Borobudur Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Borobudur. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Borobudur Sunrise From Setumbu Hill, Merapi Volcano & Prambanan Full-Day Tour

• Borobudur Temple Climb to the Top & Prambanan Temple - 1-Day Tour

• Yogyakarta: Borobudur Top Access & Prambanan Temple Private Tour

• Borobudur (Climb up), Merapi Volcano and Prambanan Temple Tour

• Yogyakarta: Borobudur Climb-up & Prambanan Day Trip All Inclusive

Ticket prices for Borobudur vary depending on whether you just want to enter the grounds or actually climb up the structure. International travelers pay 455,000 rupiah (adults) or 305,000 rupiah (children) to climb the temple, or 1,000,000 rupiah for the sunrise and sunset packages. Indonesian visitors pay less.

Yes, Borobudur is absolutely worth visiting: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's Indonesia's star attraction and remains Earth's largest Buddhist temple more than 1,000 years after it was built. Whether you're watching monks or scaling the summit for a misty sunrise of Buddhas and volcanoes, it has a spiritual power that still amazes. Joining a tour does more than just sort out transportation; it can let you go deeper into the mysterious civilization that built this monument—and see other Yogaykarta-area attractions too.

Per one customer who booked the Borobudur Sunrise From Setumbu Hill, Merapi Volcano & Prambanan Full-Day Tour, "Sunrise at [Borobudur] was lovely. Even though our day was a little cloudy (still the end of rainy season), we still saw the beauty of the light coming up and through the temple, and you certainly beat the heat going at that time of day. We had breakfast waiting for us there which was delicious. The Jeep ride was fun and exciting, a great change from the temples and our driver was great. He was from the village that was destroyed by the eruption in 2010, so he had a lot of personal knowledge of the area. He pointed out animals along the way that we wouldn't have spotted on our own."

As Borobudur is a Buddhist place of worship, visitors are required to dress respectfully and cover their knees. Anyone who arrives in shorts or short skirts will be required to wear a provided sarong during their visit. Special slippers are also given to visitors for walking up to the temple.

Yes, guided tours of Borobudur are available. You can hire a guide on-site when you arrive at the temple, whether you visit on your own or as part of a tour from Yogyakarta, which might include a driver and not a guide. Guides will help you to navigate the site, as well as providing details of the temple’s history.

Yes, climbing to the top of the Borobudur Temple is allowed and is considered a highlight of any visit. You will need to climb a series of staircases to reach the top, but the temple’s magnificent details, not to mention its panoramic views, are worth the climb.

Many visitors plan to arrive at Borobudur to enjoy the sunrise, which can be viewed from the top of the surrounding hills. However, it can be quite busy, even at this early hour, and typically gets busier throughout the morning. An alternative option is to arrive for sunset, which can often be quieter.

Yes, you don’t need to book a tour to visit Borobudur and you can visit on your own. If traveling independently, you’ll need to arrange your own tickets and transportation. Be aware that navigating the Javan countryside can be tricky, especially if you’re driving in the dark to arrive for sunrise at the temple.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Borobudur. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Yogyakarta:

• Prambanan Temple Complex

• Magelang

• Mendut Temple

• Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan

• Jomblang Cave

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Yogyakarta.