From Bali to Bandung
This itinerary from Bali to Bandung is made of unforgettable adventures and discoveries: ideal for holidays with family or friends!
Direct flight from Bali to Bandung it takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. The cheapest way to get from Bali to Bandung is to go by bus and ferry and bus which costs US$ 23 – US$ 60 and takes around 24 hours. The fastes way to go from Bali to Bandung is by plane, it takes only 1 hour and 45 minutes and it costs around US$ 75.
Bandung is the 3rd largest city in the country, is today a renowned student, intellectual and technological hub. Geographically, the city is very large and is divided into two, to the south the industrial part and to the north the beautiful districts. A big crowded and noisy metropolis with a sometimes unsuspected architectural heritage (tropical Art Deco like Miami!). The city of Bandung is located in the Region West Java of the Country Indonesia.
How to go from Bali to Bandung?
There are many ways to get from Bali to Bandung by plane, bus, car ferry, train, night bus or car.
Plane
Flying is by far the fastest and easiest way to reach Bali from Yogyakarta to Bali. The flight takes less than 2 hours with tickets starting at IDR 1 600 000 (US$ 75). Note that this includes short taxi transfers to and from the airports, execpt for direct flights (it takes only 1 hour and 45 minutes.
- Citilink
- Lion Air
- AirAsia
Train and ferry
If you feel like an adventure and have time for it, you can also take a combined train and ferry trip from Bali to Bandung. The trip takes at least 24 hours, through East Java and along the west coast of Bali, including an additional bus ride from the port to central or south Bali. The total cost is approximately IDR 780,000 (US$ 50). If you decide to go overland, we highly recommend visiting the Bromo and Ijen volcanoes as well as the Sewu waterfalls in Java.
Bus
It’s also possible to take the bus from Bali to Bandung, but it’s an uncomfortable 24-hour trip that involves several transfers and is often affected by delays. Long-distance buses can be very tiring and are not the safest way to travel, especially at night.
Bus and train
You may also try to go from Bali to Bandung with bus and train. It will take around 15 hours.
Gedung Sate and trees, KAA Museum, Mosque, Bandung pasopati and Bandung city at night. Yogwi21, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What to do in Bandung?
Here is a small summary of our short stay in Bandung (details in the previous paragraphs):
- The mosque: Masjid Raya Bandung
- Alun Alun Square: is the town square of Bandung located in Jalan Asia Afrika. This place is nice to visit where there is a synthetic green grass field. Also, there is a mosque in Bandung Town Square.
- Stroll in the evening in the lively streets
- Taste local specialties
Many choices range from nature to city sights. Maybe I can recommend some of the tourist towns in Bandung.
We did some research if you want to visit Bandung or its surroundings, there are really a lot of things to do:
The Bandung Planning Gallery
This place is filled with information about the past, present and future of Bandung. You can write your aspiration about Bandung in the future or just have a lot of aspiration there. The visit is free and open from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm located in Jalan Aceh near Balai Kota Bandung.
Balai Kota Bandung (City Hall)
After visiting Bandung Planning Gallery, you can move to Balai Kota Bandung which is just a bit behind Bandung Planning Gallery and you can see Balai Kota where there is Taman Badak and Taman Dewi Sartika. When you visit on weekends, this place is packed with Bandung citizens and tourists but it’s fun.
Bandros Bus Tour
This is not a place but a bus. Yes, Bandros is a bus that Bandung government has dedicated for tourists to go around and see Bandung. The bus itself is decorated with a single main color as the identity of the bus route. You can find this bus in Balai Kota Bandung near Taman Dewi Sartika and pay IDR 10,000 for one way, the bus also exists in other areas like Alun-alun Utara Bandung and I hear there you can reach Bandros free. But a friendly reminder, you need to get there in the morning around 8-9 to get the ticket.
Bus Bandros in Bandung. Budiandika74, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The historic Braga street
This is the place to be in the evening; always very lively, bars, restaurants with live music, great for a night out…
Old buildings (ca 1920s-1930s) at Braga Street in Bandung, some of which had been painted with young and trendy colors. Jagawana, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Dutch colonial building Gedung Sate
Gedung Sate is a public building in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. It was designed according to a neoclassical design incorporating native Indonesian elements (such as Hindu-Buddhist elements) by Dutch architect J. Gerber to be the headquarters of the Dutch East India Department of Public Enterprises (Departement van Gouvernmentsbedrijven, literally “Department of Government Industries”); the building was completed in 1920. Today the building serves as the seat of the Governor of West Java Province, and also as a museum.
Its common name, Gedung sate, is a nickname that literally translates from Indonesian as “satay building”, which refers to the shape of the central pinnacle of the building – which resembles the shape of one of the traditional Indonesian dishes called satay. The central pinnacle consists of six spheres which represent the six million guilders financed for the construction of the building.
Read also: From Bali to Gili Islands | Complete guide to visit Meno, Air, Trawangan Islands
Visit the Bandung Conference Museum
This museum is located on Jalan Asia Afrika, in the Freedom Building which is locally known as “Gedung Merdeka”. It can be accessed every day except Mondays.
Gedung Merdeka, the museum of the Asian-African Conference in Bandung. Jagawana, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Saung Angklung Udjo – theatre with traditional music and dances
This is a cultural theatre located in the city of Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Established in 1966, Saung Angklung Udjo has become a must-visit destination for travelers interested in experiencing the traditional music and dances of Indonesia.
The theatre is named after the angklung, a traditional Indonesian musical instrument made of bamboo that is played by shaking it. Saung Angklung Udjo is known for its spectacular performances that showcase the traditional music and dances of West Java, including angklung music, traditional dances, puppet shows, and even interactive music lessons.
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Saung Angklung Udjo in Bandung – theatre with traditional music and dances. Ekaterina Kvelidze, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mesmerizing performances
Visitors to Saung Angklung Udjo can witness the mesmerizing performances by the talented artists, who wear colorful traditional costumes and perform graceful dances to the beat of the angklung music. The theatre is designed to provide an immersive cultural experience, and visitors are encouraged to participate in the performances and even learn how to play the angklung themselves.
Apart from its vibrant cultural performances, Saung Angklung Udjo is also known for its commitment to preserving and promoting the traditional arts and crafts of West Java. Visitors can explore the on-site museum, which showcases the history and significance of the angklung instrument, as well as the various traditional crafts that are produced in the region.
Saung Angklung Udjo is a popular destination for both domestic and international visitors, who are fascinated by the rich cultural heritage of Indonesia. The theatre has become a symbol of Indonesia’s commitment to preserving its cultural traditions, and visitors can witness the beauty and grace of the traditional music and dances that have been passed down through generations.
Attend the Car Free Night
On Saturday towards the historical route Asia Afrika takes place the “Car Free Night”. Between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., cars can no longer circulate and these give way to a huge crowd of pedestrians who organize shows as well as various activities of all kinds.
Visit local amusement parks
- Trans Studio Bandung
- Bandung Treetop
- Cool off in the Orchid Forest
Get up early in the morning to spend a relaxing day in this orchid forest that is home to hundreds of the rarest varieties in the world.
Discover some essential places to visit around Bandung:
Getting to Tangkuban Perahu Volcano
30 km (18.50 miles) from the city center, discovery of the crater of the volcano located at an altitude of 2076 m. It is made up of a dozen craters that can be explored on foot. Passage through the thermal springs of Ciater, bordered by clove trees and tea plantations.
This picture shows the main crater of the Tangkuban Perahu volcano. To its south range lies the megacity of Bandung (Indonesia, island of Java). Glasreifen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A chain of volcanic mountains
It is part of the Sunda Arc, a chain of volcanic mountains that runs along the western edge of Java Island. The volcano’s name, which means “upturned boat” in Sundanese, refers to its distinctive shape, which resembles a giant boat turned upside down.
The mountain’s last major eruption occurred in 2013, but there have been several minor eruptions in recent years, resulting in the closure of the crater area for a period of time. Despite its activity, Tangkuban Perahu remains a popular tourist destination, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
Tangkuban Perahu Volcano – West Java – Indonesia. Hullie at Dutch Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The volcano offers various hiking trails, leading visitors to its crater rim, where they can witness the steaming sulfur vents, bubbling mud pools, and panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Some visitors also opt to take a horse ride to the top. There are also several observation decks and cafes located around the crater area, providing visitors with stunning views and refreshments.
Nearby the volcano, there are several hot springs, such as Ciater Hot Springs, where visitors can relax and enjoy the therapeutic properties of the natural mineral waters. In addition, the surrounding area is home to several tea plantations, traditional villages, and waterfalls, making Tangkuban Perahu an excellent destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Admire the impressive Kawah Putih in Ciwidey
Kawah Putih (or white crater in English) is a surreal blue lake located in a volcanic crater about 50 km south of Bandung. A place that is out of the ordinary, the water is magnificent and an almost mystical place. Access by minibus only because on foot it is an hour’s walk. Be careful though, if you are asthmatic the place can be dangerous. The air quickly becomes heavy because of the omnipresent sulfur. If you stay for just 10 minutes and already feel the effects of the sulfur on the body. Visit to be well prepared because it is quite cold.
Kawah Putih Ciiwidey (Bandung Province). Ilham jayakesuma, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Aside from the natural beauty, Kawah Putih also has a fascinating geological history. The crater was formed by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago, and the acidic lake is the result of the interaction between the volcanic gases and the local groundwater.
The sour crater lake called Kawa Putih southwest of the town of Ciwidey in the province of Bandung on the Indonesian island of Java is shown. Glasreifen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In addition to the main crater, there are several other attractions in the Kawah Putih area, including tea plantations, waterfalls, and hot springs. Visitors can also try local delicacies and purchase souvenirs from the various vendors located around the site.
When to go to Bandung?
The best time to go to Bandung is February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November. On the contrary, it is not recommended to visit Bandung in January, June, July, December for strictly climatic reasons (sunshine and temperatures in particular).
Temperatures in Bandung
Over the year, the average temperature varies a lot. It is around 27°C.
Rain in Bandung
There is usually 288 mm of maximum rainfall each year in Bandung.
Seasonal norms in Indonesia
Here are the seasonal normals observed in Indonesia for the months of December and January. Our advice is based on the combination of these historical data of seasonal normals, namely that a good rating indicates a pleasant temperature and little rain.
Sources: PinterPandai, CleverlySmart
Photo credit (main picture): RaiyaniM, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Photo description: the Dutch colonial building Gedung Sate.
Notes: all prices are subject to change without prior notice.
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