The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Prambanan Temple, Indonesia
The Prambanan Temple is one of the best places to visit in Indonesia, so you should add it to your Java Itinerary.
Wondering how to visit Prambanan Temple in Java, Indonesia? Yogyakarta is the best base for visiting the temple.
This is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia. See Borobudur at sunrise and combine your visit with the magnificent Prambanan Temple at sunset. Prambanan’s best attraction is the Shiva Temple, which is 47 meters high and offers fantastic photo opportunities.
This ultimate guide to visiting Candi Prambanan includes the best time to visit, how to get there, practical information, and entrance fees.
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- The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Prambanan Temple, Indonesia
- Where is Prambanan Temple?
- Best Time to Visit Prambanan Temple, Indonesia
- How to Get to Prambanan Temple
- Prambanan Temple History & Facts
- Prambanan Temple Sunset Tour
- Prambanan Temple Opening Hours
- Prambanan Temple Entrance Fee
- Prambanan and Borobudur Combined Ticket
- Where to Stay near Prambanan Temple
- Tips for Visiting
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Where is Prambanan Temple?
It is located in Central Java, Indonesia, about 30-40 minutes drive from Yogyakarta, not far from Borobudur.
Best Time to Visit Prambanan Temple, Indonesia
Indonesia has two seasons: a dry season and a rainy season.
The temple of Prambanan can be visited all year round! However, the best time to visit Java is during the dry season, which runs 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. The rainy season runs from November to April.
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 Prambanan Temple
To get to Prambanan, you first need to get to Java Island in Indonesia. Flying is the most convenient and fastest way to get to Java.
Java has several airports. There are many international flights from Singapore or Malaysia and domestic flights from other parts of Indonesia, such as Jakarta and Bali.
The nearest major city to Prambanan is Yogyakarta, which is easily accessible by plane or train. We arrived in Yogyakarta by train from Malang, and the journey took 6 hours.
Yogyakarta has an International Airport, the Yogyakarta Kulon Progo International Airport (airport code YIA). From Bali, you can fly to Yogyakarta from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (airport code DPS). The flight takes just 1.5 hours, and plane tickets start from 70 USD (without luggage) per person for one way.
TIP
Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Java, Indonesia.
We have a detailed post on how to get from Bali to Java with all the information you need.
From Yogyakarta to Prambanan Temple
The distance between Yogyakarta and Candi Prambanan is only 16 km, and the journey takes 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic.
The cheapest way to get to Prambanan is by bus. The Trans Jogja (1A) bus usually leaves every 15 minutes from 5 AM to 7 PM, and the bus ticket costs Rp. 3600 one way. From Yogyakarta, take the Trans Jogja bus 1A from the Mangkubumi bus stop in Malioboro to the Prambanan bus terminal. After arrival, you can cross the road to reach the temple in about 10 minutes.
Alternatively, you can get there by taxi, Grab (similar to Uber), rent a motorbike, or hire a private driver. We rented a scooter in Yogyakarta and went to Borobudur at sunrise and Prambanan Temple at sunset.
Make the most of your experience and book this excellent Prambanan tour, which also includes a climb to the top of Borobudur.
Once you arrive, buy your entrance ticket and visit the temple complex. The parking fee is 5,000 IDR (0,30 USD) for motorbikes and 10,000 IDR (0,60 USD) for cars.
Prambanan Temple History & Facts
In the Bahasa Indonesian language, Prambanan Temple means Candi Prambanan. The temple is believed to have been built around 850 AD. The temple complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
The Prambanan Archaeological Park was originally a complex of 240 temples. However, many temples have collapsed over the years due to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia and the second largest in Southeast Asia after Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
The three main temples are dedicated to the most important Hindu gods: Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. Shiva’s shrine/temple is the tallest at 47 meters and offers the most beautiful scenery.
Read our → Ultimate Java Itinerary
Prambanan Temple Sunset Tour
The best way to visit the temple is to join a day trip from Yogyakarta. After visiting Borobudur, you can explore other attractions in Yogyakarta or go straight to Prambanan. But we think the best time to visit Prambanan Temple is at sunset.
Prambanan is only a 1.5-hour drive from Borobudur. Although Prambanan Temple is a popular attraction in Indonesia, it is less crowded than Borobudur. Plan to spend 2-3 hours around Prambanan and explore the beautiful temples.
For the best experience, book a Borobudur sunrise with a guaranteed climb and a Prambanan tour with GetYourGuide or Viator.
What to See in the Temple Complex
- 3 main temples: Candi Shiva, Candi Brahma, and Candi Vishnu
- Candi Bubrah
- Candi Lumbung
- Candi Sewu (Sewu Temple)
- Archaeological Museum
You can see the beautifully carved reliefs, walk around the archaeological site, look inside the temples, and enjoy the magnificent sunset at Prambanan. It was a fantastic experience to climb the stairs and enter the main temple during our visit.
To get the most out of the experience, you can join a guided tour or hire a private guide who will explain the history while walking around.
The entrance ticket gives you access to Candi Sewu, Indonesia’s second largest Buddhist temple complex after Borobudur. You can get to Sewu, the furthest temple, by renting a bike for 10,000 IDR (0,60 USD) or a golf cart for 200,000 IDR (12 USD).
Recommended post → Yogyakarta Guide
Prambanan Temple Opening Hours
It is open daily from 6:30 AM to 5 PM.
Important note
At the moment, Borobudur and Prambanan temples are closed every Monday, so check for up-to-date information before you visit.
Prambanan Temple Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Prambanan Temple is 400,000 IDR (24,50 USD) for foreigners and 250,000 IDR (15,30 USD) for foreign children (3-10 years old).
The entry fee for Indonesians is 50,000 IDR, and for local children and students is 25,000 IDR.
You can easily buy your entrance ticket after arrival or online. The ticket counter is open from 6:30 AM to 5 PM.
Prambanan and Borobudur Combined Ticket
You can buy a combined ticket, which gives access to Borobudur and Prambanan temples and is valid for 2 days. The combined ticket costs 45 USD for foreigners and 27 USD for foreign children (3-10 years old).
Good to know
If you buy a combined ticket, you can save money! However, the combined ticket cannot be used to visit the Borobudur Temple at sunrise.
For domestic tourists, the combined ticket costs just 75,000 IDR.
Book your Borobudur and Prambanan temples tour with GetYourGuide or Viator.
You can also buy a Prambanan and Ratu Boko combined ticket, which includes a free shuttle service between the two temples. The ticket costs 45 USD for foreigners and 85,000 IDR for Indonesians.
Recommended post → How to Visit Borobudur Temple
Where to Stay near Prambanan Temple
Yogyakarta is the closest city, so it’s the perfect base for visiting the temple. These are our accommodation recommendations.
Best hotels in Yogyakarta
- Luxury: The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta
- Mid-Range: The Victoria Hotel Yogyakarta
- Budget: Java Villas Boutique Hotel & Resto
Tips for Visiting
- Buy a combined ticket and save money.
- We recommend avoiding weekends and arriving at sunset when you can enjoy the best view.
- Drones are not allowed at Prambanan!
- Use sunscreen and wear a hat because there is little shade. You can rent an umbrella for around 10,000 IDR (0,60 USD).
- There is no dress code, but you should wear respectful clothing when visiting the temple.
- Bring a sarong or borrow one at the entrance if they ask you to cover your shoulders or knees.
- Bring plenty of water and some snacks.
- You can visit the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan in 1 day.
- The temple complex is quite large, and you will have to walk a lot. So wear comfortable shoes and light clothes.
- Spend at least 2-3 hours at the Prambanan Archaeological Park and explore the beautiful temples.
We hope you found our guide to Prambanan Temple useful and will inspire you to visit 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
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