Major city · Indonesia
MagelangKota Magelang
Base in Magelang for 2 nights to see Borobudur at sunrise and the OHD art museum; skip it as a day trip from Yogyakarta (1 h each way).
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- May–Sep (dry season)
- avoid Dec–Feb (rain), Idul Fitri week
- Airports
- YIA · JOG
- Nights
- 2
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.
Magelang is a hill city in Central Java, 36 km from Yogyakarta, used mainly as the closest base for Borobudur. The city itself has a military academy, a private modern-art museum (OHD), the Chicken Church on Punthuk Setumbu hill, and cheap Javanese food. Two nights covers Borobudur, the museum and one hill; most travellers pass through in a day.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Magelang, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.Indonesia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckTelkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.Indonesia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.Indonesia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.Indonesia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Indonesia-wide
- SafetyMagelang is a calm hill city and generally safe.
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency · 110 police · 118 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBali shuts completely for Nyepi; government offices close Friday midday for prayer; Lebaran slows the country for two weeks.Indonesia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckYIA Yogyakarta International Airport (Kulon Progo) (About 2 h by car to Magelang; check current transfer options).
- Getting aroundNo train station in the city; arrive by bus to Tidar terminal or by car from Yogyakarta (about 1 h).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a roadhouse on the Semarang roadRp20,000–40,000 (≈ US$2–3)
- Street or quick mealNasi magelangan (fried rice and noodles)Rp20,000–35,000 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi, 5 kmTaxi, 3.1 miBasic fare about Rp5,000 plus Rp2,500/km.Rp15,000–20,000 (≈ US$1–2)
- Museum or sight ticketOHD Museum entry (foreign ID)Closed public holidays; last entry 16:00.Closed public holidays; last entry 4:00 PM.Rp100,000 (≈ US$7) adultsRp50,000 (≈ US$4) students
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personRp120,000 (≈ US$8)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomRp600,000 (≈ US$40)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomRp1,200,000 (≈ US$75)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp300,000 (≈ US$19) · Mid Rp700,000 (≈ US$45) · High Rp1,500,000 (≈ US$95)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YIA Yogyakarta International Airport (Kulon Progo) (About 2 h by car to Magelang; check current transfer options) · JOG Yogyakarta Adisutjipto (About 1 h by car; fewer international flights than YIA)
Weather and climate
Magelang: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
29°C84°F
22°C72°F
19 rd
Feb
29°C84°F
22°C72°F
17 rd
Mar
30°C86°F
22°C72°F
16 rd
Apr
30°C86°F
22°C72°F
13 rd
May
30°C86°F
22°C72°F
10 rd
Jun
30°C86°F
21°C70°F
8 rd
Jul
30°C86°F
20°C68°F
6 rd
Aug
31°C88°F
20°C68°F
5 rd
Sep
31°C88°F
21°C70°F
6 rd
Oct
31°C88°F
22°C72°F
11 rd
Nov
30°C86°F
22°C72°F
16 rd
Dec
29°C84°F
22°C72°F
18 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No train station in the city; arrive by bus to Tidar terminal or by car from Yogyakarta (about 1 h). Around town use taxis (basic fare about Rp5,000 plus Rp2,500/km), minibuses, pedicabs or a rented scooter. For Borobudur and the hill sights, hire a car with driver for the day.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Borobudur
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car or tour van from Magelang, about 40–60 min
Go at opening for cooler air and fewer groups; sunrise slots need a separate ticket.
Chicken Church (Gereja Ayam) and Punthuk Setumbu
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car to the parking area, then a 15-min steep walk up
Opens 05:00; entry about Rp30,000 plus parking. Closed shoes.Opens 5:00 AM; entry about Rp30,000 plus parking. Closed shoes.
Door to door: 1–1.5 h
Bus from Tidar terminal, about 1 h, about Rp35,000 (≈ US$3)
Use it as a transfer, not a day trip: the city needs its own nights.
Door to door: 1.5–2 h
Car north over the shoulder of Mount Merbabu
Better as a stop on the way to Semarang than a return trip.
Wonosobo and the Dieng plateau
overnightDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
Car north-west, mountain roads
Too far to return the same day comfortably.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Magelang city centre (Jl. Daha / Jl. Sudirman)
Walkable to food stalls, OHD Museum and the mall; 40–60 min by car to Borobudur.
Borobudur / Mungkid side
Closest to the temple for a sunrise slot; fewer restaurants, quieter evenings.
North Magelang (Jl. Semarang–Yogyakarta)
Roadhouse hotels and coffee stops on the Semarang road; car needed.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rp250,000–450,000 (≈ US$16–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp500,000–900,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- High
- Rp1,200,000 (≈ US$75)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × Rp600,000 | Rp1,200,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × Rp700,000 | Rp2,800,000 |
| Car with driver, one day (Borobudur and hills)1 × Rp700,000 · check | Rp700,000 |
| Bus Yogyakarta → Magelang, one way2 × Rp35,000 · check | Rp70,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × Rp150,000 | Rp300,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp507,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp1,394,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp5,577,000≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in rupiah; flights and Borobudur tickets excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Kupat tahu Magelang (tofu with rice cake in peanut sauce) | Rp15,000–30,000 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Nasi magelangan (fried rice and noodles) | Rp20,000–35,000 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Es semanggi drink | Rp5,000–12,000 (≈ under US$1) |
| Coffee at a roadhouse on the Semarang road | Rp20,000–40,000 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi, 5 kmBasic fare about Rp5,000 plus Rp2,500/km. | Rp15,000–20,000 (≈ US$1–2) |
| OHD Museum entry (foreign ID)Closed public holidays; last entry 16:00.Closed public holidays; last entry 4:00 PM. | Rp100,000 (≈ US$7) adults / Rp50,000 (≈ US$4) students |
| Taman Kyai Langgeng entry | Rp20,000 (≈ US$2) weekdays / Rp25,000 (≈ US$2) weekends |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Borobudur sunrise slots are limited and ticketed separately — book ahead and check the official site.
- The walk up to the Chicken Church is steep; bring closed shoes and go early (opens 05:00).The walk up to the Chicken Church is steep; bring closed shoes and go early (opens 5:00 AM).
- Rainy-season afternoons flood the Semarang road; allow extra time.
- Some OHD Museum areas are by appointment only — check before you go.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency
- 112
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 113
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MagelangKota Magelang
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, yaTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire113
Embassy
No embassies in Magelang; the US, UK, Australian and other missions are in Jakarta, with consulates in Surabaya and Bali (check each).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Yogyakarta → Magelang: about Rp35,000 (≈ US$3), about 1 h (check)
- Taxi in town, 5 km: Rp15,000–20,000 (≈ US$1–2)
- Car with driver, one day: about Rp600,000–900,000 (≈ US$40–55) (check)
Say or show
- Permisi / Maaf — Excuse me / Sorry (per-MEE-see / ma-AF)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (te-REE-ma KA-see)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (be-RA-pa HAR-ga-nya)
- Ini saja — This one, please (EE-nee SA-ja)
- Bisa bayar pakai kartu? — Can I pay by card? (BEE-sa BA-yar PA-kai KAR-tu)
- Di mana toilet? — Where is the toilet? (dee MA-na TOY-let)
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Magelang. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep (dry season) · avoid Dec–Feb (rain), Idul Fitri week · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YIA and JOG: last transfer times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Jl. Daha and OHD, the mall and Jl. Sudirman, the north Semarang road.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Borobudur, OHD Museum, Chicken Church, Selogriyo Temple) and eat pages with last orders.
- Rainy-season and Idul Fitri fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialMagelang city government
- officialOHD Museum
- officialTaman Kyai Langgeng
- secondaryWikivoyage: Magelang, revision 5237151 (CC BY-SA 4.0)