Borobudur Day Trip: Climb Both Temples in One Day
Two ancient temples, one full day, built around the 9th and 10th centuries
You climb Borobudur's levels past Buddha statues and stone reliefs, then drive to Prambanan to walk the 10th-century Hindu temple complex with its Ramayana carvings. All entrance tickets and transport are included, with an English-speaking driver who can add optional stops like sunrise viewpoints or Mount Merapi if you want to extend the day. Plan for a full day out. The climb and the distances are what make both temples possible in one trip.
Options for this experience
4 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Visit Borobudur and Prambanan Temples
- Climb Borobudur Temple
- Explore Prambanan Temple Complex
- Optional visit to other Yogyakarta sites
What’s included
- Hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver.
- All entrance tickets to Borobudur Temple and Prambanan Temple Complex.
- Ticket to climb Borobudur's levels.
- Bottled water throughout the day.
- Optional add-ons like sunrise at Punthuk Setumbu Hill, Mount Merapi 4x4 jeep tour, Yogyakarta Sultan Palace, Ullen Sentalu Museum, Tamansari Watercastle, or other Yogyakarta sites available at separate cost.
Times
- Monday 07:00 08:00 09:00 14:00
- Tuesday to Sunday 03:30 07:00 08:00 09:00 14:00 14:30
Before you book
Prices and times updated yesterday
Traveler reviews
The experience
"You will climb Borobudur," the driver said when we picked up the itinerary that morning, "and your legs will know it." He wasn't wrong. Borobudur is the world's largest Buddhist structure, built around the 9th century and carved into the landscape like something that grew there rather than was built. The climb itself is part of the experience. You move through the temple's levels, past stone reliefs and Buddha statues, and the effort of ascending is what makes the scale of it sink in. Your ticket includes the climb, which most tours don't, so you're not watching from below while others go up.
After Borobudur, the drive to Prambanan takes about an hour through Yogyakarta's outskirts. Prambanan is different: a Hindu temple complex from the 10th century, three main temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, with smaller shrines for the animals that serve them. The stone reliefs tell the story of the Ramayana, and the scale is architectural rather than spiritual in the same way. Your guide, who has been doing this for more than five years, walks you through the layout and the mythology without rushing. The air-conditioned vehicle means you're not melting between sites, and the water is there when you need it.
The tour is built flexible, which matters. Borobudur and Prambanan come with all tickets included, but if you want to add a sunrise at Punthuk Setumbu Hill beforehand, or climb Mount Merapi by 4x4 jeep, or visit the Sultan Palace or Tamansari Watercastle, you can request it. Those extras cost separate, but the driver knows the logistics and can fit them into the day if the timing works. Some travelers add the Ullen Sentalu Museum or catch the sunset at Ijo Temple instead. It's not a fixed script. It's a framework you shape.
The day is long and physical, especially if you do the Borobudur climb, so wear shoes that grip and bring sunscreen. The driver picks you up from your hotel, handles the navigation, and knows which entrance to use and when the crowds thin. By evening you're back, and you've seen two of Indonesia's most significant ancient sites without arranging tickets, transport, or timing yourself.
Is this one for you?Right choice if you want both Borobudur and Prambanan in one day without arranging separate tickets and transport. The climb access at Borobudur is included, which sets this apart from tours that only offer ground-level viewing. Expect a full day out with physical effort on the temple levels. That's what makes seeing both sites in depth possible.
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Top questions
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
Does the ticket to climb Borobudur cost extra?
No, the climb ticket is included in the tour price. Most tours only include ground-level access, so this is a key difference.
How long is the drive between Borobudur and Prambanan?
About one hour through Yogyakarta. The vehicle is air-conditioned and the driver provides water.
Can I add a sunrise visit to Punthuk Setumbu Hill?
Yes, you can request it. The sunrise stop costs a separate ticket, but the driver can arrange the timing and transport.
Is this tour suitable if I'm not very fit?
The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though climbing Borobudur's levels does require some physical effort. You can move at your own pace.
What language does the driver speak?
English. The driver has over five years of experience with international travelers.
Can I visit Mount Merapi or the Sultan Palace instead of one of the temples?
No, Borobudur and Prambanan are the main destinations and tickets are included for both. You can add other sites as extras, but not replace them.
Borobudur Day Trip: Climb Both Temples in One Day
10h–12h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 70 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.