Getting around · Yogyakarta · Indonesia
Getting around Yogyakarta
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Central Yogyakarta is compact enough to walk between Malioboro, the Kraton and Taman Sari, while ride-hailing apps cover the rest of the city cheaply. Borobudur, Prambanan and Merapi are best reached by hired car with driver or organised tour. Not for the city, but hiring a car with driver for a day or two is the easiest way to reach Borobudur, Prambanan, Merapi and the southern caves and beaches.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Ride-hailing
- Airports
- YIA, JOG
- Need a car?
- Sometimes
Ways to get around
Ride-hailing
Grab and Gojek cars and motorbike taxis are inexpensive and the easiest way to get around the city.
Tuk-tuk
Becak cycle rickshaws and motorised becak wait along Malioboro and near the Kraton for short rides.
Agree the fare before setting off, and decline offers of a cheap ride that includes a stop at a batik shop.
Car
A car with driver for the day is the most practical way to see Borobudur, Prambanan and outlying temples, and can be arranged through hotels.
Bus
Trans Jogja buses run fixed routes across the city, including towards Prambanan, at low fares, but are slower than ride-hailing.
Train
Tugu station has trains to Jakarta, Surabaya and Bandung, and the KRL commuter line links Yogyakarta with Prambanan's nearby station and Solo in about an hour.
Scooter
Scooter rental is widely offered, but traffic is heavy; only ride if you are experienced and properly licensed.
From the airport
Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) is in Kulon Progo, about 45 km west of the city; the airport train reaches Tugu station in about 40 minutes, and taxis take about an hour. The old Adisucipto Airport (JOG) east of the city handles a few domestic flights.
Do you need a car?
Not for the city, but hiring a car with driver for a day or two is the easiest way to reach Borobudur, Prambanan, Merapi and the southern caves and beaches.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Solo (Surakarta) | About 1 hour by commuter train | KRL commuter line from Tugu or Lempuyangan to Solo Balapan |
| Dieng Plateau | About 3.5–4 hours by car | Car with driver or organised tour |
| Jomblang Cave | About 1.5 hours by car | Car with driver; descent arranged with the cave operator |
| Gunungkidul beaches | About 2 hours by car | Car with driver or scooter |
| Parangtritis | About 1 hour by car | Car, ride-hailing or Trans Jogja and local bus |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Yogyakarta?
Not for the city, but hiring a car with driver for a day or two is the easiest way to reach Borobudur, Prambanan, Merapi and the southern caves and beaches.
+How do you get from the airport to Yogyakarta?
Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) is in Kulon Progo, about 45 km west of the city; the airport train reaches Tugu station in about 40 minutes, and taxis take about an hour. The old Adisucipto Airport (JOG) east of the city handles a few domestic flights.
+What is the best way to get around Yogyakarta?
Ride-hailing: Grab and Gojek cars and motorbike taxis are inexpensive and the easiest way to get around the city.