Along with Borobudur Temple, this is one of the most famous sights in the whole of Indonesia and should be a ‘must-see’ when visiting Yogyakarta. Although these are quite touristy places, we definitely recommend visiting both of these famous temples.

Prambanan is a 9th-century Hindu temple complex; as well as the main temple, the site also features the smaller temples of Sewu, Bubrah and Lumbung, all of which are accessible with a single ticket.

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Prambanan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia and the second largest in South-East Asia after Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

It will take you about 90 minutes to visit the entire complex, but thanks to the extensive park with its rest areas, you can easily spend much longer here.

The architecture and appearance of the temple

The layout of the complex is radically different from that ofBorobudur, where there is only one temple.

The Prambanan complex features typical Hindu architecture, comprising individual slender, tall structures made of black stone and richly decorated with ornamentation.

The main temple consists of three structures, the central and tallest of which measures 47 metres. Inside each temple are statues of the Hindu gods – Ganesha, Brahma and Vishnu.

You can enter all the temple interiors free of charge.

In the extensive park, you can also visit Sewu Temple (the second largest) or the small temples of Lumbung, Bubrah and many others, all included in the single admission ticket.

A vast park stretches out between the individual temples, making it a very pleasant place to relax and take a stroll.

Opening hours

All the temples at Prambanan are within a single complex and therefore have the same opening hours.

They are openevery dayfrom6.30 amto 5.00 pm.

Sunrise or sunset – a visit to Prambanan Temple

Early morning is the best time to visit Prambanan, as the entire structure of the main temple is best viewed from the east, where it will be beautifully lit.

The sun rises between 5.30 and 6.00 all year round, and the lovely light lasts until around 8.00.

It is difficult to photograph Prambanan from a distance as it is bathed in the light of the setting sun.

The entire opposite side of the complex is taken up by the Ramayana Stage and a very expensive restaurant, which is only accessible during various events.

You can also walk around Prambanan from the west side within the official grounds, but the buildings will be quite close to your lens.

Admission – do you need to book a ticket online?

Unlike Borobudur, access to all the temples in the Prambanan complex is free of charge and does not require a guide.

You will therefore only pay for entry to the grounds of the complex itself.

There are no daily visitor quotas, sothere is no need to book a ticket online. However, if you find it more convenient to book online, you can do so via the official website:ticket.borobudurpark.com/prambanan.

Online booking is only possible approximately 7 days in advance.

• 400 000 idr – foreign visitors
• 50 000 idr – local visitors

Tickets purchased on the day can only be paid for by credit card.

Prambanan + Ratu Boko combined ticket

We recommend purchasing this ticket option if you are visiting Prambanan in the afternoon.

In that case, it would be a great shame to miss the Ratu Boko temple, situated about 4 km away on a hill offering the most beautiful sunsets in the whole of the Yogyakarta area!

• 690 000 idr – foreign visitor (save 90,000 rupiah)
• 85 000 idr – local visitor (you’ll save 5,000 rupees)

This ticket can only be purchased on site and includes a free shuttle minivan that will take you directly from the Prambanan complex to Ratu Boko, or vice versa.

However, the downside of this shuttle service is that it only runs from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm, so if you plan to visit Ratu Boko at sunset, you would have to wait around 3½ hours (the minivan journey takes 15 minutes and the sun sets around 17:20).

Borobudur + Prambanan combined ticket

A combined ticket is also available on site, granting entry to Prambanan Temple and the Borobudur complex.

The ticket costs 690 000 idr, saving you just 25,000 rupees.

The ticket is valid for one calendar day only, so you would need to visit both temples within that time – which is feasible, but you really do need to set aside a whole day for it.

If you also wish to visit the Borobudur temple complex, a combined ticket is not available for this option! If you buy a Prambanan + Borobudur combined ticket and also wish to climb the Borobudur temple, you’ll have to pay the full price for a separate Borobudur ticket 455 000 idr.

Transport from Yogyakarta to Prambanan

Prambanan is located about 17 km from the centre of Yogyakarta and is therefore much easier to reach thanBorobudur.

We tried out all the different ways of getting from Yogyakarta to Prambanan Temple.

Grab / Gojek

The most convenient option – and, if you’re travelling in a group, a relatively cheap way to get there – is to use the classic mobile taxi apps, Grab or Gojek.

You’ll have no trouble finding an available driver at any time of day. Your journey will usually be confirmed via the app within 5 minutes.

The fare is calculated based on current demand and is around 100 000 idr.

Public transport – TransJogja bus

By far the cheapest option is the local public transport system.

From the centre of Yogyakarta, route1A runs to Prambanan; you can use this if you’re travelling directly from the centre (the railway station, the Tugu monument, Malioboro).

Route 1A is one of those where you cannot pay in cash, but only with electronic cards (TransJogja, Mandiri E-money, KMT, BNI Tapcash, Brizzi and others).

• 3 600 idr per journey

On some routes, you will need to change buses at Adisutjipto station; in this case, however, you will not be charged any fare for the second journey.

The Prambanan bus stop is located approximately 900 metres from the entrance (see route map). Alternatively, you can take a tricycle for 10 000 idr between the bus stop and the temple entrance.

Commuter train

Just under 800 metres from the entrance (see route map) is the “Brambanan” railway station, where Y-line commuter trains stop.

This route connects the cities of Yogyakarta, Klaten and Solo (Surakarta), with trains running approximately 12 times a day.

The fare from Brambanan station to all other stations (Yogyakarta, Solo, Palur and others) is a flat rate of 8 000 idr. As with buses, fares can be paid using electronic cards such as Mandiri E-money, KMT, BNI Tapcash, Brizzi and others.

You can find the exact timetable in a PDF file, along with a map of all train and bus routes in Yogyakarta, at this address:dishub.jogjaprov.go.id.

DAMRI Bus Yogyakarta – Prambanan – Borobudur

Since 2021, DAMRI has been operating a direct minibus service from the centre of Yogyakarta (the stop in front of Bank Indonesia) via Prambanan and on to the Borobudur temple, 60 km away.

We recommend checking the details on the spot, particularly at the DAMRI kiosk opposite Bank Indonesia. Reliable information is not yet available online. Our experience dates from 2025.

You can easily visit both temples and the rock cliff in a single day. The fare is paid separately for each route:

• Borobudur – Prambanan for 35 000 idr
• Prambanan – Tebing Breksi for 20 000 idr
• Tebing Breksi – Yogyakarta for 20 000 idr

The current timetable (for 2025) is as follows. We always state the departure time and, for the final station, the approximate arrival time.

Timetable from Yogyakarta and Prambanan to Borobudur:

Malioboro (Bank Indonesia)	4:30	5.30	8.30	12.30	1.30 pm	4.30 pm
Breksi Cliff	5:10	6:10	9:10	13:10	14:10	17:10
Prambanan	5.30	6.30	9.30	1.30 pm	14:30	17:30
Borobudur	7.00	8:00	11:00	15:00	4.00 pm	19:00

Timetable from Borobudur to Prambanan and Yogyakarta:

Borobudur	5:00	8:30	9.30	12:30	16:00	17:00
Prambanan	6.30	10:00	11:00	14:00	17:30	18:30
Breksi Cliff	6.50	10:20	11:20	14:20	17:50	18:50
Malioboro (Bank Indonesia)	7:10	11:00	12:00	15:00	18:30	19:30

Times are approximate and depend on current traffic conditions. However, if a bus happens to arrive early, it will usually wait until its scheduled departure time.

Transfer with a travel agency

If you do not wish to travel by taxi, another option is to use the services of one of the many travel agencies operating in Yogyakarta.

Standard prices include transport and a guide, and are around 200 000 idr.

You can compare travel agencies, for example, via the website getyourguide.com.

Accommodation in the area

We recommend staying in the Prambanan area only if this temple is your main destination in Yogyakarta or if you want to visit Prambanan early in the morning.

There are only very cheap local guesthouses in the area and no traditional hotels. We would recommend, for example, these highly rated guesthouses:

• Rumah Desa Homestay
• Liefly Prambanan Villa

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