National park · Indonesia
PrambananCandi Prambanan
Go at 06:30 opening, not at 09:00 when the Yogyakarta coaches land: budget 2–4 h and Rp 400,000 for foreigners, walk the inner zone first while it is cool, then Candi Sewu 1 km (0.6 mi) north.Go at 6:30 AM opening, not at 9:00 AM when the Yogyakarta coaches land: budget 2–4 h and Rp 400,000 for foreigners, walk the inner zone first while it is cool, then Candi Sewu 1 km (0.6 mi) north.Go at 06:30 opening, not at 09:00 when the Yogyakarta coaches land: budget 2–4 h and Rp 400,000 for foreigners, walk the inner zone first while it is cool, then Candi Sewu 0.6 mi (1 km) north.Go at 6:30 AM opening, not at 9:00 AM when the Yogyakarta coaches land: budget 2–4 h and Rp 400,000 for foreigners, walk the inner zone first while it is cool, then Candi Sewu 0.6 mi (1 km) north.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1991
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
At a glance
- Country
- Indonesia
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- The fenced archaeological park is small — the temple platform and its landscaped grounds. The wider Prambanan plain, with Sewu, Plaosan, Sojiwan, Ratu Boko and Ijo, spreads over several km (check).
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Yogyakarta
Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia: three tall Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu towers inside a walled inner court, ringed by the ruins of 224 small guardian shrines. It was built around 850 CE by the Mataram Kingdom and abandoned by the 10th century, then partly collapsed in a 16th-century earthquake and lay in the jungle until a British survey party came across it in 1811. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1991) and sits on the main Yogyakarta–Solo road, 17 km from Yogyakarta. Most visitors treat it as a two-hour stop between Borobudur and the airport; the park itself, plus the Buddhist temples of the Prambanan plain, is a full day.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1991.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1991
The fenced archaeological park is small — the temple platform and its landscaped grounds. The wider Prambanan plain, with Sewu, Plaosan, Sojiwan, Ratu Boko and Ijo, spreads over several km (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Yogyakarta.
Why go
- The three Trimurti towers are the tallest ancient Hindu structures in Indonesia, and the Ramayana reliefs along their balustrades are carved to be read like a comic strip.
- It is 30 minutes by commuter train from central Yogyakarta, so it works as a half-day even on a short Java trip.
- The plain around it holds quieter temples — Sewu, Plaosan, Sojiwan, Ratu Boko — where you may have the stones to yourself.
- Sunset from Ratu Boko, on the hill 3 km (1.9 mi) south, looks back over the whole plain.Sunset from Ratu Boko, on the hill 1.9 mi (3 km) south, looks back over the whole plain.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanWet season; afternoon downpours (check)
- FebWet; short clear mornings (check)
- MarRain easing; humid (check)
- AprStart of the clearer, drier period
- MayDry and clear; good light
- JunDry season; cool mornings
- JulDry; domestic holiday crowds (check)
- AugDry; arrive at the 06:30 opening (check)Dry; arrive at the 6:30 AM opening (check)
- SepDry and clear
- OctEnd of the drier period; green and clear
- NovRains return; mud around outlying temples (check)
- DecWet season; closures possible (check)
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice-field birds and lizards around the outlying templesAll year · Nothing here is a wildlife destination; the plain is farmland. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Yogyakarta (Malioboro)
TransJogja bus 1A to the Prambanan terminal, then cross the road and walk about 500 m to the pedestrian gate.
30–60 min
Open the page →
From Yogyakarta by train
KRL commuter train to Brambanan station, then a 9-minute walk.
about 30 min
Open the page →
From Adisucipto airport (JOG)
KRL from Maguwo station, or a taxi direct.
8 min by train; about 20 min by taxi
From Solo
KRL train to Brambanan station, or a local bus.
about 1 h by train; 90 min by bus
From Borobudur
Hired car or public transport via Yogyakarta; there is no direct public link.
2–2.5 h (check)
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Inner zone (Trimurti court) | The walled platform with the three tall Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu temples, their vahana shrines and the smaller Apit and Kelir shrines. | Ticket plus sarong; the only part where the sarong is required. |
| Middle zone (Candi Perwara) | Four concentric rows of 224 small guardian shrines, most still in ruins. | Open; walk between the rows. |
| Outer zone | The landscaped park, museum and audio-visual theatre. | Open with the same ticket. |
| Prambanan plain | Sewu, Lumbung, Bubrah, Plaosan, Sojiwan, Ratu Boko, Banyunibo, Barong and Ijo, spread over rice fields and low hills. | Separate sites, some ticketed, some free with a visitor book. |
Sketch map
- 1Prambanan main gate and ticket office · Gate≈-7.754, 110.493Map ↗
- 2Candi Prambanan (Loro Jonggrang) · Trail≈-7.752, 110.492Map ↗
- 3Candi Sewu · Trail≈-7.744, 110.493Map ↗
- 4Candi Lumbung · Trail≈-7.748, 110.493Map ↗
- 5Candi Bubrah · Trail≈-7.746, 110.493Map ↗
- 6Candi Plaosan · Trail≈-7.740, 110.504Map ↗
- 7Candi Sojiwan · Trail≈-7.761, 110.496Map ↗
- 8Kraton Ratu Boko · Viewpoint≈-7.770, 110.489Map ↗
- 9Candi Ijo · Viewpoint≈-7.784, 110.512Map ↗
- 10Brambanan station · Ranger station≈-7.756, 110.500Map ↗
- 11Prambanan bus terminal · Ranger station≈-7.755, 110.496Map ↗
Take the points offline
11 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions from the main gate to the outlying temples, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign adult entry, main Prambanan park | IDR 400,000 (≈ US$25) | person | Fixed foreigner rate, quoted in US$ at the gate; 2026 estimate — check current rates. |
| Foreign child under 10 | IDR 240,000 (≈ US$15) | person | 2026 estimate — check current rates. |
| Foreign student with student card | IDR 240,000 (≈ US$15) | person | Card must be shown; 2026 estimate — check current rates. |
| Indonesian adult | IDR 50,000 (≈ US$4) | person | Domestic rate; 2026 estimate — check current rates. |
| Indonesian child under 10 | IDR 25,000 (≈ US$2) | person | 2026 estimate — check current rates. |
| Combined Prambanan + Ratu Boko (foreign adult) | IDR 720,000 (≈ US$45) | person | Cheaper than two separate tickets; 2026 estimate — check current rates. |
| Combined Prambanan + Borobudur (foreign adult) | IDR 720,000 (≈ US$45) | person | Sold at either park; 2026 estimate — check current rates. |
| Guide at the ticket office | IDR 150,000–200,000 (≈ US$10–13) | hour | Rp 150,000 for 1–6 people, Rp 200,000 for 7–20; 2026 estimate — check current rates. |
| Toy train around the park | IDR 5,000 (≈ under US$1) | person | Short shuttle loop; 2026 estimate — check current rates. |
| Candi Plaosan entry (foreigner) | IDR 50,000 (≈ US$4) | person | Separate site 2 km east; 2026 estimate — check current rates. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry ticket permit or guide
Sarong permit or guide
Ratu Boko entry permit or guide
Outlying temples (Plaosan, Sojiwan, Ijo) no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- Rp400,000≈ US$25
- Rp240,000≈ US$15
- Rp240,000≈ US$15
- Rp50,000≈ US$4
- Rp25,000≈ US$2
- Rp720,000≈ US$45
- Rp720,000≈ US$45
- Rp150,000–200,000≈ US$10–13
- Rp5,000≈ under US$1
- Rp50,000≈ US$4
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan & Ratu Boko — official park authority before you go.
Park rules
- Sarong
- Required inside the main complex; issued at the inner-zone entrance and taken back on exit, so visit that part first (check).
- Dress
- Cover shoulders and knees; the sarong covers the lower body but not bare shoulders (check).
- Climbing the temples
- Stay on marked steps and platforms; do not climb the carved reliefs or sit on the statues.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the park authority (check).check
- Litter and food
- Keep the temple courts clean; bins are in the park area (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Yogyakarta
The practical base: hotels and hostels at every level, 30–60 min away by bus or train.
Near the park
Prambanan and Klaten
A few simple guesthouses near the gate and in Klaten, 3 km (1.9 mi) north, if you want the 06:30 opening without a dawn start.A few simple guesthouses near the gate and in Klaten, 3 km (1.9 mi) north, if you want the 6:30 AM opening without a dawn start.A few simple guesthouses near the gate and in Klaten, 1.9 mi (3 km) north, if you want the 06:30 opening without a dawn start.A few simple guesthouses near the gate and in Klaten, 1.9 mi (3 km) north, if you want the 6:30 AM opening without a dawn start.
Safety
Midday heat and little shade in the outer zone medium
Traffic on the Yogyakarta–Solo road medium
Wet-season slippery stone low
Earthquakes low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The park paths and the route to the inner-zone platform are paved and mostly level.
- The temple steps themselves are steep and uneven; wheelchair users can see the towers from the courtyard but not enter the chambers.
- A toy train loops the park for those who cannot manage the full walk.
Visiting lightly
- Buy the combined ticket and use public transport or the KRL rather than a private car for the Yogyakarta leg.
- Hire a licensed guide at the ticket office instead of an unlicensed tout at the car park.
- Do not buy stone fragments or carvings offered as souvenirs; looting stripped the site for a century.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Prambanan?
Foreign adults pay a fixed rate of about Rp 400,000 (roughly US$25); foreign children under 10 and students with a card pay about Rp 240,000. Indonesians pay about Rp 50,000, children about Rp 25,000. A combined Prambanan + Borobudur or Prambanan + Ratu Boko ticket is about Rp 720,000 for foreign adults. These are 2026 estimates — check at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Prambanan?
There are no real hikes; this is a temple park. The best walking is the inner zone and the 1 km path north to Candi Sewu, then the 2 km east to Candi Plaosan through rice fields. For a hill walk with a view, go to Ratu Boko or Candi Ijo, both of which need a vehicle to reach.
When is the best time to visit Prambanan?
April to October is the dry season, with the clearest light and the least rain. July and August are the busiest, so arrive at the 06:30 opening. November to March is wet: expect afternoon downpours and slippery stone.
What time does Prambanan open?
The park opens daily at 06:30 and closes at 17:00. Arriving at opening avoids both the heat and the coach groups, which usually land from about 09:00.
How do I get to Prambanan from Yogyakarta?
Take TransJogja bus 1A from Malioboro to the Prambanan terminal (about 30–60 min), then walk about 500 m to the pedestrian gate. The KRL commuter train to Brambanan station is faster at about 30 minutes, and the station is a 9-minute walk from the temples.
Do I need a guide at Prambanan?
No, but the reliefs are hard to follow without one. Guides at the ticket office cost about Rp 150,000 per hour for 1–6 people and about Rp 200,000 for 7–20.
Can I visit Prambanan and Borobudur in one day?
Yes, but it is a long day. They are about 2–2.5 hours apart by road via Yogyakarta, and each deserves 2–4 hours. A combined ticket covers entry to both; check the current price and whether a shuttle is running.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go