In Reply to: Yogyakarta Day Trip posted by Fev on Tuesday, 2. August 2005 at 11:38 Bali Time:
Just about everybody says there's no point trying to see both Borobudur and Prambanan on the same day.
Both temple complexes are huge, and the designs on them are intricate. It's hard to completely absorb the beauty of either in a single day, let alone both. By the end of the day you would be exhausted and all templed out. The experience would be greatly diminished.
Travelling time between the two complexes could be as long as 2 1/2 hours, even though they're only about 60kms apart.
Prambanan is not far from the airport. If you are hell-bent on seeing both in one day, catch the earliest possible flight, and go to Prambanan first. A taxi will probably cost around 30-40,000 Rp. You may even be able to get a driver for the whole day from the Airport, though it could be a bit early.
Remember to allow at least two hours travelling time to Borobudur. You will probably only have time to see the main temple, which is a shame, because the museum is pretty cool. Stay until they kick you out. Mt Merapi during sunset is just awesome. Apparently it's even better during sunrise, but I'd have to stay up all night to see that.
The reason it's better to see Prambanan first is that if you did it the other way around, you'd waste a couple of hours of daylight getting to Borobudur and back. It doesn't matter if it's dark if you're just going to the airport.
Guides are available at both temples. The last time I was there, the price was 30,000rp. I think the entry fee to each temple complex is now US$10.
If you're only seeing the temples you don't really need a guide for Yogya, just a driver.
You may not be comfortable doing it like this, but my tried and true method of getting a driver in Yogya is to simply say, "I need a driver" within earshot of a few people, and within ten minutes someone's cousin appears with a car. I pay 200,000rp (plus drinks and food, and sometimes a pack of cigarettes) for around 6 hours. No one has ever haggled with me, so you could probably get a cheaper price if you can be bothered. It's also likely that you'll find other crazy people at Prambanan who are going straight to Borobudur, so (depending on how many of you are going) you may be able to scam a lift with them if their timing matches yours.
Depending on the luck of the draw, you may need to also allow some time to deal with the hoards of Indonesian English students armed with tape recorders who need to interview white folk for school projects. Personally, I love it, but some people find it irritating. And just about everyone will ask to have their photo taken with you. So have your best poses ready, and prepare to feel like a rock star. By the time you climb all the steps at Borobudur, you'll be on top of the world in more ways than one.
Prambanan usually has people selling drinks at the temple. Borobudur never does. Bring drinks.
Here's Garuda's website so you can check the schedules and fares:
http://www.garuda-indonesia.com/
From memory, it's about AU$50 each way on Garuda, might be slightly cheaper if you book return. Domestic departure tax 20,000rp each way. I'm not sure if Lion does Denpasar to Yogya, but their fares are usually cheaper. I'm pretty sure Awair doesn't fly direct on that route.
Earliest flight leaves at 6.20 and arrives 6.35 (1 hour time difference). Last flight from Yogya-Den leaves 7.55pm and arrives 10.10. Just in time for you to hit the discos. Better make sure you leave Borobudur by 5.30pm.
You can book flights at the airport when you arrive, or use the phone number on the website.
Cost per person in Aussie dollars: Flight -- $100, entrance to both temples -- nearly $30, guides at both temples -- $10/number of people, hired driver plus taxis -- less than $40/number of people.
Total cost = $130 + $50/N
(So $180 for a single person, $155 pp for 2, $135 pp for 5, etc)
Food, drinks, and everything else is cheap in Yogya. If you bought everything you want to buy in Bali in Yogya, you'd probably save enough money to pay for the trip. (Assuming you like shopping and have self-control.) You also save heaps just by getting all your change back. Fingers are a lot stickier in Bali.
I hope that answers all your questions. I still think you are insane for doing it all in one day, because you'll miss out on seeing Yogya altogether and I don't think you'll have time to fully appreciate either temple complex. You will be completely knackered by the end of it. For another $20 each you could twin-share at any of a number of nice hotels and have an extra day to play and see stuff. (And there is a hotel at Borobudur that allows free entry to the temple. After deducting the entrance fee for two people, the cost per night is incredibly cheap. I haven't checked out the hotel yet, though.)
More info on Yogya (including some decent hotel options) can be found here:
http://www.yogyes.com/