Subscribe to Explore With Finesse!
Get access to subscriber-only travel resources, giveaways, and blog updates that will transform the way you plan and experience your adventures.
*We keep your data confidential!
Subscribe to Explore With Finesse!
Get access to subscriber-only travel resources, giveaways, and blog updates that will transform the way you plan and experience your adventures.
*We keep your data confidential!
If you are traveling around Jakarta, you should take a few days to travel to Yogyakarta! Its distinct culture and attractions will be a nice change of scenery from Jakarta’s urban environment. You will also be able to check out the famous Borobudur Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the world! The distance from Jakarta to Yogyakarta is also not that far!
In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know to travel from Jakarta to Yogyakarta via train!
Table of Contents
Where is Yogyakarta?
Yogyakarta, also referred to as Jogya, is located in the central part of the island of Java, Indonesia. It is on the same island as Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia.
Distance From Jakarta to Yogyakarta
The distance between Jakarta and Yogyakarta is approximately 430 kilometers (about 267 miles). However, the distance by transportation is much further, as roads and railroad tracks have to go around mountains and other natural barriers.
By train, it takes about 6-8 hours to get from Jakarta to Yogyakarta.
Jakarta's Train Stations
There are two train stations in Jakarta from which you could travel to Yogyakarta: Gambir and Pasar Senen.
Make sure you are aware of which station you will be traveling to!
Gambir Station
Gambir Station is located in Central Jakarta, on the west side of the National Monument. Simply search Gambir Station in Google Maps to pull up the correct location.
Pasar Senen Station
This is the second-largest railway station in Jakarta, behind Gambir Station. This station often tends to have less expensive departures to Yogyakarta. This is also the train station that I used to go to Yogyakarta.
Search Stasiun Pasar Senen in Google Maps to pull up the correct location.
Yogyakarta's Train Stations
There are two main train stations in Yogyakarta: Tugu and Lempuyangan.
Tugu Station
Tugu Station is right in the center of Yogyakarta. It is within walking distance of several malls, restaurants, hotels and hostels. I highly recommend booking a ticket to this station.
Search Stasiun Tugu Yogyakarta in Google Maps to pull up the correct location.
Lempuyangan Station
This station is further east than Tugu. It is a little more inconvenient to get to downtown Yogyakarta from Lempuyangan, so I would recommend trying to travel to and from Tugu.
Search Lempuyangan Train Station in Google Maps to pull up the correct location.
Train Schedule
There are several trains that depart from each station every day. The times of departure may vary depending on the day of the week, so I recommend checking the train schedules ahead of time.
The official website for Indonesia’s trains is www.kai.id. However, the website may not work outside of Indonesia. You can try a VPN to get access to it.
If you are having trouble with this website, you can go to Tiket or Traveloka. These websites maintain an accurate schedule.
Choosing Your Ticket Class
The cheapest train tickets from Jakarta to Yogyakarta cost around 70,000 IDP (about $4.50 USD) whereas the most expensive can cost more than 900,000 IDP ($55 USD). The price depends on how soon your trip is, what time you depart, and what type of ticket class you choose.
For this trip, I recommend avoiding the cheapest Economy seats. I spent a little bit extra on my ticket (320,000 IDP, or $20 USD) and had a much more comfortable experience. There also weren’t as many stops on this train compared to the cheaper train tickets.
Purchasing a Ticket
Purchasing a ticket may seem unnecessarily complicated for travelers. If you attempt to purchase a train ticket from the official website, Tiket or Traveloka, your credit card may not be processed correctly.
There are two options you can do. The first option requires having somebody from Indonesia who you trust. They can purchase the ticket online for you and you can reimburse them with cash. This is what I used to purchase train tickets in Kenya.
The second option is to book the train ticket online, and then receive a numerical code. This code can be taken to several convenience stores in Indonesia, such as Alfamart and Indomaret. You show the cashier the numerical code, and you will pay for the train ticket there.
Redeeming Your Ticket
On the day of your journey, you will have to arrive to the train station at least 1 hour prior to departure.
First, you will have to redeem your ticket. Take your ticket that you purchased online or from a store to the train station. There will be an area where you provide the purchased ticket along with an ID. Once they ensure that your name is correct, they will hand you an orange ticket. This is the valid ticket that you will use to travel.
Tips For Your Journey
- Bring good earplugs. There may be some crying children with you in your train. Grab some earplugs to avoid a headache and be able to sleep.
- Depart in the morning. This will allow you to enjoy the scenery while on the road. Plus, you won’t arrive at Yogyakarta after dark.
- Bring some anti-nausea medicine. I personally did not get sick during this journey, but I have spoken with other travelers who did. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Where to Stay in Yogyakarta
If you are staying in Yogyakarta on a budget, I highly recommend staying at The Bladok Hotel & Restaurant. This is centrally located and just a 3-minute walk from Tugu Station. There are also tons of restaurants nearby to try the cuisine of Yogyakarta!
If you are looking for something more luxurious, check out Yogyakarta Marriott Hotel. This is one of the highest rated hotel in Yogyakarta. It is located further from the center of town, so it guarantees a more relaxing and peaceful experience.
Check out the map below to see available accommodations.
