City in Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Yogyakarta for solo travelers
Is Yogyakarta good for solo travel?
Java's culture and student capital: Borobudur and Prambanan day trips, batik, gamelan, cheap food and a creative scene. Suits slow, budget-friendly stays; it is hot, sprawling and has little nomad infrastructure.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Very friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women, with modest dress expected. Catcalls are mild; Gojek and Grab are fine at night. |
How to meet people in Yogyakarta
Batik and gamelan classes, cooking courses, student language exchanges, guesthouses in Prawirotaman and sunrise tours at Borobudur.
Good things to do alone
- See Borobudur at sunrise
- Watch the Ramayana ballet at Prambanan
- Explore the Taman Sari Water Castle
- Eat gudeg and angkringan street food at night
- Take a batik class
Where to stay in Yogyakarta
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Prawirotaman | Travelers: guesthouses, cafés, tour agencies, cheaper meals |
| Malioboro | First-timers: street food, shopping, near station |
| Sleman (Seturan, Gejayan) | Students and long stays: cafés and cheap rent |
| Kotabaru | Quiet leafy area near museums |
Solo travel across Indonesia
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Bali | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ubud | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Canggu | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Seminyak | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Uluwatu | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Yogyakarta | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Gili Islands | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lombok | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Labuan Bajo | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sanur | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Mount Bromo | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nusa Lembongan | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lake Toba | 4/5 | Limited |
| Kuta Lombok | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Amed | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Malang | 4/5 | Limited |
| Bukit Lawang | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Manado | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Tana Toraja | 4/5 | Limited |
| Jakarta | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Nusa Penida | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Kuta | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Nusa Dua | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Raja Ampat | 3/5 | Limited |
| Bandung | 3/5 | Limited |
| Batam | 3/5 | Limited |
| Bintan | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Medan | 3/5 | Limited |
| Surabaya | 3/5 | Limited |
| Jimbaran | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
Quick answers
Is Yogyakarta good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Java's culture and student capital: Borobudur and Prambanan day trips, batik, gamelan, cheap food and a creative scene.
How do you meet people in Yogyakarta?
Batik and gamelan classes, cooking courses, student language exchanges, guesthouses in Prawirotaman and sunrise tours at Borobudur. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Yogyakarta?
Common in tourist areas.
Is Yogyakarta safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women, with modest dress expected. Catcalls are mild; Gojek and Grab are fine at night.
More about Yogyakarta
Going to Yogyakarta solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Yogyakarta meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.