Traveling to Yogyakarta’s Prambanan Temple
Basing Yourself Out Of Yogyakarta
Visiting Yogyakarta (Jayakarta) is essential for any traveler who finds themselves on Indonesia’s Java. The city of Yogyakarta, however, is a mere jumping-off point to visit the famous nearby temples of Prambanan and Borobudur. In many ways, Yogyakarta is a typical Indonesian city. You will find the entire downtown area jam-packed full of restaurants, night markets, and street performers.
As a major tourist hub, backpackers are bound to have a love-hate relationship with Yogyakarta. While the hostels, laundry shops, and used book shops are sure to make any traveler giddy with delight. The tourist amenities don’t necessarily make Yogyakarta any different from the likes of District 1 in Saigon or Khao San Road in Bangkok.
Before too long, you will be itching to leave the likes of Yogyakarta behind and explore the temples which put the city on the map. At the top of the list of Indiana Jones-esque ruins is the Prambanan Temple.
Looking to travel to Borobudur from Yogyakarta? You can find my complete guide here!
How To Get To Prambanan Temple
Depending on how experienced a traveler you are, there are several different options for when it comes to leaving Yogyakarta and heading out to Prambanan Temple.
Most hotels and hostels in Yogyakarta do arrange tours which will cart you to all the best sites in a single day. If you are looking to knock out both Borobudur and Prambanan in one go, then this might be the option for you. These tours usually run for anywhere around 550,000 IDR (40USD).
If you are looking to have a little bit more freedom when touring Prambanan Temple, taking the local bus is also an option. On Malioboro Street simply wait at either Halte 1 or 2 and hop on bus 1A. For 3,500 IDR (0.25 USD) you will be taken 45 minutes down the road straight to Prambanan Terminal.
The last and most fun option is to rent a motorbike and drive yourself to the ruins of Prambanan. This method is especially useful if you are looking to beat the school crowds and tour groups. From either your hostel or hotel you can rent a motorbike for roughly 60,000 IDR (3.80 USD) a day. The road is very well paved leading to Prambanan, so there is no need to worry about potholes or congestion on your ride to the temple.
The entrance fee to Prambanan Temple is about 310,000 IDR (20 USD).
Worried about Bali being a bit too touristy? You can read my take on traveling to this famous island here!
Rediscovering The Ruins of Prambanan Temple
These 9th-century ruins are the remains of the largest Hindu Temple in Indonesia and the second in all of South East Asia. As the Buddhist’s power waned in the kingdom, Prambanan was built as an answer to the nearby massive temple of Borobudur.
From the mid 9th century to the mid 10th century, Prambanan Temple was expanded several times. With each renovation and addition, the ornate structures only became more intricate and mesmerizing. For reasons unclear, the temple was later abandoned due to either a power struggle or nearby natural disasters. The spread of Islam to Indonesia also encouraged local Javans to reject their former gods and religions. For hundreds of years, Prambanan Temple succumbed to the elements and was withered down into a ghost of its former self.
Throughout the generations, the glory of Prambanan was only known by the local villagers. It wasn’t until a British expedition rediscovered the ruins that the temple was brought forth to the international stage. At first, the temple was subject to mass looting. But over time the towers were rebuilt and the beauty of Prambanan once again became the pride of Indonesia.
While on Java you will not want to miss the chance of hiking to Ijen Crater and seeing the volcanoes blue flame!
The Crowds of the Temple
No matter what temple you seem to visit in Indonesia, there is a certain hour where the entire complex seems to be overrun with school groups. While local students and teachers have every right to tour Prambanan, the sea of uniforms and the mass of people can be quite overwhelming.
When facing lines of pre-teens filing in and out of the temple like worker ants, one can only breath and try to remain patient. Fortunately, the crowds move fast. And as massive a temple as Prambanan is, you are sure to find peace and quiet at one of the many other shrines throughout the complex.
The area surrounding the temple, unfortunately, has been turned into nothing more than a tacky amusement park. In the gardens, you will find 2-bit illusionists willing to pose with tourists for a couple of thousand Rupiah. Despite the cringy performers and thousand-year-old ruins, some locals may consider foreign tourists the biggest attraction at Prambanan Temple. Be prepared to have your picture taken several times while you are out exploring the temple grounds.
Wanting to get really off the beaten path? Be sure to visit the Ghost Palace in Bali!
Stepping Into The Jungle Book
The experience of visiting Prambanan Temple is somewhere in between pretending you are Lara Croft and traveling to Disneyland. While travelers may be fantasizing of being lost in crumbling ancient ruins, the souvenir markets and hawkers are quick to bring you back to reality.
Despite the illusion of traveling into the unknown being shattered, Prambanan Temple is nothing short of gorgeous. The detailed stone carvings and pinnacles towering over the forest reminds one of scenes straight out of The Jungle Book. For those looking to escape the crowds and the overall touristy nature of Prambanan, you can find tons of less traveled to temples around the complex such as Plaosan and Candi Sajiwan.
No matter if you find yourself just touring the awe-inspiring ruins of Prambanan or exploring some of the temples off of the beaten path, this is a trip you will not regret. After centuries of being kept hidden under vines and jungle, the temples once again stand proud over the treeline. But rather than returning to being a place of worship, the gods exist only as a reminder of what once was.
