Yogyakarta to Mt Bromo
Last updated: October 4, 2013
There is no cheap and easy way.
Many people like to travel overland from Jakarta to Bali, with stops at Yogyakarta and Mt Bromo.
View Ways to Mt Bromo in a larger map
Mt Bromo is the most well-known and widely-visited of Indonesia’s 129 active volcanoes, due to its relatively easy access and proximity to airports in Surabaya, Malang and Bali. There are also train services from Surabaya and Bali (Banyuwangi) to the nearest station: Probolinggo.
Unfortunately, travelling from Yogyakarta to Mt Bromo is more difficult.
The only direct train is an economy class service that – unlike business and executive class trains – cannot be booked in advance and arrives in Probolinggo too late to get a connecting bus to Mt Bromo. Bus services reportedly finish each day around 16:00.
The three trains from Yogyakarta to Malang are all overnight trains. As explained here, Indonesian trains don’t have beds/sleepers/couchettes. This route is therefore not recommended for light sleepers, especially the night before a 03:30 start for the Mt Bromo sunrise.
Also, the three trains that operate each day from Yogyakarta to Surabaya do not connect with a suitable train to Probolinggo that arrives early enough to get a connecting bus to Mt Bromo.
There is no cheap and easy way from Yogyakarta to Mt Bromo, so here are some suggestions to maximise comfort or minimise cost.
1. FLY TO SURABAYA, TAXI TO SIDOARJO, TRAIN TO PROBOLINGGO
Cheap? NO Comfortable? YES
You can take the 06:00 flight to Surabaya on Wings Air or Xpress Air, then a taxi to the nearest train station (Sidoarjo – directions) where you can get the 09:00 train to Probolinggo, arriving at 10:58.
Yes, the early start sucks, but it is good practice for the 03:30 start the following morning.
A small variation would be to take the DAMRI airport bus to the nearby Surabaya’s Bungarasih Bus Terminal, then get a bus to Probolinggo. This would be cheaper overall for the solo traveller.
 Flight Enquiry |
 Train Enquiry |
2. BUS TO PROBOLINGGO
Cheap? YES Comfortable? NO
Buses from Yogyakarta to Denpasar (Bali) will usually stop in Probolinggo, but check first.
The trip would be 10-11 hours and the Giwangan bus terminal is 5km from central Yogyakarta, so again it would be an early start to ensure you arrive in Probolinggo by mid-afternoon.
Bus tickets cannot be booked in advance.
3. TRAIN TO SURABAYA, BUS TO PROBOLINGGO
Cheap? YES Comfortable? YES & NO
The most popular choice is to take the 07:25 train to Surabaya, then travel by bus or taxi to the Bungarasih bus terminal (near the airport) and get a bus to Probolinggo.
Please note that direct buses to Bungarasih rarely travel past Gubeng Station in Surabaya; if you are keen, you would exit the station from the west/left side of the train. Alternately, you can take a taxi a short distance to Jl Panglima Sudirman (Jl = Jalan, Street); there are more buses to Bungarasih – including air conditioned coaches – passing by here.
Taxis are available on the east/right side of the train; the most reliable are Bluebird taxis, waiting across the road from the car park.
Train Enquiry |
4. TRAIN TO SURABAYA, TOUR TO MT BROMO
Cheap? NO Comfortable? YES
Many operators offer tours from Surabaya to Mt Bromo. These range from 12-hour overnight tours (starting at midnight from Surabaya, paying for just transport and park fees) to multi-day tours finishing in Bali with trips to Ijen Plateau and the famous turtle hatching area of Sukamade.
Prices for tours vary significantly according to the number of passengers, level of comfort and standard of hotel.
Mau Ke Mana books tours for clients with only trusted, reputable operators; there is no fee for clients who book train or flight tickets. A 50% deposit is often required when booking, with the balance paid in Rupiah cash during the tour.
Train Enquiry
You can also use this form to make a tour enquiry,
in the box titled “Anything you’d like to ask or specify?”.
Whichever way you go, you are likely to enjoy reaching the final destination. Most people go at sunrise, but it is also possible to visit at sunset, or any other time of day. The active can also walk across the “Sea of Sand” to/from their hotel.
Please remember that Mt Bromo remains an active volcano; it last erupted in 2011. You can check the current status for Mt Bromo (and other volcanoes) here, at the bottom right; at the time of writing, Bromo was on Level 2 of 4. Trips to Mt Bromo should be postponed if the status is Level 3 or 4.
You can also check the weather forecast at the nearest town of Probolinggo here.
119 Comments on “Yogyakarta to Mt Bromo”
-
Rita Pires says:
Hello,
do you think is fine to rent a car in Yogyakarta and do the trip all the way to Mt. Bromo using the orientations of a GPS or google maps? If we leave Yogyakarta at 8am do we have chance to arrive to the base of the mountain before get dark? -
Hi Rita,
The coverage of Google Maps isn’t great in remote parts of Indonesia.
The bigger issue: Indonesia doesn’t have self-driven rental cars like in other countries. “Transport” = car with driver.
Also, cars with driver can’t do a one-way trip to these places; the car and driver have to return to the place of origin, so you would end up paying extra for petrol for the car’s/driver’s return journey.
So no, I don’t recommend renting a car and driving it from Yogyakarta to Mt Bromo, regardless of the travel time.
-
Franzi says:
Hello Chris,
we are planning to travel from Yogyakarta to Probolinggo an do a Trip to Mt. Bromo. We can start from Yogyakarta on 21th september in the morning. Is it possible to arrive Probolinggo the same day in the afternoon to book a tour to Mt. Bromo?
We are keen to do the sunrise trek up to Mt. Bromo possibly both viewpoints.
After the Visit we like to travel the same day to Bali…Is ist possilble and may you recommend a fast connection to Bali?Many Thanks,
Franzi -
Hi Franzi,
Yes, it is possible to travel from Yogyakarta to Probolinggo in a day. The post above describes two ways: 1) Plane plus train, 3) Train plus bus
Probolinggo to Bali – there is no “fast” connection, but you can get a multi-modal ticket of train + ferry + bus. More information.
-
Alex says:
Hello Chris,
From what I’ve read it seems hard to take the early morning train form Yogja to Surabaya and be able to sleep the same night next to the Bromo to do the sunrise the following morning.
What would be the best to do?
Thank You -
Hi Alex,
Yes, it is difficult, but not impossible. See section #3.
The early start sucks, but it is good practice for the 03:30 start the following morning.
-
I’ve seen the section and have no problem waking up to get the get the 7:25 train to Surabaya but still had a doubt if I would arrive early enough in Probolinggo to find a bus there to reach Cemaro Lawang…
-
You need to arrive in Probolinggo before 4pm.
Especially now the train departs at 06:55 and arrives in Surabaya at 11:36 (new schedule) you have plenty of time.
More generally, why would we recommend people (including our clients) do something that is impossible? That would just annoy them…
-
Genny says:
I have a hotel room booked in Jogja from 9 sept. to 12 Sept. and then plan to travel to Bromo – perhaps via Malang. I have an Indonesian driver already (through a friend). Can you tell me how long that drive would take at a moderate pace – as I like to stop and photograph along the way. Is it very scenic, hilly, etc.? What is the terrain like? Then I think you have to drive to Probolngo and from there to Cemoro Lawang. Looking online I see that rooms are extremely expensive there ($200+ per night). Are there cheaper places as well? I would prefer to hike to view the sunrise over Bromo, rather than take jeep, though horse might also be OK. You have had many helpful suggestions – so I’m hoping you might have some advice for me. When should we depart Jogja, when to depart Malang, etc? After that I hope to see Igen crater, and then we take the ferry to Bali. Thanks so much
-
Hi Genny,
You can access Mt Bromo from either the west (Malang) side or the north (Probolinggo) side. There is no need to go to both on the way to Mt Bromo.
Maybe you can go in from the Malang side and out the other side on the way to Ijen Plateau.The drive from Yogyakarta will be at a leisurely pace due to traffic and road conditions; it will be a long day’s drive. As a point of comparison, the train takes 7 hours and is faster than buses and driving.
Hotels near Mt Bromo aren’t all expensive, but you get what you pay for and I wouldn’t stay at places with bad reviews. When I went 10 years ago, I stayed with a tour group (i.e. I didn’t choose the accommodation) at Yoschi’s Hostel; I enjoyed my stay and it is a lot less than $200, but has mixed reviews.
You can also do the Bromo Sunrise Tour as an overnight trip from Malang (leave 01:30 to 2am) or Surabaya (leave midnight).
Pony rides are for the last bit up to the top of Mt Bromo, not for the trip from the hotel or to the scenic lookout for the sunrise.
-
Thanks Chris, that is very helpful. I am glad to have information on entering the park from Malang. I have also seen photographs of the view from the west – rolling savannas and steep green hills that are quite beautiful – and very different from the sand sea when approaching from the north. It would be nice to get both views. I have a very detailed map of Java and would like to know the exact route – and the entry point into the park when arriving from the west.
From that entry point would we need a jeep or can you drive up to the start of the walk by private 2-wheel drive vehicle? As you suggest a departure through Probolingo and perhaps overnight there makes sense. I’ve checked out hotels in Probolingo and Pasuaran also, and you are right they are quite reasonable. PS – I looked at Yoschi’s Hostel and it looks quite fine.
-
Hi Genny,
You can get step by step directions from the above Google Map by clicking on “More Options”, then “List All Steps”. Having said that, GM coverage of the more remote parts of Indonesia is not great, so your map might be better.
Some parts of the drive up/down are steep, but in my opinion any well-maintained vehicle (and safe driver) should be able to handle it.
-
You are so right, Chris. Google maps does show all the details. Pretty amazing! Thank you again for your help. I’m sure I’ll contact you with more questions later. Genny
-
julian says:
Hi
we are visiting Java in October. I would like to know if it is possible to take a taxi from Surabaya airport to mt bromo and spend a couple of hours there and back to a hotel in Surabaya.
Can you tell me a hotel that provides transfers?
Thanks -
Hi Julian,
I don’t know if your question means Surabaya hotel or a hotel near Mt Bromo. If Surabaya hotel, no. If hotel near Mt Bromo, Java Banana does, but only for guests (and your travel plan suggests you’re not staying).
It is also possible to “customise” a 12-hour private tour, in the sense that you go there during the day instead of overnight. We have booked a tour like this in the past for our clients.
Or if you need something a bit cheaper, Surabaya Airport is near the biggest bus terminal and all the buses going to Banyuwangi/Bali stop in Probolinggo on the way. There is a cheap airport bus that goes to the bus terminal, called DAMRI.
A relevant question: what time are you arriving at Surabaya Airport?
-
Tatiana says:
Hello! Please help with transport. 1. I’m on the train from Yogyakarta 06:55 – Surabay 11:36. 2 I have a hotel room booked Bromo Permai 1. How best to get from the airport to the hotel by bus or better by taxi? 3. Climb a volcano. Is there a taxi to get to the volcano and back to the hotel? 4. Back to Surabaya airport. Does the hotel take a taxi and drive to the airport Surabaya?
-
Hi Tatiana,
To answer your questions:
1. Please see Sections 3 & 4 of the above post, it answers the question.
3. No, there is a jeep (4 wheel drive car), not a taxi
4. To my knowledge, the only hotel near Mt Bromo that arranges transport to/from Surabaya for guests is Java Banana.
-
Hi Chris ! If you drive from Yogyakarta’s not in the Subaru, and in Malang in the morning, so they will be closer to get to our hotel ? And it will be possible for us to rent a car to get to our hotel Bromo Permai 1?
-
Hi Tatiana,
Indonesia doesn’t have a car rental system like in other countries. Instead, there is “transport”, i.e. car with driver. This is good for return journeys, but not one way.
Directions for driving from Yogyakarta to Hotel Bromo Permai 1I think the suggested travel time of 6½ hours is wildly optimistic; it would be more like 9-10 hours.
-
Hi Chris,
I have 2 ways to get to hotel from Yogyakarta:
The first one is to get to Surabaya by train and then by car to Bromo Permai. Another way is to get to Malang by train and by car from there to get to hotel. I wonder what way would take less time?
Also it would be grate if you tell me if it is possible somehow to get a taxi in Malang? And if it is, how and where can I do it?
Tatiana -
Hi Tatiana,
By train to Surabaya (5 hours) takes less time than by train to Malang (7-8 hours).
Malang has taxis (one brand of taxi is called Citra), but they probably don’t want to go to Mt Bromo.
-
Hi Chris! Thank you very much! Going from Surabaya.
-
Philip says:
Hi Chris,
I and my girlfriend would like to watch the sunrise on Sep 30.
The expected itinerary will be Yogyarkata to Surabaya (29 Sep (11:36 or 21:34) -> Mountain Bromo (30 Sep morning) -> Surabaya (30 Sep afternoon).
We would like to book a local tour, can you send some details of different tour operators to [address deleted]?
Here are some of my enquiries:
1. When will the tour guide pick us in Surabaya?
2. Will the tour guide drive us to our hotel in Surabaya after the tour?
3. When and how to pay the costs?
4. Can you show us some details of the hotels you suggested? (Eg hot water availability, double room or shared room)
5. Meals included or not?Thanks!
Philip
-
Hi Philip,
1. When will the tour guide pick us in Surabaya?
Tours to Mt Bromo come in 2 variations: (i) Pick up at midday, (ii) Pick up at midnight
2. Will the tour guide drive us to our hotel in Surabaya after the tour?
Yes. (Why wouldn’t he? He has to drive back to Surabaya anyway).
3. When and how to pay the costs?
The local practice is to pay a 50% deposit when making a booking, and the remainder in cash during the tour.
4. Can you show us some details of the hotels you suggested? (Eg hot water availability, double room or shared room)
Here are some:
Hotels in/near Probolinggo
not all. The nicest is Java Banana, but it’s not there.5. Meals included or not?
Breakfast yes, other meals no.
You need to send an enquiry to get the full details.
-
Esther says:
Hi Chris,
We arrive on sunday at 15:40 by train in probolinggo. We want to do a sunrise tour on mount bromo. What is your advice? Go directly to a hotel in cemoro lawang? Can we book sunrise tours there?
-
Hi Esther,
Yes, you can arrange a jeep to/from Mt Bromo at your hotel.
I would also recommend an earlier arrival time in Probolinggo. As the post says:
The only direct train is an economy class service that – unlike business and executive class trains – cannot be booked in advance and arrives in Probolinggo too late to get a connecting bus to Mt Bromo. Bus services reportedly finish each day around 16:00.
-
Nikesh says:
Hi my fiancée and I are planning to be in Yogyakarta on the 15th October. Plan to spend a day seeing the temples, we want to do the mount bromo trip to see the sunrise and then on to Bali. What is the quickest way for us to do this as we want to spend as much time in Bali and are on a very short schedule.
Our plan is to land in Singapore 9th -12 October (3 night)
Singapore to lake toba (2nights) 12-14october
Lake toba to yogyakarta (9hours travel) we hope to be there on the 14th, we would like to see the temples and mt bromo sunrise. From what we read it is worth spending a day or so exploring in Yogyakarta, is this true.I would like to be in Bali from the 20th to explore Komodo/gillis islands/ Lombok
We leave from Singapore on 26th back to the uk.
Does this itinery seem sensible or are we doing too much???Regards nikesh
-
Hi Nikesh,
If Yogyakarta, Mt Bromo and Bali are your highest priorities, I would skip Lake Toba because it adds a lot of travel time and cost.
Then the itinerary would be:
12/10 SINGAPORE TO YOGYAKARTA
15/10 YOGYAKARTA TO MT BROMO
16/10 MT BROMO SUNRISE, MT BROMO TO BALI
There are no direct flights between Lombok and Labuan Bajo; you would need to fly via Bali. I would choose one of Lombok and Gilis, or Komodo & Flores.
20/10 BALI TO LOMBOK OR LABUAN BAJO (FLORES)
25/10 LOMBOK OR ENDE (FLORES) TO BALI
26/10 BALI TO SINGAPORE
-
LLUIS says:
Hi!
I am travelling alone to Indonesia in novembre.
I am staying two nights in Yogyakarta and later I am going to Surabaya (plane or train).
Any people to share a private taxi to go to Mount Bromo and Ijen?
My dates are:27 of Novembre Yogyakarta – Surabaya – Bromo
28 of Novembre Bromo – Ijen
29 of Novembre Ijen – BaliA private taxi cost 600.000 IDR a day
I am from Barcelona
Best regards
Comment on “Yogyakarta to Mt Bromo”.
Copyright Mau Ke Mana 2010-15
Terms & Conditions
Dear Paola,
Most people usually go to see the sunrise and only stay 1 night.
If you don’t want to go hiking or mountain biking, it would be better to stay in a nearby town like Malang. There are more choices for activities there.