java tours and trips

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

Java in Indonesia is a beautiful island filled with locations still undiscovered by tourism. Java is over 20 times larger than Bali . It is fairly easy to get around Java. In this 8-day Central and East Java route guide, you will visit the most impressive waterfalls, temples, the rainbow and blue village, tea plantations, Mount Bromo, and the Ijen Crater.

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 Indon esia, 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.  

Day 1 – 3: Exploring Yogyakarta

The creative capital Yogyakarta in central Java is the start of your Java travel route. This relatively small city is popular amongst Indonesian and international students.

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 .

Read: Things to do in Yogyakarta

Where to Stay in Yogyakarta

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

Hotels in Yogyakarta 😴

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 .

Read about: Malioboro train from Yogyakarta to Malang

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.

Read: Things to do in Malang

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 😴

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 😴

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 .

Read about: Visiting Bromo

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.

Read: Sunrise Ijen tour

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.

Book your ferry tickets to Bali in advance

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 😴

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.

Here are all your hotel options in Bondowoso.

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.

Must read: 3-week Indonesia Route

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

The tastes in Java are just fantastic. Expect to have a large selection of delicious Indonesian food, and in the bigger cities, there are restaurants available with Western-style food.

Tip: Nasi Pecel was our absolute number one dish. :)

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!

Travel on a budget in Java, from $270 − $340 USD weekly per person, mid-range $630 − $1160 USD, and high-end from $1200 − $1670 USD. However, costs depend on factors like accommodation, transportation, and activities. We did not include flights. Check flight prices here

• Hotels: $35 − $100 USD Check available hotels
• Hostels: $10 − $20 USD Check available hostels
• Transport: $5 − $10 USD Book public transport
• Car Rental: $30 − $60 USD Book a rental car
• Food: $15 − $20 USD
• Activities: $5 − $50 USD See tickets & tours
• Sim: $1 − $3 USD Get an eSIM or SIM here
• Travel Insurance: $2 − $6 USD Get Travel Insurance

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.

See all your sim options here

By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support. ♥️

• Find Hotels via Booking.com
• Find a Rental Car via Rentalcars.com
• Find Cheap Flights via Skyscanner
• Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
• Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go

Indonesia Travel Guide: The Ultimate Itinerary to Bali, Java & Flores

Bromo and ijen tour: the perfect 3-day route, kawah ijen: tips for climbing the volcano.

Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.

Thanks for the very in-depth guide.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  Notify me when new comments are added.

THE 10 BEST Java Tours & Excursions

Tours in java.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Private Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Active Volcano, Rice Field, Hot Spring, Fruit market, Tea Plantation with Lunch

2. Borobudur Sunrise from setumbu Hill , Merapi Volcano & Prambanan Full Day Tour

3. 1 Day - Amazing Bromo Sunrise tour with 7 spots // 00.30 -13.00

4. Private Half-day Tour : Visit Highlights Places of Jakarta (4 Hours)

5. Borobudur (Full Climb Up Access) And Prambanan Temples Day Tour

6. Borobudur Temple Climb To The Top & Prambanan Temple - 1 day tour

7. Bali Beaches Hopping - Uluwatu Temple

8. Yogyakarta Borobudur Climb Up And Prambanan Temples Sharing Tour

9. 3D2N - Mount Bromo, Tumpak Sewu, Kawah Ijen Crater start from Malang or Surabaya

10. Jakarta Bogor Botanical Garden, Waterfall and Rice terrace, Lunch

11. Borobudur(climb up), Merapi Volcano and Prambanan Temple Tour

12. Jakarta City Tour (Explore Highlights places & Local activities)

13. Mount Bromo Sunrise Tour from Surabaya or Malang - 1 Day

14. 1 day Yogyakarta Tour Jomblang cave and Pindul Cave tubing

15. Jakarta Night Tour : Enjoyable Night time in Jakarta (Hotel Pick-up)

16. Bogor Botanical Garden, Waterfall, Mountain Springs & Rice Field

17. Selogriyo Temple and Trekking Java Rice Terraces, hidden waterfall -Nature Java

18. Yogyakarta Borobudur Prambanan Tour

19. Hidden Gems Cave and Water Fall Tour

20. Private FullDay Jakarta Wonderfull Tour with Lunch & Souvenir

21. Jakarta Heritage of Old Batavia Private Tour (Free Gift )

22. Half-Day Private Tour to Miniature Park in Jakarta Explorer

23. Overnight Mount Ijen Blue Fire Trek Tour From Bali (Private-All Inclusive)

24. Surabaya - Mount Bromo – Tumpak Sewu Waterfall – Ijen Bluefire Tour - Bali 4d3n

25. Borobudur Sunrise From Setumbu Hill, Merapi Volcano, Prambanan one Day Tour

26. Prambanan Temple and Ramayana Ballet Show (VIP Seat with dinner)

27. 3Days - Tumpaksewu Bromo Ijen Adventure via Malang

28. Bandung Volcano, Hotsprings, Mud, Lunch etc all Included

29. Small-Group Walking and Food Tour by Night in Yogyakarta

30. 2 Days - Bromo Ijen Bali Ultimate Tour // D1 01.00 - D2 14.00

What travellers are saying.

Top Tours in Java, Indonesia

• Sightseeing Tours
• Private Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Active Volcano, Rice Field, Hot Spring, Fruit market, Tea Plantation with Lunch

2. Borobudur Sunrise from setumbu Hill , Merapi Volcano & Prambanan Full Day Tour

3. 1 Day - Amazing Bromo Sunrise tour with 7 spots // 00.30 -13.00

4. Private Half-day Tour : Visit Highlights Places of Jakarta (4 Hours)

5. Borobudur (Full Climb Up Access) And Prambanan Temples Day Tour

6. Borobudur Temple Climb To The Top & Prambanan Temple - 1 day tour

7. Bali Beaches Hopping - Uluwatu Temple

8. Mount Bromo and Blue Fire Ijen 3 day Private Tour from Bali

9. 3D2N - Mount Bromo, Tumpak Sewu, Kawah Ijen Crater start from Malang or Surabaya

10. Jakarta Bogor Botanical Garden, Waterfall and Rice terrace, Lunch

11. Borobudur(climb up), Merapi Volcano and Prambanan Temple Tour

12. Jakarta City Tour (Explore Highlights places & Local activities)

13. Mount Bromo Sunrise Tour from Surabaya or Malang - 1 Day

14. 1 day Yogyakarta Tour Jomblang cave and Pindul Cave tubing

15. Jakarta Night Tour : Enjoyable Night time in Jakarta (Hotel Pick-up)

16. Bogor Botanical Garden, Waterfall, Mountain Springs & Rice Field

17. Selogriyo Temple and Trekking Java Rice Terraces, hidden waterfall -Nature Java

18. Yogyakarta Borobudur Prambanan Tour

19. Private FullDay Jakarta Wonderfull Tour with Lunch & Souvenir

20. Private Mount Batur Sunrise Quad ATV Bike Tour

21. Jakarta Heritage of Old Batavia Private Tour (Free Gift )

22. Half-Day Private Tour to Miniature Park in Jakarta Explorer

23. Overnight Mount Ijen Blue Fire Trek Tour From Bali (Private-All Inclusive)

24. Surabaya - Mount Bromo – Tumpak Sewu Waterfall – Ijen Bluefire Tour - Bali 4d3n

25. Borobudur Sunrise From Setumbu Hill, Merapi Volcano, Prambanan one Day Tour

26. Prambanan Temple and Ramayana Ballet Show (VIP Seat with dinner)

27. 3Days - Tumpaksewu Bromo Ijen Adventure via Malang

28. Bandung Volcano, Hotsprings, Mud, Lunch etc all Included

29. Small-Group Walking and Food Tour by Night in Yogyakarta

30. 2 Days - Bromo Ijen Bali Ultimate Tour // D1 01.00 - D2 14.00

What travellers are saying.

Hrmm. Looks like you're using an older browser, which means some site features may not work they way they should. For the full gadventures.com experience, we recommend upgrading to the most recent version of your browser . It's worth it! Honest!

View all tours

North America

Central america & caribbean, south america, north africa & middle east.

Few travellers make it to this icy continent, but the lucky ones who do get to explore a frozen Eden ruled by the elements and teeming with wildlife.

G Adventures Land

G adventures sailing & cruises, g adventures private travel.

Whether it’s a family retreat or a girls trip, you can surround yourself with a hand-picked crew and customize a tour that fits you all perfectly.

The Geluxe Collection

Our new line of premium active adventures is officially here. With perfectly paced itineraries, one-of-a-kind accommodations and elevated dining, this is adventure at its finest.

National Geographic Journeys

Go deeper into the cultures and habitats of the places we explore. More is included and you’ll enjoy greater hands-on exploration, interactions with local experts, and freedom to roam.

National Geographic Family Journeys

Are you an adventure-loving family in search of meaningful ways to discover the world together? These tours are specially designed for travellers seven and up and their inquisitive families.

Jane Goodall Collection

Step deeper into the animal kingdom while respecting all of its inhabitants. Our incredible collection of wildlife-focused tours is endorsed by the world-renowned ethologist.

Roamies by Hostelworld

The thrill of adventure. The awesomeness of hostels. Get ‘em both on these immersive small group trips for 18 to 35-year-old travellers.

Why choose us

As the leader in small group travel for 30 years, we know how to do it right: flexible itineraries, freedom to roam, safety, peace of mind, and locally based guides.

Change the world just by having the time of your life. When you travel with us, you become a force for good by acting responsibly and creating positive impact.

Together with our non-profit partner, Planeterra, we ensure local communities touched by our tours benefit from our visits in as many ways possible.

Trees for Days

Leave your destination even greener than you found it! For every day on tour, we’ll plant a tree in your honour and ensure that our forests get to live their best lives.

Travel resources

Last minute deals.

Looking to have the time of your life in the next 90 days or so? You can save big if you’re ready to book now.

Loyalty discount

Back home from a G Adventures tour? Submit a quick trip evaluation to save 5% on your next tour with us.

Student discount

Got proof that you’re pursuing higher learning? Then we’ve got a travel voucher with your name on it.

All travel deals

New ways to save pop up all the time. Here’s where you’ll find every hot deal in one easy place.

Best of Java

9 days, jakarta to sanur.

BALI - Effective February 14, 2024, all foreign tourists entering Bali will be required to pay the “Bali Tourist Levy.” This fee of 150,000 IDR (or $10 USD) and can be paid online through the Love Bali System before entering Bali or upon arrival. We strongly suggest every traveler pay before arrival to ease your entry and avoid queueing to pay upon arrival . For more information please see the Visa and Important Notes section of the tour details.” Pay Tourist Levy Here: https://lovebali.baliprov.go.id/

• Full itinerary
• Tour details

With a population of 135 million crammed into just under 140,000 sq km, you’d think there’d be no room on Java left for adventuring. As densely populated as it is, this amazing stretch of Indonesia has loads of unexplored corners just waiting for travellers looking for something a little different. From Jakarta, you’ll venture to the curiously European-like city of Bandung (the “Paris of Java”) en route to Yogyakarta, home to the island’s monstrous volcanoes. Then wrap it all up on the gorgeous Balinese beaches of Sanur. (Hey, if you can’t beat the crowd, join it!)

Jakarta to Sanur

Is this tour for me, travel style: classic.

All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.

Service Level: Standard

Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.

Physical Rating: 2 - Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 12.

Age requirement: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Help us spread love around the world with Trees for Days. Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 9

Ripple Score

Create ripples that change lives. The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.

Ripple Score for this trip: 99

More from Best of Java

Places visited

Day 1 jakarta.

Arrive at any time.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Day 2 jakarta/bandung.

Enjoy a guided city tour of Jakarta visiting the former Batavia area, remnants of the colonial past, and stroll through the Sunda Kelapa Harbour. In the afternoon, depart for Bandung surrounded by volcanic peaks and tea plantations. Opt to see the angklung orchestra - resonating traditional melodies created by children shaking bamboo instruments.

Meals included:

Day 3 bandung/yogyakarta.

Board a morning train and take in the beautiful scenery on the ride to Yogyakarta, steeped in ancient ruins and culture. On arrival, opt to go on a cycling tour or take in a Ramayana dance performance.

Day 4 Yogyakarta

Venture to the Prambanan Hindu temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and wander through the remains of some 244 temples, with some towering out of the rubble. Spend the afternoon at leisure.

Day 5 Yogyakarta

Visit Borobudur, the largest Buddhist sanctuary in the world and another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend time exploring the pyramid-like complex, admiring the intricate carvings, and come away with a deeper understanding of Buddhist culture here. Later, enjoy free time to continue exploring Yogyakarta.

Day 6 Yogyakarta/Ngadas

Continue the journey across the agricultural heartland of Java to Ngadas, a village in the scenic Mt Bromo region. Experience the local culture with a G Adventures-supported community homestay.

Day 7 Ngadas/Malang

Start early today (approximately 2:30am) for a pre-dawn trek across the “sea of sand” to Mt Bromo. Watch the sunrise over the crater’s rim, popular with both tourists and the local Buddhist Tenggerese, who can be seen giving offerings to receive blessings from the Supreme God Hyang Widi Wasa. Head back to Ngadas for lunch before exploring more of the village on an included walk. Later, travel to Malang for the night.

Day 8 Malang/Sanur

Drive from Malang to Surabaya airport for a short flight to Sanur, a serene seaside town on the island of Bali. Spend the afternoon on the beach, and cheers to a beautiful sunset.

Day 9 Sanur

Depart at any time.

What's Included

• Your G for Good Moment: Ngadas Homestay, Desa Ngadas
• Your G for Good Moment: Village Walk, Desa Ngadas
• Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
• Jakarta city tour
• Prambanan temple complex visit
• Borobudur visit
• Mt Bromo sunrise visit
• Beach time in Sanur
• Internal flight
• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hotels (7 nts), homestays (1 nts, twin-share).

8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner Allow USD95-125 for meals not included.

Transportation

Private van, walking, train, plane.

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Available extras  (Add these to your tour when you book)

My own room - from $399.00.

If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.

Make it a private tour

Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.

cassiethehag

Java Itinerary and 2-week Java Travel Guide

Please note that this blog post most likely contains affiliate links to products or services I use and love! If you click on the links, it means I get a little extra pocket money at no additional cost to you. This is what keeps my website ticking over – thank you!

My Java Itinerary & 2-week Travel Guide wraps up my entire Java travel guide series. I hope to give you a single, complete itinerary to help you plan your trip.

Throughout this Java itinerary guide, I have linked to personal comprehensive blog posts which focus on each place you will visit on the route. This is to avoid ending up with a very, very long blog post that is hard to navigate. Instead, I’ve provided thorough information in separate posts – so you can click through if you personally want more info!

To find the cheapest flight options from your city, you can use this search form below:

The Java itinerary focuses on spending one week in Central Java and one week in East Java. It mixes both must-see attractions and off-the-beaten-track, upcoming areas I’d never heard of until I started researching my trip. This Java solo backpacking route took me 16 days and is my favourite overall journey in six months of travelling Asia!

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION TO JAVA

Java has an immense history which led to its multicultural influences today. From Hinduism and Buddhism co-existing in the early centuries to the growth of Islam and then eventual Dutch colonisation, from whom Java claimed independence after WW2. Many ancient sights in Java are scarred yet still standing after being bruised by wars and earthquakes, yet remain unparalleled by attractions elsewhere in Indonesia.

Java is an economic hub and the most developed of Indonesia’s islands, making it easier to travel across than nearby Bali for non-scooter drivers. Surprisingly, I rarely saw another Westerner throughout my trip except at understandably crowded key sites .

JAVA IS PERFECT FOR BACKPACKERS

Solo travellers can rejoice in its public transport while adventurous backpackers will enjoy the scale of nature here. Spoiler alert: Java is EPIC.

Like Vietnam, Java is thin and long, making it easy to travel from East to West (or vice versa). I felt incredibly safe here as a solo traveller. Plus, I found incredibly clean, cheap hostels with the most helpful hostel hosts I’ve met . I would definitely recommend this as an Indonesian backpacker route.

There’s plenty to do for families, too, with highlights Bromo and Borobudur being easily accessible. In East Java, Tumpak Sewu is best skipped for an easier waterfall trek – but don’t worry, there’s plenty to choose from!

WHAT TO WEAR IN JAVA

Whilst Indonesia is a beautifully multicultural set of islands, Java is predominantly Muslim. The folk here are super friendly and not overly conservative, so you wouldn’t feel too uncomfortable wearing regular travel clothes. Note that the famous temples (such as Borobudur and Prambanan ) are NOT Muslim, and thus there are usually no clothing rules, but dress respectfully. Oh, and it gets very hot! So loose, long clothing is best. Be sure to pack comfortable shoes for hiking too!

WHEN TO VISIT JAVA, INDONESIA

The dry season in Java is April to October, and temperatures can get very sticky after around 10am in the cities particularly. I highly recommend organising rest/travel days in Java on weekends, as it is highly populated, so attractions can get densely crowded with local tourists on weekends. Check for Indonesian holiday dates, too – most tourists in Java are local, so visiting big attractions on weekdays while the locals are at work is the best plan.

CURRENCY AND LANGUAGE

Indonesia Rupiah – prepare to be a millionaire. You will usually find locals who speak English in tourist hubs and accommodations. There are over 300 native languages in Indonesia, but you are most likely to hear Javanese here.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

169 countries can get a FREE 30-DAY Visa when getting into the airport – right? This can NOT be extended in the country.

An extendable visa (up to 60 days) costs 35 USD – you must get this at the airport BEFORE going through immigration when first arriving in Indonesia. It’s sign-posted and not too much hassle, aside from the queues. This is possible for visitors from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, much of the EU and UK, plus the USA.

You can usually arrange this visa in advance for a higher fee from an agency in your own country (such as STA Travel), but many people opt to use a visa agency in Indonesia to help them with the hassle of then confirming the extended visa.

Make sure your passport has at least six months left on it on any visa.

JAVA ITINERARY & 2-WEEK JAVA TRAVEL GUIDE

Below is my suggested holiday itinerary for 2 weeks in Java, combining its cultural heart, an unexpected paradise island, rainbow villages, epic volcanoes, and the most insane waterfall trek I’ve ever done!

CENTRAL JAVA ITINERARY

Arrive in yogyakarta.

You can fly into Yogyakarta from various transport hubs in Indonesia (including Jakarta and Bali), and there are cheap direct flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur .

Yogyakarta’s Adisucipto International Airport is around a 35-minute taxi ride from the city. You can also take a local train or bus from elsewhere in Java. You can book tickets in advance easily from 12Go Asia (or ask your accommodation to help if unsure) .

TIP: Download the ‘ Go-Jek ‘ app for car and scooter taxis – it’s like Uber but much cheaper!

YOGYAKARTA 3 DAYS)

Also commonly known and pronounced as ‘Jogjakarta’, this city is often considered the cultural heart of Java. It is a great place to begin your itinerary in Java and get your bearings. There are many traditional activities to discover here, and the palace is still home to the royal family – yep, there’s still a monarchy in Indonesia. Is anyone else utterly oblivious to this?

EXPLORE THE KRATON

The main area to explore in Yogyakarta city is called the ‘Kraton’, a group of palaces built for the sultans of Yogya . You could spend an entire day exploring here.

Entry cost to the grand palace : 12K IDR (around 1.2 AUD, 65p or 0.85 USD) .

Although it won’t blow you away like other palaces in Asia, an excellent reason to visit is that the cost includes traditional daily performances such as gamelan or puppetry.

‘ Tamansari ‘ was my favourite part of the Kraton to explore. Whilst this 18th-century ‘water palace’ looks worse for wear, the ticket also included entry to ‘Sumur Gumuling’, an underground mosque. It was fun walking around this area and exploring the tunnels. The unique location reminded me of Escher’s artworks – anyone else?

Cost: 12K IDR (1.2 AUD, 0.65 GBP, 0.84 USD)

There are also many museums in Yogyakarta. I would recommend Museum Sonobudoyo. It has English translations and many artefacts on display.

Cost: 10k IDR, 1 AUD, £0.54, 0.71 USD

Best of Yogyakarta

⭐ Get a closer look of the top destinations like Borobudur, Prambanan, Water Castle, and Sultan’s Palace during a private customizable full-day tour

TRADITIONAL PERFORMANCES AND LOCAL WORKSHOPS

Batik courses can be found around the Kraton area, a great way to meet locals and get stuck in with an immersive activity . Or head to Kota Gede , a district famous for silver, and see the silver artisans hard at work.

To see a traditional performance, there are many options around Yogyakarta to choose from. Museum Sonobudoyo is one option close to the city centre, which shows puppet shows (wayang kulit) at 8pm every day. It lasts 2 hours, and tickets can be purchased at the museum. Want to do something special? Watch a traditional Javanese ballet in the unforgettable setting of Prambanan, a vast Hindu temple just outside the temple. Read more information here: Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan Tickets

FULL YOGYAKARTA TRAVEL GUIDE: This includes alternative activities and day trips, potential scams, my favourite places to eat and how to get around the city: https://cassiethehag.com/yogyakarta-guide/

BOROBUDUR & PRAMBANAN

The key reason to visit Yogyakarta is undoubtedly to see Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple. It’s easy to combine this with Prambanan , a huge Hindu temple, in one day.

BOROBUDUR SUNRISE

The most common way to visit Borobudur from Yogyakarta is to do the sunrise tour. I highly recommend waiting to book this in Yogyakarta through your accommodation or local vendor as it will be much cheaper. Klook also offers an affordable combo tour online or through their app .

After being picked up from your accommodation, you will begin the day at Manohara around 04:40 to pick up the ticket, which is just a few minutes’ walk to the temple.

The sunrise ticket is ONLY available from Manohara . If you are on a tour, they will organise the ticket for you. https://manoharaborobudur.com/en-gb/

If you are going at the regular entrance time of 6am or after, you can just buy a standard ticket when you arrive.

COST OF BOROBUDUR SUNRISE TICKET: 475K IDR It is alternatively 350K IDR for Indonesian visitors. COST OF REGULAR TICKET (after 6am): 325K IDR COST OF A BOROBUDUR AND PRAMBANAN COMBINED TICKET: 520K IDR PRAMBANAN ONLY TICKET: 325K

Prambanan is a huge Hindu temple built around the 9th century, and unfortunately, several earthquakes damaged the structures.

Despite the piles of cordoned-off rubble, the main structures are still intact and impressive. I didn’t realise you could climb up the stairs and see into each structure. Each temple hides a different statue , usually a deity, so exploring these hidden treasures is fun.

BOROBUDUR FULL GUIDE: For four alternative ways to get to Borobudur and Prambanan depending on your budget, my personal experience and more detailed background information on these amazing sights, see here: https://cassiethehag.com/borobudur-sunrise-guide/

Where to stay in Yogyakarta?

Hostels: I stayed at Yogyakarta BnB Malioboro , walking distance from the palace, Museum Sonobudoyo, and plenty of cafes. I could also book tours and onward travel directly from my hostel – they were really helpful. From $5pn including breakfast for a dorm or from $7 for private rooms.

Budget: There are tons of cheap guest houses, but Hotel Graha Kinasih Kotabaru is among the best-reviewed, with air-conditioned rooms with terraces, laundry services, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. From $32pn.

Hotel: For air-conditioned rooms and an outdoor swimming pool to cool off, Eastparc Hotel Yogyakarta is the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle. Facilities include a garden, restaurant, fitness centre, breakfast, and more. Lovely, air-conditioned rooms have a private balcony. From $105pn.

Eco: Yabbiekayu Eco-bungalows is a family-friendly holiday park. Stunning bungalows in a natural setting have open-air baths. Yoga and cooking classes are offered onsite and you can eat at the onsite restaurant. It’s a bit far from town, but they can arrange a driver for tours into the city and Borobudur.

TRAVEL DAY – YOGYAKARTA TO KARIMUNJAWA

I spent the afternoon resting after Borobudur as I had a crazy travel night ahead. I got picked up at 1130pm from my accommodation in Yogyakarta in a shared car that took me to Jepara Harbour. The following morning, I took a ferry to what is assuredly my favourite island I’ve visited so far on my travels…

It’s a bit complicated, and there are various options for getting to Karimunjawa. I’ve made a specific guide to help you figure out how to get there and book your ferry tickets: https://cassiethehag.com/how-to-get-to-and-from-karimunjawa-javas-paradise-island/

KARIMUNJAWA ISLANDS (3 DAYS)

The main reason to visit Karimunjawa is, essentially, the same reason most people HAVEN’T visited yet – it’s pretty hard to get to. When I first saw photos of Karimunjawa, I had my heart set on going there on my Java itinerary but was nervous about visiting as a solo traveller. Thankfully it was well worth the effort. I recommend spending at least three days in Karimunjawa to make the trip worthwhile . You’ll be glad you did. The island is a true Indonesian hidden gem !

GO SNORKELLING AND ISLAND HOPPING

I paid 200K IDR (20 AUD, 11.25 GBP, 4.16 USD) for my snorkelling trip – that cost is for 3 snorkel locations, lunch and island hopping. You will stop at at least 2 tiny uninhabited tropical islands – one on which they will make a fire and cook lunch for you (including veggie options). Totally magical, right? I booked through Bodhi Tree Hostel , my favourite hostel I’ve ever stayed in, and anyone is welcome to join.

TIP: make sure you avoid Javanese holidays (most of the tourists on Karimunjawa are locals), and you might be the only boat you see out on the ocean all day!

EXPLORE THE ISLAND BY SCOOTER

The cost to rent a scooter was 50K IDR (5 AUD, 2 GBP , 3.58 USD) for 6 hours – so cheap between two people! It will cost 75K IDR for a full day.

Head to Bukit Love Hill viewpoint – pictured below at sunset and only 10K for 3 entries. Then go to the Northern beaches for a tranquil, empty, sandy paradise beach – such as Batu Lawang Beach. Your accommodation can give you a map, but there’s like… one road on the island, haha. The palm trees and gorgeous mountains you’ll see on the way were my personal highlight!

DISCOVER DESERTED BEACHES

Whilst there are many beaches to choose from, and you can’t go wrong, the Western shores are a great place to spend an afternoon. They have names like Pokemon Beach and Barakuda Beach. Ask your accommodation to recommend a great beach as I reckon it changes a lot depending on the season and how busy it is.

Also worth a stop is Pantai Ulung Gelam (where I took the below sunset photo) or Pantai Batu Topeng – they’re right next to each other. Check with your accommodation the best spot for sunset, depending on the month you visit!

For full information about Karimunjawa, eco-travel advice, and many more activities, view my guide here:

Karimunjawa Guide – Costs, Example Itinerary & Things to Do

Where to stay in Karimunjawa?

Hostel: As mentioned before, I stayed in Bodhi Tree Hostel and absolutely loved it. With a restaurant, cute interior, and super friendly staff who will book island tours for you, it’s the best hostel I ever stayed in. Despite being so popular, it was quiet at night, too! Dorms from $5pn, private rooms from $16pn.

Hotel: Ayu Hotel Karimunjawa has absolutely gorgeous, air-conditioned rooms with garden views and a blend of Javanese and modern designs. Tours can be booked onsite. From $35pn.

Unique: For budget-friendly floating bungalows, Karimunjawa gives you the opportunity to live in luxury without the expense of the Maldives. Stay at the solar-powered Floating Paradise , overlooking the ocean and mountains from your terrace. Kayak from the pier or book tours and transport with your friendly hosts. From $72pn including breakfast and dinner.

TRAVEL – KARIMUNJAWA TO MALANG

There are many ways to get across the country from Karimunjawa to Malang … and they’re all a bit of a headache. Personally, I took a ferry from Karimunjawa to Jepara , a shared taxi from Jepara to Semarang Bus Station, a local bus from Semarang to Surabaya, annnnddd finally (after staying overnight and having a lie-in), a local bus from Surabaya to Malang .

If you value comfort and stability while travelling, then service of private transfer might be an excellent choice. Check out this option in Surabaya & Malang.

Once again, if you’re concerned about getting from Karimunjawa , there’s plenty of advice and reassurance in my guide here: How to get to and from Karimunjawa , Java’s Paradise Island

EAST JAVA ITINERARY

Yass, finally our Java holiday itinerary really gets going!! Yep, you heard that right. Borobudur and Karimunjawa aren’t even close to being the best of what Java offers!

I highly recommend incorporating rest days into the East Java travel guide. It’s full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences so make sure you’re not too tired to enjoy them all.

MALANG (3 DAYS)

I based myself in MALANG when first arriving in East Java. Malang is a fantastic access point for many attractions in East Java. You can easily reach Malang by share car, train or by arriving at its easily accessible bus station.

Before heading to East Java’s unique natural gems, in the town itself are three beautiful colourful villages you can check out during your stay.

KAMPUNG BIRU aka ‘BLUE VILLAGE’

The whole village was painted blue in support of the Malang football team! It’s worth taking time to walk around and spot all the gorgeous street art that’s on display.

KAMPUNG WARNA WARNI JODIPAN and KAMPUNG TRIDI aka ‘RAINBOW VILLAGE’

The entire village is painted in different colours, even the bridge that crosses the river and each individual step. From what I understand, this was a poor slum area. PR students from the University of Malang proposed this colourful initiative to a local paint company. They hoped tourism would positively affect the people who live here since they could sell snacks and entrance tickets.

Entry is only 3000 IDR to each village – that’s around just 0.30 AUD or 0.15 GBP!

Where to eat in Malang:

• the night market is a great budget option. I got veggie food here for 8K IDR .
• Local warungs will always have similarly budget options, or 20K – 30K IDR for a huge meal
• Java Dancer Coffee – I got pancakes here for 25k. Also, they had good Western coffee, and I could sit with my laptop for hours on end on my recommended rest day.

TEMPUK SEWU WATERFALL

(DAY TRIP FROM MALANG )

Before I arrived in Malang , I couldn’t work out how to get to Tumpak Sewu and highly doubted I’d make it. I’d seen photos of an incredible waterfall that was very much on my radar but seemed impossible to get to as a solo traveller. Thankfully, once I arrived in Malang, I realised it would be easy!

The trek down to Tumpak Sewu:

The trek is quite intense, with ladders attached to the mountainside and not a clear pathway. I recommend booking a local guide for the trek down if you’re not an experienced hiker or travelling alone. Tread very carefully and make sure ropes are correctly attached to the rock face before relying on them to hold your balance.

It’s worth the effort, though! Photos don’t do Tumpak Sewu Waterfall justice, particularly as the enormous amount of spray will drench not just yourself but also your phone camera! It was the closest I’ve got to feeling like I’d made it to a fantasy movie set, and it felt exhilarating to be up close to such a vast , roaring waterfall.

It’s also worth visiting Goa Tetes Waterfall while you’re there, as it’s about a 5-minute walk from the bottom of Tumpak Sewu ! It’s signposted .

Not done with waterfalls yet? Kipas Biru Waterfall is just a short drive away! This third waterfall is genuinely optional, and you may well find yourself done with trekking after Tumpak Sewu. It was steep to get down to Kipas Biru at times, but it was easier than the first trek as it felt much safer.

• If you’re solo, you can get a scooter driver/guide for the full day who will speak English and show you the best spots. He will take you to all three of the locations for 350K IDR . (Potentially negotiable.) Pricey but I think it’s great this option exists! You can book this in person through Malang Mador Hostel (amazingly friendly staff) or most likely elsewhere too
• Solo backpackers and groups alike can get a SHARED CAR – between all passengers this will be around 500-600K IDR . I’ve done many hikes but I gotta say I’m glad I had company on this one.

Where to rent a car?

Rentalcars is a service with user-friendly interface, affordable car prices and availability.

Tumpak Sewu is a 2.5-hour drive from Malang .

Full information on this three waterfall day trip, more info on how to get there and what the trek down is really like (including more photos) on my complete Tumpak Sewu guide and how to get there .

MOUNT BROMO SUNRISE

This is it, guys – my favourite activity in six months of exploring Asia, let alone on my Java itinerary. Have you ever wanted to see something so bad that you believe, when you finally do, it’ll never meet your expectations? Mt Bromo exceeded them.

WHY VISIT BROMO AT SUNRISE?

Bromo is 2300m high, but it is just one peak in an active volcanic complex known as Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. The highest peak is Mount Semeru , at an enormous 3676m. Together, they form one of the most otherworldly landscapes you may ever see .

A shared rickety 4×4 jeep picked me up from my hostel at 3:30 am. Our first stop was to see the sunrise from Mount Penanjakan sunrise spot. Finally, I could fully appreciate how alien the volcanic peaks appeared under the morning glow, each jutting out from a flat plateau.

TIP: don’t fancy a tour? You can also DIY it. Check out my complete Bromo guide below. (Though I was happy with my chilled, budget tour as a solo traveller!)

MORE ACTIVITIES AT MOUNT BROMO:

After sunrise, I felt like I was on the moon while playing on the ‘sea of sands’. Finally, we relaxed at Bukit Teletubbies – this expanse of green felt so strange after the barren landscape before it!

Bromo was an UNFORGETTABLE experience. I’ve gone into a lot of detail about my whole personal experience in my dedicated Bromo post (where truly I wanted to keep my unforgettable memories of this place safe!), as well as giving you more information on how to book and what to prepare:

Mount Bromo at Sunrise – An Otherworldly Experience

If you wish to book a tour to visit Mount Bromo, you can see some examples here.

As impressive as Mt Bromo was, Java still had one more trick up its sleeve…

TRAVEL – MALANG TO BANYUWANGI

You can take a direct train for this route. Mine left Malang just before 4pm and arrived in Banyuwangi just before midnight. My hostel host kindly picked me up from the station. When arriving in Banyuwangi, get some rest after checking into your accommodation. Then book a tour to Mt Ijen or arrange transportation. From Banyuwangi , you will partake in your last Java activity…

IJEN SUNRISE HIKE

Uh, yeah, sorry, it’s another sunrise! Didn’t I mention the East Java itinerary was intense? But there’s more than one reason to hike up Ijen at night… it’s worth the early start to see the natural phenomenon of the blue flame.

Typically, you will leave Banyuwangi around midnight to make sure you have time to hike up the volcano to see both the blue flame and the sunrise over the sulfur crater. The natural phenomenon is caused by the combustion of sulfuric gases in contact with air at temperatures above 360°C, and you’ll be provided with a gas mask.

YOUR LAST SUNRISE IN JAVA:

You’ll then continue your hike up Mt Ijen to see the sunrise over the sulphur lake. The turquoise sulphur lake is 2148m above sea level and is the largest acidic lake in the world.

Tours can cost anything from 500000 IDR – 2500000 IDR (the most expensive often have an extra activity such as a waterfall).

For my personal experience hiking Mt Ijen and all the information you need to visit, you can read my complete guide here: HIKING IJEN AT SUNRISE – Travel advice for seeing a natural phenomenon – East Java

Here are some photos of what you can expect your last moments in Java to look like. Not bad, huh?

Where to say in Malang?

Onwards travel from banyuwangi.

Banyuwangi is the usual access point for Mt Ijen, and the town is accessible by ferry from West Bali or train throughout Java. If you’re starting a Java trip from this Eastern point (making this the first natural stop on your itinerary), the nearest airport is Semarang. You can book buses and trains to Banyuwangi from 12Go Asia .

HOW TO GET AROUND JAVA

Shared cars:.

You can usually book a seat on a shared car/minivan for travel between major destinations. Ask your accommodation if this is possible for getting to your next destination. I took a convenient shared car on my Yogyakarta – Karimunjawa route. Super handy!

PRIVATE CARS:

Suitable for those on a higher budget, this will give you complete control of your itinerary. You can book private cars for both day trips and multi-day trips. Prices will vary hugely depending on the distance/time required each day… and how comfortable you are with bartering with a local!

I found booking local bus journeys very easy, and they helpfully run to and from towns/cities throughout the country. I booked tickets directly at the bus stations. Buses tend to leave when full (but will fill up quick on routes between major cities).

It’s quite an experience, especially for journeys that could be many hours long! Prepare for cramped seats, locals jumping on and off the bus selling various items or even singing in the aisles… Don’t expect to get much sleep or see many other Westerners (I was the only backpacker on mine). That said, I recommend doing this at least once. I’m genuinely glad I did! A great budget option too.

Head to 12 Go to book onwards train journeys. A little more comfortable than the bus and still a great budget option. Perhaps cramped, but you’ll have your own reasonably comfortable seat.

ORGANISED TOURS:

A popular option for people coming from Bali (who often just do Bromo/ Ijen at a high cost) I’d recommend day tours but otherwise think they are unnecessary. Java is a beautiful , chaotic, friendly country, and there’s much to be gained by braving the local transport at least once!

Saying that, I DO recommend a day or even multi-day tour (if your budget allows) for part of your trip. With so many extensive travel days, it can help get an easy ride to Borobudur or Bromo! Particularly for solo travellers or families.

INNER CITY TAXIS:

I did small inner-city trips using go-jek when it was too far (or hot) to walk for as little as 3K IDR per journey – aka very cheap. Before you arrive, download the app, which is basically a super-budget Uber.

Day hire is easy for around 50/60K and is excellent for areas such as Karimunjawa or Yogyakarta. I do NOT recommend using scooters for the entire journey if you’re not experienced – you know Java is enormous, right? – or are solo travellers .

TRAVEL SUSTAINABLY IN JAVA

To avoid using plastic bottles in Southeast Asia , I used a Water To Go bottle.

The filters used in their BPA free water bottles are created based on technology originally developed for the NASA space programme. These provide safe water from any non-salt water source in the world.

Read more on their website and use the code HAG15 if you like what you see to get 15% off.

I really hope my 2 week Java itinerary was helpful! Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. Thank you!

Share this:

Hi, I'm Cassie, and I've been solo travelling the globe since May 2018. In this time, I've backpacked around Southeast Asia, Japan and The Balkans, alongside living in New Zealand and Australia. Current location? Mexico

What to read next

Things to do in Nusa Penida plus 2-3 day itinerary

10 days in flores itinerary – maumere, ende, komodos.

1 – 4 day Yogyakarta Itinerary – Jogja things to do and travel tips!

23 comments.

Amazing Java travel guide with stunning photos! I love Indonesia and have been curious about Java. Great job and Thank you!

Wonderful Java travel guide!! Indonesia is such a mystery to me. I look forward to be able to explore it all one day!! Great photos!

I haven’t explored much about Java or Indonesia. Looks beautiful for a couples getaway.

I’m embarrassed I have never heard of Java…nor did I know it is in Indonesia… your photos are beautiful and it motivated me to add Java to my list… looks like a lot of history and natural beauty- I’d spend most of my time outdoors!

Love this comprehensive Java Itinerary & 2-week Travel Guide. So much to do and see…would love to hike here and explore the islands and deserted beaches especially.

Malang was so unique and there is SO much to see in Java/Indonesia for sure.

thanks so much Elle. I loved Java.

This is such a great guide and I love your photos! I really want to visit Kampung Biru.

Java looks amazing! I always hear people write about more common places in Indonesia, but I am so happy to read about somewhere different. Malang especially looks incredible – so colorful!

Ahh thank you, hope this comes in handy if you do

Aww thank you! I don’t think I’ve taken as good photos since ha ha

I really love how informative this post is. I’ve visited Bali in 2018 and would love to go back to Bali and visit Java during that time as well!

I’m really impressed with the quality of your photography – you have a real eye!

Indonesia is huge so totally understandable that we have to do it in bits ❤️

It was an awesome solo travel experience

Aw hope it comes in handy if you go x

This itinerary sounds amazing! Really wish I had more time when I was visiting Bali to make a trip out to Jakarta. Will have to make it happen next time.

Java has been on my list for long. You have given so much info Cassie. Thanks.

I visited Java, solo, a few years ago and loved it. It was such a great experience. Thank you for sharing it.

Bromo is somewhere soo worth the tourism because it is so epic it rises far above the crowds. Definitely recommend Java and Bromo!

Really hoping to make it here in 2020. Mount Bromo looks so exciting to me!

Ahh Melis, would be soo worth it if you were still in Asia! Xx

This place looks an absolute dream! If only I still lived a short flight away in Singapore. It seems like the kind of trip that has absolutely everything you could want – so much variety. Definitely one for the bucket list! Melis

Join the discussion Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Wonderful 1 Week East Java Itinerary: Temples, Volcanoes and Waterfalls

• 1 DISCOVER YOUR INDONESIA
• 2.1 Borobudur Temple
• 2.2 Prambanan Temple
• 2.3.1 Frequently Asked Questions: Yogyakarta
• 3 Day 4: Madakaripura Waterfall
• 4.0.1 Frequently Asked Questions: Mount Bromo
• 5 Day 6: Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, Goa Tetes Waterfall, Kapas Biru Waterfall
• 6.0.1 FAQ: Kawah Ijen Crater
• 7.1 Pulau Merah (Red Island Beach)
• 7.2 Tanjung Papuma (Papuma Beach)
• 7.3 Kabut Pelangi Waterfall
• 7.4 Jordipan Colourful Rainbow Village
• 8 East Java itinerary FAQ

If you were ever in doubt about Indonesia, East Java Indonesia has no shortage of incredibly scenic landscapes, volcanoes, temples, waterfalls, and loads of Javanese culture.

If you’re looking at an Indonesia map for the first time, It’s easy to get overwhelmed . There are 7 main regions (Java, Kalimantan, Sumatra, Lesser Sunda Islands, Maluku, and Western New Guinea), With Java being the most populated island.

Java Indonesia consists of Central Java, West Java, and East Java where the ‘must see’ attractions ( volcanoes , waterfalls , temples , etc.) are extensive! but in this article, I’ll focus on an East Java itinerary that will show you only the best the island has to offer in a 1-week itinerary AND some bonus destinations if you have a few more days to spare.

TRAVELIST TIP: If you’re starting your trip from Jakarta or West Java Indonesia, Indonesia’s Central Java attractions should not be overlooked.  We started in Yogyakarta . I love to travel in Central Java because it hosts the wonderful culturally rich city of Yogyakarta and is the perfect place to start your journey of the attractions in Java island Indonesia.

DISCOVER YOUR INDONESIA

Get 4 FREE INDONESIAN TRAVEL ITINERARIES for: The Adventurer, The Eclectic, the Culture Buff and The Beachy Island hopper – JUST SUBSCRIBE & DOWNLOAD

I HATE spam too and respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Day 1 to 3: Yogyakarta

In Yogyakarta , you will find two of the most coveted tourist destinations in Indonesia: P rambanan Temple and Borobudur Temple  Java Indonesia. Both these monuments are UNESCO World Heritage sites and are vastly different in their structure and design.

HOW TO GET TO YOGYAKARTA

Yogyakarta is centrally located so getting there is easy with a variety of options via BUS, TRAIN & FLIGHT

JAKARTA to YOGYAKARTA 🚌🚅✈️

BALI to YOGYAKARTA ✈️

SURABAYA to YOGYAKARTA 🚅✈️

Borobudur Temple

Borobudur Central Java Indonesia is the LARGEST BUDDHIST TEMPLE IN THE WORLD! How interesting that in a vast majority Muslim country, you’d find the largest Buddhist monument in the world ! It just shows you the cultural diversity of Java as well as the beauty of different religions living in unison in the country.

RELATED READ: Borobudur Java Indonesia Temple at sunrise + 6 Factors to consider before buying your ticket

The sheer size of the temple Borobudur Java Indonesia is a sight to behold. One can effortlessly spend a good 3 to 4 hours walking the grounds and ascending the tiers to finally reach the stupas. As this infamous tourist spot in Indonesia is extremely popular , there is the option to visit for a Borobudur sunrise tour or during regular hours.

The sunrise tour affords you the ability to see the sun rising over the Borobudur compounds which is great for photography purposes. It’s a super early start especially if you aren’t staying near the temples.

Prambanan Temple

The island of Java Indonesia also hosts an equally beautiful Hindu masterpiece, Prambanan, which was also awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.

RELATED READ: Prambanan Temple Yogyakarta: A Hindu Masterpiece in Indonesia

Characterized by spine-like features, unlike Borobudur, Prambanan temple suffered more significant wrath from the Mount Merapi volcano, as you will still see rubble and debris of the ancient stone yet to be restored to Prambanan temple.

TRAVELIST TIP: If you’re short on time, Both these temples can be visited on the same day , especially if you are doing a Borobudur at sunrise, Java Indonesia is incredibly hot so sunrise is a brilliant option to escape the humidity of the afternoon. Prambanan temple is also favoured to be visited from late afternoon into early evening for sunset.

More Activities in Yogyakarta

TOP 1 DAY YOGYAKARTA TOUR PICK

The Temples and Volcano Tour

5-Star Rated | “The best organizer I ever met. Always on schedule, top activities, top private car, and very kind!”

🌄Sunrise at Borobudur Temple

🚙Jeep Volcano Tour of Mount Merapi

🛕Prambanan Temple Tour

➡️Check Pricing and Availability for the Temples & Volcano Tour

There are some wonderful other places to visit in Yogyakarta but depending on your schedule you may have to pick and choose what you can and can’t do:

🏖️ Timang Beach

🔦 Jomblang Cave

🍦 Try Tempo Gelato

🌃 Experience Yogyakarta at night

Frequently Asked Questions: Yogyakarta

There are 3 main options for travelling around Java and Yogyakarta specifically: Taxi, hire a driver/car or bike, or use a tour company. USE a TOUR COMPANY (MY TOP PICK): The even more effortless option is to use a tour company (and is my recommendation). There are plenty of affordable tour options  that literally takes all the hassle and fuss out of navigating and travelling to these stunning locales. Hire a car and driver: (2ND PICK) Having a car and driver literally gives you the flexibility to do everything on your own time and without any schedule. >> Check out availability The taxi option is as simple as ordering an UBER, In Indonesia, it’s called GRAB. Hiring a motorcycle is only for those who have experience riding a motorcycle in Southeast Asia. The traffic is insane, and the other motorcycle drivers don’t follow the rules of the road, so If you don’t have this experience under your belt. You obviously need to have a driver’s licence and Make sure you also have INCREDIBLE TRAVEL INSURANCE.

I don’t have a preference here because I suggest doing Borobudur at Sunrise and Prambanan at sunset, so they could be done on the same day or separate days, but there is plenty more to see in Yogyakarta so I suggest spending at least two days in the city.

There are plenty of hotels to choose from in Yogyakarta. These are some of my recommended picks in the city centre: Greenhost Boutique hotel , The Phoenix Hotel , Grand Aston , Hotel Tentrem , The 101 Yogyakarta Tugu Hotel

From Central Java, It’s time to make your way to Jawa Timur Indonesia  (East Java province in Bahasa Indonesian)

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:  We opted to use a train from Yogyakarta to Surabaya and had a tour company fetch us from Surabaya train station. Our East Java road trip began and ended in Surabaya, but depending on where you’re staying will determine your route .

HOW TO GET TO SURABAYA

I’d recommend it by train or flight. The train tickets may take longer, but they are comfortable and cost-effective. I did however notice that if you book flights early enough in Indonesia, you’ll find great deals, and there is also the option to grab a flight that costs the same as a first-class train ticket. We chose Surabaya because it was a larger city and had more travel options compared to East Java Malang.

YOGYAKARTA to SURABAYA 🚅✈️

JAKARTA to SURABAYA 🚌🚅✈️

BALI to SURABAYA ✈️

>>🗺️Check out this East Java Map to see where we’re heading

Day 4: Madakaripura Waterfall

I’ve truly never seen a waterfall anything like it . Madakaripura Waterfall East Java Indonesia is a towering waterfall that creates a beautiful curtain of mist and enriches the ever-growing moss of the cavernous rock face.

READ THE FULL POST: The Most Enchanting Waterfall – Madakaripura Waterfall Indonesia East Java

It was one of the most enchanting places I’ve ever seen. The walk into visiting Madakaripura is an easy journey but if you hadn’t researched it before, you have no idea what to expect and I still feel typing these words I cannot do it justice.

It took my breath away!

You will get wet, but who cares when you’re in this magical place? This unusual Malang waterfall created some incredible vertical panoramic shots. The walk through the cleared jungle path was also delightful.

TRAVELIST TIP:  So as you can see in the picture above, we’re in raincoats/ponchos. we actually weren’t as prepared for what to wear before we reached the destination. But there were plenty of vendors, selling, umbrellas, swimwear, raincoats etc. on the path to the waterfall so if you’re not keen to get super soaked – support the local vendors on route

THE TOUR WE BOOKED

We did this leg of the trip as a Private Multiday 3 Day 2 Night Trip from Surabaya (ending at Ketapang harbour). We visited Mount Bromo Volcano, Tumpak Sewu Waterfall and Kawah Ijen Crater Lake volcano >> BOOK THIS TOUR

Private 3D2N Mount Bromo Volcano, Tumpak Sewu Waterfall and Ijen Volcano Tour

🚗Private airconditioned transport

🗣️English-speaking driver

🚙Private 4WD Jeep for Bromo sunrise and crater visit

🚶‍♂️Local trekking guide at all sites

🛌 Accommodation 1 night in Banyuwangi and Mount Bromo area

🚢Ferry ticket

➡️CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY for 3D2N Bromo, Ijen and Tumpak Sewu Tour

🚘 GETTING TO CEMORO LAWANG:  

From Madakaripura Waterfall to Mount Bromo location is quite a drive, but it’s interesting to ride through the East Java island countryside . You’ll also note a significant temperature drop as you ascend to the higher elevation .

After visiting Madakaripura waterfall you will drive to the visit of Cemoro Lawang which is the closest village to Mount Bromo . There are a number of hotels, hostels, and homestays in the area and I highly suggest staying as close to the entrance to the Bromo National Park entrance as possible because again this is one of the most famous places in Indonesia to visit some there will be plenty of locals too that have made the journey to visit this spectacular natural wonder!

Day 5: Mount Bromo

Mount Bromo at sunrise along with the climb up to the crater rim was ultimately the travel experience that inspired me to take the risk and embrace my passion for travelling and start this blog.

That is how memorable visiting Mount Bromo is.

I’ve yet to find a person who can disagree with that statement. If this is the first time you’ll be visiting an active volcano you’ll realise how bucket list-worthy this moment is.

READ THE FULL POST: Mount Bromo Sunrise hike + 7 Reasons you have to Visit

Visiting Mount Bromo for sunrise is one of the most popular East Java attractions. The Bromo sunrise is best seen from Mount Penanjakan and then after sunrise, you head to Mount Bromo itself and take a short hike (walk up a series of stairs and across a sea of sand/ash) to the crater rim.

At the crater rim, you can literally see the smoke coming off the sulfur and it’s pretty safe. This is truly one of my favourite volcanoes in Java Indonesia.

After summiting the crater, the tour guides will drop you off at your accommodation to shower and refresh, grab some breakfast (since it’s still breakfast time), and then you’ll head off to your next destination.

Looking for more Mount Bromo Tour options?

READ: How to Choose the Best Mount Bromo Tour for You + My Recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions: Mount Bromo

Most certainly yes, this is definitely nothing like a true hike or scaling a mountain . It’s literally just walking across some sand and then up some stairs , It’s not even a full day trip you only need half the day to view sunrise and climb up to the crater rim.  

I would not consider Mount Bromo to be dangerous. There is no technical climbing involved. I would suggest you keep up to date with the volcanic activity leading up to your trip. This can be monitored at the Volcano Discovery website

I would recommend staying in Cemoro Lawang, Probolinggo, Java Indonesia. The reason for this is because you’ll be closest to the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park entrance, so you will be one of the firsts to get to the sunrise viewpoint. These are my recommended accommodations in Probolinggo East Java Indonesia: Hotel Jiwa Java , Hotel Java Banana Bromo Resort , Cemara Indah , Cafe Lava Hostel,

TOUR FROM BALI

Private 3 Day 2 night Tour From Bali: Bromo, Ijen and Tumpak Sewu

🚗Private air-conditioned transport

💦Local guide and entrance fees at Tumpak Sewu Waterfall

🚶‍♂️Local trekking guide at Mount Ijen

🎟️Entrance fee for Mount Bromo and Ijen

🛌 Accommodation 1 night in Cemoro Lawang, Hotel 1 night in Bondowoso

➡️CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY for 3D2N Bromo, Ijen and Tumpak Sewu Tour FROM BALI

🚘 GETTING FROM BROMO TO TUMPAK SEWU WATERFALL:  

After taking in the breathtaking beauty of Bromo Mountain Indonesia, you’ll wonder if it can get any better. It will and does.

The drive through Bromo Tengger Semeru National is stunning. As mentioned we did this through a tour company making it a literally effortless trip.

Day 6: Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, Goa Tetes Waterfall, Kapas Biru Waterfall

As you can see Java has no shortage of natural beauty. Possibly the most famous East Java waterfall is Tumpak Sewu Waterfall  Indonesia, but just in its immediate vicinity is Goa Tetes waterfall, and a few kilometres away you’ll find Kapas Biru Waterfall.

Tumpak Sewu is an incredible mammoth 120 m tall waterfall in an amphitheatre-style rockface cascading down into the gauge. It’s beautiful to see from two viewpoints.

Want to learn more about this incredible adventure to the waterfall East Java holds? READ: Tumpak Sewu Waterfalls in East Java

The panoramic view is easily accessible and only a few metres from the entrance, then you descend into the gorge which is a bit more of a treacherous journey. The path involves walking down some make-shift mud stairs and handrails made of not-very-sturdy bamboo  so I’d strongly suggest you wear some grip sandals or aqua boots.

When you do reach the bottom it’s a great scene and there is a constant mist in the air which creates a simply magical atmosphere. This is truly one of my favourite East Java Indonesia waterfalls.

Just left to the turn of reaching the gorge of Tumpak Sewu waterfall East Java Indonesia is the short path to Goa Tetes waterfall. It’s a lovely bonus and even more so because you can stand under these smaller gushing falls which is incredibly refreshing!

Just another 5.5 km away is a third beautiful waterfall called Kapas Biru. It’s also not the easiest path to walk through to get to but if you have a bit of extra time, it’s worth a visit. 

These waterfalls are high up on our list of East Java destinations which truly proves that the Indonesian Island East of Java has a lot on offer.

Day 7: Kawah Ijen Crater

Another of the highly recommended things to do in East Java is Kawah Ijen Crater . It’s certainly one of my East Java highlights. We arrived in Bondowoso at 17:00 and left for Kawah Ijen Crater at 23:30 that same evening.

Why those crazy arrival and departure times?

Well for many visiting this unique destination, you have to be up at the crater edge at a particular time (the early dark hours of the morning before dawn) to view the infamous Ijen East Java blue fire flames.

RELATED READ: East Java trip to Mount Ijen Crater Volcano with blue fire guide

Kawah Ijen East Java Indonesia is literally one of the few places in the entire world where you’ll be able to see this phenomenon. So when I say this is once in a lifetim e, I mean it! T here is a very small likelihood that you will see this in your lifetime.

The ascent again, one wouldn’t typically term a hike , but a very steep dark walk. It pretty much is paved the entire way up, but you really don’t realize how steep it is when you’re walking in the dark. I consider myself relatively fit and I was quite happy to stop a good few times to catch my breath whilst walking up to Kawah Ijen Volcano java Indonesia.

When you reach the top, it’s still pitch dark and that’s when it’s time to see the blue flames. The flames are produced due to the gases produced from the sulfur catching alight means that there is no guarantee that on your trip you will get to see it unfortunately and it will also never be consistent on what the size of the flames will be at Mt Ijen East Java

We did manage to see some flames but they were small . It was still incredible, but gosh it was quite windy up there, and it is icy cold. Then there is the wait till sunrise, but you’ll find a number of guides that make small campfires in and around the crater rim (although you don’t realise where the crater is because it’s still pitch dark).

I clung to the campfires as if my life depended on it, I had to be peeled away to go to the sunrise cliff face to actually watch it. But on that point, when the light starts to uncover the surroundings, your jaw will drop .

Throughout the darkness, you literally have no idea what has been behind you the entire time. A monumental turquoise sulfuric lake. It is an overwhelming presence once you see it! It’s also the largest sulfuric lake in the world – should you need more convincing on why you need to visit. This definitely needs to be on the list of places to visit in East Java.

FAQ: Kawah Ijen Crater

This totally depends on you or your tour company. I did not mind staying in Bondowoso, but only realised after that Banyuwangi was slightly closer which means I could’ve slept a bit longer. Either option still involves waking up extremely early.    

Most definitely yes! It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see the blue fire. 

This makes the most sense logistically because it’s the closest destination in East Java to Bali. There are also plenty of tours that start from Bali and explore East Java with the first stop being Kawah Ijen.

I don’t think you need to be a regular gym-goer to visit Kawah Ijen. The walk up to the crater rim is very steep, but you can do this at your own pace and the surface is paved and clear. 

There are options to stay in Banyuwangi or Bondowoso. These are my recommended accommodation options for Kawah Ijen: Ijen View Hotel , Ijen Resort and Villas Banyuwangi , Ijen Cliff Resort , Grand Padis Hotel , Mi Casa Guesthouse Banyuwangi

Now if you want to stop here, the above is a great 1 week East Java itinerary. However, there are still plenty of East Java points of interest that I haven’t mentioned.

There are plenty more East Java tourist attractions as well as some undiscovered gems.

GETTING BACK TO SURABAYA: From Kawah Ijen , you can drive back to Surabaya and take a train or flight back to Jakarta/Bali and back to your home. The other option which is fairly popular is to take a ferry at Ketapang port to Bali to start your island-hopping journey.

RELATED READ: The Ultimate 2021 Bali Bucket List

If you want to continue seeing what East Java has to offer whilst you make your way back to Malang or Surabaya let’s add a couple more days so you check out some other highlights below:

East Java Bonus Destinations

Pulau merah (red island beach).

Not as well known as the other attractions in East Java, but definitely a photo-worthy moment. The sand has a pinkish-red hue to it, similar to what you would see on Pink Beach in Komodo Islands National Park.

It’s a great place to relax on the beach, but also has the option to stay overnight. It’s a very good surfing destination (so I’m told) . The beach can be reached by car or motorbike from Banyuwangi and is approximately 60 km away.

Tanjung Papuma (Papuma Beach)

This is a gorgeous little gem tucked in on the southern coastlines of East Java. What makes this beautiful beach worth a visit is its iconic islets. The waters are a stunning crystal blue which reminded me of the Philippines along with the beautiful colourful boats littered along the shores waiting to eagerly take you o ut and about among the rocky islets.

It’s a popular beach and does not lend itself to much privacy but the backdrop is wonderful for laying on the beach enjoying a festive atmosphere with plenty of stalls and restaurants to cater to patrons.

Kabut Pelangi Waterfall

Another waterfall? Could one ever tire of these? NEVER!

Honestly, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to these as far as Indonesian attractions are concerned. The name loosely translates as rainbow mist waterfall. The trek to the waterfall is not as easily marked and distinct as that for Madakaripura and Tumpak Sewu.

It’s not technically difficult either but may take some time to reach the main waterfall, as you will pass smaller ones before you get there, but don’t be fooled, you need to trek on ! Extremely photogenic and a must if you have a few more days to play with in Java

Jordipan Colourful Rainbow Village

As far as Instagram is concerned, this is truly picture perfect! If you’re in East Java Malang you need to make sure you check out this stunning gem within the city which bursts with literally all the colours of the rainbow.

This area of Malang is what was once a ‘slum area’ but a group of students took on an assignment to bring the village back to life through colour. Their efforts were incredibly successful in turning this village into a bustling tourist attraction for locals and foreigners alike!

The village is divided into two sections separated by a river, it costs ONLY IDR 3000 to enter (approximately 0.21 USD) to enter either side. On the other side of the river is the Blue Village (a village completely painted all blue) called Kampung Biru Arema.

TRAVELIST TIP: Some of the other places not listed in the 1 week East Java Itinerary could possibly be added in during the one week but it would be a push . It would involve literally no rest and this itinerary already is quite packed. I’d strongly suggest rather visiting these other places on your way back from Kawah Ijen to Malang or Surabaya East Java Indonesia. If you are headed to Bali after Kawah Ijen, then you may need to re-think the order of your activities.

Discuss with a tour guide and driver because the locals know their lands and roads best and will offer you the best solution to make sure you get to see all these attractions in Indonesia’s East Java.

East Java itinerary FAQ

I recommend visiting just out of the rainy season which is the end of April beginning of May. Indonesia has two seasons Wet season from November to mid-April and Dry season from End of April to November.

Surabaya, Malang, Probolinggo, Bondowoso, Banyuwangi, Jember and Lumajang. The major cities are Surabaya and Malang with airports and more train option s.   

Indonesia has 3 time zones. East java time is the same as Jakarta (GMT+7).  

Day 1: Jakarta Day 2-4: Yogyakarta Day 5: Madakaripura Waterfall and Jordipan Village Day 6: Mount Bromo Day 7: Tumpak Sewu , Goa Tetes, Kapas Biru Day 8: Kawah Ijen crater Day 9: Red Island Banyuwangi Day 10: Tanjung Papuma Beach

Bali is sometimes the destination where travellers are starting instead of Jakarta. I would then opt to do the above list in reverse order by starting with Kawah Ijen and ending with Yogyakarta. If not, you can get to Yogyakarta from Bali in two ways. Option 1: Fly from Bali to Yogyakarta Option 2: Bali to Yogyakarta train journey . This will involve a ferry and train option . In Bali head to Gilimanuk Port, Take the Ferry to Ketapang, the train station is a short walk away, then take the train to Banyuwangi station. From here you can head to Mount Ijen with a tour company or head to Yogyakarta by train which is a 12-hour journey.

It’s a hard no, from me. However, if you’re short on time the Indonesia Travel Itinerary 1 week East Java option is a good one for a diversity of sights. Unfortunately, It’s pretty much impossible to cram all of Indonesia into one week . There are over 17 000+ islands that make up the country so you’d need months to see the whole of Indonesia . In one week you can probably just visit East Java or Bali and Nusa Islands .

Affiliate Disclosure : Some of the links in the article have affiliate links,  what this means is , if you click a link and make a purchase; I may earn some money to buy a coffee  (woohoo!) . Thanks for the support, I’d love to keep making this content freely available to all. As always opinions and thoughts remain my own.

ARE YOU INSPIRED BY THIS EAST JAVA TRAVEL GUIDE ?

Excited to visit East Java or have you visited already? I’d love to hear from you. Any places you think should be added to the list? Comment in the section below!

2 thoughts on “Wonderful 1 Week East Java Itinerary: Temples, Volcanoes and Waterfalls”

Found this very useful! Do you think I can drive to these places myself and do I need a tour guide for each place? If so how do I go about getting one (without pre booking online) is it easy just showing up and getting a local guide? Thanks so much

Hi Keaton! So glad that you found the article useful 🙂 I’d certainly say for the waterfalls getting a guide on-site is pretty easy (literally can request at the ticket office). For the Mout Bromo and KAwah Ijen, I would probably suggest getting hold of someone in the city the night before (maybe by asking at the local hotel etc.) I think its a bit trickier for those hikes as they happen super early in the morning so best to have someone prepared to meet you either at your hotel or at the entrance. Hope that helps?

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Privacy overview.

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy

What are you looking for?

The ultimate 10 day java travel itinerary.

Java is one of my favourite islands in Indonesia. It has so much to offer, from amazing volcanoes, beautiful beaches, surfing, stunning tea fields and country sides, epic waterfalls and much more. It’s an island that will allow you to experience a variety of amazing things to do in Indonesia, all in one epic island! We spent 10 days in Java, so I thought it would be perfect for me to write a 10 day Java Itinerary to help you plan your adventures. 

So let’s get to it! 

Interactive map of our Java itinerary

Travellerspoint

Our Awesome 10 Day Java Itinerary 

Stop 1: Jakarta: 1 night 

Jakarta is actually the capital of Indonesia, and it’s a great place to start your Java adventures. Since it’s the capital, flights from all over the world are possible here. Plus I actually think Jakarta is a good place to start as you can pick up a sim card, and stock up on any last minute items you may need. The shopping is amazing in Jakarta! 

You’ll only be flying “into” Jakarta, you won’t need to return. You can check Skyscanner for the best flights. 

Where to stay:  Pop! Hotel

Stop 2: Bandung: 2 nights 

It’s super easy to get to Bandung from Jakarta. 

You’ll be pleased to hear that Java has a very very well established train network, so getting through the whole country is easy, cheap and super convenient. As far as trains go, they are modern, comfortable and clean! (much better than the trains I experienced in India). 

We left from Gambir station in Jakarta and it took around 3.5 hours to Bandung, costing around 100,000 IDR (approx $7). 

Bandung is very different to Jakarta. It’s located in West Java, but really the charm in Bandung is once you get out of the main city and head to the highlands where it’s a colder climate which means it’s got some unique and amazing sights. 

Bandung offers beautiful tea fields, an active volcano that you can literally drive up to…..(awesome!), a pretty cool floating market, flower gardens and much much more. It’s the perfect place to rent a moped and just explore the stunning countryside of Java. There are also some really cool “glamping” spots in Bandung, which I didn’t know about before I visited, otherwise I would have stayed in one of those, so now that you know, take full advantage! 

I’ve done a whole guide on great things to do in Bandung. 

2 nights is sufficient to see Bandung, but you’ll probably have to choose between seeing the north or south, if you want both, you may need another night. However, I think north Bandung offers you more. 

Stop 3: Yogyakarta- 3 nights 

Next up, it’s time to visit probably the most famous backpacker destination in Java, Yogyakarta, also known as Jogjakarta. 

You can get to Yogyakarta from Bandung via train, but it does take around 8 hours. I actually found the journey to be quite pleasant, and we just watched movies and relaxed. Now we did our train journey in the day time, so we “lost” a day of sightseeing as such, but that’s included in the itinerary, however you can get an overnight train if you wish. The train costs around 260,000 IDR (approx $19)

Another option is to fly from Bandung to Yogyakarta, which will be more expensive than the train, but it’s actually quite cheap for an internal flight, so if you are short on time, that is another option. 

Yogyakarta is one of my favourite places in all of Java. It’s bursting with amazing things to see, and you’ll need a whole day just to dedicate time to seeing the amazing temples: Borobudur temple and Prambanan temple. I suggest you do a sunrise tour at the former and visiting the latter in the evening. In between you can check out some of the other sights in Yogyakarta city centre. 

You’ll definitely need another day (or more) to explore the countryside of Yogyakarta. Once you rent a moped and drive outwards you’ll discover stunning views, amazing rice paddies, beautiful mountains, beaches and so much more.

Read my guide on the best things to do in Yogyakarta for more inspiration. 

Stop 4: Malang- 3 nights 

Malang is the final stop on our 10 day Java itinerary. Malang is located in East Java and it’s my favorite place to visit in Java. It was amazing. 

Getting to Malang again is very easy from Yogyakarta by train. It takes around 7 hours and costs around 165,000 IDR (approx $12). You can either do an early morning train like Brad and I did, or do an overnight train (although I’m not 100% sure they’re possible!) 

When you get to Malang you’re going to be super busy! You can visit the amazing Jodpian rainbow village, and other city centre sights, but what you really want to do is rent a moped and drive to the amazing waterfalls that surround the city.

A full day is needed to explore Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, and there are many other small waterfalls, tea fields and flower gardens to the east of Malang which require a full day of sightseeing, and then you’re going to want to do an epic Mount Bromo sunrise tour. 

If you only do one thing when you go to Malang, the Mount Bromo sunrise tour should be it, trust me. You can book your tour from Malang right here! 

Read Also: Ultimate Guide On The Best Things To Do In Malang

Total: 9 nights= 10 days in Java! 

You may need to incorporate a few overnight trains into your 10 day Java itinerary, but Bradley and I managed to see it all in this time frame too, so you can too. We were exhausted by the end of it, but it was amazing to get to see and experience so many amazing things on the island of Java. 

Based on our itinerary you can fly out of Malang to your home destination, or even get a train to the city of Surabaya and fly from there.  

If you’re only looking for a 7 day Java Itinerary, then add on a Mount Ijen tour too which is known for the famous “blue crater”, this requires typically an overnight tour to visit this, so I would only suggest this if you’ve got time for 2 weeks in Java. 

Getting around Java

I’ve actually done a post on getting around Indonesia which will help you plan your Java itinerary. However what I will discuss some of your best options for Java below:

• ‍ Train travel: 100% the best way to get around Java is by train. It’s cheap, it’s comfortable, it’s modern, and it’s easy. Everything is electronic based too, so you can book your tickets via an app, scan the app at the train station, get your tickets then pop on the train to your chosen seats. For booking train tickets in Java, we used a website called Tiket which was modern, fast and cheap. Or you can check 12Go Asia who are also brilliant for planning your 10 day Java itinerary.  ‍
• Bus travel: You will be able to get buses to and from different destinations around Java, but since I didn’t use a single bus, I can’t really give you any advice on the experience. I wouldn’t understand why you would choose the bus over train as it will be longer, and whilst it could be slightly cheaper, it would be less comfortable. But if you do want to travel by bus, you can get 12Go Asia to help find seats.  ‍
• Flying : If you’re short on time, or money isn’t an option, then you could fly between destinations. All of the major cities of Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Malang all have airports, and you can fly internally within Java and to other Indonesian islands (and beyond for some airports). Of course flying like that won’t do anything for your carbon footprint, but if you’ve only got a 1 week Java Itinerary in place and want to see it all, then it is an option. Check Skyscanner for the best flights.  ‍
• Moped : One of our initial plans was to rent a moped in Bandung and hopefully drive it all over Java, unfortunately there are laws in the individual states that prevent you from taking a moped out of a particular area, so that dream was crushed! :P But when you are in each destination, you can easily rent a moped to get around. There are places to rent mopeds in all the places I’ve listed on this 10 day Java itinerary.  ‍
• Grab : Grab is available all over the island of Java and it’s an easy way to get around each individual area. Whether you need a lift to your hotel from the train station, or to sights within the city centre, Grab is a great choice. 

I hope you’ve found this 10 day Java Itinerary useful and hopefully it will help you plan your trip! If you’ve got any questions then please drop me a comment below.  ‍

Read Also: 26 Best Things To Do In Java

Leave a comment

Let us know what you think.

5 million people can't be wrong

Atlanta Jazz Festival 2024: Here is what you need to know

I t’s Atlanta Jazz Festival weekend! The festival is one of the largest free jazz festivals in the country and features different jazz artists from all around the world.

Here is what you need to know ahead of the upcoming festival:

Where and when is the Atlanta Jazz Festival?

The 47th Atlanta Jazz Festival will take place at Piedmont Park. The festival is open from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Does it cost anything to enter?

The festival is free to attend.

How do I get to the festival? Where can I park?

Triple Team Traffic’s Mike Shields says festival goers can take a rideshare service or hop on MARTA and get off at the Arts Center or Midtown stations and walk a few blocks. You can also take MARTA bus routes to the park.

There are public parking lots off 13th and 14th Streets, Peachtree Street and Spring Street.

What can and can’t I bring to the jazz festival?

No glass containers, no smoking devices, no bicycles or skates and no grilling.

Due to city ordinances, pets are not allowed inside Piedmont Park for the event. The off-leash dog park though will remain open.

For the full list, click here .

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks ]

Who is performing?

1 p.m. - New Jazz Underground

3 p.m. - Sullivan Fortner

5 p.m. - Butcher Brown

7 p.m. - Cécile McLorin Salvant

9 p.m. - Something Else!

1 p.m. - Okan

2:15 p.m. -Lauren Henderson

3:30 p.m. - Luca Ciarla Trio

5 p.m. - CJacquest Schwarz-Bart

7 p.m. - Olatuja

9 p.m. - Paquito D’Rivera

1 p.m. - Justice Michael & The Passage

3 p.m. - Kels

5 p.m. - Groove Centric

7 p.m. - André 3000: New Blue Sun Live

9 p.m. - Lizz Wright

MORE THINGS TO DO:

• PHOTOS: Costumed characters to fill Atlanta this weekend for MomoCon
• PHOTOS: The magic of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ returns to Atlanta Botanical Garden
• State park seen in blockbuster movies offers escape from Atlanta

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter ]

IN OTHER NEWS:

Holocaust museum will host free field trips for eighth graders in New York City public schools

NEW YORK — A Holocaust museum in New York City will offer free educational field trips to eighth grade students in public schools in a program announced Thursday aimed at  combating antisemitism.

The program will allow up to 85,000 students at traditional public schools and charter schools to tour Manhattan’s Museum of Jewish Heritage over the next three years, starting this fall. New York City is the largest school district in the nation, serving more than a million students. Organizers say the museum and the new program have the capacity to host up to one-third of the district’s eighth graders each year.

City Council member Julie Menin said she raised the idea with the museum after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, in an effort to combat rising antisemitism in the U.S. Incidents targeting Jewish and Muslim Americans have been recorded across the country since the Israel-Hamas war erupted, ranging from  offensive graffiti  to  violence .

“We needed a proactive approach to combat this hatred at its roots,” Menin, a Democrat and daughter of a Holocaust survivor, said in a statement. “That’s why I approached the Museum of Jewish Heritage with the vision of a universal field trip program.”

The Associated Press

THE 10 CLOSEST Hotels to Statue of Lenin

Hotels near statue of lenin, property types, distance from, traveller rating, hotel class.

• Best Value Properties ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data, including traveller ratings, confirmed availability from our partners, prices, booking popularity and location, as well as personal user preferences and recently viewed hotels.
• Traveller Ranked Highest rated hotels on Tripadvisor, based on traveller reviews.
• Distance from Statue of Lenin See properties located closest to the place of interest first with confirmed availability for your dates from our partners.

Deals of the Week   Make a Splash!   Up to 50% OFF

Budget Tours & Trips to Java

Discover a varied offer of Java budget adventures that will take you through some of the most renowned destinations such as Yogyakarta and Jakarta. Each affordable tour will provide you with great experiences for some of the lowest prices on the market.

5 cheap Java tour packages with 28 reviews

• In-depth Cultural
• Christmas & New Year

Indonesia: Hammocks & Hikes

overall a really cool trip. we could've been doing some other stuff during those 2 days of simply sitting on our bums :P

• Volunteering

Wildlife Rescue Centre, Indonesia - 2 Weeks

What an amazing place with the most amazing people and beautiful creatures. Be prepared to leave with a tear in your eye and plans to return.

Wildlife Rescue Centre, Indonesia - 4 Weeks

I had wonderful time here and i'll recommend te project. I found more that what i was searching

Wildlife Rescue Centre, Indonesia - 1 Week

Wildlife Rescue Centre, Indonesia - 3 Weeks

• Budget Group tours (5)

Travel Styles

• Singles and Solo (13)

Discover TourRadar

• See All Tour Operators in Java
• Turkiye (Turkey) Tours
• Group size is between 1 and 15 Makalu Base Camp Trek tours
• Mongolia tours
• Galway tours
• 10 Best Safaris in April

• Yekaterinburg
• Novosibirsk
• Vladivostok

• Tours to Russia
• Practicalities
• Russia in Lists

Rusmania • Deep into Russia

Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

Plan your next trip to Russia

Ready-to-book tours.

Your holiday in Russia starts here. Choose and book your tour to Russia.

REQUEST A CUSTOMISED TRIP

Looking for something unique? Create the trip of your dreams with the help of our experts.

• Indonesia Tours
• April 2025 Tours

Tours and Trip Packages to Java in April 2025

Traveling to Java in April 2025? We offer 21 tours, trips and vacation packages to Java in April 2025. Our Java in April 2025 tour packages and trips have 6 customer reviews. All the Java April 2025 tour packages and trips are carried out by hand-picked, qualified local and international Java tour operators.

• Indonesia Travel Guide

22 Trips in Java during April 2025

• Starts Jakarta, Indonesia
• Ends Sanur, Indonesia

Best of Java

• Best price guaranteed
• No booking fees
• Tour Type Small Group Tour
• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Train tours Cultural, religious and historic sites , Train tours , Natural landmarks sightseeing & Volcanoes 'data-more-tripid='4435'>+2 more
• Accommodation Hotel, Home-stay & Bungalow
• Transport Flight, Train, Bus & Private Vehicle
• Age Range 12-95 yrs
• Operated in English
• Apr 12 10+ seats left
• Apr 19 10+ seats left
• View More Jan 1, 2019 Jan 2, 2019 Jan 3, 2019

• Starts Denpasar, Indonesia
• Ends Denpasar, Indonesia

Overnight Mount Ijen Blue Fire Trek

• Free cancellation
• Tour Type Private Tour
• Activities Trekking and Hiking & Volcanoes
• Accommodation No Accommodation
• Age Range 5-79 yrs

Indonesia Java, Bali & Lombok

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Farm and plantation visits Cultural, religious and historic sites , Farm and plantation visits , Volcanoes & Beach 'data-more-tripid='4434'>+2 more
• Accommodation Hotel, Guest House, Home-stay, Bungalow & Resort
• Transport Flight, Boat, Ferry, Train, Bus & Private Vehicle

• Starts Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Volcanoes of East Java

• Activities Adventure & Trekking and Hiking
• Accommodation Camping, Hotel, Home-stay & Guest House
• Transport Flight, Private Vehicle & Train
• Age Range 18-99 yrs
• Apr 26 10+ seats left

• Starts Surabaya, Indonesia
• Ends Surabaya, Indonesia

Four Day Enduro in East Java

• Trip customizable
• Activities Mountain biking & Natural landmarks sightseeing Mountain biking , Natural landmarks sightseeing & National parks 'data-more-tripid='30458'>+1 more
• Accommodation Hotel
• Transport Private Vehicle
• Age Range 10-70 yrs
• Operated in English, Indonesian

• Starts East Java, Indonesia
• Ends Bali, Indonesia

Bromo Sunrise & Ijen Blue Fire Tour

• Activities Trekking and Hiking & Natural landmarks sightseeing Trekking and Hiking , Natural landmarks sightseeing & National parks 'data-more-tripid='40380'>+1 more
• Transport 4WD Jeep & Coach
• Age Range 10-65 yrs

• Starts Bali, Indonesia

Ijen Blue Fire & Sunrise Hiking Trip

• Activities Mountains & Trekking and Hiking
• Transport Ferry
• Age Range 10-60 yrs
• Operated in English, French, Indonesian, Italian, Spanish

• Ends Ubud, Indonesia

Jakarta to Ubud

• Activities Museum and gallery visits & Natural landmarks sightseeing Museum and gallery visits , Natural landmarks sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites & Bicycle tours 'data-more-tripid='3541'>+2 more
• Accommodation Hotel, Guest House & Resort
• Transport Boat, Ferry, Train, 4WD Jeep, Private Vehicle, Minibus & Taxi
• Age Range 15-99 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,350
• Special Deal (20%): - US$ 470
• Total Price from: US$ 1,880
• Apr 06 10+ seats left
• Apr 13 10+ seats left

• Ends Kuta, Indonesia

Essence Of Indonesia, Private Tour

• Activities Art and architecture & Active and outdoor
• Accommodation Hotel, Lodge & Resort
• Transport Ferry, Train, Boat & 4WD Jeep
• Age Range 10-99 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,376
• Special Deal (15%): - US$ 356
• Total Price from: US$ 2,020
• Apr 01 Only 10 seats left
• Apr 02 Only 10 seats left

Indonesia: Hammocks & Hikes

• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Walking tours & Beach 'data-more-tripid='4436'>+2 more
• Accommodation Hotel & Home-stay
• Transport Ferry, Train, Bus, Minibus & Private Vehicle
• Age Range 18-39 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 1,999
• Special Deal (30%): - US$ 600
• Total Price from: US$ 1,399
• Apr 02 10+ seats left
• Apr 09 10+ seats left

Exotic Java and Bali

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Local culture Cultural, religious and historic sites , Local culture , Countryside and village visits , Bicycle tours & Volcanoes 'data-more-tripid='17274'>+3 more
• Accommodation Hotel, Resort, Lodge & Villa
• Transport Ferry, Bus, Rickshaw, Train & Jeep
• Age Range 16-95 yrs

• Ends Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Temples, Volcanoes And Beaches; Private Tour

• Activities Art and architecture
• Accommodation Hotel, Hut, Lodge & Resort
• Transport Boat, Flight, 4WD Jeep, Train & Private Vehicle
• Brochure Price: US$ 1,975
• Special Deal (15%): - US$ 296
• Total Price from: US$ 1,679
• Apr 08 Only 10 seats left
• Apr 09 Only 10 seats left

World's Natural Wonders, Private Tour

• Activities Art and architecture & Adventure
• Accommodation Hotel, Villa, Tent & Lodge
• Transport Boat, Train, Private Vehicle, Flight & 4WD Jeep
• Brochure Price: US$ 4,118
• Special Deal (15%): - US$ 618
• Total Price from: US$ 3,500

Bali Multi-Activity Trip with Java

• Activities Snorkeling & Trekking and Hiking Snorkeling , Trekking and Hiking , Canyoning , Active and outdoor & Mountain biking 'data-more-tripid='23747'>+3 more
• Accommodation Hotel & Bungalow
• Transport Ferry, Boat, Bus & Minibus
• Age Range 18-60 yrs

Traveling to Indonesia? Chat with a local travel specialist in Indonesia who can help organize your trip.

Java Tour Reviews

• Subo Sinnathamby

Popular Activities

• Trekking and Hiking tours

Upcoming Departures

• Spring 2024/2025
• Summer 2024/2025
• Winter 2024/2025
• August 2024
• September 2024
• October 2024
• November 2024
• December 2024
• January 2025
• February 2025
• August 2025
• September 2025
• October 2025

Sign-in to unlock instant trip discounts. Create wish lists and save up to USD 1,500.

THE 10 CLOSEST Hotels to Electrostal History and Art Museum

Hotels near electrostal history and art museum, property types, distance from, traveller rating, hotel class.

• Best Value Properties ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data, including traveller ratings, confirmed availability from our partners, prices, booking popularity and location, as well as personal user preferences and recently viewed hotels.
• Traveller Ranked Highest rated hotels on Tripadvisor, based on traveller reviews.
• Distance from Electrostal History and Art Museum See properties located closest to the place of interest first with confirmed availability for your dates from our partners.

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.

Travelers cope with crowds and high prices on the busiest day of Memorial Day weekend

Travelers are contenting with big crowds and flight delays on what is expected to be the busiest day of the Memorial Day weekend

Travelers contended with big crowds and flight delays Friday, which was expected to be the busiest day of the Memorial Day weekend.

More than 6,000 U.S. flights were delayed by early evening on the East Coast, continuing a trend that has tested the patience of travelers all week. Cancellations were more modest, at slightly more than 200, according to tracking data from FlightAware.

Southwest Airlines' 'HI 5' promo gives you a companion pass after your next Hawaii trip

• Southwest Airlines is running a promotion to celebrate five years of serving five airports in Hawaii.
• A companion pass allows the holder to designate another traveler to fly with them for free on all Southwest flights they purchase during the validity period of the pass.

With Southwest Airlines ' latest promotion, you can go to Hawaii and get future flights for yourself and a plus-one for free.

Travelers who register for the promotion and book a round-trip ticket or two one-way tickets to Hawaii by Friday, with travel happening between June 1 and July 31, will qualify for a companion pass to use between Oct. 5 and Nov. 15. To qualify, travelers must be enrolled in the Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program.

Southwest is running the promo to recognize five years of serving five airports in Hawaii.

Looking for a Southwest Airlines fare? Now you can check Google Flights.

"This is a great opportunity to HI 5 our Customers for supporting five years of Southwest service in five airports across Hawaii by showcasing and sharing one of the great perks of being part of our Rapid Rewards program," Jonathan Clarkson, Vice President of Marketing at Southwest Airlines said in a statement . "Hawaii on Southwest is available nonstop from eight mainland gateways, and we're excited for this opportunity to truly connect our Customers for travel between the mainland and the Hawaiian islands."

A companion pass allows the holder to designate another traveler to fly with them for free on all Southwest flights they purchase during the validity period of the pass. It’s a coveted perk of elite Rapid Rewards status and there are worse ways to earn one than a vacation to the tropics. 

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected].

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Travelers cope with crowds and high prices on the busiest day of Memorial Day weekend

Highways and airports are likely to be jammed the next few days as Americans head out for Memorial Day weekend getaways and then return home.

Airports around the country are bracing for the travel rush as Americans head out for Memorial Day weekend. AAA predicts 43.8 million people expected to travel between Thursday and Monday. (AP Video: Tassanee Vejpongsa)

Highways and airports are likely to be jammed this weekend, as Americans head out on Memorial Day weekend getaways. AAA says this will be the busiest start-of-summer weekend in nearly 20 years.

Travelers on Florida’s Turnpike are experiencing relatively light traffic at the start of the Memorial Day weekend, with no major congestion reported, allowing them to focus on their wallets instead of their anxiety about traffic. (AP video by Cody Jackson)

Travelers walk through Salt Lake City International Airport Friday, May 24, 2024, in Salt Lake City. A record number of Americans are expected to travel over the 2024 Memorial Day holiday. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

• Copy Link copied

Travelers move through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ahead of Memorial Day, Friday, May 24, 2024, in Atlanta.(AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Michelle Winters plays the violin as passengers stand in line at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ahead of Memorial Day, Friday, May 24, 2024, in Atlanta.(AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Cars drive through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ahead of Memorial Day, Friday, May 24, 2024, in Atlanta.(AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Gasoline prices are displayed on a sign outside a service station as the Memorial Day holiday travel period kicks off Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Greenwood Village, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Traffic slowly moves along Interstate 405 on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles. Highways and airports are likely to be jammed in the coming days as Americans head out on and home from Memorial Day weekend getaways. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Travelers contended with big crowds and flight delays Friday, which was expected to be the busiest day of the Memorial Day weekend.

More than 6,000 U.S. flights were delayed by early evening on the East Coast, continuing a trend that has tested the patience of travelers all week. Cancellations were more modest, at slightly more than 200, according to tracking data from FlightAware.

There were delays on the highways, too.

Along Florida’s Turnpike, Wallis Tinnie said a traffic accident and road work slowed her drive to an African American history commemoration in the Florida Panhandle, the site in 1816 of the first battle of the Seminole Wars.

“But we’re comfortable with it,” the Miami woman said during a stop at Port Saint Lucie. “We left early, and our event is tomorrow. So hopefully — God willing, creek don’t rise — we’ll be there in plenty of time.”

The Transportation Security Administration predicted that Friday would be the busiest day of the holiday weekend for air travel, with nearly 3 million people expected to pass through airport checkpoints . TSA screened just under 2.9 million people Thursday, coming within about 11,000 of breaking the record set on the Sunday after Thanksgiving last year.

Pasha Pidlubniak waits for a domestic flight at Miami International Airport, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Miami. A record number of Americans are expected to travel over the 2024 Memorial Day holiday. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

“Airports are going to be more packed than we have seen in 20 years,” AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said.

Highways also are likely to be jammed as motorists head out of town and then return home. AAA predicted this will be the busiest start-of-summer weekend in nearly 20 years, with 43.8 million people expected to roam at least 50 miles from home between Thursday and Monday — 38 million of them taking vehicles.

The annual expression of wanderlust that accompanies the start of the summer travel season is happening at a time when Americans tell pollsters they are worried about the economy and the direction of the country.

“Memorial Day is a holiday weekend. I get to hang with family and friends, so I’d say that’s priceless, right?” Nene Efebo said during a two-hour wait for a delayed flight at Denver International Airport. “Anything to hang out with family and friends.”

Victoria Ramos Valdes of Miami was taking a driving vacation with her husband, Blake, and their children, ages 3 and 4 months old.

“We said, hey, we’re going to go for a $300 budget, and the hotel is around $150,” she said, but it has a water slide, providing plenty of entertainment. “We’re taking a nice family trip and doing our best to have the best Memorial Day weekend possible.”

Some travelers reported experiencing sticker shock when they booked their trips. Upon arriving at Philadelphia International Airport, Ciarra Marsh said the city “was not our original destination, but we chose here because it was cheaper.”

At Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, Larisa Latimer of New Lenox, Illinois, said her airfare was reasonable but other expenses for a getaway to New Orleans were not.

Motorists travel along Interstate 24 near the Interstate 40 interchange Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. A record number of Americans are expected to hit the pavement over the 2024 Memorial Day holiday. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

“I just have to make the accommodation,” she said. “The rental car is up ... this year, the hotel accommodations were very unusually expensive.”

Kathy Larko of Fort Myers, Florida, used frequent-flyer miles — and some flexible scheduling — to pay for her trip to Chicago.

Travelers wait at a TSA checkpoint at the Los Angeles International Airport, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Los Angeles. A record number of Americans are expected to travel over the 2024 Memorial Day holiday. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

“I’m really conscious of looking at the cost of the entire trip. We’re staying a little farther out than we normally would” to get a lower hotel rate, she said. “We’re also flying back a day later, because we could get cheaper miles.”

The weekend’s highway traffic and crowded airports could be a sample of what is to come for several more weeks. U.S. airlines expect to carry a record number of passengers this summer. Their trade group estimates that 271 million travelers will fly between June 1 and August 31, breaking the record of 255 million set – you guessed it – last summer .

George Ridley, 4, left, rides on a suitcase as he and his father Chris Ridley make their way through the Nashville international Airport, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. A record number of Americans are expected to travel over the 2024 Memorial Day holiday. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

This story was previously updated to correct the spelling Fort Myers, Florida.

Cody Jackson in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, Melissa Perez Winder in Chicago and Shelley Adler in Washington contributed to this report.