How to Go from Banyuwangi to Probolinggo

The fact that you’re reading this means that you’re interested in visiting either Kawah Ijen or Mount Bromo or both.  And you’ve likely come from Bali, to the island of Java in order to do that.   There’s a few different options for this route and the reasons for taking the different options, but I imagine you’re looking for independent travel rather than taking a tour.  So you’re in the right place. Here’s our guide on how to get to Probolinggo from Banyuwangi.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

First a little geography and an explanation of what’s where.  If you’ve taken the ferry from Bali to Java, then you landed at Ketapang Port, which is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Banyuwangi.  Banyugwangi is where you’ll likely base yourself to visit Kawah Ijen. And Probolinggo is the city at the bottom of the hill that you drive up to go and visit Mount Bromo.

If you want to do this the easy way and visit Ijen and Bromo and then head on westwards or eastwards.

• Then this is your best option if you’re already in Malang in Java and want to go to Bali afterwards
• If you’re in Bali and want to see Ijen, Bromo and continue eastbound, then this is your best option
• If you’re in Yogyakarta and want to see Ijen, Bromo and continue westbound, then this is your best option

Ketapang  Ferry Port to Banyuwangi

If you’ve arrived on the ferry from Gilimanuk on Bali, (we did this, after traveling from Ubud to Gilimanuk, then your first challenge it to get to Banyugwani.  It’s only about 5 kilometers (3 miles), and there will be taxi’s and shared pickups (tempos) galore.  Just negotiate a fair rate.  Get dropped off close to your hotel or hostel, because you’ll be making an early start if you’re heading to Ijen tomorrow morning. 

My guide to visiting Kawah Ijen is here.

Where is Probolinggo?

Probolinggo is a city on the north coast of East Java province, Indonesia.  It’s the starting point really for visits to Mount Bromo.  My guide to visiting Mount Bromo independently is here and you’ll need to get to Probolinggo to start.

How to Go from Banyuwangi to Probolinggo

There are three different ways to go from Banyuwangi to Probolinggo, I’ll start with the easiest. 

Taking a tour from Banyuwangi to Probolinggo

And that’s a tour.  And it’s a tour, not between Banyuwangi and Probolinggo but to the places that you’re actually wanting to visit, i.e. Kawah Ijen and Mount Bromo.

• Then this is your best option if you’re already in Malang in Java and want to go to Bali afterwards
• If you’re in Bali and want to see Ijen, Bromo and continue eastbound, then this is your best option
• If you’re in Yogyakarta and want to see Ijen, Bromo and continue westbound, then this is your best option

Taking a bus from Banyugwangi to Probolinggo

Buses to Probolinggo from Banyuwangi leave from the Brawijawa Terminal aka Karangente and head to the Terminal Bayuangga on Jalan Raya Bromo on the western side of Probolinggo. Take a yellow bemo from there for onward travel to other parts of the city.  If you’re heading to Bromo, then my guide to going from Probolinggo is here and you’ll need a green minivan to get up to Bromo.  They go when full from 07:00 until 21:00.  If you don’t have the 15 passengers that they need, then you can always pay for 15 passengers and they’ll go early (a bit like our trip from Lombok to Gili)

You can check the bus times and book tickets here.

The buses here are cheap, and also decent quality.  And a bus from Banyuwanggi to Probolinggo can take from around 6 hours and 45 minutes up to 9.5 hours.  At holidays it can be longer, because the traffic is worse.  We were traveling this part of the island during carnivals and festivals and crawled along at a very slow speed.

Taking the Banyuwangi to Probolinggo Train

You’re in luck.  There’s a train track here on Java.  Several to be fair.  And you can get to Probolinggo from Banyuwangi on the train that connects Surabaya to Banyuwangi.  It’s a really good train system here.  Trains are airconditioned, comfortable and cheap.  They’re fast and usually on time.  And yes there are online reservations too. 

The fastest train from Banyuwangi (Karangasem Train Station) to Probolinggo takes about 3.5 hours. 

There are currently three sites where you can make reservations, but one KAI.id is in Indonesian only.  AS you’re likely here traveling with a foreign card, then you need either bookaway.com or tiket.com.  You can also buy tickets at train stations, Alfamart or Indomaret.

You can buy tickets about 6 weeks ahead of your travel time, but you can’t buy them online on the day of travel at all.  You will need passport numbers and matching names for each passenger.

When you’ve booked your train, you’ll need to print out a ticket, but the reservation number that you’ll get on your booking is enough to print the tickets at the train station.

There are multiple different classes on the trains – Eksekutif, Bisnis & Ekonomi class.  There’s also an Eksekutif Luxury Class.  We’ve travelled in all of them apart from the Eksekutif Luxury class and they’re all absolutely fine.  It depends on how much you want to spend!

The trains have toilets, and depending on which train you’re on there may be different catering options, but you should always be able to buy something to eat and drink.

Map of Bus Terminals and Train Stations for going from Probolinggo to Banyuwangi

The full map of train stations and bus terminals from Probolinggo to Banyuwangi is here

The quickest way to get from Banyuwangi to Probolinggo

The train is the quickest way to do this route and you can book tickets on tiket.com or on bookaway.

The easiest way to go to Probolinggo from Banyuwangi

The easiest way to get from Probolinggo to Banyuwangi actually cuts to the chase and takes you to the places you want to visit rather than the bus terminals and trains stations – Kawah Ijen and Mount Bromo

• Then this is your best option if you’re already in Malang in Java and want to go to Bali afterwards
• If you’re in Bali and want to see Ijen, Bromo and continue eastbound, then this is your best option
• If you’re in Yogyakarta and want to see Ijen, Bromo and continue westbound, then this is your best option

The cheapest way to go from Banyuwangi to Probolinggo

The cheapest way to get to Banyuwangi from Probolinggo is to take either the economy seat on the train – reserve your train seats here.  Or to take the bus.  They’re about the same price.

The best way to go from Banyuwangi to Probolinggo

We’ve taken the train and the bus on this route – the bus isn’t that bad but the train is a lot quicker!

Travel Tips for Exploring Indonesia

• Get Travel Insurance: Civitatis includes medical expenses, repatriation, theft, luggage delays. No deductibles or upfront payments. Get a quote here.
• Get online immediately with an eSIM for Indonesia here
• Download and install a VPN BEFORE you travel to Indonesia > discount coupon here
• Save money in Indonesia with a Wise debit card
• Book the best tours and attractions in Indonesia
  • With Klook
  • Or with GetYourGuide
• Book Buses & Trains in Indonesia with Bookaway
• Book accommodation in Indonesia with Agoda

Final Words on How to Go from Banyuwangi to Probolinggo

Indonesian trains are a delightful surprise, and well worth taking, even if you don’t use them on this route, then it’s worth using them at some other point.  They certainly make this trip a lot quicker than the public bus!  However, if you’re going between these places to visit Ijen and Bromo, the most efficient use of your time is to take a tour.

ASocialNomad is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, and amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.