How To Get There
Due to its popularity, getting to Bromo is much more easy nowadays. You can find plenty choices of tour providers in the internet that will serve you all the packages within 1 single click. The pick up point can be either from Surabaya or Malang. However, if you want to get for some adventures - or at least to save your budget - you can follow below alternative:
1. Get to the nearest city in either Malang or Surabaya.
2. Surabaya: Get to Bungurasih bus station and then take any bus to Probolinggo (Bayu Angga bus station) for IDR 45k-75k. If you arrive from Juanda airport, take Damri Bus which will transfer you to Bungurasih for IDR 30k.
3. Malang: Get to Arjosari bus station and take any bus to Probolinggo (Bayu Angga bus station) for IDR 18k - 30k.
Once you are in Probolinggo, there are 3 options that you can choose to get you to Bromo. Below alternatives shall be put into consideration depend on condition and what time you have arrived there.
1. Using Elf (minibus).
This will be the most straightforward and popular alternative to get you directly to Cemoro Lawang (highest settlement in Bromo), with below pros and cons:
(+) easy to get.
Just walk straight from Probolinggo bus station (Bayu Angga) and you will find these mini buses park nicely there. Say that you want to go to bromo and wait there for awhile until the departure quota is reached.
(-) 1 trip of this mini bus will require at least IDR 500k. So they usually wait for 15 pax (IDR 35k /pax) before they proceed to Bromo. Of course you can get there with lesser pax to cut the waiting time if you want it, but it will turn out to get you more expensive cost. Basically just try divide IDR 500k to how many pax at that time.
(-) Reaching minimum 15pax quota in low season will be a pain in the ass. Be prepared to wait for 2 - 3 hours and still sometimes, you can only get around 6-8 pax maximum (IDR 60-100k / pax).
(-) the availability of this mini bus is only during 8AM - 4PM. Try to get there as early as possible.
2. Using bus.
If somehow you are there during low season (Weekdays on Nov - May) and waiting for 3 hours is not your style. This 2nd alternative will perhaps suit your need. Just ensure that you reach Probolinggo before 1pm.
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From Bayu Angga bus station, take any angkot (minibus) that will transfer you to Tongas Intersection (IDR 5k). Ask local nearby.
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At Tongas Intersection, try to ask the local warung (shop) that you’d like to go to Sukapura by bus. Basically you want to get their assistance to point out the bus when it comes. Usually the bus to Sukapura will arrive on Tongas at 8AM, 10AM and 1PM (IDR 10k).
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From Sukapura, get an ojek to Cemoro Lawang for IDR 35k.