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.
By Land to Mt. Ijen : Via Bondowoso or Banyuwangi
From Surabaya: Surabaya is a major city in East Java and is a common starting point for trips to Mount Ijen. You can take a bus or rent a car from Surabaya to Banyuwangi, which is the nearest town to Mount Ijen. The journey takes around 7-8 hours by road.
From Banyuwangi to Mount Ijen: Once you reach Banyuwangi, you can hire a private car or join a tour group that offers transportation to Mount Ijen. The distance from Banyuwangi to the base of Mount Ijen is approximately 38 kilometers, and the journey by car takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on road conditions.
By Air to Mt. Ijen : Via Airport Blambangan - Banyuwangi
Fly to Banyuwangi: The nearest airport to Mount Ijen is Banyuwangi Airport (BWX), also known as Blimbingsari Airport. You can fly to Banyuwangi from major Indonesian cities like Jakarta or Surabaya. From the airport, you can then take a taxi or arrange for transportation to Mount Ijen.
FLIGHT TO BANYUWANGI AIPORT - BLAMBANGAN :
SUPER JET JAKARTA - BANYUWANGI : 08.25 -10.10
BATIK AIR JAKARTA - BANYUWANGI : 11.00 - 12.45
By Train to Mt. Ijen : Via Train station in Ketapang or train station in Banyuwangi
To Banyuwangi Baru Station: If you prefer traveling by train, you can take a train to Banyuwangi Baru Station. The station is well-connected to cities like Surabaya and Jakarta. From Banyuwangi Baru Station, you'll need to arrange for a car or taxi to take you to Mount Ijen.
TRAIN WIJAYAKUSUMA
YOGYAKARTA - BANYUWANGI 18.40 - 05.43
TRAIN PROBOWANGI
SURABAYA - BANYUWANGI 05.35 - 12.28
TRAIN MUTIARA TIMUR
SURABAYA - BANYUWANGI 09.15 - 15.29
TRAIN SRI TANJUNG
SURABAYA - BANYUWANGI 13.47 - 19.52
TRAIN BLAMBANGAN EXPRESS
SURABAYA - BANYUWANGI 22.45 - 04.40
TRAIN WIJAYA KUSUMA
SURABAYA - BANYUWANGI 23.50 - 05.43
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ACCESS TO MT. IJEN 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 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 150,000 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 600,000 - IDR 750,000. By motorbike it will be approximately IDR 250,000 - IDR 300,000.
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 TO MT. IJEN 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 650,000 - IDR900,000. By motorbike it will be around IDR 250,000 - IDR 350,000.
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 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.
