Visiting Borobudur

When to go:

Yogyakarta is blessed with plenty of sunshine throughout the year. Generally speaking, the days are hot and humid, with only two seasons per year: the rainy season and the dry season. November to March is dominated by strong rainfall, therefore it is recommended to visit Yogyakarta during the dry season from April to October.

800px-Borobudur.Stupas.am003
Borobudur. Photo via Wikimedia by Klodo6975
Borobudur Opening Times:

Monday to Sunday: 06:00 am to 05:00 pm

Entry fees:

Indonesian or KITAs card holder: IDR 30.000
Indonesian children*: IDR 12.500
Foreigner – Adult: US$ 20
Foreigner – Student* (registered): US$ 10

Optional: tour guide inside the temple: IDR 40.000

For further packages please visit: www.borobudurpark.com

*no specific age information given.

How to get to Borobudur from Yogyakarta:

By public bus:

From the airport:

  1. Take the ‘Trans Jogja Bus’ No. 3A or No. 3B to Terminal Giwangan. Price: IDR 3000 one way (operational times: 05:30am to 09:30pm)
  2. From Terminal Giwangan change onto one of several buses with Borobudur as final stop.                                                                                       Price: IDR 10.000 (operational times: 06:00am to 05:00pm)

From Yogyakarta City:

  1. Take the ‘Trans Jogja Bus’ No. 3A from ‘Malioboro’ bus station to Terminal Giwangan.                                                                                       Price: IDR 3000 one way (operational times: 05:30am to 09:30pm)
  2. From Terminal Giwangan change onto one of several buses with Borobudur as final stop.                                                                                         Price: IDR 10.000 (operational times: 06:00am to 05:00pm)

Return from Borobudur: Same buses, rates and timings.

TransJogja
Trans Jogja bus at ‘Malioboro’ station. Photo via Wikimedia by Ivan Lanin

Tip: If you wish to experience Borobudur for sunrise, book a private car (with driver) or take a taxi, as it is not possible to reach Borobudur before sunset via public transportation.

By Taxi:

via airport taxi:

If you plan to transfer immediately towards Borobudur from Adisucipto International Airport in Yogyakarta, you first have to purchase a fixed price ticket for your ride from the taxi desk at the arrival hall (note: the same goes at the airport in Bali, there is a monopoly of the taxi company at the airport). However, there is no requirement of any additional payment to the driver later. Simply take the receipt, walk over to the official taxi stand and hand-over it to the driver.

Rajawali Taxi:
Tel.: +62 274 512 976
Address:
Jalan AM Sangaji 16, Yogyakarta

The taxi fare is around IDR 250.000 and takes about 50 minutes from Adisucipto International Airport.

All taxi companies are allowed to carry guests to the airport, but only Rajawali will carry guests from the airport.

via regular taxi:

The taxi fare is around IDR 200.000 and takes about 45 minutes from Yogyakarta.

JAS Taxi
Tel.: +62 274 37 37 37
Address:
PT. Jari Alam Supatra (JAS)
Jalan Kapten P. Tendean 39, Yogyakarta

Indra Kelana Taxi
Tel.: +62 274 56 55 65
Address:
Jalan Mangkubumi Pangeran 56, Yogyakarta

By car:

Taking a car is a comfortable alternative if travelling in a group or with your family.

Self-drive:

Prabu Transport
Tel.: +62 274 447 7563; +62 274 742 9669
Address:
Puri Permata II No. 8 Condongcatur, Depok, Sleman
Yogyakarta
Rates start at IDR 275.000 for 24 hours for a Honda Jazz or similar, excluding fuel, driver, etc.
Fuel: IDR 6500/l

1Wan Transport ( free car delivery to airport)
Tel.: +62 812 2207; +62 274 821 4533
Address:
Jalan Imogiri Barat Trimulyo, Jetis, Bantul
Yogyakarta
Rates start at IDR 200.000 for 12 hours for a Toyota Avanza or similar, excluding fuel, driver,etc.

Vehicle with driver:

Adam Transport (standby at the airport)
Tel.: +62 823 2389 7555, +62 858 7834 6106, +62 877 3936 5095
Address:
Glondong RT 06 RW 01 Tirtomartani, Kalasan, Sleman
Yogyakarta
Rates start at IDR 325.000 for 12 hours for a Toyota Avanza or similar, excluding fuel, entry fees, etc.

Seven Transport Jogja
Tel.: +62 812 2768 5685; +62 815 7813 4423
Address:
Gedongan, Gilangharjo, Pandak, Bantul
Yogyakarta
Rates start at IDR 250.000 for a Suzuki APV or similar, excluding fuel, entry fees, etc.

By motor scooter:

From Yogyakarta: Rates will be at around IDR 50.000 for 24 hours , for a Honda Vario or similar. There are various shops offering rentals, you may ask your concierge/reception staff for the nearest one. A recommendable rental company:

Bening Transport
Address:
Samirono Lama CT VI/22 Selman,
Yogyakarta
Tel.: +62 274 547440, +62 274 826 3214

Transportation around the temple:

By motor scooter:

Around the temple: Renting a motor scooter around the temple is more expensive than from Yogyakarta, with rates starting at IDR 50.000-70.000 for 12 hours.

By bike:

Taking a bike to explore the picturesque surroundings of Borobudur is not only a great choice, but also a sustainable one. Bike rentals from around the temple cost between IDR 10-25.000 for 10-12 hours.

By horse cart (Andong):

Taking a horse cart is a great way to also explore the surrounding villages of Borobudur in a traditional way. Horse carts can be easily found around the temple market or in the complex itself.

–          One lap around the temple for max. 4 people: IDR 30.000

–          Village tour: Klipoh Hamlet-Tanjungsari-Jowahan Hamlet-Wanurejo: IDR 75.000.

AndongYogya
Andong (horse cart). Photo via Flickr by Orangescale Studio – http://bit.ly/1ksDdsX

By trackless train:

In addition to walking or cycling around the park, you can take a trackless train, an all-time favourite for children. The fee is at IDR 5000 per person per lap.

Where to stay:

Around Borobudur:

Hotel Manohara  Borobudur*** (distance to Borobudur: 400m)
Jalan Badrawati – Komplek Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur
Magelang 56553
Tel.: +62 293 788131 788680
Fax: +62 293 788679
www.manoharaborobudur.com
Email: [email protected]

Hotel Plataran Borobudur**** (distance to Borobudur: 1.07 km)
Dusun Tanjungan
Magelang 56553
Tel.: +62 293 788 888
Fax: +62 293 788 699
www.plataran.com/area/borobudur
Email: [email protected]

Villa Borobudur***** (distance to Borobudur: 590m)
Dusun Pete – Majaksingi
Magelang 56553
Tel.: +62 293 552 5520
www.villaborobudur.com
Email: [email protected]

Around Yogyakarta:

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta***** – Mgallery Collection
Jalan Jenderal Sudiman 9
55233 Yogyakarta
Tel.: +62 274 566617; Fax: +62 274 566856
www.mgallery.com
Email: [email protected]

Jambuluwuk Malioboro Boutique Hotel****
Jalan AM Sangaji  No. 72 a
55233 Yogyakarta
Tel.: +62 274 641 5555, Fax: +62 274 641 5588
www.hoteltentrem.com
Email: [email protected]

Good to know:
  1. Borobudur has a dress code which says to dress politely and modestly, cover shoulders and knees, however sandals are fine.
  2. Visiting Borobudur for sunrise is a must-do; the Manohara Hotel is the only hotel on the grounds of Borobudur with a sunrise tour commencing at 04:30 am, before the majority of tourists arrive.
    Foreigner: IDR 380.000
    Indonesian: IDR 250.000
    In-house guests: IDR 230.000. For more details, please contact: [email protected]
  3. Plan a full day to visit Borobudur. One purchased ticket allows you to visit all sites of the complex.
  4. The definition of Borobudur is a combination of two words: BARA and BUDUR. Bara is derived from the Sanskrit word VIHARA, meaning a complex of temples, monastery or dormitory. BUDUR is derived from the Balinese BIDUHUR, meaning ‘high’.
  5. If you stay around Borobudur, try the Elephant Safari and explore the villages and the surrounding in a truly unique way.
    Prices: IDR 250.000 (30 minutes) to IDR 1.500.000 (150 minutes). Email: [email protected]