Yogyakarta Free and Easy Travel Guide: Explore Hidden Gems and Top Attractions

Yogyakarta is a city in Indonesia with relatively developed industry and is also a historic city, featuring the Sultan’s Palace within the city and two World Heritage sites and an active volcano nearby.
[Right Arrow] Schedule
In addition to a city walk, the key places to visit are Borobudur, Prambanan, and Mount Merapi.

It is recommended to spend 2-3 days.
[OK] Transportation (Figure 2)
[One] From Yogyakarta Airport to the city
Cars can be rented at the airport, but the road conditions in Yogyakarta are not good, and there is a train from the airport to the city, which takes about 40 minutes. It is recommended to take the train to the city and then rent a car.

[Magnifying Glass][Magnifying Glass] Ticket Purchase: Use the Ka Bandara app. The station is from Yogyakarta INT Airport to Yogyakarta. There are fast and slow trains, with little difference in time but a significant price difference. The fast train costs 60K per person, while the slow train costs 20k per person.

Based on personal experience, more people tend to buy tickets for the slow train, so it’s better to purchase them in advance (Figure 3).
[Two] From the city to Borobudur, Prambanan, and Mount Merapi
These three places are not very close to the city, and public transportation is inconvenient. It is recommended to rent or hire a car.

The local road conditions are poor, with right-hand drive, narrow roads, many motorcycles, and no streetlights on many sections. Additionally, there are often heavy rains. Although we drove ourselves, it was quite tiring, and hiring a car might be a better choice.
[Magnifying Glass][Magnifying Glass] Car Rental: Cars can be rented through Traveloka, costing around 200+ RMB per day.

(3) Within the city
Malioboro Street and the Yogyakarta Palace are relatively close. The city often experiences traffic jams, so taking a taxi is not recommended. Walking or using the local rickshaw (remember to haggle) is a better option.
[Right Arrow] Key Attractions
[Yeah] Borobudur
It is the largest Buddhist monument in the world, known as one of the four great wonders of the ancient East, along with the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal in India, and Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

It is a World Heritage site. The temple has 10 levels, with straight stone stairways leading from the base to the top on each side.
[Magnifying Glass][Magnifying Glass] Tickets: Purchase on the official website (https://ticketcandi.borobudurpark.com/en/). There are two types of tickets, for the top and the platform.

It is recommended to get the top ticket, which costs 455K per person and includes a guide fee. The top ticket requires advance booking and cannot be refunded or changed after payment. Personal experience shows that even if you miss the booked time slot, you can still enter. The guide explains in English, and the tour lasts about an hour.

[Right Arrow] Prambanan
It is the most magnificent Hindu temple in Indonesia.

Like the majestic Borobudur, Prambanan is also constructed from volcanic rock and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Before my visit, I had imagined it to be similar to Angkor Wat, albeit on a smaller scale. However, as I stepped into the Prambanan temple complex, I was struck by its unique and awe-inspiring architecture. The sunset here is nothing short of breathtaking, casting a golden glow over the ancient structures.

[Magnifying Glass][Magnifying Glass] Tickets: Purchase on the official website (same URL as above) for 400,000 IDR per person, without a guide. Please note that the payment is non-refundable and non-changeable.

[Right Arrow] Mount Merapi
There are numerous viewing platforms scattered around the mountain. We chose to visit Gubug Merapi Arum Sari, which can easily be located via Google Maps. The entrance fee is a modest 10,000 IDR per person. Simple yet satisfying food and drinks are available on-site, with additional charges, but they remain reasonably priced. Whether you get a clear view of the mountain depends on the weather and cloud cover, adding an element of surprise to your visit.