borobudur in tour

BOROBUDUR SUNRISE TOUR

Experience the Magic of a Majestic Sunrise at Borobudur

Witness the beauty of a majestic sunrise at the world-renowned Borobudur Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Join us on an unforgettable journey to one of the most breathtaking and spiritual destinations in Indonesia. Our Borobudur Sunrise Tour will take you on a mystical journey through time as you watch the sun rise over the ancient temple and explore its intricate architecture and rich history. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the magic of Borobudur at dawn.

Welcome to Borobudursunrise.com

Embark on a mystical journey through time as you witness the beauty of a majestic sunrise at Borobudur, the world-renowned UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Our expert guides will take you on an unforgettable adventure to explore the intricacies of this ancient temple and its rich history.

As the sun begins to rise over the temple, you’ll be immersed in a magical experience that is truly breathtaking. The intricate architecture of Borobudur comes alive with the soft light of dawn, offering a glimpse into the spiritual and cultural significance of this unique destination.

But the journey doesn’t stop there. After your sunrise experience, we’ll take you on a tour of the surrounding countryside, where you’ll witness the lush beauty of the Indonesian landscape. 

You’ll have the opportunity to discover local traditions, learn about the region’s history and culture, and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this enchanting place.

Our knowledgeable guides are dedicated to providing you with a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is both educational and exhilarating. Your safety and comfort are our top priorities, so you can relax and enjoy the journey without worry.

At BorobudurSunrise.com, we offer a variety of tour packages that cater to all types of travelers. Whether you’re a solo adventurer, a family, or a group of friends, we have a tour that will meet your needs and exceed your expectations.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience the magic of Borobudur at dawn. Contact us today to book your Borobudur Sunrise Tour and embark on an adventure that you’ll never forget!

Featured Trip

Experience the magic of Borobudur at dawn with our range of tour packages, designed to cater to the needs of all types of travelers. Our packages provide a convenient, safe, and affordable way to witness the beauty of this majestic temple as the sun rises over its intricate architecture.

Borobudur Sunrise Only (via Punthuk Setumbu Hill)

• Borobudur Sunrise

Borobudur Sunrise ( via Punthuk Setumbu Hill ) Sultan Palace, Tamansari Water Castle, Prambanan Temple

Borobudur Sunrise ( via Punthuk Setumbu Hill ), Borobudur Cycling Tour and Prambanan Temple

Borobudur Sunrise ( via Punthuk Setumbu Hill ) and Borobudur Cycling Tour

Borobudur sunrise ( via punthuk setumbu hill ) and merapi lava tour.

Borobudur Sunrise ( via Punthuk Setumbu Hill ) and Prambanan Tour

Borobudur sunrise (via punthuk setumbu hill), merapi lava tour, prambanan temple (full guided), borobudur sunrise via punthuk setumbu hill and selogriyo temple trekking.

• Borobudur Sunrise , Selogriyo Temple

Additional Trip

Borobudur Sunrise Tour is just the beginning of your adventure in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. To make the most of your visit, we offer a range of additional trip packages to some of the region’s most popular destinations. These packages are the perfect way to extend your trip and explore more of what the region has to offer, from the majestic temples of Prambanan to the natural beauty of Mount Merapi.

Yogyakarta Tour

Bromo ijen trip, jomblang cave, local experience, borobudur temple: a journey through time and culture.

Borobudur Temple is a magnificent and awe-inspiring monument that has captured the hearts of travelers and pilgrims for centuries. Located in Central Java, Indonesia, this stunning religious monument was built in the 9th century and is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is not just a monument, but a symbol of Indonesia’s rich cultural and religious heritage.

What makes Borobudur so special is its sheer size and intricacy. The temple is a true masterpiece of architecture, engineering, and art. It is composed of six square platforms, topped by three circular platforms, and decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. Each detail is carefully crafted to represent the Buddhist cosmos and the journey toward spiritual enlightenment.

While Borobudur is impressive at any time of day, the best way to truly witness its magic is by experiencing a majestic sunrise. As the soft light of dawn illuminates the temple’s intricate architecture, a mystical atmosphere is created that is truly breathtaking. The morning air is cool and crisp, adding to the overall sense of tranquility and spirituality.

Experience the Beauty and Culture of Borobudur with Our Tour Packages

At BorobudurSunrise.com, we offer a range of tour packages that are designed to help you witness the beauty of Borobudur at dawn. Our Borobudur Sunrise Tour is the perfect way to explore the temple’s grandeur and history while enjoying a peaceful and magical sunrise. Our expert guides will take you on an unforgettable journey through time as you watch the sun rise over the ancient temple and explore its intricate architecture and rich history.

As you explore the temple’s grandeur, you’ll learn about its spiritual significance and cultural heritage. Borobudur was built as a representation of the Buddhist cosmos, and its design reflects the path to enlightenment. Each level of the temple represents a different stage in the journey toward spiritual enlightenment, and visitors can follow this path as they ascend to the top of the monument.

The temple is also home to an extensive collection of reliefs that depict scenes from the life of Buddha and other aspects of Buddhist teachings. The reliefs are considered some of the finest examples of Buddhist art in the world and offer a unique window into the history and culture of Indonesia.

The Ultimate Tourist Destination

After your sunrise experience, we’ll take you on a tour of the surrounding countryside, where you’ll witness the lush beauty of the Indonesian landscape. You’ll have the opportunity to discover local traditions, learn about the region’s history and culture, and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this enchanting place.

But Borobudur is not just a monument to be admired from afar. It’s a living, breathing testament to Indonesia’s cultural and spiritual heritage, and a place where visitors can connect with the history and culture of the country in a profound way.

At BorobudurSunrise.com, we’re committed to providing you with an unforgettable experience that combines spiritual discovery, cultural immersion, and natural beauty. Our expert guides are passionate about sharing their knowledge of the temple and the surrounding region, and they’re dedicated to making sure that you have the best possible experience during your visit.

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Group Package Tour to Borobudur Sunrise

Get additional discount with your friend or family trip together at borobudur. Save up to 20% with minimum 2 people package. 

Frequently Asked Question

The tour typically starts very early in the morning, usually around 3:30-4:00 AM, to ensure that you reach the temple in time for the sunrise. However, the exact time may vary depending on the season and the weather conditions. What time is sunrise at Borobudur:  Between 5:00 -6:00 depending on the season . See the sunrise times here.

Yes, the Borobudur Sunrise Tour is suitable for people of all ages, including children and elderly people. However, please note that the climb to the top of the temple can be steep and may require some physical exertion. We recommend that you wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water.

We recommend that you wear comfortable clothing and shoes, and bring a light jacket or sweater as it can be chilly in the early morning. Additionally, we suggest wearing modest clothing out of respect for the temple’s spiritual significance.

The Borobudur Sunrise Tour package typically includes hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation to the temple, a professional English-speaking guide, entrance fee to the temple, and a simple breakfast. Some packages may also include additional activities, such as a visit to a local market or a tour of nearby attractions.

In the event of bad weather, such as heavy rain or thick fog, the tour may be canceled or rescheduled for safety reasons. We will do our best to notify you as early as possible if the tour needs to be canceled or rescheduled, and we will provide you with alternative options or a refund if necessary.

Yes, transportation from your hotel in Yogyakarta to the temple and back is included in the tour.

Bringing Food is prohibited when enter Borobudur temple. It’s not necessary to bring your own food and drinks, as breakfast is provided as part of the tour.

Yes, there is a limit to the number of visitors allowed to witness the sunrise at the temple each day, so it’s recommended to book your tour in advance to secure your spot.

Yes, the temple stairs are well-maintained and safe to climb. However, it’s important to be careful and watch your step.

Yes, photography is allowed during the tour. In fact, the sunrise view from the top of the temple is a popular spot for photos.

Yes, after the sunrise viewing and breakfast, you will have time to explore the temple at your own pace, with the assistance of a guide if needed.

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Borobudur Temple Tours

Majestic atop a hill ringed by volcanoes on East Java ’s tranquil Kedu Plains, stupendous Borobudur is the world’s largest Buddhist temple complex and one of its greatest archaeological sites. Constructed in the ninth century to resemble a pyramid-shaped mandala, Borobudur was abandoned after catastrophic volcanic eruptions and lay buried under layers of ash and jungle growth for around a millennium.

Today, this amazingly well-preserved monument is a World Heritage Site and still draws thousands of Buddhist pilgrims. On guided Borobudur temple tours, ascend the seven stone terraces ringed with dozens of Buddha sculptures and intricate carvings, leading-up to a central stupa. Borobudur is best experienced at dawn, its most spiritually-charged time, when magical sunrises over volcanic panoramas are revealed – part of a recommended Borobudur day tour.

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What people love about borobudur tours.

We thoroughly enjoyed our recent trip to Yogyakarta. Our guide Andy and driver Yusef were excellent with good English, considerate, prompt, competent and helpful. The itinerary was great and had very personal and enjoyable opportunities to interact with locals. Truly other than some bad weather which no one controls, this tour more than met our expectations. I highly recommend!

Our trip to Yogyakarta was amazing. Our guide, Andy, was terrific. He was thoroughly knowledgeable about everything we saw and provided excellent explanations. He made sure we were completely taken care of at all sites. The tour company organized 4 days of really interesting visits. At a couple of the sites, they made sure that we had guides from the site that were super knowledgeable and explained everything in detail. The only downside part was our visit to a cavern. If it weren't the rainy season, it would have been great being lowered by rope and harness 60 meters. However, the cave was completely muddy and terribly difficult to continue into the section of the cavern with the rock formations. My advice to the tour company is not to offer this cavern at all during the rainy season. Also, be aware that you have to wear wellington boots into the cavern and they do not have big sizes. If you are a man with shoe size of 11 or greater, they will not have boots that fit you. At the end of the trip, I was surprised. The tour included r/t transport from the airport, which is a good hour away from the city. I canceled our arranged taxi and saved a lot of money. Also, when you book this tour, I would highly recommend upgrading to at least a 4☆ hotel. The cost difference was negligible, but highly worthwhile. A 3☆ hotel would be very basic and probably not acceptable. Despite the cavern, I have rated this trip 5☆, due to the itinerary and mostly because of our guide, Andi. Everyone visiting Indonesia should include this city in their itinerary. It is not a highly touristy place like Bali, but so worth it from a historical and geological perspective, especially if you want to see an active volcano caldera and the volcano that erupted on 2010.

Loved traveling with G Adventures. Great tour with experienced local guide. Loved every moment of the trip.

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How to Visit Borobudur in Indonesia

Borobudur is a 9th-century Buddhist monument in Indonesia . It’s actually the largest Buddhist temple in the world! The ancient complex comprises six square platforms topped by three circular platforms decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.m

It’s massive!

I’ve always been fascinated by this place ever since I heard about it on National Geographic. I’ve read books about Borobudur and watched TV programs on it. I knew I had to see this place before I died.

And fortunately, I did!

If you’re going to be backpacking Indonesia , be sure to add a visit to Borobudur to your itinerary. It’s a one-of-a-kind monument worth a visit.

To help you make the most out of your visit, here’s my comprehensive guide to visiting Borobudur:

The History of Borobudur

This entire 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist complex is actually a giant allegory for enlightenment. It was constructed under the rule of the Sailendra Dynasty, eventually being abandoned in the 14th century as the region slowly started to convert to Islam.

There is no record of the complex being built, though it was likely founded around the year 800 CE.

The temple was neglected and eventually buried under jungle and volcanic ash. In the 19th century, when the British ruled the region, it was rediscovered. In 1814, with 200 men, Lieutenant Governor-General Thomas Stamford Raffles cut down the surrounding trees to reveal the temple complex. Since then, it’s been a growing tourist draw for the region.

Visiting the temple, you’ll see that the journey begins at the base of the temple and follows a path through the three levels of Buddhist cosmology, namely Kamadhatu (the world of desire), Rupadhatu (the world of forms), and Arupadhatu (the world of formlessness).

The Buddhist pilgrim starts at the bottom and moves up when they have deciphered each relief. Each relief explains a teaching of the Buddha, and when you figure it out, you move on to the next. They progressively get harder, and by the time you finish the last one, you are on the top and — in theory — enlightened.

Tips for Visiting Borobudur

• Arrive early – This place will get crowded fast. Arrive early to beat the crowd (either by doing a sunrise tour or by arriving before 6am to wait for the gates to open).
• Avoid the weekend – The crowds here are biggest on the weekends. Try to visit during the week to beat the tourist rush.
• Dress comfortably – Dress appropriately but also comfortably as you’re going to be on your feet for a while as your explore.
• Bring water – This temple is large, and when you factor in a bus ride you’re going to get thirsty. Bring water and snacks.
• Stay nearby – It’s a 90-minute drive from Yogyakarta. If you want to get here early and beat the crowds, stay closer. It won’t be as cheap but you’ll be able to have a much more enjoyable visit.

How to Visit Borobudur: Logistics

The site is open to the public from 6am to 5pm daily. Ticket are $25 USD per person while a combined ticket for Borobudur as well as the Prambanan temples will cost $40 USD per person, however, it doesn’t apply to sunrise tickets.

There is also a daily Borobudur Sunrise Tour for $35 USD. This is the tour where you can snap those Insta-worthy shots of the temple at dawn (see the top photo on this post for an exmaple!). These are usually arranged by hotels in the area so if you’re staying nearby, chances are your accommodation can assist with this.

You’ll get a flashlight and a lift up to the temple gate at 4:30am, just in time to see the sunrise and explore the site before the tourist crowd arrives. To get the most out of your visit, consider hiring a guide who can explain the reliefs so you can understand the temple a bit better.

Not surprisingly, This site is the most popular tourist attraction in Indonesia. The most common way to get here is via public bus to Borobudur from Yogyakarta, however, this is aimed mostly at Indonesian visitors and only a few tourists venture aboard.

If you are feeling adventurous though, the Trans-Jogya service runs from central Yogyakarta to the Jombor bus terminal in northern Yogyakarta where you can change to another bus to get to Borobudur. The bus will cost around $2 USD.

For a guided full day tour including Borobudur at sunrise, Prambanan, and Merapi Volcano, expect to pay around $95 USD with Get Your Guide .

Visiting Borobudur FAQs

What should I wear to the Borobudur temple? You’ll want to dress respectfully and conservatively, as this is a religious complex. Wear loose-fitting clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. I’d suggest you wear pants as the steps leading to the top of the temple are high and not suited to shorts or skirts. Also, wear comfortable footwear since you’ll be on your feet for a while. Watching the sunrise at the top of the temple can be cool, especially in winter, so bring a light jacket or sweater.

What is the Borobudur temple made of? The temple is made of stone and consists of nine stacked platforms, six squares, and three circular platforms that are topped by a dome.

How do I get to Borobudur? You can take the public bus from Yogyakarta for around $2 USD or take a minibus for around $6 USD. The journey will take between 60-90 minutes.

Can I book a guided tour of Borobudur? Yes! Get Your Guide offers guided full-day tours that include two others sites in addition to Borobudur at sunrise.

How much is the entrance fee to Borobudur? Admission is $25 USD for adults.

Is Borobudur the largest Buddhist temple in the world? Yep! It’s a massive temple complex and actually took 75 years to build!

Borobudur is one of the most amazing historical sites in the world, and also one of the most unique. I’m fascinated by it. A lot of travelers visit Indonesia and simply stay on Bali , but if you make your way off Bali and into Java, be sure to visit this site. You won’t be disappointed.

Book Your Trip to Indonesia: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Want More Information on Indonesia? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Indonesia for even more planning tips!

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Map of accommodation, points of interest, eateries and transport, what and where is borobudur, how to get to borobudur using public transport, how to visit borobudur and what are the entry fees, ticket types, visitor quota (and best times to visit), how to purchase tickets, what to expect during the guided tour, what else is important to know when visiting borobudur temple, what should i bring, want to know what we pack as full-time location-independent explorers, are there bathrooms in the borobudur temple complex, can i visit borobudur temple at sunrise/sunset, when to avoid visiting borobudur, other things to see and do around borobudur, other temples, other activities, where to stay in borobudur, download our comprehensive travel risk register, where to eat in borobudur, what was your experience like when you visited borobudur and what would you add to our guide, author: sandra rosenau.

Planning to visit the magnificent Borobudur Temple in Indonesia as an independent (foreign) traveler? You’ve come to the right place. Aiming to protect this very special place from over-tourism, significant changes were introduced in 2023. But don’t fret. Our guide will provide you with all the up-to-date information you need, including the best times to visit, how to book your entry slot, and what to expect during your visit.

As travellers, we should all be aware of our travel behaviour and its environmental, economic and social impact; and make conscious decisions about it. Too often, we hear negative stories in the media about tourists behaving badly.

Here is your chance to tick some boxes and check out what it really takes to travel with a sustainable mindset.

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Below is a map of the recommended accommodation, points of interest, eateries and transport terminals/stops mentioned in this article.

If you’ve heard of Borobudur for the first time, here is a quick intro.

Located in Central Java [ Google Maps location ] not far from Yogyakarta, this UNESCO World Heritage site is the world’s largest Buddhist temple. It was built in the middle of the 9th century during the reign of the Mataram Kingdom – a Hindu-Buddhist Kingdom that is also responsible for the construction of Prambanan (the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia ) and Candi Sewu (the second-largest Buddhist temple in Indonesia , also located in the Prambanan temple complex).

Measuring 118 metres by 118 metres (129 yards by 129 yards) at its base, and with a height of 35 metres (38 yards), Borobudur is a massive stone pyramid, built without the use of mortar around (what is presumed) a man-made hill.

Looking like a giant mandala from above, Borobudur Temple was built without mortar around a man-made hill

Looking like a giant mandala from above, Borobudur is composed of three tiers that represent different realms of consciousness:

• Its square foundation is Kamadhatu , the realm of desire, where humans are driven by their (yet) uncontrolled wants.
• Above it is Rupadhatu , the realm of being, where individuals strive to let go of their desires.
• The final tier, Arupadhatu , signifies the formless realm, in which individuals transcend the physical world.

This final tier of the temple consists of three circular platforms adorned with a total of 72 stupas, each housing a Buddha statue. The temple is topped by a large stupa, representing unconsciousness or Nirvana .

The 72 stupas on top of Borobudur Temple each house a Buddha statue

Borobudur was abandoned between the 12th and 14th century, when Islam spread across Central Java, and the Mataram Kingdom moved to East Java. Being covered by ash, earth and jungle, the temple was re-discovered in 1814, and restored twice since (in 1907-1911 and 1973-1983).

Borobudur is located 34 kilometers northwest of Yogyakarta city center.

The easiest (and cheapest) way to get there is by DAMRI bus from the stop outside the Bank Indonesia Building/opposite the Vredeburg [ Google Maps location ]. The departure times are

• To Borobudur: 0430h, 0630h, 1000h and 1200h.
• From Borobudur: 0700h, 0900h, 1300h and 1500h.

The fare is IDR20,000 per person one way. Payment is to be made in cash at the departure point.

Taking the DAMRI bus from Yogyakarta is the most convenient way to get to Borobudur independently

The alternative (longer and more expensive) option requires a change at the Jombor bus terminal [ Google Maps location ]:

• From Yogyakarta city centre, take either bus #8 (from Portabel Jl. Gandekan Dagen Bus Stop [ Google Maps location ] being 5 minutes’ walk south-west of the Yogyakarta train station) or bus #2B (from TPB Perpusda Samsat Kota Yogya Bus Stop [ Google Maps location ] being 10 minutes walk north-west of the train station) to Jombor bus terminal [ Google Maps location ]. The individual fare is IDR3,600 one way. Transport cards for use on the Trans Jogja bus network [Large PDF file] can be purchased from the Government Tourist Information Center [ Google Maps location ] on Malioboro Street and topped up there or at Indomaret/Alphamart convenience stores.
• From Jombor bus terminal, take the local bus to the Borobudur Terminal. The individual fare is IDR25,000 one way. You pay the driver directly, so make sure you have the correct amount.

If you choose this option, be aware that the last bus returning to Yogyakarta also departs at 1500h.

Both options get you to the Borobudur Bus Terminal [ Google Maps location ]. From there, it’s an easy 10 minute walk along Jl. Pramudyawardhani to the entry gate of the temple complex.

From Borobudur bus terminal, it's an easy 10 minute walk to the entry gate of the temple complex

In the past, visitors were able to roam Borobudur temple / Candi Borobudur freely, causing overcrowding and damaging the temple structure. To protect the temple and provide employment opportunities for locals, access to Candi Borobudur now requires joining a guided tour (the temple grounds remain unrestricted).

Accordingly, there are now two types of tickets:

• Temple Ground Ticket – as the name suggests, this ticket provides access to the temple grounds (the park surrounding the actual temple); and
• Temple Structure Ticket – This gives you access not only to the grounds but also to Borobudur Temple via a guided tour.

There are two types of tickets at Borobudur - one for the grounds only and one for the grounds plus Candi Borobudur (the temple itself)

Guided tours are held in English only. However, at the temple, we encountered groups whose guides spoke Spanish, Italian, and French. If you want to join a tour in a language other than English, contact Borobudur Customer Service via WhatsApp . Private tours are also available – at (an additional) IDR30,000 per person. Again, they can be arranged by messaging the Customer Service team.

The temple structure is closed on Mondays. If you are visiting on a Monday, you will only be able to access the grounds.

Make sure to stick to the rules when visiting this UNESCO site

Temple Structure tickets are limited to a maximum quota of 1,200 people per day. This quota is further separated into 8 sessions per day, with a maximum of 150 people allowed in each session.

The session times are as follows:

Given the heat of the day, sessions 1, 2, and 3 are the best times to visit, but these are also the most popular times. The best alternative is session 7 (as it starts to cool down by then, and the light is less harsh for photographers).

If possible, avoid sessions 4 and 5 (it’s too hot) and session 8 – your time at the temple is cut short as the complex closes at 1700h, and the walk from the temple to the exit takes a minimum of 20 minutes.

There is a dedicated entry area for foreign visitors to Borobudur

Temple Ground tickets can be bought online ( via the official website as well as Klook and Traveloka ) or in person at the entry. There is a special entry area for foreigners on the left. Ticket counters are open daily from 0630h to 1630h.

If you want to access the temple structure itself – and we highly recommend it – make sure you book your preferred session well in advance (especially if you want to join a morning session). You can buy your Temple Structure ticket online via the official website – up to seven days ahead of your visit.

Entry fees for foreigners are not cheap: Temple Ground Tickets cost IDR375,000 per adult and Temple Structure Tickets are IDR455,000 per adult (an additional IDR80,000 per adult).

Guided tours of Borobudur Temple depart from the entry area half an hour before the session time

Those with Temple Structure tickets will receive a wristband and a number token, and be led through to an outdoor waiting area.

In the waiting area, you will receive a pair of flip-flops you are required to wear when accessing the temple (a canvas bag to carry your shoes during the tour is also provided). The flip-flops are not very comfortable. If you’re prone to blisters, only swap to the flip flops once you’re at the temple entrance, and also bring toe socks or band-aids.

Visitors to Borobudur are required to wear the flip flops provided when accessing the temple structure

The 150 people per session are further separated into groups of 10-15, each with their tour guide. When your number is called out, get up, hand in your number token, and join your guide. You will walk up to the temple with your tour guide providing some initial information. The walk to the temple takes about 20 minutes.

Your guided tour begins with a 15-20 minute walk to the temple structure during which you'll receive some initial information about the site

Once at the temple, your wristband will be scanned, and you follow your tour guide up the stairs. Your tour guide will stop at one or two of the lower levels to provide further details about the temple, Buddha, and Buddhism (our tour guide was lovely, but he provided almost too much information).

Guided tours at Borobudur are limited to 10-15 visitors per guide. For non-Indonesians, they are held in English (and other languages with pre-booking).

You will also have 15 to 20 minutes at the top levels (those with the stupas) to roam around on your own. The top level with the single stupa is off-limits to visitors.

During the tour, you will also have the chance to look around the top of the Temple on your own

When your time is up, your tour guide will lead you back down to the temple exit where your wristband is scanned again.

Once your wristband has been re-scanned, you’re free to change back into your shoes (you can keep both the flip-flops and the canvas bag as souvenirs) and roam around the temple grounds on your own.

To exit the temple grounds you are required to walk through a maze of (largely souvenir) stalls. It takes about 20 minutes to get through it all.

Visitors with a temple structure ticket will receive a wristband that is scanned upon entry and exit of Borobudur Temple

There is an official dress code (no shorts for women, and shoulders must be covered). It wasn’t enforced when we visited, but we recommend obeying the rules anyhow, out of respect.

There is no shade once you’re on the temple structure, so make sure to wear sunscreen and a hat . Also, bring water to stay hydrated – though you are not allowed to consume any drinks (or food) at the temple itself.

We research and document every item that we carry as travellers, whether during van life in our backpacks or as digital nomads, earning a living on the road. These packing lists are all based on our own experience. If you travel (and who doesn't) and you have something to add as recommendations for the items to carry, please feel free to contact us.

If you liked our packing lists and found them helpful, we would appreciate it if you could share them with your friends and family via the Share buttons below. Even better, link to the page from your personal blog or social media platforms.

And speaking of food and drinks: There are food stalls by the parking area (as you enter or exit the temple grounds). You don’t need a ticket to access the stalls. Food quality, prices, and service are surprisingly good (at least where we went: Mie Ayam Pak Man [ Google Maps location] ). There are also water fountains (though we only saw them on the grounds after you exit the temple structure, near the prayer room).

Food and drinks are not allowed at Borobudur Temple , but you can bring a water bottle and refill it at stations like this on the temple grounds

There are FREE public toilets once you’re inside the temple grounds:

• inside the building that houses the entry for foreigners;
• in a building by the waiting area (where you change into your flip-flops/wait for your tour guide);
• half-way along the avenue leading up to the temple structure (on the left-hand side); and
• after you exit the temple structure and walk back towards the entrance (near the prayer room).

Bathrooms next to the temple entrance charge a usage fee of IDR2,000 per person.

Don't use the toilets outside the entrance if you can help it - there are FREE bathrooms once you're inside the temple grounds

Sunrise/sunset tours are no longer offered at the temple structure itself.

To view the sun rise over Borobudur, Mt Merapi, and Mt Merbabu, people head to various viewpoints to the (south) west of the temple complex, for example, Punthuk Setumbu [ Official website , Google Maps location ] and Bukit Rhema Gereja Ayam (better known as the Chicken Church ) [ Google Maps location ].

To experience the sunrise from either of these points, arrive 1.5 to 2 hours before sunrise. It can get busy and hearing the choir of muezzins call for prayer across the still-dark valley is pretty special. Take a Grab /Ojek to get there and back.

We watched the sunrise from a different spot (where it was just us). If you stay at Griyo Jagalan , ask your wonderful host Berman to take you there.

To watch the sunrise over Borobudur and Mt Merapi, head to one of the viewing points (south) west of the temple

Apart from avoiding Mondays if you want to visit Candi Borobudur (and not just the temple grounds), avoid weekends and public holidays. Also avoid Vesak , an important Buddhist festival at the end of May/early June, when Buddhists from around the world make the pilgrimage to Borobudur.

To avoid the crowds, don't visit Borobudur on weekends and public holidays - especially during Vesak, when the area is packed with pilgrims

The temple complex of Borobudur comprises three temples – Candi Borobudur [ Google Maps location ], Candi Pawon [ Google Maps location ], and Candi Mendut [ Google Maps location ].

The latter two are located outside the main temple complex:

• Candi Pawon is 1 kilometer east from the entrance to the temple grounds (an easy, flat walk); and
• Candi Mendut is 2 kilometers further east from Candi Pawon (best to get a Grab /Ojek).

Entry is free for Candi Pawon. Candi Mendut charges IDR20,500 per person. If you can only visit one, go to Candi Mendut (which is also a working Buddhist monastery). Check the opening hours before you go.

Borobudur comprises three temples, including Candi Mendut, a working Buddhist Monastery

What many don’t know: Borobudur offers a range of outdoor activities – from rafting on the Progo River to cycling tours . You can also visit local producers, for example, the Ashfa Honey Bee Farm (get a Grab /Ojek or join a VW Jeep tour). Plenty to keep you busy for a few days.

Besides the temple complex, visitors to Borobudur can enjoy a range of outdoor activities, including rafting on the Progo River

For accommodation, as with any other travel expenses, it’s worth shopping around. When we book our accommodation, we look across several booking platforms to find the best value-for-money option. Wherever you book, do make sure you read the fine print to make sure you compare apples with apples. For example, your stay may incur extra charges (like local tourist taxes or cleaning fees). Some booking platforms include them, while with others, you have to pay them to your host upon arrival.

Below are my recommendations for accommodation options that fit the criteria of affordable, often meeting a sustainability certification, and that are close to public transport and points of interest.

You can also join bicycle tours through rice paddies and local villages where you'll learn about Javanese handicrafts and the process of making palm sugar

First designed to assist us on a three-month South America trip, this travel risk register will open your eyes to what you need to do about the various risks you may encounter. Easy to follow and update.

There are many eating places within walking distance from the entrance to the main Borobudur Temple complex. We can recommend:

• Alea Guesthouse Cafe [ Google Maps location ]
• Seafood Borobudur [ Google Maps location ]
• the Omah Borobudur Resto [ Google Maps location ]; and
• UPRUS Coffee & Co [ Google Maps location ].

Cool down in the mid-day heat with a refreshing drink at one of the family-run cafes in Borobudur

I wrote this Borobudur Guide Travel Guide based on my own experience. If you have been to Borobudur as well, what was your experience like? And what would you add to our guide? Keen to visit Borobudur but still have questions we haven’t answered (yet)? 

And before you go: If you liked my article and found it helpful, I would appreciate it if you could share it with your friends and family via the Share buttons below. Even better: Leave a short review on Trustpilot or Google , which would help us further build our online reputation as a (trustworthy and helpful) travel and lifestyle blog.

Borobudur and Prambanan Tour In One Day. Yay or Nay?

“ Can I do Borobudur and Prambanan in one day? “

This is one of questions that I often get from my blog readers. This is possible for sure, and if you’re interested I’ll be happy to help you by offering you an all inclusive tour with a pickup from your hotel.

Also Read:  The Best Yogyakarta Tours

First   things first:   B orobudur and Prambanan are not close to each other. Check out the map below to give you the idea of where the Borobudur temple is located and where Prambanan temple is located.

As you can see they both are located in different directions from Yogyakarta. Borobudur is located to the northwest of Yogyakarta and Prambanan is closer to the east part of Yogyakarta. From the distance point of view, Borobudur is approximately 45km from the city center, while Prambanan is 16km away from city center. The big distances involved make for a very long day.

If you want to take a one-day tour to Borobudur and Prambanan there are two main options available. Let me share the itinerary.

Borobudur and Prambanan One Day Tour

The best time to do the Borobudur and Prambanan tour is first thing in the morning for sunrise. Book a shared tour for the cheapest price (find out how below). The one-day Borobudur and Prambanan shared tour starts very early in the morning. If you join a Yogyakarta Borobudur Prambanan tour, most likely you will get picked up from your hotel at around 5am. You will arrive in Borobudur at 6am and get a chance to explore Borobudur Temple for three hours.

After visiting Borobudur you will have a 1.5-2 hour journey from Borobudur to Prambanan Temple. You will have two hours to explore Prambanan. At 1 or 2pm you will go back to Yogyakarta. Sounds pretty easy, right? Well… It is, but believe me you will feel drained.

Borobudur and Prambanan One Day Tour with Sunrise

This option is for people who like to get up early and want to see a beautiful sunrise. The itinerary is almost identical to the Borobudur and Prambanan one day tour, but you have to be ready at 4am. Instead of heading directly to Borobudur you go to Setumbu Hill. From the top of the hill you get a beautiful view of Borobudur wrapped in mist. It’s an amazing experience and you can read about it here if you’re interested.

Things to Consider

Borobudur and Prambanan complexes are both huge! Walking around and exploring the temple compounds is fun, but also quite hard work.

I think that the Prambanan Temple tour can be a little bit tricky. According to Wikipedia there are a total of 240 temples in the Prambanan complex. It’s that big! I’ve been to Prambanan more than three times and I still haven’t seen Candi Sewu (Sewu temple). The temple is located inside the Prambanan temple complex, but pretty far away from main temples of Prambanan.

Budgeting For Your Day Trip

For Discover Your Indonesia readers, a one-day group tour of Borobudur and Prambanan will include breakfast. The cost also covers pick up and drop off at your hotel. The mini bus that takes you is modern and has a driver who can speak basic English.

The entrance ticket to Prambanan and Borobudur costs are updated every year. Entrance for international visitors to Prambanan is higher than for Indonesian citizens and Kitas holders. Children below five can enter for free. The entrance fee to Setumbu Hill (for sunrise) is the same for domestic and international visitors.

Of course you don’t have to join a group tour. It is possible to hire a driver with a car who will take you to both temples (plus some more temples around Yogyakarta). Of course the added flexibility and comfort comes at an added cost. A one day tour to Borobudur and Prambanan with a personal driver can be arranged. You can click here to get more info and book the tour (there’s no deposit required).

There are additional optional costs to the tour. For example, if you really want to get more insights about Borobudur and Prambanan during your tour then you should consider to hire a guide. A tour guide costs Rp100,000 per hour.

A tour guide is of course not essential, but they are helpful. I used a tour guide while visiting Prambanan and I tell you that one hour isn’t enough to explain everything! Especially if you really interested in the subject. There are so many interesting things to learn about and discussions to have.

Although the cost for a day trip is very high, I do believe the experience is worth it. Both Borobudur and Prambanan are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and offer a unique insight into the history of Indonesia.

Borobudur and Prambanan Tours

There are downsides to doing a tour of Prambanan and Borobudur temples in one day. One big issue is just how tiring it is. My suggestion is: if you have the time, visit Borobudur and Prambanan on separate days.  In the end, it is your decision. 🙂 The length of time you will spend in Yogyakarta is a big part of whatever decision you make. If you only have two days in this lovely city then yes, doing both temples in one day does make sense.

Whatever option you do decide to choose in the end, I can help. I’ve teamed up with a local travel agency to offer tours of Borobodur and Prambanan.

Borobudur Setumbu Hill / Barede Hill

Watch sunrise from the top of the valley overlooking Borobudur Temple. On a good day you will see Borobudur emerging from the mist. This is a shared group tour and transport is included in the price. You will need to purchase your own tickets to Borobudur and Prambanan temples.

Have you ever been to Yogyakarta? Did you visit both temples in one day? What was your experience?

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About the Author Firsta

105 comments.

Firsta, your last shot of Prambanan is just amazing! It seems like clouds radiate from one of the temples and aim for the sky.

Prambanan is definitely beautiful. This photo captured the moment for me. Glad you like it 🙂

Pernah ke Borobudur berangkat habis ashar, eh sampai sana udah tutup loketnya. Maklum pakek nyasar soalnya sama2 gak ngerti jalan. Haha. Untungnya aku gak buru2 pulang, besoknya aku ke borobudur jam 10 pagi naik motor sih sama temen yg tau jalan. Gak cukup dalam 3 jam waktu itu, soalnya banyaaaaak angle yg bagus buat putu putu..

Angle Candi Borobudur khan maksudnya?

Enggak, angle wajah akuuuu.. HAHAHAHAHA

Pulang sore banget. Sampe Yogja lagi keknya maghrib.

Jadi menurutkuuuu mending one day Borobudur and one day Prambanan. Biar ada waktu leyeh-leyehnyaa..

So NAY, right? Toss dulu dong.

Aku jatuh cinta ama borobudur saat menjelang senja di temani rintik gerimis 🙂 Tahun 2003 pernah 4 hari bertiurut2 ke brorobudur hanya menanti tutup dan gerimis

4 hari berturut-turut ke Borobudur? Kamu spekta banget!!

foto prambanan yang paling bawah itu cantik sekali, kak first ! 🙂

Makasih Kakak 😉 Lagi ngepas awannya hehehe.. Thanks sudah mampir ya.

I’ve done it both ways (visiting Borobudur and Prambanan on the same day and separate days) and would strongly encourage people to visit both on separate days if time allows. There are a number of other temples close by to Prambanan as well, such as Candi Plaosan, which can fill out the day in the area nicely.

Oh, and Firsta, there’s no excuse not to make it to Candi Sewu next time you’re in Prambanan – the walk is surpisingly pleasant and there was a lovely old lady selling drinks along the way to help top up the batteries. Of course if your little legs are too tired you can always hop on the choo-choo train to do a lap of the park, including Candi Sewu (though I seemed to be the target of more photos than the temple was from those passing by on the train.

Same with you, i say nay! too beautiful to explore in the same day!.

Aaaaah jadi pengen ke jogja niiih, kalo ke borobudur ga pernah pas sunrise niih…

Formidable! Doin` a tour to two destinations in 2 days seemed to be inconvenient. But apparently it`s possible, you proved it (y) gonna b tryin` someday

Nay! lebih asik slow travel kak first, kemarin harusnya sempet ke Borobudur dari Setumbu, tapi karena mepet jadi cancel deh. Semoga next time jodoh sama Borobudur, supaya puas nikmatinnya tanpa buru-buru heheee

Hello Firsta.

I’m going to Jogja on this coming May 26-31 with a friend. If you don’t mind, may i ask you which one should i go first between prambanan and borobudur? And how much it will cost for each temple if we’re coming by ourselves without tourist guide or personal driver? We’ll be staying at Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta and planning to get there by bus if possible. Is that okay?

p/s : sorry for my bad English.

Hi Arina, For Borobudur, you can go to Jombor terminal with Trans Jogja (ticket price is Rp3,000) and continue with another bus to get to Borobudur area (have no idea about the ticket price for this bus). For Prambanan, you can reach this temple easily with Trans Jogja to Prambanan shelter. Entrance fee info: Borobudur: 20 USD or 250.000 IDR / person Prambanan: 18 USD or 225.000 IDR / person * Using rate: 1 USD = 12.500 IDR ** If you have a valid student card, you can get 50% discount for each temple. Hope it helps!

it does help! tqsm firsta. btw, i am Malaysian 🙂

Cool! I hope you have a great time in Jogjakarta!

Btw what constitutes as a valid student card? I have my University of Nottingham Student card….is that enough?

Yes, should be ok.

Nay nay nay! too rush for 2 most inviting attractions of Indonesia 🙂 🙂

Yes it is a nay!

ahh iya juga, masih penasaran mau muterin kompleks prambanan sampe bener-bener puas. kayaknya perlu seharian deh, dan ditutup dengan ke sunset Ratu Boko kayaknya perfect 😀

I will be in Indonesia during Ramadan and am hoping to get to Yogyakarta and visit Borobudur and Prambanan. Is this an option during Ramadan? Different opening hours? Drivers still available? Will water consumption after trekking through temple complexes for hours be frowned upon? In other words, is it advisable to tour Borobudur and Prambanan at all during Ramadan.

Will be arriving at Yogyakarta by 12pm. Is it possible to visit Prambanan (for 2hours i guess) then travel directly to Borobudur and catch the sunset view?

How long would it take to travel from Prambanan to Borobudur by car?

Yeay! for Me 🙂 Pernah ke Borobudur & Prambanan di hari yang sama. Waktu itu nginep di penginepan di area Borobudur, sekitar jam 5 dijemput ojek ke Puthuk Setumbu untuk ngejar sunrise dengan background Borobudur, trus setelahnya lanjut ke area Borobudur sampe jam 10 pagi, lanjut ke Prambanan sampe senja & malemnya nonton sendratari di Prambanan.

[…] I got some emails and requests to book tours in Yogyakarta. Guess what? My most popular request are tours to Borobudur and Prambanan, plus sometimes Ramayana Ballet. Another popular request is for tours hiking Merapi (feel free to […]

Definitely a yay, unless you’re REALLY into temples. In fact, if you have the energy (get plenty of zzz the night before), you can definitely do Setumbu sunrise + Borobudur + Merapi lava tour + Prambanan (just the three main temples) + Ramayana ballet.

yay , untuk trip borobudur sunrisenya

hi there. I will be visiting jogjakarta in mid november. 2 adults and 2 kids . how do i pick a tour from airport to prambanan temple and then to hotel. please let me know charges.

I will send you an email for more details 🙂

I’m visiting yogyakarta for 2 days only and would really like to do the Borobudur and Prambanan tour in 1 day. Ideally I would like to do this tomorrow (1st November ) but I realise that it is very short notice, therfore I could be available on 2nd November.

Please let me know if there is any availability for this tour. Thanks

Hi Aleasia,

I already sent you an email. 🙂

Some very useful info on this link – thank you!

My wife & I will be arriving Yogyakarta late on the 23rd Dec, departing early 29th and are still undecided re the “Yeah or Nay” one day or two…. though leaning towards a more unrushed 2 days.

Would it be possible to obtain an all inclusive quote (transport, guide, entrance fees etc) for Borobudur and Prambanan?

Would a booking for two be just us – or part of a larger group – and if the former are we able to modify it slightly (eg my wife would prefer more time exploring the temples, perhaps opting out of something else) ?

Also, can you advise of your cancellation policy as the current volcano activity and flight disruptions is of some concern..

Many thanks! Ian

Hi Ian, Thanks for sharing your holiday plan. I sent you an email yesterday 🙂 Look forward to hearing back from you.

Yep, got that this morning. Will look at it this weekend when we get some time together and get back to you. Thanks! Ian

We discussed this last night and have decided to ‘hold’ for the time being.

The reason is that we will be travelling via Denpasar on the way back and as you know there have been many flight cancellations to & from Bali due to volcano activity.

We have commitments in Sydney from 30th Jan (when we are due back) so if there are on-going flight cancellations we will defer our trip to a later date.

If we do go ahead, we’ll contact you closer to our departure date.

Thanks for your help.

Regards Ian

Hi Your blog is interesting! My husband and I plan to visit Yogyakarta during 2-7 May, 2016. We would like to visit both Borobudur temple and Prambanan and of course sunrise tour. We also would like to visit Bromo too. Is it possible to get to Bromo and back to Yogyakarta we have to catch the flight back home in the afternoon on 7 May. Could you give me the cost of all tour? I can join with other people if possible. Thank you so much. Regards Ratchada

yay. visit borobudur in early morning and then enjoy sunset and night at prambanan. * its could be yay if we dont have much time to explore magelang and jogja 🙂

Yes, indeed. 🙂

hI, may I know specific term & condition if I have student card in order to get 50% discount to enter both temples? I have info that only foreigner who study in indonesia entitled for the discount. Its really confusing, hope you can help me.

Any students are eligible for the 50% discount for Borobudur and Prambanan temple entrance fee. You have to bring (and show at the ticket counter) your valid student ID.

Dear Firsta, Thanks a lot for the info.

Hi Siti, my pleasure! Have a great time in Yogyakarta!

Really nice to read your blog. I will be reaching Yogya airport in the afternoon on the 24th.. I will need to leave for the airport again on 27th. Do you think the following itinerary is wise?

24th – airport to lunch then Prambanan, sunset there. Take a bus back to Manohara Resort 25th morn sunrise at Borobodur then explore, bus back to Jogja city, chill and explore city 25th late night bus to Merapi base, climb overnight 26th get back to jogja accomm, sleep, go to Parangritis Beach in the evening for sunset and paragliding 27th leave

Guess I wouldn’t have time to see Solo 🙁

What’s your personal email? Would like to correspond via email

Hi Bhuvan. Thanks for your kind words about the website, I just sent you an email.

Not sure if you had received my message! Had asked you some advice with regards to my itinerary. Thank you!

Warm Regards, Bhuvan

HiFrista , I just wonder we shall choose to view sunset at Borobudur (temple ) or from the hill since we only have 2 days 1 night at Yogyakarta . Would you please give any advice ?

Hi Joyce, I personally love sunrise from the top of Borobudur temple. 🙂 just sent you an email to explain more about it.

Sunrise at Borobudur is a must :-). Thanks for sharing the great informantion.

Hi Paulo, Thank you for stopping by. Yes, sunrise from the top of Borobudur temple is magical.

I’ll be visiting Jogja next month and I have to say your posts have been very helpful, so THANK YOU! I’ll probably book with you on the tour later once I’ve got my itinerary firmed up 🙂

Hi Sin. I’m glad you found the site useful. Look forward to hearing from you when you’ve got your itinerary firmed up 🙂

Hi Firsta! Me and my friend are staying in Yogyakarta today and tomorrow. It is a short visit so we would like to visit the Borobudur and Prambanan temples tomorrow. We already booked one of the available tours in the booking form and were just wondering when will you get back to us for a confirmation since there is not much time left.

Hi Alba, sent you email for more details 🙂

My wife & me would be flying into Jogya on 18/5 and would like to visit Borobudur & Prambanan temples within a day on 19/5. I read your reply posting to Arina on 28 Apr’15 with regards to entrance fees & transportation. If we were to follow your advice, that is take trans jogya to Borobudur via Jombor terminal, will we be able to catch the sun rise on our own if we set off at 4am?

Appreciate your reply and have a nice day.

Warm regards, David

Hi David, not sure if the bus (both the regular bus and also the Trans Jogja) is available at early morning. Please have a look at this page: http://discoveryourindonesia.com/setumbu-hill-sunrise-tour/ or http://discoveryourindonesia.com/manohara-hotel-borobudur/ . I think joining a shared transport tour is a less hassle solution (and cheaper rather than hiring a private car). We can do pick up from a hotel in Yogyakarta city center.

I will be interested in doing this trip both temples in a day. Can you pls let me know how do i go about making a reservation for such a trip.

Thanks Mohan

Hi Mohan. You can book the tour by pressing one of the buttons above. Alternatively visit this page for the Manohara Borobudur Tour .

Hello. Me and my husband will be visiting Borobudur and Prambanan temple complex these days but we were wondering how would be the situation during the Ramadan. Would the temples be still open for visitors, would the opening timings change, would be able to find and hire a driver and would any restaurants during the day be open ?

Also if he hire a driver – how much do you think would be the normal price to pay for a day to take us 1st to Borobudur and 2nd day to Prambanan and maybe Merapi lava

What time would be the best to visit Merapi Lava and is there an entrance fee ? Thank you

Hi Boryana. The temples will be open during Ramadan and you can visit them. You will be able to hire a car and restaurants will also be open. For the price of a car rental please visit the Yogyakarta Car Rental Page .

Hi Firsta We are visiting Yogyakarta for a couple of days starting tomorrow. It’s short notice but could you advise me please if you have a driver and car available for Sunday 12 June to collect my friend and I (2 adults) and then visit Borobudur and Prambanan in the same day? Maybe around 3 hours at each location. Perhaps you can email me availability and prices? Many thanks. Robert

Hi Robert. I just emailed you regarding your enquiry.

HiFirsta, I’ll be Yogyakarta August 23-27. I plan to visit BOROBUDUR and Prambanan in a day trip (24). pls, email me the price.

thanks & best regards, Nicholas

Hi Nicholas, You can see all the details here: http://discoveryourindonesia.com/setumbu-hill-sunrise-tour/ and here: http://discoveryourindonesia.com/manohara-hotel-borobudur/ . Look forward to receiving your order. 🙂

Dear Firsta,

as discuss before, I would like to book on 25/08/2016. number of Pax 2. Tour is Rp 140,000 per person. – Pick up at around 4:00 am. – Watch sunrise from Setumbu Hill. – Visit Borobudur Temple. – Visit Prambanan Temple. – Return to Yogyakarta at 2:00 pm.

cheers , Nicholas

very informative blog! We are a couple visiting Java in september and will spend 4 nights in Jogja (14-18.09), in the Southern district (Gallery Prawirotaman Hotel). As we have the time, we’ll probably spread the visits over two days and also see some of the city highlights. Could you get in touch per email to see more in detail what options we’d have for transportation / pricing? Or if you would advise to get accommodation closer to the temples for example. Thanks!

Sure Dann. I’d recommend reviewing some of these Yogya Tour Packages . They should give you some great ideas for your holiday.

Hello…. Great site!!! By the way…ini Miss Frista yang duly pernah ng ajar di Tk Budi Utama bukan yah? Cos as long as I can remember there was only one beautiful lady with beautiful healthy long hair like yours.

Hi Linda. Unfortunately I wasn’t a teacher at TK Budi Utama. GLad to hear there is another Firsta with beautiful long hair though :p

Hello Firsta, Congrats with your blog. So helpful! Before booking the Borobodur & Prambanan tour a question. We are looking to book for next Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, so : Is this tour organised on a daily base? Hope to meet you within a week, Dirk & Caroline

Hi Dirk & Caroline. Yes the tour is organised every day so you can easily make a booking.

first of all, thank you for such a great and informative blog.

We are travelling to your lovely country in September. We are arriving in Jakarta on Monday evening and planning to spend there two days. After that we plan to take a train from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, as you suggested.

I am curios to know what is the best tour operator for one whole day tour of Yogyakarta (standard – both temples and probably palace), which operator is the safest and how much does it cost. For strange reason I cannot see the prices anywhere? What is the price per person?

When we arrive in the afternoon (between 15-16 h ) is there anything you recommend to do or just wonder around the city?

Hi Aleksandar. I’d be happy to help you arrange your tour in Yogyakarta. You can find prices for activities and the different tours on offer here . Will be happy to help you with the bookings when you have selected the tour.

Hi Firsta I will be coming with 3 other friends to Yogyakarta on 6/11 and next day 7/11 we are planning to do in one day Borobudur and Prambanan. We are interested in sunrise in Borobudur and late afternoon/evening/sunset in Prambanan. We have all day for those two. Could you please advise what cost it would be and how we can book it? Monika

Hi Monika. I just sent you an email regarding your enquiry.

We arrive the 19th of July 2017 in Yogyakarta Airport at 12:25 and we’d like to visit directly Prambanam and some nearby temples.

What would be the price of this tour? We are two people. We’d like to end in the hotel.

Hi David. IF you’re interested in different tours around Yogya I’d start by looking at the Yogya tours page .

I will be reaching Yogyakarta at 12.30pm and will be staying for 3 days (including arrival and departure day). Is it possible that I visit Prambanan (or Borobudur) on the day of arrival and complete the other one the next day? Could you suggest any of your tour package that suits me best?

Thanks in advance. Douglas

Hi Douglas, we sent an email to you.

Good Day Ma’am

Just would like to ask if it is possible to go to Prambanan temple directly from Borobudur (vice versa)? Thanks 🙂

Yes you can also do that. Prambanan is more popular for sunset and Borobudur for the sunrise, but you can do the other way around 🙂 The temple open for public at 6 AM and close around 5-5:30 PM.

It was a pleasure reading your blog. We land to Yogyakarta on dec 18th in the afternoon (2pm). Do you think it gives us enough time to do Prambanan and next day do Borobudur? If not, then I guess we’ll combine them in one day. Also, could you please help provide details of the tour operators and costs? We don’t need it to be a private one. Looking forward to your response

Hi Aqeel, I have received your shared transport program request. I’ll reply soon.

Hi, do you know how strictly the 48 limit on the combo ticket for Prambaban and Borobudur is enforced. We entered one at 3.30 on Sunday and were planning to enter the other at 5 on Tuesday. TIA Dave

Hi David, sorry for the late reply. I think the ticket can only be use in 2 consecutive day. Hope you had a great time in Yogya.

Hello Firsta,

First of all thank you for this great source of knowledge! I plan to spend 3 days (31.03-02.04) in Yogyakarta and I’d like to visit Borobudur and Prambanan within one day. Could you kindly please provide me the details about the cost of the tour as well as the combined ticket to both of the temples? I’d also appreciate any advice about the pick up as it’s not possible from every part of the city. I haven’t booked my hotel yet, so I wanna be sure I’ll find one in the good area 🙂 Looking forward to your response. Best regards

We sent an email to you. 🙂 Look forward to hearing back from you.

hi frista, aku udah baca blog kamu, aku plan semalam d jogja karna emg waktuku mepet dan pengen pergiin borobudur dan prambanan dalam satu hari. rencanaku checkout hotel jam 3subuh djemput sm supir ke borobudur trus langsung ke prambanan trus sorenya terbang balik jakarta, brati totally impossible ya???

Dear Karina,

Terima kasih sudah menghubungi kami melalui komentar di blog. Mohon maaf atas keterlambatan balasannya. Saya sedang travelling di Sulawesi dan koneksi internet agak susah. Plan kamu mungkin banget asalkan atur supir dan sewa mobil pribadi. Biasanya, jika kamu menghabiskan waktu 2-3 jam di setiap candi, maka kamu akan selesai sekitar jam 2 siang.

Semoga membantu dan selamat jalan-jalan di Yogya ya.

Hello Firsta Congratulations about your great description (guide). I´m going to Yogyakarta in July as I´m an amateur photographer I would like to visit Borobudor on the sunrise, but have just read about to see the sunrise form a hill, where we could see the Borobodur Temple emerging form the mist. Could you tell me some details about it? I’ ll appreciate it :). Do you arrange any tour that includes nice places to take pictures? Sincerly Joao

I have sent an email few days ago. Hope you receive it ok.

Hi Firsta Thanks a lot. I´ve received your email. It is very helpful. I haven´t decided yet what to do in Yogyakarta, beside to visite Borobudur temple and Pranamban. Maybe I will need more help from you, to arranje a day tour. I hope don´t bother you to much.

Thanks so much again Joao

Hello Fista and everyone Great explanations here! There was one thing in Borobudur and prambanan which really bothered us a lot during our visit ie the distribution of plastic water bottles as a welcome drink… Plastic is causing huge env problems all over the world and theuse of plastic in indonesia is really enormous… I would therefore like to address to all Indonesia visitors to try to show how we can do with less plastic, by refusing these plastic bottles and bringing your own refill bottle everywhere you go. We are travelling around with 3 young kids for 2 months and manage to do that with our refill bottles, so yes we can! 🙂 THANK YOU

Hi Bert, Thanks for raising the issue. Reducing the amount of throwaway plastic is something that I’m really passionate about. I’m glad that you’re travelling with refill bottles and it would be great if more people did the same thing. Best of luck sharing your message and enjoy your travels in Indonesia.

My wife and I have a week in Bali and considering either a day trip to Yogyakarta to see both Borobudur and Prambaran and then head back the same night.

Is this possible and how could i organise this?

Dear Aslan,

It is possible. We will get in touch through email. Please get the morning flight to Yogya, suggested arrival time is 7-8am. Please get the last flight to Bali, if possible departure above 7pm. Speak to you through email.

Hi Firsta, My husband and me have a few days in Bali and considering either a day trip to Yogyakarta to see both Borobudur and Prambaran and then head back the same night in next June. Is this possible and how could i organise this? Tks!

Dear Leli, Yes it is possible. I have sent you an email 4 days ago. Please let me know if you receive it ok. Look forward to hearing back from you. PS: please check your spam folder too.

Hi Firsta, great blog and discussion you have here. We are due to arrive and visit both temples over the end of Ramadan and it’s celebration (5th and 6th of June). Do you think there will be disruptions or could be difficult to find private transport on those days? Apart this I dont think these temples should be any busier than usual, isn’t it? Thank you.

Hi Giannicola, Yes I think it’ll be relatively difficult to find a driver. We are not taking order during Idul Fitri holiday (3-7 June). 🙁 The temples are usually less busy during Idulfitri, but on 7-8 June onward it will get crowded.

Hi Firsta, thanks again for your answer. I do have another question please: Is there a combo ticket for Borobudur sunrise, Borobudur temple and Prambanan temple? Otherwise what would be the best option if I wanted to do these three? To get Borobudur sunrise and temple in a ticket and separately Prambanan? I guess it’s not possible to buy just the sunrise ticket for Borobudur and the combo separately… Thank you!

Hi Gianni, The combination ticket is not valid for sunrise/sunset. The combination ticket for Borobudur and Prambanan only valid for normal working hours. Yes, you can buy the sunrise Borobodur ticket which is Rp475,000 per person for foreigners and the Prambanan ticket which is USD 25 per person. If you are a student, bring your student card with you, you can get a discount. Hope you have a great time in Yogyakarta.

We had visited both Borobodur and Prambanan same day in 2017. It was an amazing experience but as you mentioned it was a bit tiring. We also visited the Ramayana Ballet Open Year at night. That was also very captivating with Prambanan in the background. However, to visitors I will suggest not to visit the three the same day. In that case you won’t be able to fully enjoy these places. Your blog is very informative and will definitely help visitors to these places.

Hi Fiesta, I have a question on the combo tickets for Borobudur & Prambanan. Can I buy combo tickets for different dates and still get the discount? Thanks for your reply.

Hi Henry, As I know, the combo tickets are valid for 2 days, starting from the first visit. For example, if you buy a Prambanan-Borobudur combo ticket on March 28th, obviously with a visit to Prambanan on the same day, you can go to Borobudur on March 29th. Hope this helps.

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