Hello! I want to tell story about my trip from Jakarta to Yogyakarta. Maybe it can help other traveler who want go to Yogyakarta too. I am not from Indonesia, I come from Europe, and it is my first time in this country. When I read about Indonesia before my trip, I see that Yogyakarta is special place for culture and temple. So I decide I want go there. But I land in Jakarta first, because that is where my international flight arrive.
I think at first, maybe go to Yogyakarta is not so easy. But actually, there are many way to go. I will tell you what happen with me, and what I learn from this travel.
Arriving in Jakarta
I arrive in Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta. It is big airport, many people, and little bit confusing for me. I take taxi to my hostel in the city. Jakarta is very big and busy. There are many cars, and traffic can be very long. I stay one night in hostel because I was tired after flight.
At night, I open my phone and search “how to go to Yogyakarta from Jakarta”. I find that there are 3 or 4 way: by plane, train, bus, or drive. Each one have different experience. I don’t want to fly again so fast, because I just arrive from long flight. So I decide I will take train, because I like to see landscape from window.
Buying Train Ticket
Next morning I go to train station in Jakarta. The name is Gambir Station. It is near Monas, the national monument. I take online taxi (they call it Gojek) to go there. I am lucky because the staff in train station speak some English and help me.
I buy ticket for train called “Taksaka Pagi” – that is morning train. The price not very cheap but also not expensive. I choose executive class, because I want comfort and air conditioner. My train will leave at 8:00 in morning and arrive in Yogyakarta around 4:00 in afternoon. So around 8 hour trip.
I feel excited! I go back to hostel, eat fried rice, and sleep early.
Train Journey Experience
I wake up early, take quick shower, and go to Gambir Station again. Many people in station, also some foreigner like me. I show my ticket and passport, and go inside. The train is nice – clean and cold. The seat is big and soft, like airplane. I sit near window.
The train start moving, and I feel happy. Outside the window, I see building, then rice field, village, mountain far away. So beautiful. I take many photo. I also bring snack and water, but train also sell food. I try one meal – rice with egg and chicken. It taste good and warm.
In train, I sit next to old man from Indonesia. He not speak much English, but he smile and ask me “from where?” I say my country, and he say “welcome to Indonesia.” That moment make me feel warm.
After few hour, I start to feel sleepy. The train move smooth, so I take little nap. When I wake up, we almost arrive.
Arriving in Yogyakarta
At 4:00 PM, we arrive in Yogyakarta. The station name is Tugu Station, and it is in city center. When I go outside, the weather is hot but also fresh. Many people waiting outside. I feel little bit lost, but I open my map and find way to my hotel. I walk because it not too far.
On the street I see becak (cycle rickshaw), motorbike, and local shop. People smile and say “hello” to me. I think Yogyakarta is more relaxed than Jakarta. It is more calm, and I feel like I will like it here.
Other Way to Go to Yogyakarta
Now I tell you, if you don’t want take train, there are other way. Some people choose airplane. Many flight from Jakarta to Yogyakarta every day. The flight is only 1 hour. You can fly from Soekarno-Hatta Airport (CGK) or Halim Airport (HLP), and land in Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA). But I hear the airport is little bit far from city, so maybe you need take bus or taxi again for 1 hour.
There is also bus, but I don’t try it. Some traveler say bus is cheap, but take long time – maybe 12 to 14 hour. If you want save money and don’t mind long trip, maybe it’s okay. But for me, I think train is perfect mix – not too fast, not too slow.
Some people also rent car or go with tour. But I travel alone, so I don’t drive. Also I think traffic in Indonesia is scary for me, because people drive very different from my country.
What I Learn from This Trip
Travel in Indonesia is not too hard, but you need prepare. Sometimes people don’t speak English, but they are kind and try to help. I also learn few word in Bahasa Indonesia like “kereta” (train), “tiket” (ticket), and “terima kasih” (thank you). It help me a lot.
I also learn that sometimes slow travel is better. If I fly to Yogyakarta, I maybe arrive fast, but I don’t see rice field, mountain, or village. Train give me chance to see real Indonesia.
And I also feel happy that I not afraid to go alone. Before I think maybe I cannot do this. But now I believe I can travel and find way, even in new place.
Final Thought
So, that is my story about how I go to Yogyakarta from Jakarta. Maybe it not perfect way, maybe I make mistake. But it is my own adventure, and I will remember it long time.
If you plan go to Yogyakarta too, I really recommend train. It is relaxing, safe, and beautiful. But also, choose what make you happy. Travel is not only about arrive – it is about the journey, and what you feel inside.
Thank you for read my story. I hope it help you a little.
