinerary
DAY 1
  • 11:40am Depart Singapore
                    Jetstar VP 247
  • 01:30pm ETA Surabaya
                     Juanda Airport
                     Immigration Clearance
  • 02:15pm  Ride Taxi
                     Head to Train Station
                     Surabaya Gubeng Station
  • 03:30pm ETA Train Station
                     Purchase Train Ticket
                     Route: Surabaya-Yogjakarta
                     Fare:
  • 04:30pm Depart Surabaya
  • 08:30pm ETA Yogjakarta
                      Dinner
                      Malioboro Street
  • 09:30pm Head to Hotel
                      Check In
  • 10:30pm Rest and Sleep
DAY 2
  • 07:00am Wake Up.Ready
  • 08:00am Buffet Breakfast
  • 09:00am Head to Malioboro Street
  • 09:30am Ride Bus 1A
                     Going to Prambanan
  • 10:15am ETA Prambanan
                    Entrance Fee:
                    Explore
  • 11:30am Head back to Malioboro
                    Lunch
  • 12:30pm Head to Hotel
                     Check Out
  • 01:30pm Head to Malioboro Street
                     Ride bus 2B
                     Jombor Bus Terminal
  • 02:30pm ETA Jombor Bus Terminal
  • 03:00pm Ride bus to Muntilan
                      Town of Borobudur
  • 04:30pm ETA Muntilan
                      Head to Hotel
  • 05:00pm Check In Hotel
                      Cempaka Guest House    
  • 06:30pm Dinner
  • 08:30pm Rest and Sleep
DAY 3
  • 05:00am Wake Up and Ready
  • 05:30am Head to Borobodur Temple
  • 06:15am ETA Borobudur
                     Entrance Fee:
                     Explore
  • 08:30am Head back ti Hotel
                     Breakfast
  • 09:30am Check-Out Hotel
  • 10:00am Head back to Malioboro
                     Ride Van
  • 11:00am ETA Malioboro
  • 11:30am Lunch
  • 12:30pm Head to Airport
                     Ride bus
                     Adisutjipto Airport
  • 01:00pm ETA Airport
                      Check In
                      Airasia
  • 03:00pm Depart Yogjakarta
                      Yogjakarta-Johor Bahru
  • 05:00pm ETA Johor Bahru
                     Senai International Airport
                     Bus to Malaysia Customs
  • 06:30pm ETA Singapore
  • 08:30pm Home

the gees travel

A wife and a mother of three toddlers | Previously working as customer service executive in a logistics supply chain | working at home mom. But in spite of this added responsibilities I still find time to travel and explore together with my family.

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