How Much Does a Bromo Ijen Tour from Bali Cost? Group Tour vs Traveling Without a Tour (2025-2026 Guide)

Types of Travel from Bali to Bromo & Ijen

Travelers generally choose between:

1. Group sharing tour
2. Traveling without a tour (independent arrangements)
3. Private Tour

This comparison focuses on pricing, safety, comfort, and practical considerations.

Price Overview

Below is a price comparison for a Bromo Ijen trip starting from Kuta, Bali and returning back to Kuta. You can choose to travel independently, join a shared group tour, or enjoy a fully private tour experience. Costs may vary depending on the operator, travel season, and the level of service included.

Please note that for independent travel, the cost does not include a local guide or guided services.

Traveling To Bromo and Ijen from Kuta or Centre Area in Bali Island Without a Tour — Cost Breakdown

The following reflects commonly paid prices for independent travelers in 2025-2026:

*USD and EUR Currency by Google Finance (12/08/2025) and subject to Change

Where is the intercity bus terminal in Bali located?

The main intercity bus station serving Bali-to-Java ferry crossings is Mengwi Bus Station. This bus station, sits roughly in the center of the island, located at the junction between roads coming from Denpasar or Kuta and the road toward Ubud. Travel time from Kuta or Denpasar to the Bus Station is around 1–1.5 hours, and about the same if you’re traveling from Ubud. Since the Bus Station is not within walking distance from major tourist hubs, you will need additional transportation such as a taxi, ride-hailing service, or private transfer to get there.

Keep in mind that the ferry crossing to Java departs from Gilimanuk Ferry Port, located on the northern coast of Bali. The drive from Terminal Bus Mengwi to Gilimanuk ferry port takes roughly 3–4 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

Why choose Probolinggo as the entry point to Bromo? Isn’t it usually from Malang?

Mount Bromo is located inside Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, which spans four cities: Probolinggo, Malang, Pasuruan, and Lumajang, each with its own access into the park.

The perception that Bromo is mainly accessed from Malang is a common misconception. Malang is one of the largest economic cities in East Java and serves as a major tourism hub with plenty of hotels, attractions, and tour operators. Because many Bromo day trips are marketed from Malang, travelers often assume that Bromo is closest to Malang. In reality, Probolinggo provides the fastest route to Penanjakan and King Kong Hill for the iconic Bromo sunrise view point.

For travelers coming from Bali or finishing their trip in Bali, accessing Bromo through Probolinggo is the most efficient choice, as it lies directly on the main Java–Bali overland route. If you go via Malang, you would need to detour south first and then drive back north toward Bromo, which adds unnecessary travel time and cost — up to 108 km (around 67 miles) longer compared to entering through Probolinggo.

Another advantage of choosing Probolinggo as your entry point to Bromo is the accommodation options. If you stay in Malang, most hotels are located in the city center, meaning you will need to depart around midnight (00:00) to catch the sunrise in Bromo — a very early and tiring start. Meanwhile, Probolinggo offers a wide range of accommodations much closer to Cemoro Lawang, the main entrance to the park. From here, you can usually start your trip around 02:00–03:00, depending on crowd levels. It’s always best to ask your jeep driver for the recommended departure time, as they know the exact traffic situation and how many jeeps are expected on that particular day.

Some accommodations in Cemoro Lawang even offer direct views of Mount Bromo. For example, Lava View Lodge is located right on the edge of the caldera, allowing guests to enjoy the volcano scenery straight from their hotel — a huge advantage if you want to savor the Bromo landscape without rushing.

Additional Expected Costs and Practical Considerations

Car rental with a driver in Banyuwangi typically costs IDR 600,000 – 800,000 per car, which can significantly increase the total spending for independent travel. Hiring a licensed local guide at Ijen generally adds around IDR 250,000 - IDR 300,000 per guide. Meals and personal expenses will vary depending on preference.

The intercity bus terminal in Bali for routes to Java is located in Mengwi, north of Denpasar. This comparison uses the Probolinggo entrance to Bromo, which is the closest access from Bali; entering via Malang usually results in higher transport costs.

When choosing a bus, it is important to check the arrival time in Probolinggo. The latest shared minibus departure to Cemoro Lawang (Bromo entrance village) is usually around 16:00 (4 PM). Arriving later may require spending the night in Probolinggo city.

Make sure the bus stops at Probolinggo Intercity Bus Terminal, so you do not need extra transportation within the city.

There is no public transportation from Banyuwangi to the Ijen trailhead. The most affordable option is renting a motorbike in Banyuwangi. The ride takes about one hour, but the route includes sharp turns, steep ascents, and limited lighting in several sections. In the rainy season, the road can be slippery and some areas may be prone to landslides.

If renting a motorbike, confirm that the owner is willing to pick up the motorbike at the Banyuwangi Intercity Bus Terminal upon your return, to avoid additional transportation costs.

Join Bromo Ijen Group Sharing Tour by YKExplore, Powered by ExploreHub™

The Bali–Bromo–Ijen itinerary is compact. Both Bromo sunrise and the Blue Fire in Ijen take place within narrow time windows, leaving very little room for delays. A missed bus connection or a late jeep departure can easily cause travelers to lose the main highlights of the journey. Again, more days are spent means more cost.

ExploreHub™ addresses this challenge by treating each destination as a coordinated hub within the route. Drivers, guides, and accommodation partners work to a unified timetable rather than operating independently. This allows for:

• Synchronized departures across all hubs
• Price remains the same for solo travelers
• Departures are available every day
• Unifies multiple starting points
• More sustainable travel experience, as shared logistics and transport reduced Individual Carbon Footprints.

YKExplore is the pioneer behind the ExploreHub™ system, and one of the first tour operators to implement a hub-based model for group sharing tours in Indonesia. Instead of depending on individual suppliers that operate independently, ExploreHub™ connects every logistic component, reducing waiting time, minimizing uncertainty, and improving the likelihood that travelers experience both volcanic highlights as planned.

With this system, the overall pricing remains competitive compared to traveling independently — and when comparing services apple-to-apple, such as the inclusion of a professional local guide, travelers often receive more value than going solo. Another added benefit is direct pickup from your accommodation in key tourism areas including Kuta, Denpasar, and Ubud. Your trip is also protected by Zurich travel insurance, covering mountain activities for added peace of mind. Plus, you can conveniently pay with a debit or credit card, making the booking process easier for international travelers.

Which Option Fits Your Travel Style?

Conclusion

These options can lead to a rewarding Bromo–Ijen experience. The cost gap becomes smaller once car rental, guides, and night access to Ijen are considered. The deciding factor often comes down to your comfort with uncertainty versus your desire for a streamlined journey.

Travelers who enjoy navigating logistics and accepting potential changes may prefer going independently.
Travelers who want to focus on the volcanic landscapes, not the bus connections, usually find group tours a better balance of cost, comfort, and reliability.

Plan Your Trip

YKExplore operates group sharing and private departures from Bali, Surabaya, and Yogyakarta.
Each departure is supported by ExploreHub™ operations for consistent quality and safe, coordinated logistics.