Costs per person in USD/IDR. Kawah Ijen is one of the cheapest volcano experiences in Southeast Asia — the trek tour is the main cost, and Banyuwangi has local prices.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: ()
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $5–10 | $15–30 | $50+ | Guesthouses → hotels → resort near coast |
| Food | $2–5 | $6–12 | $20+ | Warungs & street food → restaurants → hotel dining |
| Ijen Trek Tour | $13–18 | $20–30 | $50+ | Group tour → small group → private guide |
| Transport | $1–3 | $5–10 | $20+ | Ferry & local bus → motorbike rental → private driver |
| Gas Mask | $0–3 | $3–6 | $10+ | Included basic → own carbon mask → respirator |
| Daily Total | $15–30 | $40–70 | $120+ | Trek night is the main cost — other days are very cheap |
Money-saving tips
Tour prices vary — shop around
Ijen night trek tours from Banyuwangi range from 200,000–500,000 IDR ($13–32). The cheapest include transport, guide, and basic gas mask. Mid-range tours add better masks, smaller groups, and more knowledgeable guides. Book through your hostel or walk-in agencies in town.
Gas mask quality matters
The sulphur fumes in the crater are genuinely toxic. Budget tours provide thin cloth masks that are barely effective. Spend the extra $5–10 for a tour with proper activated carbon or respirator masks. Alternatively, buy your own in Banyuwangi for 50,000–100,000 IDR ($3–6) at hardware stores.
Ferry to Bali is almost free
The Ketapang-Gilimanuk ferry costs just 8,000 IDR ($0.50) for walk-on passengers and runs 24 hours. This makes combining Ijen with Bali incredibly easy and cheap. Motorbikes can be taken on the ferry for 25,000 IDR.
Banyuwangi food is dirt cheap
This is not a tourist town — prices are local. Nasi tempong: 8,000–12,000 IDR ($0.50–0.75). Bakso (meatball soup): 10,000 IDR ($0.60). Kopi (coffee): 5,000 IDR ($0.30). Eat at warungs and the night market for the cheapest, most authentic meals in East Java.
Do Bromo and Ijen together
Combined Bromo-Ijen packages from Surabaya cost $40–60 for 2 days/1 night including all transport, guides, and accommodation. This is slightly cheaper than booking separately and saves time on logistics. Available from every hostel and tour agency in Surabaya.
Accommodation is basic and cheap
Banyuwangi hostels and guesthouses: 80,000–200,000 IDR ($5–13) per night. There is nothing luxurious here but the rooms are clean and all you need for the overnight trek. Some guesthouses include free coffee and breakfast.
