Adisutjipto International Airport is the main and the only commercial airport in Yogyakarta province. Actually it is home base of Indonesian Air Force Academy  located in Maguwo, district of Sleman. Since Yogyakarta, or commonly called Jogja, is the main destination of Indonesia tourism, this airport now becomes one of the busiest airport in Indonesia.

When you come to Yogyakarta via Adisutjipto for the first time, maybe you feel a bit nervous since the plane just turn and turn around above the airport. Looks like not enough to make you worry, then you feel the plane do hard braking during landing. Don’t worry, since the airport is very busy especially on the weekend and holiday season, sometimes the plane queue is quite long therefore the plane in the air need to turn around several times before granted landing permit by the airport authority. Just for your information, the airport runaway is relatively short, just above the limit stated by international standard. No wonder, the medium plane like Boeing B737 or Airbus A320 needs to apply tyre brake right after the plane touchdown the runaway which feel like hard braking for those who never landed here.

Ok, enough for the scary things, let’s move to the good things. Adisutjipto International Airport is only single storey building, but it’s relatively new after renovated from big earthquake on 2006. Don’t expect airbridge or even just airport bus, you need to walk to the entry gate. Don’t worry, it’s just 5 minutes walk. If you use domestic flight, you will be welcomed by traditional music instrument called gamelan once entering the main building, but only during holiday season.You will see conveyor belt directly, so just stand and wait your baggages. You can exchange your foreign currency here, but the rate is poor. It’s better to exchange outside if you still have some Indonesian Rupiah (Rp), at least 50.000. You can also rent a car if you plan to travel around directly from the airport.

Once baggages are picked up, you can go outside and find many taxi drivers try to offer the services. Remember, they are not official airport taxi since the only taxi provider was monopolized by Air Force Cooperation (Koperasi Angkatan Udara). You can find the service desk on the right of exit door. It’s not meter taxi, but fix rate based on the destination. The rate is more expensive than meter taxi, around 10-20 percent. Beside more expensive rate, so far there is no problem with the taxi, so we recommend you to use this taxi if you prefer the convenient transport to your hotel. Normally it is still cheaper than private pick up from luxury hotel. If you want to get a meter taxi, you need to walk outside the airport, crossing the railway until find the big street called Jalan Adisutjipto or Jalan Solo. Meter taxis are not allowed to wait the passengers inside the airport area.

If you plan to continue your journey to other cities near Jogja, there are several options. You can use DAMRI (state owned bus company) bus to Magelang (Rp 35,000 1 hour), Purworejo (Rp 35,000 1,5 hour) and Kebumen (Rp 45,000 2 hour). Cipaganti is other highly reputable company serving many other cities like Purwokerto (Rp 75,000), Tegal/Cepu/Blora (Rp 95,000), Surabaya (Rp 125,000), Semarang (Rp 65,000), Cilacap (Rp 70,000), Bandung (Rp 195,000), Cirebon (Rp 125,000), Tasik (Rp 195,000), Malang (Rp 125,000), Pemalang/Pekalongan (Rp 95,000). They use microbus, full AC and comfortable seat, and will depart every hour from 7am to 9pm even with just one passenger.

Adisutjipto International Airport is the only airport in Indonesia which is connected directly to railway station. You can go to Yogyakarta city center (west direction) or Solo (east direction). If you want to go to Yogya city center, you need to walk inside the tunnel, then go to the Maguwo railway station.

However, for Solo direction, just walk outside the airport area and go to the Maguwo railway station. There is an express electric train connecting Kutoarjo-Yogyakarta-Solo (Surakarta) called Prameks or Prambanan Express operated by State Train Company (PT KAI). However, the schedule is frequently changed, so it’s not recommended for tourist who don’t have many spare time. Check directly to the train station for the latest schedule.

The cheapest way to go to city center is by TransJogja bus or sometimes called busway. You need to walk through the tunnel / underpass to find the small bus terminal. It is just small box, easily spotted, located right on the exit gate of the tunnel on the airport parking area. You must take bus number 1A if you want to go to Malioboro street, the most famous street of Yogyakarta. The most famous backpacker hotel location, Sosrowijayan area, located next to Tugu railway station, right on the edge of Malioboro street, can also be reached by bus number 1A. So, if you jus plan to go show for cheap accommodation, it is the best way from Adisutjipto International Airport.

For itinerary around Yogyakarta, simply check my other post.