Advice on a classic Indonesia itinerary for summer 2026

I’d love to get some feedback on our itinerary—it’s probably pretty basic! This is our second trip to Asia and our first to Indonesia. We have three kids aged 20, 18, and 12. We land in Jakarta at 4 PM, spend 3 nights/2 days there, then take the train to Yogyakarta for 3 nights/2 days, followed by the train to Surabaya for 2 nights/1 day, then the train to Bromo for 1 day/1 night, a private driver to Ijen for 2 nights/2 days, then on to Bali (Ubud) for 4 nights/3 days, followed by Gili Air for 3 nights/2 days, Senggigi (Lombok) for 2 nights, and finally 5 nights in Kuta. I’m considering cutting the 2 nights in Senggigi to just keep Kuta and extend it to 7 nights. In Lombok, I’m not sure how to get around since I’m not comfortable with scooters... Your thoughts on all of this, and any advice, are more than welcome—don’t hesitate!

For those wondering why cities like Jakarta and Surabaya: we don’t often get the chance to visit big Asian cities, so we wanted to include that discovery in our trip. The trains between Jakarta and Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Probolinggo are booked. The return flight from Lombok to Jakarta is also set. Accommodations are booked but flexible (same for the trains).

Thanks!

@ everyone, Just to clarify: departure this summer.

Hi there,

Yes, departure this summer!

Jakarta at 4 PM, 3 nights 2 days, (...) Surabaya 2 nights 1 day (...) we don’t often get the chance to visit big Asian cities, so for us it’s a discovery we’d like to include in our trip.

For such an opportunity in a crowded and exhausting big city, at least pick ones that have a definite appeal worth staying for: Delhi, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc... but definitely not Jakarta and Surabaya, which—aside from possibly needing to transit through for one night—offer no real interest. I’d save those precious nights to improve the rest of your itinerary, which could really use it. If back-to-back arrival in Jakarta and transport to a "distant" destination bothers you, you could consider staying 2 nights in Bogor instead. It’s not too far, connected by bus from the airport, and has the added appeal of its famous botanical garden.

Yogyakarta 3 nights 2 days

That’s not enough. Yogyakarta’s appeal isn’t limited to Borobudur and Prambanan. You can also explore the city (Kraton, batik-making districts...), see traditional performances (Wayang Kulit, Wayang Golek, Ramayana...), take a leisurely becak ride through the surrounding villages, or go on longer excursions like the Dieng Plateau and Nepal Van Java... In short, your 2 days are laughable—plan at least 5 nights.

depart by train for Surabaya 2 nights 1 day, depart by train for (...) Probolinggo (...) Bromo 1 day 1 night, private driver to Ijen 2 nights 2 days, then on to Bali

Another possible option: through an agency (common for this route), depart from Yogya, visit Bromo, Kawah Ijen, and Banuywangi (ferry port to Bali). With 5 people, it’d be worth the cost—you could set your own schedule and even plan a stop in the Malang area. If you stick with your plan, be wary of touts for drivers in Probolinggo who’ll insist there’s no public transport to Cemoro Lawang.

Ubud 4 nights

In summer, unless you want to move at a snail’s pace, avoid Ubud like the plague. More generally, draw a horizontal line above Ubud and only visit or stay in places north of that line and within the coasts. I’m surprised you’re only planning one stop in Bali. I know it’ll be peak tourist season, but the same will be true for what you’ve planned next in Lombok, so...

depart for Gili Air 3 nights 2 days, then to Senggigi Lombok 2 nights, then 5 nights in Kuta. I’m considering dropping the 2 nights in Senggigi to keep only Kuta for 7 nights.

9 days in beachside ghettos in Lombok while your time in Java and Bali is painfully lacking in stops?🤪🤪🤪 And despite that length, you’re not even planning to explore the island’s interior...

In Lombok, I’m not sure how to get around

By (rare) buses, bemos, and tourist shuttles.

In summary, I’d skip Jakarta and Surabaya, add more stops in Java and Bali, and cut down the beach time in Lombok.

Accommodations are booked but modifiable (same for the train)

Thankfully...😎 Next time, it’d be better to research first and book later.

Jakarta at 4 PM, 3 nights 2 days, (...) Surabaya 2 nights 1 day (...) we don’t often get the chance to visit big Asian cities, so for us, it’s a discovery we’d like to include in our trip.

For such an opportunity in a crowded and exhausting big city, at least choose ones that have a definite interest worth staying for: Delhi, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc... but definitely not Jakarta and Surabaya, which—aside from possibly needing to transit there for one night—offer no real interest. I’d keep those precious nights to improve the rest of your itinerary, which could really use it. If back-to-back arrival in Jakarta and transport to a "distant" destination bothers you, you could consider staying 2 nights in Bogor instead. It’s not too far, connected by bus from the airport, and has the added interest of its famous botanical garden.

Yogyakarta 3 nights 2 days

That’s not enough. The appeal of Yogyakarta isn’t limited to visiting Borobudur and Prambanan. You can also explore the city (Kraton, batik-making district...), see traditional performances (Wayang Kulit, Wayang Golek, Ramayana...), take a relaxed becak ride through the surrounding villages, or go on slightly farther excursions like the Dieng Plateau and Nepal Van Java... In short, your 2 days are laughable—plan at least 5 nights.

depart by train for Surabaya 2 nights 1 day, depart by train for (...) Probolinggo (...) Bromo 1 day 1 night, private driver to Ijen 2 nights 2 days, then on to Bali

Another possible option: through an agency (common practice for this route), depart from Yogya, Bromo, Kawah Ijen, Banuywangi (ferry port to Bali). With 5 people, it’d be worth the cost—you could set your own schedule and even plan a stop in the Malang area. If you stick with your plan, be wary of touts for private drivers in Probolinggo who’ll insist there’s no public transport to Cemoro Lawang.

Ubud 4 nights

In summer, unless you want to move shoulder-to-shoulder, avoid Ubud like the plague. More generally, draw a horizontal line above Ubud and only visit or stay in places north of that line and within the coasts. I’m surprised you’re only planning one stop in Bali. I know it’ll be peak tourist season, but the same will go for what you’ve planned next in Lombok...

depart for Gili Air 3 nights 2 days, then to Senggigi Lombok 2 nights, then 5 nights in Kuta. I’m considering dropping the 2 nights in Senggigi to keep only Kuta for 7 nights.

9 days in beach ghettos in Lombok when your time in Java and Bali is desperately lacking stops?🤪🤪🤪 And despite that length, you’re not even planning to explore the island’s interior...

In Lombok, I’m not sure how to get around

By (rare) buses, bemo, and tourist buses.

In short, I’d skip the stays in Jakarta and Surabaya, add more stops in Java and Bali, and cut down the beach time in Lombok.

Accommodations are booked but modifiable (same for the train)

Thankfully...😎 Next time, it’d be better to research first and book after.

Hello,

Thanks for taking the time. Java is really lacking stops? I’ll drop Surabaya and add one night in Yogyakarta. Bali doesn’t appeal to us at all, which is why we’re stopping in Ubud. From there, we’ll do a few visits. Lombok for 7 days—is that too much? We thought about Komodo, but the price is extremely high. This is our first time in Indonesia, so I think we’ll still have some amazing stops and a real change of scenery.

it still seems to me we’ll have some great stops and a real change of scenery

A trip where you’re deliberately choosing to stay cooped up with other Westerners—call that a change of scenery? In that case, you’d be better off staying on the French Riviera. You’d find exactly the same crowd, and the trip to get there would be shorter. You’ll see palm trees there too.

it still seems to me we’ll have some great stops and a real change of scenery

A trip you’re knowingly going to spend cooped up with other Westerners—a change of scenery? In that case, you’d be better off staying on the French Riviera; you’d find the exact same crowd, and the trip to get there would be shorter. They’ve got palm trees there too.

I’ve tried to find an appropriate response to your last message—I can’t come up with one.

For example, you could’ve asked me what my suggestions were for extra stops in Java...