Everything you need to know to visit the Prambanan Coumpound
Temples of Prambanan inside the Prambanan Compound
We already talked about the History and Architecture of the Temples of Prambanan Compound, which you can see here.
Now we will let you know how to visit one of the main attractions of Indonesia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.
The Prambanan Compound consists of the Temples of Prambanan which is Hindu and Sewu, Bubrah and Lumbung which are Buddhist.
How to get there
* Public transport system, TransJogia.
This is how we got there. The bus from line 1A is the one that takes you to the nearest bus terminal to Prambanan. However, in order to get to the bus stop where the 1A stops, you might need to get other buses as well. We needed to change buses twice before arriving there.
The price of the ticket was 3,600.00 Rupees (USD 0.27) per person and it was valid for the whole trip, as the bus exchanges are made inside a mini terminal and so you do not have to pay for the next bus.
Waiting for the bus inside the mini terminal
It took us a little over an hour to cover the 20 km from central Jogja to Prambanan. On the way back it took longer because it was rush hour, so the traffic was chaotic and the buses, which are small and very old, were a lot more crowded.
We had a great time and I think we chose the best option. We had more freedom with our time, we saved a lot of money and we got to see more of the friendliness of the people from Java.
* A rental car with a driver
It costs around USD 45.00 for 8 hours and for up to 4 people.
* An organized tour.
There are several different types of tours and prices. It can be just Prambanan, which costs around Rp 75,000.00 (USD 5.60) or a combined tour, which includes Borobudur, and costs around Rp 115,000.00 (USD 8.60). You can also combine with bike rides in the nearby villages, with sunrise or sunset at the temples, with or without breakfast and etc ... the prices are per person and usually the transportation is done in a van. Entrance tickets are paid apart.
* Hire a car or a motorbike.
Many tourists decide to rent a scooter while in Indonesia. On Java Island, the rental price per day is around Rp 50,000.00 (USD 3.75). But it is very important to check if the documents of the scooter are up to date and if it has insurance and a helmet. You also need to have an international driver's license. The roads in Indonesia are dangerous and most drivers drive dangerously.
We have heard many stories of tourists being stopped by the police and even if everything is all right, the police will always find something to give you a fine. We thought the risk was not worth it, but I understand that it gives a lot more freedom and for those who already have more experience on a motorcycle, it can be a really cool way to travel around.
How was our visit to Prambanan
On the day we went, there were very few people visiting. We were in Prambanan in January, raining and low season. It rained a little during our visit, but it did not disturb our tour and it was good to cool down a bit.
We found the Prambanan Coumpound very well maintained and organized. There were kiosks selling souvenirs and drinks, reasonably clean restrooms, a playground and even a park with deer and other animals. There was also a restaurant where we had lunch. The food was very tasty and the prices were good.
Restaurant inside the Prambanan Coumpound
The whole Coumpound is quite large, but we walked all around it without major problems. But, for those who want or need a little help to move around, there are bikes to rent and a little train that takes people around the park.
Bike rental
It was a delight to be able to walk through those temples full of history, with virtually no one around us. We spent a little over four hours inside the Prambanan Coumpound and it was enough to slowly walk through all the temples, to visit the museum and we still had time to have lunch.
Opening times:
Every day, from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Prices:
Prambanan:
Foreigners over 6 years old: USD 25.00
Students and children under 6 years: USD 15.00
Prambanan + Borobudur:
Foreigners over 6 years old: USD 40.00
Students and children under 6 years: USD 30.00
* Although the price was written in USD on the ticket, the attendant did not accept the payment in dollars. Maybe it was because the exchange rate was not favorable on that day.
* The combination ticket for Prambanan and Borobudur (USD 40.00) represents a saving of USD 10.00 per person and is valid for 2 days.
* The entrance for foreigners is in a separate place. The reason is that the ticket prices for Indonesians is a lot cheaper than the foreigners ticket.
* A cup of coffee, tea or water is included in the entrance fee.
* If you are not dressed accordingly to what is considered respectful, they will ask you to wear a sarong. But do not worry, they'll lend you one.
They will lend you a sarong, if necessary
The Museum
The archaeological museum that sits inside the Prambanan Coumpound is not very large, but we found some interesting photos, inscriptions and sculptures.
The documentary film in the audio-visual room needs to be updated, but it was a good way of understanding a bit more about the history of Prambanan and a cooler place to rest for about half an hour.
Prambanan Museum - a good place to hide from the heat and rain and of course, understand a bit more about the Prambanan Coumpound.
The Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Guided Tour
Guides for the Prambanan Coumpound are available in the following languages: English, French, Spanish, Dutch, German, Japanese, Korean and Indonesian. They can be contacted near the ticket office. The price is fixed and charged per hour. Up to 4 people, the price per hour was Rp 100,000.00 (USD 7.50). From 4 to 15 people it was Rp 150,000.00 (USD 11.25) and a group with more than 15 people costs Rp 200,000.00 (USD 15.00) per hour.
We decided to not have a guide, but when we got closer to the temples there was a group of students in school uniform, aged between 13 and 15 years old. They said they would like to guide us, it would be free, they just needed to practice English and that it was a school project. We accepted their offer. Their English was still a bit weak, but I tried to get as much information as I could, forcing them to speak enough English.
It was worth it. We learned a few things from them and hope they have learned a little English from us. At the end of the visit, they asked us to fill out a form asking how we had found their guidance. We gave the maximum grade and Rp 5,000.00 (USD 0.38) for each one (they stayed for less than half an hour with us).
Ballet Ramayana
An open-air theater with the Prambanan Temples beautifully lit as background and more than 200 Javanese dancers and musicians depicting the story of Ramayana (one of the greatest ancient epics in world literature, which tells the story of Rama's life). I think it should be wonderful!
Unfortunately during the rainy season, between November and April, the stage changes to an inside theatre, the Trimurti. As we were there in January, we decided not to go, as we thought it would not be the same, without the temples as a background. I would like to go back one day, in the dry season, just because of this ballet.
Prices range from Rp 125,000.00 (USD 9.40) to Rp 375,000.00 (USD 28.15).