The Ultimate Java Itinerary for 7 Days from Bali

Are you visiting Java Island for the first time and looking for the perfect 1 week Java Itinerary? 1 week in Java is not enough to discover the whole island. But you can see the most visited places, and at least you’ll have a reason to return to Java.

We’ve put together a detailed Central & East Java Itinerary for 7 days, covering all of Java’s main cities, our favorite attractions, and some hidden gems. You’ll also find all the useful tips and information you need to plan your best 7-day Java Itinerary.

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Java Itinerary: Central and East Java Route

You can easily modify our Java Travel Itinerary to extend or reduce the days.

Day 1: Arrive in Banyuwangi, Java

Welcome to Java! We hope you had a great ferry journey and are ready to explore the island of Java.

Once you arrive at Ketapang Ferry Port, you can reach Banyuwangi in about 20 minutes by taxi.

Banyuwangi is the perfect place to start your East Java Itinerary. Depending on when you arrive, you can choose to start exploring the town or relax at your accommodation.

We rented a motorbike for the next day. We recommend renting a motorbike over 110cc as there are many steep ascents. After that, we checked into a hotel where we could sleep for a few hours before the hike. Then, at midnight, we started our tour to Mount Ijen.

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Make the most of your experience by visiting the Ijen and Bromo volcanoes on a 3-day tour from Bali.

Here are all your hotel options in Java.

Where to Stay in Banyuwangi

Banyuwangi is a city in East Java and is the gateway to the Ijen volcano for hikers. Since there’s not much to do here, we recommend staying just one night. These are our accommodation recommendations.

Best hotels in Banyuwangi, East Java

Mid-Range: Aston Banyuwangi Hotel or eL Hotel Banyuwangi
Budget: Banana Homestay

more hotels in Banyuwangi

Day 2: Mount Ijen Crater Tour – A highlight of your Java Itinerary

Mount Ijen hike is a must-do in Indonesia, so you can’t miss it on your Java Itinerary. Kawah Ijen is an active volcano in East Java, and on your tour, you can see the world’s largest acidic crater lake and the famous Blue Fire.

The best way to reach the Kawah Ijen volcano is to rent a motorbike and drive there yourself or join a guided tour from Bali/Banyuwangi.

We reached the entrance from Banyuwangi by motorbike in about 1 hour. If you want to see the natural phenomenon of electric Blue Flame, start your hike after the gates open at 2 AM.

Once you arrive, buy your entrance ticket, and you can rent a headlamp, gas mask, or warm clothes. It takes 1.5-2 hours to get from the parking lot to the Mount Ijen Crater Rim.

Important note
All visitors who want to climb Mount Ijen must have a health certificate.

Read the full post → Kawah Ijen Volcano Hike & Blue Fire

After the tour, have breakfast, return to your accommodation, and spend the day relaxing. But if time is limited, you can travel straight to Malang by private driver or taxi.

We decided to relax and spent 2 nights in Banyuwangi.

Here are all your hotel options in Java.

Day 3: Travel to Malang and Visit Jodipan Colorful Village

Good morning! It’s time to continue your East Java Itinerary! Check out from your accommodation and travel by train to Malang.

Ketapang railway station is just a 20-minute drive from Banyuwangi.

The train ticket was 62,000 IDR (4 USD) per person. The train journey takes approximately 7 hours. As the journey is long, we recommend you bring water and some snacks.

Since you will arrive in Malang in the early afternoon, you will have enough time to walk around the Jodipan Colorful Village and visit the Blue Village.

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If you have a drone, bring it with you because the views from above are stunningly beautiful.

Read our → Malang Guide

Where to Stay in Malang

We loved Malang during our trip to Java. It was a perfect base for visiting Mount Bromo and Tumpak Sewu Waterfall. These are our accommodation recommendations.

Best hotels in Malang, East Java

Luxury: The Shalimar Boutique Hotel
Mid-Range: Harris Hotel or Hotel Tugu Malang
Budget: Ibis Styles Malang

more hotels in Malang

Day 4: Mount Bromo Sunrise Tour

Mount Bromo is one of the most active and popular volcanoes in Indonesia. In our opinion, no Java Itinerary is complete without a Bromo sunrise tour. During your tour, you can enjoy the beautiful sunrise and take the epic crater rim walk. We loved this unforgettable experience.

Jeep tours are the best and easiest way to get to Bromo from Malang. Group tours include hotel pick-up and drop-off, a jeep ride, a professional English-speaking tour guide, the Bromo National Park entry ticket, bottled water, coffee/tea, and breakfast. Pick-up time usually starts at midnight.

Book your sunrise tour through GetYourGuide or Viator.

Once you arrive at the jeep parking lot, you can walk to the Penanjakan Bromo viewpoint, where most people watch the sunrise. But if you want to see the most beautiful view of Mt. Bromo, we recommend hiking up King Kong Hill.

We have a detailed post about Mount Bromo with everything you need to know before you visit.

Day 5: Visit Tumpak Sewu Waterfall

Tumpak Sewu is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Indonesia and a highlight of your East Java Itinerary.

The best way to visit the waterfall is to join a day trip from Malang. Alternatively, you can get there by renting a motorbike or hiring a private driver.

The travel time between Malang and Tumpak Sewu Waterfall is 2.5-3 hours.

From the parking lot, you can reach the impressive viewpoint in about 10 minutes and enjoy a fantastic view of the waterfall. After that, a challenging hike leads to the waterfall, and depending on your fitness level, the tour takes at least 45 minutes.

From Malang, you can book a 3-day, 2-night tour that includes visits to the stunning Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, Mount Bromo, and Kawah Ijen Volcano.

Read the full post → Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Guide

Day 6: Travel to Yogyakarta – A featured destination on the Java Itinerary

Good morning! It’s time to continue your Java Itinerary! Check out from your accommodation and travel by train to Yogyakarta, Central Java.

The journey takes about 6-7 hours, and train tickets start from 260,000 IDR (16 USD) per person.

Once you arrive in the city, start exploring Yogyakarta’s attractions. Visit the Taman Sari Water Castle & Underground Mosque, and stroll along the famous Malioboro Street.

Malioboro is the perfect place to shop, eat, and offer fantastic photo opportunities. For the best experience, join a guided walking and food tour at night.

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Add an extra day to your Central Java Itinerary and take a day trip to Jomblang Cave.

See also → Yogyakarta Guide

Where to Stay in Yogyakarta

Although Yogyakarta is a popular tourist destination in Java, accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Yogyakarta

Luxury: The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta
Mid-Range: The Victoria Hotel Yogyakarta
Budget: Java Villas Boutique Hotel & Resto

more hotels in Yogyakarta

Day 7: Visit Borobudur and Prambanan Temple

Most people will only do the East Java route, skipping Central Java, but in our opinion, visiting the temples of Prambanan and Borobudur is a must-see in the Java Itinerary.

The best way to visit Prambanan & Borobudur temples is to join a day trip from Yogyakarta.

Important note
At the moment, Borobudur and Prambanan temples are closed every Monday, so check for up-to-date information before you visit.

We recommend watching the sunrise at the Borobudur Temple and combining your visit with the magnificent Prambanan Temple at sunset. Prambanan Temple is just a 1.5-hour drive from Borobudur.

Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia. The three main temples are dedicated to the most important Hindu gods: Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. Shiva’s shrine is the tallest at 47 meters and offers the most beautiful scenery.

Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Buddhists and many tourists come from all over the world to visit this important pilgrimage place.

For the best experience, book a Borobudur sunrise with a guaranteed climb and a Prambanan tour with GetYourGuide or Viator.

Day 8: Combine your Java Itinerary with Lombok or leave Java

We hope you enjoyed your Java Itinerary! But it’s time to leave Java and travel back to Bali or visit Lombok.

Yogyakarta has an International Airport, the Yogyakarta Kulon Progo International Airport (airport code YIA). The distance between Yogyakarta Airport and the city center is 47 km, and the travel time is approximately 1.5-2 hours.

The easiest way to get from Yogyakarta to Bali is to take a short domestic flight. The flight takes just 1.5 hours, and plane tickets start from 40 USD (without luggage) per person for one way.

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Use Skyscanner to get cheap flights.

Alternatively, you can fly directly from Yogyakarta to Lombok International Airport (LOP). The flight takes just 1.5 hours, and plane tickets start from 90 USD (without luggage) per person.

Recommended post → How to Spend 2 Weeks in Lombok

Best Time to Visit Java

Indonesia has two seasons: a dry season and a rainy season. Java is a popular destination all year round! But the best time to visit Java is during the dry season, from May to October. The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for sightseeing, hiking, and exploring Java’s attractions.

Java Island has a tropical climate, with hot and humid weather, and the average temperature is 27°C all year round. However, we recommend that you pack some warm clothes for the Mount Bromo and Kawah Ijen volcano tour.

The rainy season in Java runs from November to April. We did this 1-week Java Itinerary in May.

The busiest time to visit Java is between July and August. In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance!

How to Get to Java

Most people come to Java from Bali. You can easily get to Java by ferry or plane. Flying is the most convenient and fastest way to get to the island.

Java has several airports. There are many international flights from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur and domestic flights from other parts of Indonesia, such as Jakarta and Bali.

Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for Indonesia and apply for an e-visa online.

From Bali, you can fly to Java from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (airport code DPS). The flight takes just 1-1.5 hours, and plane tickets start from 30-40 USD (without luggage) per person for one way.

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Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Java, Indonesia.

If you follow our route, the easiest way to get to Banyuwangi is by ferry. We have a detailed post with all the information you need on how to get from Bali to Java.

You can also start your Java Itinerary in Central Java by flying from Bali to Yogyakarta Airport (airport code YIA).

FAQ about Java Itinerary

Is Java Worth Visiting?

Absolutely, we loved exploring Java! The island of Java is home to beautiful temples, breathtaking waterfalls, volcanoes, tea plantations, and friendly Javanese people.

How to Get Around Java on a 7-day Itinerary?

The best way to get around Java is by train. The trains are modern, cheap, and comfortable. You can easily buy your tickets at train stations.

We recommend traveling between cities by train, then renting a motorbike and exploring the attractions at your own pace. Alternatively, you can hire a private driver or join an organized tour to reach the sights.

If you rent a motorbike, drive carefully, always wear a helmet, and avoid driving at night!

Getting around Java on a 7-day Itinerary

How many Days do You Need in Java?

Most people spend 7 days exploring Java on their first visit. But if you can, we recommend spending at least 10 days on the island and exploring the best places at your own pace.

Save money, avoid ATM transaction fees when going abroad, and pay in local currency with a Wise Card.

Central & East Java Itinerary Map

We hope our 1 week Java Travel Itinerary will help you plan your next trip to Indonesia. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Ferry/Transfer – 12Go

The Ultimate Java Itinerary for 7 Days from Bali