Yogyakarta Travel Forum

My friends & I are going on April18 to Solo 1st, then to Yogyakarta. Can anybody tell me:

1. what is the reasonable taxi fare frm Solo airport to a hotel, say at Slamet Riyadi Road; I don't like to be cheated.

2. Do they have different seats (say, airconned) or 1st class on the train from Solo to Yogyakarta?

TQ for assisting.

Hi,
Just get the train- it is economy and only costs 7,500 rupiah or something like that. Great views on the way. I loved it when I did the train back in July 2006 both ways and I even got to stand in the driver's compartment and I felt like I was driving the train.
So much more fun than a boring taxi.
Indonesia is about adventure.
Pamela currently in Bogor West Java- flew in yesterday for 27 days of Adventure.

1. You need not worry about being cheated on the taxi fare. Do not hail just any taxi, but order your taxi at the desk near the exit of the airport. They have fixed prices as well as making sure that any driver in line gets his turn. Don't know the exact price, but should be about Rp 30,000 to 50,000.

2. Agree with pPamela: the adventurous way is to hop on the first economy train leaving when you get to the train station. No guaranteed seats but the discomfort is small for the ride of only an hour, and very cheap.

If you do prefer air-conditioning, you have to reserve a seat on one of the seven Executive class, long-distance trains passing by daily:
Argo Lawu leaving 08.00
Lodaya 08.30
Sancaka 11.15
Argo Wilis 11.35
Sancaka 19.45
Argo Dwipangga 20.00
Lodaya 20.30
Bima 21.15
Turangga 22.10
Prices go from Rp 150,000 to Rp 220,000. If you are with a small group, chartering a taxi or minibus may be cheaper.

You also have a reserved seat in Business class - but no AC - on the Lodaya and Sancaka trains, as well as on:
Senja Solo 18.00
Mutiara Selatan 20.45

Do not take the departure times to litterally; trains running late are common.

Enjoy your stay!

1. You need not worry about being cheated on the taxi fare. Do not hail just any taxi, but order your taxi at the desk near the exit of the airport. They have fixed prices as well as making sure that any driver in line gets his turn. Don't know the exact price, but should be about Rp 30,000 to 50,000.

2. Agree with pPamela: the adventurous way is to hop on the first economy train leaving when you get to the train station. No guaranteed seats but the discomfort is small for the ride of only an hour, and very cheap.

If you do prefer air-conditioning, you have to reserve a seat on one of the nine Executive class, long-distance trains passing by daily:
Argo Lawu leaving 08.00
Lodaya 08.30
Sancaka 11.15
Argo Wilis 11.35
Sancaka 19.45
Argo Dwipangga 20.00
Lodaya 20.30
Bima 21.15
Turangga 22.10
Prices go from Rp 150,000 to Rp 220,000. If you are with a small group, chartering a taxi or minibus may be cheaper.

You also have a reserved seat in Business class - but no AC - on the Lodaya and Sancaka trains, as well as on:
Senja Solo 18.00
Mutiara Selatan 20.45

Do not take the departure times to litterally; trains running late are common.

Enjoy your stay!

Thank you all, Pamela & Theo for responding/assisting. I would've replied earlier but I had problem in logging in. Don't know why!

From what I gathered, Jogja is more touristry than Solo. Is it true? Anyway, I'll be staying only one night in Solo, but four nights in Jogja.

Also, is the normal train(the 7500rp) crowded during off peak hours, say 6pm or so?

Yes, Yogya is definitely more touristy than Solo. Yogya is the first and often only destination for most tourists coming to Java. More pickpockets too in Yogya, or so go the warnings.
No problem if you stay in Yogya most of the time, there is - of course - more to do and see in town than in Solo.

I do not know at what time the economy trains are less crowded. But judging from road traffic, eleven a.m. might be a good time (avoiding commuters going to of coming from work).

Cheers,
Theo