Java Travel Guide: Best Things to do (8-day Route)

Central and East Java Travel Guide

Java is just a 1-hour flight from Bali and can easily be combined with a route through Bali. The Javanese locals are one of the friendliest in Indonesia. All are super interested in where you are from and always want to take a selfie with you.

Java has one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Indonesia, and the largest Hindu complex of Indonesia is located in Yogyakarta. Every chapter of this 8-day Central and East Java route includes a link with more information about that specific subject.  

Prambanan and Borobudur are the highlights of Yogyakarta, but there is so much more to do in this area. Yogyakarta has an international airport and is easy to reach from Singapore or Bali.

Where to Stay in Yogyakarta

The guesthouses and hotels in Yogyakarta are available in all kinds of price ranges.

Hotels in Yogyakarta 😴

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Snooze

Yogyakarta

Hyatt Regency

Yogyakarta

GAIA Cosmo Hotel

Yogyakarta

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Yogyakarta

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Hostels go anywhere from 5 USD – 30 USD per night. On the other hand, guesthouses and hotels in Yogyakarta will start from 12 USD a night, including breakfast.

Day 4: Train Yogyakarta to Malang

In the morning, head to Tugu Station in Yogyakarta. Hop on the train at 7:45 AM towards Malang. The Malioboro Express train takes 8 hours and is definitely one of the more comfortable train rides in Asia. Take the rest of the day to rest or explore the rainbow village Jodipan.

Day 5 – 6: Malang, Rainbow Village and Waterfalls

Malang is in the higher part of East Java and has a much more comfortable climate than in Yogyakarta. Spend two days exploring Malang, the colorful villages of Java, and the most beautiful waterfall in Indonesia. Malang absolutely has to be in this Java travel guide.

Where to Stay in Malang

Malang offers hotels and guesthouses in any kind of price category. Base yourself in the center to be close to the main sites.

Hotels in Malang 😴

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Shalimar Boutique Hotel

Malang

Hotel Tugu

Malang

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Malang

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Malang

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Staying anywhere near the main train station is a great idea, as you’ll be located just a few minutes walk from the colored village.

Travel to Bromo (Day 6)

On your last day, make your way to Bromo to experience the sunrise the next morning. Don’t forget to stop at Coban Pelangi on the way to Bromo.

Where to Stay Near Bromo

Plan to spend the night at a guesthouse or hotel. The village is entirely focused on accommodating visitors, so you should always be able to find a place.

Hotels in Bromo 😴

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Gubuk Ndeso Homestay

Bromo

Cahyo Homestay

Bromo

Bromo Camp House

Bromo

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Bromo

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Tip: Please note that you may not have hot water at a homestay.

Day 7: Sunrise on Bromo

Every route around Java has to include watching the sunrise on Mount. Bromo. Get out early and drive with a jeep up to one of the many viewpoints, explore the sea of sand, and take a look inside the Bromo Crater.

On the same day, travel to a town near the Ijen Crater. We recommend visiting Bromo and Ijen via a 2-day tour.

Day 8: Ijen Crater walk

The Ijen crater is a mine for Sulfur miners who walk up and down (1.5 hours each way) the crater 3 times a day with 50 KG of Sulfur on their shoulders. Watching the ‘blue fire’ and sunrise is a popular activity. To see the blue fire, you have to start hiking up at 2 AM. This is definitely the hardest hike of this Java travel guide.

After this experience, have breakfast at the base camp and catch the ferry to Bali. From Java to Bali, the ferry only takes 30 minutes. It runs every hour, 24/7, and costs around 8000 IDR.

Where to Stay Near Ijen

You have a few options to get to Ijen. The easiest way is to find a guesthouse or homestay near Ijen. The best location would be in Banyuwangi.

Hotels in Banyuwangi 😴

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Ketapang Indah Hotel

Banyuwangi

Maharani Homestay

Banyuwangi

Snooze Ijen

Banyuwangi

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Banyuwangi

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Another option is to stay in a larger city called Bondowoso. The only downside is that you have to drive for another two hours to get to the starting point of Ijen.

How to Travel Around Java?

Java is just a 1-hour flight from Bali. It has various international airports with flights arriving from other major destinations throughout Asia.

The best way to get around is by train and private driver. Contact our great driver Azhar on Whatsapp (+6281336042045). Make sure to tell him you came via ‘Salt in our Hair’ so you’ll get the best price.

Best Time to Visit

Java is best to visit between April and November. Don’t get fooled by an average of 28 degrees. When visiting Bromo and Ijen, it will be 0-10 degrees, so you will need a few layers.

Keep in mind that in the dry season (May – September), the rice fields might be changed to tobacco, and waterfalls will be less active.

Food in Java

Costs of Traveling in Java

Java is one of the cheaper areas in Indonesia to travel, particularly in comparison to more touristy places like Bali. As such, you can find incredible street food and charming guesthouses for a fraction of the price!

Sim Card in Java

Telkomsel and XL Axiata are the providers with the best reach throughout the whole island. Some providers don’t work outside the city where you bought your sim card or don’t work at Bromo or Ijen. XL worked everywhere for us, had a good connection, and paid 30,000 IDR (2 USD) for 6 GB of data.