In this article, I will introduce how to get to the attractive tourist city and ancient capital of Yogyakarta from the capital, Jakarta. You can mainly get to Yogyakarta by plane, train, or express bus.
Comparison of Ways to Get There
For those who want to travel quickly and comfortably, I recommend the plane.
For those who need to travel cheaply and quickly for an urgent matter, the express bus is a good option.
For everyone else (those who want a balance of safety, low cost, and a reasonable travel time), I recommend the train.
I recommend these based on the following criteria.
I have summarized a comparison table in a diagram.
How to Get There by Plane
Previously, Adisutjipto International Airport in the city could be used for Yogyakarta, but as of 2023, most flights now use Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA).
This new airport, Yogyakarta International Airport, is located about 40km from the city, so you need to consider the transportation method and time from the airport to the city.
Fare Rates (One Way)
| LCC-related | IDR 450,000 – 1,000,000 |
| Garuda Indonesia | IDR 1,200,000 – 2,000,000 |
Access from Yogyakarta International Airport to Yogyakarta City Center
Generally, taking the train or using Grab is common (there are also shared buses), but the train is recommended. It opened in 2022 and is still clean, and at 40 minutes, it’s faster than a car or bus.
(By car, it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours).
However, the only downside is that the train runs infrequently, with only about one train per hour.
| Train | IDR 25,000 – 50,000 |
| Grab/Taxi | IDR 250,000 – 400,000 |
How to Buy a Train Ticket from Yogyakarta International Airport to the City
Tickets can be purchased online through the “Access by KAI” app.
※You can also buy tickets at the ticket counter, but they can be sold out at certain times, so it’s recommended to purchase in advance.
The following video shows how to purchase a ticket.
Total Travel Time
The estimated total travel time from Jakarta city center to Yogyakarta city center is 5 to 6 hours.
| Jakarta City Center – Airport (CGK) | 1 hour |
| Airport Check-in & Waiting Time | 1 hour |
| Flight Time | 1.5 hours |
| Airport (YIA) – Yogyakarta City Center | 1.5 hours |
＼ Learn more about Jogja’s airport here! ／
How to Get There by Train
This is the most common route used by locals in Indonesia.
Considering safety, travel time, and cost, this is the most recommended way to go.
Fare Rates (One Way)
| Economy Class | IDR 74,000 – IDR 300,000 |
| Executive Class | IDR 320,000 – 1,300,000 |
Travel Time
| Economy Class | 7 – 8.5 hours |
| Executive Class | 6 – 8 hours |
Difference Between Economy and Executive Class
Economy Class
The economy class carriage is as shown in the photo above.
The seats are close to 90 degrees, and some seats are facing each other, which can be so cramped that your knees touch.
Executive Class
The backrests have good cushioning, and the seats are spacious.
Some window seats have power outlets, so you can charge your devices.
How to Get There by Express Bus
The price range is narrow, and you can consistently travel at a low price.
Also, it’s possible to just hop on the same day (except during high season), so it’s convenient for urgent trips to Jogja.
However, the train can sometimes be cheaper, and there are relatively more troubles like accidents and theft, so I don’t highly recommend it.
Fare Rates
IDR 150,000 – 250,000
Travel Time
About 12 hours
Summary
What did you think?
Thank you for reading to the end.
I think reading about how to get to the World Heritage site of Borobudur as well will be helpful for planning your itinerary.
References
- 【KOMPAS】Bedanya Kelas Eksekutif dan Ekonomi di Kereta Api
https://travel.kompas.com/read/2022/09/16/210500527/bedanya-kelas-eksekutif-dan-ekonomi-di-kereta-api?page=all - 【KOMPAS】Catat Tarif dan Cara Pesan Tiket Kereta Bandara YIA
https://money.kompas.com/read/2023/02/21/095959926/catat-tarif-dan-cara-pesan-tiket-kereta-bandara-yia?page=all - 【KOMPAS】Daftar Bus Jakarta-Yogyakarta dan Harga Tiket Terbaru
https://regional.kompas.com/read/2022/06/13/211454678/daftar-bus-jakarta-yogyakarta-dan-harga-tiket-terbaru?page=all
