Access to the Ijen Plateau
You have several options to reach the Ijen Plateau and its lake; namely by public bus or by motorbike.
Since 2010 you can reach Banyuwangi by airplane. Only Garuda is operating on the track Surabaya - Banyuwangi.Map with the locations of accommodations and hotels at the Ijen Plateau - East JavaEntrance fee Ijen crater lake
In 2015 prices for all National Park in Indonesia increased significantly.
Costs to visit the Ijen crater lake in IDR: weekdays 100,000 & weekends 150,000.
Blue local small busses drive to the Ijen Plateau in East Java
Your luggage on a local bus to the Ijen Plateau - East Java, Indonesia
Sitting in local transport on yout way to the Ijen Plateau - East Java, Indonesia
Only Garuda operates Surabaya Banyuwangi with this propellered airplane
By motorbike to the Ijen crater lake in East Java, Indonesia
By public transport to the Ijen Plateau
Public transport to the Ijen Plateau is available, but not as regular as in cities and not that often. You can reach the plateau from 2 directions, either via Bondowoso or via Banyuwangi. Traveling to the Ijen Plateau is fairly easy if time is your friend. If you are short in time, you might consider an organized tour.
Access via Bondowoso
Paltuding is 64 kilometers east from Bondowoso, but public transport won't bring you that far. You can get as far as Blawan, which is still 17 kilometers before Paltuding.
Directions
From the bus terminal in Bondowoso you can get a minibus via Sempol to Blawan/Kaligedang. The bus leaves around 11.00 o'clock in the morning and it takes about 3 to 4 hours. It takes that long because of the road conditions. At for the price to get to Blawan at the terminal before you depart. It should be around IDR 15,000 per person.
If the time or the mode of transport doesn't suite you, you should be able to find a charter - car or motorbike - to anywhere at the plantation. A car will cost you around IDR 400,000 - IDR 600,000. By motorbike it will be approximately IDR 200,000 - IDR 250,000.
Directions to get to Paltuding and the Ijen crater lake
Anywhere at the coffee plantation you should be able to find someone who can bring you to Paltuding, either by car or by motorbike. At Paltuding you can find also motorbikes to take you back to the Plateau, to Bondowoso or Banyuwangi/Ketapang.
Directions to get back to Bondowoso
The minibus back to Bondowoso leaves around 06.00 in the morning and starts in Blawan/Kaligadang.
Access via Banyuwangi
Kawah Ijen is closer to Banyuwangi than to Bondowoso, but the road is very steep and has deteriorated badly. A 4WD is essential. If you want to spend the night before climbing to Kawah Ijen, it is most likely you spend the night somewhere between Banyuwangi and Licin instead of at the plantation. But spending two nights at the plantation is really worthwhile if you are interested in the Javanese way of life.
Directions to get to Paltuding and the Ijen crater lake
A minibus from Banyuwangi will take you as far as Licin village. In Licin you can spend the night in Ijen Resto & Guesthouse or in the luxurious Ijen Resort and Villas. From Licin you either charter a 4WD or a motorbike. If you rent a car in Banyuwangi to bring you to Paltuding it will cost you around IDR 550,000 - IDR 600,000. By motorbike it will be around IDR 200,000 - IDR 250,000.
Directions to get back to Banyuwangi
At Paltuding you will find some motorbikes that can bring you back or to any other destination that you desire.
By plane to Banyuwangi Blimbingsari airport and the Ijen Plateau
Banyuwangi opened the airport Blimbingsari in 2010 to attract more visitors to the most eastern tip of Java. Only Garuda is operating on the track Surabaya - Banyuwangi. Banyuwangi is by air just connected to Surabaya, and not to other cities such as Jakarta or Yogyakarta yet.
Garuda's schedule Surabaya - Banyuwangi
Surabaya - Banyuwangi: departure at 11.45 - arrival at 12.45
Banyuwangi - Surabaya: departure at 13.15 - arrival at 14.10
By motorbike
If you are a traveler alone (and on a budget), a good and interesting alternative might be to go "all the way" by motorbike to the Ijen crater lake. By motorbike makes you feel part of the Indonesian community while almost nobody will notice you are a foreigner. Negotiate with your driver about the costs, what is included and not and where to spend the night.
