How to Get There

From Bondowoso
The direction of Ijen tourism destination can be accesed via two alternative routes. Either the route from Bondowoso or Banyuwangi. Today, any vehicle could run all the way to Kawah Ijen. Sometimes many travelers choose to go by public transportation or even motorbike. However it depends on your pace of creating enjoyable travel experiences.

From Bondowoso
It is suggested the easiest start from Bondowoso for any travelers depart from Surabaya and transfer by bus to Bondowoso (180km). No train transport is possible to Bondowoso. (See: Transportation)

Transportation:
Bus (departure; length; fare)*:
Surabaya to: Probolinggo (every 30min; 3hr; Rp.14,000Rp), Bondowoso (hourly; 4-5hr; Rp.25,000), Banyuwangi (every 30min; 5 – 7hr; Rp.45,000); Jember (every 30min; 4-5hr; 25,000Rp); Malang (every 30min;2hr;14,000Rp); Denpasar (hourly; 11-12hr; Rp.90,000).
Jember to: Bondowoso (hourly; 1hr; 7,500Rp), Banyuwangi (every 30min; 3-4hr; 17,000Rp), Malang (via Probolingo; 2hr; 14,000Rp).
* Economy class, Express has double fare.

Car charter (include driver and fuel)*:
Surabaya to: Probolinggo/Bromo (start from 200,000Rp per person; 2.5hr;); Kawah Ijen (start from 400,000Rp per.person);
Probolinggo/Bromo to: Kawah Ijen (start from 200,000Rp per.person);
* hire a car is practical way to go. There is a discounted fare if share with other travelers.

From Bondowoso bus terminal, you can get public transportation to Sempol (15,000Rp; approx. 3hr), there is only mini-bus transport picked the passengers up to Sempol, the last bus stop and the nearest location to find the homestay – Arabica Homestay and Catimore Homestay. However, you have less convinience to get this transport as its departure and arrival could not be predicted sure. The last mini-bus to go at around 4 p.m. Starting from Bondowoso, the route goes to Gardu Atak which is 12 km long and head up to the eastern directon of Sukosari. If you want to make it faster, from Gardu Atak you can stop here then find several ojek/ motorbike drivers waiting for customer. Ask him to take you up to Paltuding (start from 100,000Rp; 55km; 2-3hr).


The long twisted roads will accomany us to enjoy the fertile plantation of sugar cane field, paddy field and dense tropical forest dominated the landscape. From Sukosari to Sempol it takes 32 km to arrive.

“ For backpacking travelers this would be definetly acceptable as we can enjoy the trip by knowing how to connect from one place to another. See around the landscape and feel the temperature change. The dense tropical forest of casuarina and pine tree allow our mind free. The road condition is fine except from the section of Pondok Jeruk to Cilalap and the rest is likely better. On few hours driving, the roads climb gradually. Afterward just reach to Malabar the roads begin to descent sudenly as it bends and turns through hills surounding where fresh mountain smell get wondered that it would close to the destination. About few minutes we reach at Pos Malabar, a small security checkpost. A crossbar hinders someone passing the road. Usually just a quick look the guard notices who is inside the car and let them go. Reaching to Pos Malabar means it would be entering the areal of Arabica coffee plantation.
Near to the security checkpost, there is a small café shop with a large sign advertising the finest Java coffee. Here is the best viewpoint to obviously remark numerous mountains up there when the weather is so bright. See around. We will gaze at the fractured boundary rising up encircled us of what must once had been a giant volcano and erupted enormously then it formed into a huge volcanic caldera. Just drop by and enjoy the panoramic view of a huge caldera while siting relax for a cup of finest Java hot coffee. ”.

If you plan to make a daytrip, there is possible to extend driving from Sempol to Pos Paltuding and start directly to hike. Find someone in Sempol who will take you by motorbike to Pos Paltuding (13km; 20min; 50,000Rp one-way or 75,000Rp two-way). If you want to leave Sempol, Kalisat or Blawan after hiking to kawah Ijen, usually someone are willing to take you up to Ketapang harbor-Banyuwangi (45km more; 1-2hr; around 140,000Rp). At Pos Paltuding, there is not sure to meet any motorbike driver who will take you back or to Ketapang harbor but ask to any ranger who stand by there to call on someone take you to the next route.



From Banyuwangi
From Banyuwangi
Travelers come from Bali (Denpasar) can drive directly to Ketapang harbor and connect from Gilimanuk to Ketapang by ferryboat. From Ketapang, there is possible to hire car or motorbike taxi directly go to preferable homestay whichever on Pos Paltuding, Catimore-Blawan, or Arabica-Kalisat.

Transportation
Denpasar to: Ketapang (hourly; 4-5hr; 45000Rp; Express: 60,000Rp), Banyuwangi (hourly; 4-5hr; 45,000Rp)
Ferryboat from and to Gilimanuk (every 30min; 30min; 5,500Rp)
Banyuwangi to: Jember (hourly; 4hr; 20,000Rp), Probolinggo (hourly; 6hr; 30,000Rp); Surabaya (hourly; 7hr; 45,000Rp); Malang (via Probolinggo;2hr;12,000Rp)
Train: Day and night connection with Surabaya Kota Station (5-7 hr; Express: Rp60,000Rp; Economy:20,000Rp). Call for train departure at Ph: 0333-?
Car charter from Banyuwangi to Paltuding: (vary from 50.000Rp; make a bargain; 1–2 hr; 40-55km)

Ketapang has developed into a thriving centre. It’s quiet busy and of course has a lot facility availabe. There are restaurant and small shop, tourist information service – East Java Tourist Information Booth – inside ferry terminal, a train station- just opposite the ferry terminal, a bus station – just outside the ferry terminal and couple of hotels few kilometers to the south.

Some travelers choose to get public transport from Ketapang to Blambangan terminal (5,000Rp; 20min) and transfer to the next terminal Sasak Perot/Karangasem (3,000Rp; 10min) and then mini-bus runs to Jambu (7,500Rp; 25min). From here an ojek/ motobike driver can be hired to Pos Paltuding or preferable homestay (Cost from 50,000Rp-100,000Rp; 30min). Finding someone to take you up to Pos Paltuding from Jambu is very easy, there are several ojek waiting for customer. Find someone with stronger motorbike.

“Going to Ijen from Banyuwangi would be a secondary route to start. Today, the road condition is better along the way to Pos Paltuding and it is accessible by any kind of vehicle with the exception for the road along Sodong, 13 km to Pos Paltuding. From Ketapang ferry terminal, only take about 45km to Pos Paltuding. Driving to Pos paltuding from Banyuwangi is possible to spot a lush glove and coffee plantation and dense tropical forest. During August to October we can enjoy an exciting scene of workers havesting either glove or coffee plantation in the area of Jambu plantation estate. The workers are usually women wearing long sleeve, long skirt or jeans, hat and rubber boot. We can interact with them and ask question about the plantation as the workers are glad to answer to. In the area of Sodong, there is one very steep road called Erek-erek, so be prepared to control the motor gear on 2nd and 1st. It is only few meters a head but the road combined with curve make it tricky to drive.”