Banyuwangi Voyage Tips and guide

Banyuwangi is a town in East Java at the eastern tip of Java Island.

Banyuwangi is at the easternmost tip of Java, and is best known for its ferry connection at Ketapang to Gilimanuk in Bali, which makes it a gateway for locals (or tourists) traveling by car to Bali from any of Java’s major cities (such as Jakarta). It can also serve as a rest area for drivers, tourists, or locals, heading to Bali by land. This area has a lot more to offer though and it is becoming better known as a visitor destination in its own right. Banyuwangi is also the gateway to some stunning volcanic scenery on the Ijen Plateau as well as the main access point for the Baluran National Park, world renowned surfing at G-Land (Grajagan), and the remote Alas Purwo National Park.

• Banyuwangi Government Culture and Tourism Service, Jl. A. Yani 78, ☏ +62 333 424172, [email protected]. 
• Tourist Information Centre, Ketapang Harbour (ASDP), Jl Gatot Subroto, Ketapang. 
• -8.233812114.3516871 Alas Purwo National Park Head Office (Kantor Balai Taman Nasional Alas Purwo), Jl. Brawijaya No.20, Kebalenan, ☏ +62 333 428675. M-F, 07:30-16:00.  

8°13′21″S 114°22′28″E

Map of Banyuwangi

• -8.31114.340271 Blimbingsari Airport (BWX  ^IATA). The 2022 Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA) airport. Some airlines, Batik Air, Citilink, Garuda Indonesia, and NAM Air have flights from Jakarta. Garuda Indonesia and Wings Air have flights from Surabaya. Citilink has flights from Kuala Lumpur.  

There are several daily trains from Surabaya and Malang run by the national operator Kereta Api^{[dead link]}, taking six hours, plus one daily train from Yogyakarta taking 13 hours. These trains run to -8.141284114.3972632 Ketapang, which is the station for ferries to Bali; the harbour is just 200 m away. Until 2020 this station was known as Banyuwangi Baru and may still appear as that on old signage and timetables, but it's 10 km north of Banyuwangi town centre.

If Banyuwangi is where you want to be, get off at -8.222974114.3407813 Banyuwangi Kota station (previously called Karangasem) which is on the west edge of town, 3 km from the centre.

• Sri Tanjung (2 km south of Ketapang port), ☏ +62 333 510635. The main bus terminal. Surabaya is 285 km away by road, and buses take about 6 hours. 

Ferries run 24 hours a day from Gilimanuk in Bali to Ketapang every 30 min. The journey takes about 45 minutes, although loading and unloading can take much longer. Price is Rp 7500 for foot passengers, but this credit must be loaded onto a smartcard in order to pass the turnstile. Buy the smartcard at a desk before the main ticket window. Multiple passengers may use the same smartcard, so try to find other tourists to pool the cost. Then, at the main ticket window, load onto it the number of entries required. The ferry operator is ASDP, ☏ +62 333 413730.

The ticket can be bought via Ferizy's website or on the spot.

From Ketapang, blue bemos are available 09:00 to 15:00. Prices to downtown area or nearby are Rp 5,000 - 10,000 per person, but they will ask for 2 or 3 times that, the price will go down as you walk away. Another option is to take a metered taxi. The company Bosowa Taxi (dark blue looking taxis) operates the area, and if you don't see one nearby, you can call one at ☏ +62 333 414141. Price to downtown Banyuwangi is around Rp. 51,000 (Aug 2015). Watch the meter as you arrive at your destination as the driver may switch it off the second you arrive

• Marina Srikandi Fast Boat, Jl. Suwung Batan Kendal No. 8C, Denpasar Selatan, ☏ +62 631 729 818 (booking tickets), +62 819 98996688 (office), [email protected]. Depart from Kedonganan Harbour in Bali to Blimbingsari everyday. The journey takes about 2 hours. Price is Rp. 375,000 for adult and free for child under 5 years. 

From Denpasar to Banyuwangi (via Gilimanuk) takes 4 hours due to traffic. The route is via the main highway, but it is only two lane and is full of trucks and buses trying to overtake each other. From Jakarta, it is a 15-hour drive; from Ngawi, it is a 6-hour drive via the toll road "tol Ngawi-Surabaya", 8-10 hour drive on non-toll roads.

The main bus station in Banyuwangi is at Ketapang ferry terminal. From there, regular yellow coloured bemos and shuttle buses run into the capital city (Sri Tanjung bus terminal/Brawijaya bus terminal), and elsewhere in the vicinity. Becaks (horse-cart/pedicabs) are widely available in town. Do not accept the first price the driver tells you.

Most surfers heading for G-Land are doing so from Bali, and transportation to the camps is part of their surf package. You can however reach G-Land independently with a bus from Sri Tanjung terminal to Benculuk (about 1 hour), where you change and catch another bus to Grajagan (about 30 minutes).

You can hire private jeeps with a driver in Banyuwangi. Vital for independent trips up to the Ijen Crater or for exploring the remote parts of the south eastern coastal National parks.

This is a highly-regarded art form in Banyuwangi, and one of the nicknames for the capital city is Gandrung. In Javanese, gandrung means hopelessly in love. The love in this case is directed to Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice. The performance is an homage to Dewi Sri in gratitude for the rice harvest. The performance is a very special cultural event with unique orchestration. Check at the Tourist Information Centre for scheduled performances.

• Surf at Red Island Beach.
• Bangsring Underwater. A semi-artificial snorkelling site filled with coral just north of Banyuwangi. The fish-life is incredibly dense and the entry price is only 5000 rupiah.

• See a magician. From all over the archipelago Indonesians flock to consult Banyuwangi's famous and infamous practitioners of white magic and the darker arts, the dutak. 

• Gallery & Museum Mozes Misdy, Jl Gatot Subroto 119, Ketapang, ☏ +62 333 423573. Mozes Midzy is a renowned Javanese modern artist and he was born in Banyuwangi in 1941. This gallery showcases his painting work and pieces are available for purchase. 

Street stall and simple warung food is the go in Banyuwangi and you will find lots of it. At night, many warungs can be found on the north-west side of Taman Blambangan park and also at the smaller park nearby, next to the Masjid Agung Baiturrahman mosque.

• -8.195063114.3758121 Pondok Rujak Soto, Jl. Basuki Rahmat No.113, Singotrunan, ☏ +62 812 492 52279. 09:00-21:00. Serves local Banyuwangi dish, rujak soto. (updated Nov 2022)
• -8.180187114.3569382 Pecel Rawon Bu Yani, Jalan Joyoboyo No 18, Brak, Kalipuro, ☏ +62 877 459 70555. Open, 07:00. Serves local Banyuwangi dish, pecel rawon. (updated Nov 2022)
• -8.219563114.3490633 Sego Tempong Mbok Wah, Jl. Gembrung No.220, Lingkungan Watu Ulo R, Bakungan, Glagah, ☏ +62 822 316 31493. 08:00-21:00. Serves local Banyuwangi dish, sego tempong. (updated Nov 2022)
• -8.207688114.3731884 Srengenge Wetan, Jl. Panglima Besar Sudirman No.175, Singonegaran, ☏ +62 811 368 9060. 08:00-21:00. Try some local Banyuwangi food, uyah asem and pecel pitik. (updated Nov 2022)
• -8.211313114.3729385 Nasi Cawuk Ibu Sri, Jl. Kyai Saleh No.14, Kepatihan, ☏ +62 812 346 22270. 05:30-10:30. Serves local Banyuwangi dish, sego cawuk. (updated Nov 2022)

• Melati, Jl Raya Situbondo km 12, ☏ +62 333 510042. 
• Cawang Indah, Jl Raya Situbondo no.10, ☏ +62 333 510083. 
• -8.199562114.3759376 Pondok Wina, Jl Basuki Rahmat (in front of Brawijaya bus terminal), ☏ +62 333 412344. Javanese deep-fried chicken.  
• -8.201562114.3746877 Wina Mac Joe, Jl Basuki Rahmat, ☏ +62 333 424824. Javanese deep-fried chicken.  
• Tanjung Lestari Seafood, Jl.Yos sudarso no.171, ☏ +62 333 423857. 
• -8.224312114.3670638 Bik Ati, Jl. Ahmad Yani No. 83, ☏ +62 333 423165. Serves rawon soup.  
• Latisana Drink and Eatery, Jl. Ikan Wijinongko No.9, ☏ +62 81331050171. W-M 09:00-22:00. A more modern eatery serving a variety of popular Indonesian dishes. Larger portions and very good quality. Rp25,000. (updated Apr 2023)

Try local kopi ijen at a local cafe.

• -8.219313114.3495161 Pondok Kopi Lereng Ijen Banyuwangi, Jl. Barong, Lingkungan Watu Ulo R, Bakungan, Glagah, ☏ +62 812 499 29993. (updated Nov 2022)

There is a lot of fairly identical budget accommodation in Banyuwangi and there are often several well-meaning and well-mannered touts at the Ketapang ferry terminal eager to take you to their option. The small extra payment for the tout might be worth it if you're tired and just want accommodation.

• -8.15111114.397751 Manyar Hotel, Jl Gatot Subroto 74 (right at Ketapang ferry terminal), ☏ +62 333 424741. A rather soulless hotel but it is convenient for a one night stopover before or after taking the ferry.  
• -8.172792114.3855022 Mirah Hotel, Jl Yos Sudarso, Klatak, Giri., ☏ +62 333 420600, [email protected]. South of Ketapang ferry terminal. from Rp 170,000.  

• -8.21605114.375453 Hotel Baru, Jl Raya Ketapang, ☏ +62 333 421369.  
• -8.21514114.37544 Berlin Barat Hotel, Jl Letjen Haryono MT 96, Banjarsari, Glagah, ☏ +62 333 421323. Good clean rooms arranged around an open courtyard. Western-style toilets but no hot water.  
• -8.20029114.357045 Giri Indah Hotel, Jl.Hayam wuruk no. 301 (west of Banyuwangi city center on ring road), ☏ +62 3334 24684. With air-con. Rp 125,000.  
• -8.21408114.354946 Ihtiar Surya, Jl Gajah Mada no.9 Banyuwangi, ☏ +62 333 421063, +62 333 423631.  
• -8.212607114.3643387 Osingvacation, Dusun Glondok Licin (between Banyuwangi city and the Ijen crater), ☏ +62 85204932963, [email protected]. Check-in: 12:30, check-out: optional. On a quiet side village about 60 minutes from Ketapang ferry port. Can arrange tours. There is a 24-hour front desk. The bed and breakfast also provides car rental. The staff speak English. Price: around Rp 150,000 includes breakfast.. (updated Feb 2019)
• -8.222188114.3639188 Snooze Hostel, Jl. Borobudur No.27 (4km east of train station, 2km southwest of city center). Well-designed new building, tastefully decorated, English-fluent staff is eager to help with planning. In a neighborhood with trendy restaurants. (updated Nov 2023)
• -8.21348114.346879 Hotel Warata, Jl.Widuri no.2 (on the way to Desa wisata osing recreation center), ☏ +62 333 424575, +62 852 58144475. Basic backpack accommodation 1.5 km from Banyuwangi city centre. Rp 70,000-100,000.  
• -8.21338114.3762610 Wisma Blambangan, Jl Dr Wahidin Sudirohusodo 4, Karangrejo, ☏ +62 333 421598.  

• -8.161062114.39381211 Ketapang Indah Hotel, Jl Gatot Subroto Km 6, ☏ +62 333 422280, fax: +62 333 423597, [email protected]. Waterfront cottages and rooms about 7 minutes from Ketapang ferry terminal (left hand side, heading south towards Banywangi). Good sized swimming pool and restaurant. Staff are efficient. Conveniently located for access to the ferry terminal. Can arrange tours. Price: around Rp 450,000 for a quite pleasant room with air-con and hot water. Includes breakfast.  
• -8.214091114.37644512 Hotel Blambangan (On the south side of Taman Blambangan park, in downtown Banyuwangi, it has a big green sign on the front), ☏ +62 333 411 222, [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Restored colonial-era post office with superior and executive rooms. Very attentive staff that will not push tours and will help you with directions, logistics and recommendations. Facilities include Wi-Fi, 24h staff, coffee & tea and a pool. The location is excellent, surrounded by multitude of eating options, the beach coast and other hotels. Rp. 420,000 - 530,000. (updated Sep 2015)

The dialing code for Banyuwangi is 0333.

• Ijen plateau, which contains the famous Ijen crater.
• Bali — with its famous beaches and Hindu temples.
• Baluran National Park — is a grassland, forest and coastal park with lovely, deserted beaches.
• Probolinggo — on the route to Mount Bromo.
• Sukamade — turtle conservation beach.