Ground Transport:
Once you have picked up your luggage at the airport (or have arrived at your hotel) you are now faced with the ground transport choices. Be advised that prices mentioned herein may change without notice. Prices and information were last updated in the 4th quarter 2003.

Rental Cars:
If you are coming here for a few days or so, you might be tempted to rent a car and go out driving yourself around to explore Yogyakarta. Our advice: Don't - especially if you are coming from a country where driving on the right is the norm. When you put together pedestrians, bicycles, tour buses, trucks, livestock and assorted immovable objects in the middle of roads that are not well marked - or written in Indonesian or even ancient Javanese script - with traffic controls are often ignored and little, if any, enforcement of rules that may exist (not to mention that insurance is relatively expensive and of questionable reliability) - you have yourself one of the most creative (read dangerous) driving environments imaginable.

First, forget about getting lost - that's the least of your concerns. If you have an accident and there is an injury to a local person (or worse) you will not be able to leave until the matter is cleared up. Better to hire a car with a driver, enjoy the scenery and arrive at your destination relaxed. It usually costs only about US$ 10.00 more per day to hire a driver with your rental vehicle than without - so you be the judge.

That said, a private car & driver can be arranged by most hotel travel desks for either a half or full day of sightseeing. This is a very good choice if you plan to go to outside the city of Yogyakarta. The rates vary but expect to pay approximately Rp. 200,000.00 (US $24.00) for a half day (4 hour) rental and double that for a full day (8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.) You simply tell the driver which sights you’d like to visit and he will take you there in air conditioned comfort and wait for your return to head off for the next destination (make sure to jot down his name and company).

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Taxis:
Taxis in Yogyakarta are relatively inexpensive. The flag drop is Rp 3,500 (less than 50 US cents) and Rp. 1,500 for each additional kilometer (meters also run when stuck in traffic). A trip from Jl. Adisucipto to Jl. Malioboro in city center costs approximately Rp. 20,000.-

However, a word of caution is in order when speaking of taxis in general. There is little regulation or law enforcement in the Indonesian taxi business. It is well worth the time and effort to commit these few guidelines to memory.

1. Before entering a taxi make sure the driver agrees to take you to your destination.

2. Be sure there is a driver ID on the dashboard along with the Company logo and code number. If there is no such information clearly visible don’t get in the taxi.

3. Reputable companies insist that their drivers be well mannered, well groomed, wear the company uniform/shirt and shoes. This is one time when it is better to judge a book by its cover. The taxi driver's appearance is reflective of his company's attitude toward service.

4. If, once you are in a cab and the driver tries to bargain, or claims that his meter is broken, get out of the taxi at once. The driver knows the fare and it will almost always cost more than using the meter.

If you are out of your hotel and need a taxi to get back we recommend you use either ASA Taxi - telp. 545-545 or JAS Taxi - telp. 373-737. Both use newer cars and are clean with polite drivers and "good" meters.

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Andong:
This is a horse drawn carriage (4 wheels). Sometimes the carriage is pulled by two horses. This is a very pleasant way to move around town. All carriages are canopied for protection from sun and rain and many drivers are decked out in traditional Javanese dress making it that much more enjoyable. The price is negotiable. You should expect to pay more than you would for a taxi or Becak especially for short trips. It becomes more reasonable when you agree on an hourly rate (approximately Rp. 25,000.00)

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Dokar:
A horse drawn carriage but this time with 2 wheels. Not anywhere near as comfortable nor as popular as the Andong in the city area but the farther you get into the countryside the more prevalent the Dokar becomes.

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Becak:
Also known as Pedicabs. These are 3 wheeled cycles with the driver seated behind the passengers. Rp. 10,000.00 ($1.15) per hour is the going rate and a bargain it is for sightseeing. Oddly, as with the Andong, it could cost more to take a Becak than a taxi for a short one way trip - but it is a convenient and a great way to go from A to B. There are literally thousands of these Becaks for hire. Some of the larger hotels have their own Becak 'fleets' waiting to serve you just outside the hotel entrance.

Be advised though, that often the drivers will offer to take you to “special" Batik shops. They proceed to deliver you to shops which cater almost exclusively to tourists and thus have inflated prices. You are, of course, welcome to view the Batik process in the back of the shop. Drivers are paid a small fee to deliver customers to these shops.

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Bicycle Rental:
This is recommended only for the young and adventurous. It is a great bargain at about 60 cents per day (Rp 5,000.-). However the bikes are not in great condition and replacement cost is steep should it be stolen while you are shopping or sightseeing.

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