Public Transportation in Yogyakarta

As one of the major cities in Indonesia, Yogyakarta is more popular as a tourist destination than Jakarta. If you visit Jakarta, you might not have trouble choosing public transportation. But as a tourist destination, does Yogyakarta have as much and as comprehensive public transportation as Jakarta?

Yes, Yogyakarta offers several public transportation options that you can use to get around the city. Interestingly, you can still find traditional modes of transport like Becak (pedicabs) and Dokar (horse-drawn carriages). This time, we’ll discuss the public transportation options in Yogyakarta that you can use to visit tourist spots, along with routes and estimated fares.

Public Transportation

Trans Jogja Bus 

Trans Jogja is the most popular public transport in Yogyakarta. It has 17 corridors spread throughout the city, serving routes from the Prambanan bus stop (near the Prambanan Temple) to the areas outside the ring road (Yogyakarta’s city loop). If you plan to tour the city and visit Prambanan Temple, this public transportation is a great option. These buses are equipped with air conditioning, priority seating for the elderly, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. You only need to pay IDR 3,600 (approximately USD 0.24).

Some tourist spots along the Trans Jogja route include Malioboro Street, Beringharjo Market, Vredeburg Fortress, Taman Pintar, Taman Sari, Gembira Loka, and Prambanan Temple. To ride the bus, simply head to the nearest bus stop and board the bus following the route to your destination. You can pay the fare with cash or an e-money card, which is more convenient than the special payment cards required in Jakarta.

Basic Information:

• Fare: IDR 3,600 (around USD 0.24)
• Frequency: Every 10 – 20 minutes
• Route:

DAMRI Shuttle

DAMRI Shuttle or DAMRI KSPN is a relatively new transport service in Yogyakarta. These mini buses serve trips to destinations far from the city, such as Baron Beach in Gunung Kidul and Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java. Despite being new, this service makes it easier for tourists to visit Borobudur or Gunung Kidul in affordable prices. Unfortunately, seating capacity is limited, and pickup points are only available at KM 0 Yogyakarta (in front of the Bank Indonesia Museum). 

You can book tickets online via the DAMRI app, or you can purchase them directly from the staff. Payments can be made in cash or cashless (using debit, credit cards, or QR codes). It’s a good idea to arrive early, to get the travel seats. 

Basic Information:

• Fare: Borobudur: IDR 20,000 (around USD 1.32); Baron Beach: IDR 25,600 (around USD 1.68)
• Time Schedule: 

Traditional Transportation

Becak (Pedicab)

Becak is a three-wheeled vehicle pedaled by a man. It’s typically used for getting around Yogyakarta or for short-distance trips. For instance, if you’re on Malioboro Street and want to visit the Sultan’s Palace, you can take this transport. A becak can only accommodate two adults, but riding one offers a unique experience of leisurely viewing the surroundings of Yogyakarta.

Basic Information:

• Becak Locations: Around Malioboro Street to the Sultan’s Palace
• Fare: Starts from IDR 25,000 (around USD 1.68)

Backindo Tip: Be prepared to negotiate the price, as they will likely ask for a much higher amount.

Dokar (Horse Carriage)

Dokar (also known as Andong) is a horse-drawn carriage. Similar to carriages from ancient times, it is used to carry passengers and goods. This mode of transportation serves short-distance routes like the becak, but the Dokar can carry 5-6 people at once. You’ll feel like you’re traveling back in time or like a king riding a horse-drawn carriage.

Basic Information:

• Dokar Locations: Around Malioboro Street to the Sultan’s Palace
• Fare: Starts from IDR 50,000 – 100,000 (around USD 3.29 – 6.58)

Other Transportation

If you plan to travel further or visit other tourist cities around Yogyakarta, such as Klaten, Surakarta (Solo), Semarang, or Purwokerto, you can choose from the following modes of transportation:

Local Train (Pramex/Commuterline)

There is a commuter train service like in Jakarta. The difference here is that there are two trains serving intercity trips: the Commuterline and Pramex (Prambanan Express). The Commuterline operates between Yogyakarta and Klaten or Surakarta (Solo Balapan), while Pramex serves the route from Yogyakarta to Kutoarjo and back. Stations that serve this local train trip are Tugu Yogyakarta Station, Lempuyangan Station and Maguwoharjo Station (near Adi Sucipto airport). Using local trains is a popular choice as it shortens travel time. For instance, it only takes about an hour to get to Surakarta (Solo) city, which is a city rich in culture and history.

The departure schedule of the KRL train from Tugu Yogyakarta station to Solo is 5.30 AM to 10.35 PM. While the travel schedule from Tugu Yogyakarta station to Kutoarjo is from 6:37 to 17:50, and only serves 4 departures a day. 

Trains to Surakarta usually depart every hour, so if you’re running late you can book for a later departure. 

Basic Information:

• Fare: Around IDR 8,000 for trips to Surakarta or Purworejo
• Payment Method: Cashless with a Multi Trip Card (KMT), available at all stations. 

Commuterline/KRL Schedule 2024

Train is also a great option for those who want to fly from or to Yogyakarta airport. Learn more in our article How to Get Airport Train from Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) to Yogyakarta.

Bus

Buses are also a popular public transport option for traveling to other cities around Yogyakarta. The routes are much more extensive compared to trains. A major terminal serving trips to various cities from Yogyakarta is Giwangan Terminal, located in Umbulharjo, 6.2 km south of the city center. Giwangan provides bus services to destinations like Magelang, Semarang, Purwokerto, Surakarta, Surabaya, Jakarta, and more.

Heading to Bromo? Read Bromo: An Ultimate Guide for Travelers (Without a Tour).

Another terminal, Jombor Terminal, is located 6.5 km north of the city and serves shuttle bus passengers heading to destinations such as Magelang, Semarang, and Jepara. If you’re visiting Karimunjawa, you can take a travel bus from Jombor.

Tickets can be purchased online through 12goasia or directly at the terminal. 

Renting a Vehicle (Motorbike or Car)

Tourists in Yogyakarta often rent motor vehicles like motorbikes or cars. This is a popular choice because many hidden tourist destinations are located quite far away or are not accessible by public transport, such as the beaches in Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta, or the northern areas near Mount Merapi. Local tourists usually rent motorbikes because they are affordable, and most Indonesians are accustomed to using them. If you prefer a hassle-free experience, there are plenty of car rentals with skilled drivers available. These drivers often have great recommendations for tourist spots in Yogyakarta.

If you book online through platforms like Klook or Booking.com, you can request an English-speaking driver who will gladly guide you while taking you to your destinations. Most motorbike rentals can be used for a full 24 hours, while car rentals usually last for about 10-12 hours per day.

Online Ride-Hailing (Online Taxi or Motorbike)

Online ride-hailing services like Grab and GoJek are very popular in Yogyakarta. If you’ve installed one of these apps, you can easily use them to travel around Yogyakarta. Grab offers a car option with a capacity of up to 6 people, making it a good choice for group travel. These apps also offer various services, including e-money, food delivery, shopping, and phone credit purchases.

Conclusion

Using public transportation in Yogyakarta can be a budget-friendly way to reach various tourist attractions or continue your journey to nearby cities. As the heart of Java, Yogyakarta serves as a gateway to many destinations in Central Java, making it easy to find trains, buses, and other transportation modes for traveling to other cities.