Transportation in Yogyakarta

Get in

Air transportation is the easiest and fastest means of travel to and from Yogyakarta. Scheduled air services are available on a daily basis to/from Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya and Mataram (Lombok) by various airlines. Today is the best time to travel by air because of national airlines tariff competition. You can fly from Soekarno-Hatta Airport (Jakarta) to Yogyakarta for less than $25. For more details on airlines schedule and tariff, please visit http://www.indonesian-airlines.co.id, http://www.lionair.co.id

Train services are only available throughout Java and part of Sumatra. Several trains run between Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Yogyakarta and Solo and offer a variety of classes including an air-conditioned carriage known as "Executive" class. The most comfortable trains are the air-conditioned "Dwi Pangga", "Argo Lawu", "Argo Wilis", "Bima", "Tatsaka", and "Turangga", which pass through Yogyakarta from Jakarta, Bandung or Surabaya, both travel at night. It takes about 6 hours to get to Yogyakarta by train from Jakarta, the cost is about $20. Other trains, "Senja Utama" and "Fajar Utama" are express service from Jakarta to Yogyakarta; cost is cheaper but no air-conditioning. If you are planning to travel by train in the weekend, you should have booked at least two days before; unless you will not get a seat.

Bus services are widely available and best known are those long-distance, express buses serving the Yogyakarta-Bali-Mataram route, and the Yogyakarta-Jakarta-Medan route.

Get around

By taxi
Yogyakarta's taxis are metered and nowadays most taxi drivers are trustworthy. Flagfall is Rp 5000 and most trips around the center of town should not cost more than Rp 15,000. After dark the minimum fare for a taxi is Rp 10,000 even if the meter reads less that Rp 10,000.

By trishaw
Traditional three-wheeled and pedal-powered cart, known as becak, which can be found in most part of Yogyakarta. Haggle furiously before getting into the becak. Be sure to determine whether the price is for a one-way or return (pulang) trip and if you want the driver to wait whilst you conduct your shopping or business. A ride from within the city to the Malioboro shopping precinct should not cost more than $1.00.

By horse cart
Traditional horse-pulled carts, known as andong, or dokar, wait for tourists outside hotspots like the train station, the Kraton and Mal Malioboro. Haggle furiously. The traditional route is from Jalan Malioboro to Keraton, and this is where you'll find most andong. Usually, andong opt to take you to shop for fake Dagadu t-shirt in Ngasem area with hefty prices. Then, andong will take you back to your initial journey. The cost for one round trip for andong is Rp 20,000 (twenty thousand rupiahs). Usually they ask for Rp 30,000 but they may settle for less. Andong can accommodate up to 5 adult passengers.

By bus
Medium and small size buses are the main public transport in Yogyakarta. Public buses normally operates from 6 am to 5 pm, and some long routes extend their operation until 9 pm. Please never bring anything valuable on public buses, pickpockets in buses are now more common than ever before. Cost for single trip is Rp 2000 regardless of distance (within the city). Usually on a bus there will be one driver and one helper who will hang from the side of the bus and handle money and try to get passengers. The helper will usually tap you on the shoulder to indicate you should pay him. If there is no helper you can pay the driver directly. When you are ready to get off a bus, tell the driver or helper "Kiri," which means left. Animated bus route maps are available at Transportation Agency of Yogyakarta website .