Overview
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About the Prambanan Temple
Prambanan is the biggest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia and the second-largest in South East Asia, after Angkor Wat in Cambodia. This temple complex is located close to Yogaykarta in Central Java, Indonesia and is also called Candi Pramban in the Indonesian language. It was built in the 9th century and it’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On the whole site of Prambanan, there were originally 240 big and small temples, with 3 main temples, dedicated to the most important Hindu gods: Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. With 47 meters, Shiva’s shrine is the highest and maybe even the most beautiful one of those three. Many of the 237 other temples have collapsed over the years due to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Practical
Adult: 387.500 IDR ($25)
Prambanan - Borobudur package: $45
Prambanan - Ratu Boko: 45$ (with free shuttle)
Daily: 6.30am - 5.30pm
Note that on Monday, you can only visit the park around the temple, because the temple itself is closed for maintenance.
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Know before you go
Dress Code
There's no official dress code to visit Prambanan Temple in Indonesia. However, it is a religious place and you are expected to dress modestly and cover your shoulders and knees.
Temple Ground Closed on Monday
The Temple Ground of Prambanan's main temple is closed every Monday for maintenance purposes. You can visit the temple site and all other temples, but not enter Shiva's shrine.
Prambanan and Borobudur in one day
You can visit both temples in just one day.
Prambanan - Borobudur packages
If you plan to visit both Prambanan and Borobudur, you can buy a combi-ticket and save a little on the entrance fees.
Drones
Drones are not allowed at Prambanan.
Bring sunscreen, water and a hat
When exploring the temple site, you will have to walk a lot without shelter. Bring enough sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself from te sun and plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Wear proper shoes
Prambanan is not just one temple, but a big site with multiple temples. Wear proper shoes, because you might have to walk quite a lot.
No sunrise or sunset
Prambanan used to be a popular place to watch sunrise or sunset. Unfortunately, due to the updated opening hours to preserve the temple, it is no longer possible to visit Prambanan during sunrise or sunset. Alternatively, you can watch the sunrise over the Borobudur Temple from Setumbu hill.
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How to get to Prambanan Temple
It is best to visit Prambanan Temple from Yogyakarta. From here, you can get to Prambanan by renting a motorbike, hiring a private driver or joining an organized tour. It is about a 45 minute drive from Yogyakarta to the temple. The easiest way to visit Prambanan Temple is by joining a tour that combines a visit to Borobudur and Prambanan.
Prices for a scooter rental vary between 60,000 IDR to 80,000 IDR for 24 hours.
Yogyakarta can be reached in almost any way. It has a train station, an international airport and highways leading to the city. Depending on where you are coming form, you can get to Yogyakarta either by train, by air or by bus.
By train
There is a good train connection to Yogyakarta from major cities such as Jakarta, Malang and Surabaya. The train network on Java is amazing and the trains are comfortable, fast, clean and relatively cheap. We highly recommend taking the train if you are coming from another city on Java. You can book your train tickets in advance online.
By bus
Another option to reach Yogyakarta, when you are already on Java, is by bus. If you can, we recommend that you take the train, because it is much smoother and more pleasant to travel. If you have no other option, you can find and book buses on 12Go.Asia.
By air
Yogyakarta has an international airport, with direct flights from for example Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bali. The airport is located 47km outside Yogyakarta and it takes around 1,5 to 2 hours to reach the center. You can find the best flight deals on Trip.com or Skyscanner.
Best time to visit
Indonesia, and therefore also Java, has only two seasons: dry season and rainy season. Although Java is a popular destination all year round, the best time to visit Prambanan temple is during dry season, from May to October. During these months, you can expect sunny and dry weather, perfect for exploring!
July and August are considered peak tourist season on Java. Although it will never be quiet at Prambanan, it will be extra busy these months.
Rainy season runs from November to April. You can still visit Prambanan during these months, but there is a greater chance for bad weather.
Overall, Java has a tropical climate, which means it can be very hot and humid and the average temperature is 27°C all year round. To avoid the heat, but also the crowds, we recommend that you go as early as possible. It is also better to avoid weekends and public holidays.
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Where to stay near Prambanan
The best place to stay to visit Prambanan Temple is in Yogayakarta. This city offers different kinds of accommodations, such as hotels, hostels and guesthouses for every budget. We’d recommend you to stay close to the bustling Malioboro streets, close to all the bars, shops and restaurants.
Hotels
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Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta
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Other Things to do near Prambanan
Near Yogyakarta and the Prambanan temple, there are some more interesting places to visit such as the Borobudur Temple and the Jomblang Cave. You can find more information in our guide about Yogyakarta.
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Win-Win for everyone
Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?
However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
