Your stay — Kost-kostan
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Surakarta.
The Property — Kost-kostan
Kost-kostan is a no-frills 3-star guesthouse in central Surakarta, with a tiled lobby that smells of clove cigarettes and strong Javanese coffee. The vibe is functional and local—think worn-in sofas, a small front desk, and chatter in Javanese. It suits budget travellers and solo backpackers who want a clean bed near Pasar Gede without paying for a pool or restaurant. The USP is location: you are five minutes' walk from the keraton (palace) and the city's main markets.
Chronicles of Surakarta
Surakarta (Solo) was founded in 1745 as the capital of the Mataram Sultanate, after the court moved from Kartasura following a Chinese rebellion. The city grew around the Kasunanan Palace, a walled complex that still houses the sultan’s family. Dutch colonial rule reshaped the commercial district with European-style shop-houses, but the heart of Solo remained Javanese—batik workshops, gamelan music, and street food. Today, it is a cultural anchor of Central Java, known for its living traditions and as a quieter counterpoint to Yogyakarta. Contemporary identity balances heritage tourism with a young, creative scene in gentrifying kampungs.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surakarta guide →Best months
July and August are peak dry season—low humidity, blue skies, and no rain—but crowds are high. June is also dry and less packed; ideal for street-food walks without sweating through your shirt.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the busiest, boosted by school holidays in Java. Hotel prices rise 20-30% around the Solo Batik Carnival (usually late July) and the Sekaten festival (November). Expect full occupancy at budget places like Kost-kostan.
Budget shoulder season
April-May and September-October are the budget sweet spot: rain is brief, rooms are discounted, and major attractions like the keraton are quiet. You can bargain hard at homestays and mid-range hotels.
Weather & packing
Solo is hot all year, but July afternoons hit 34°C with scorching UV—bring a wide-brimmed hat and SPF 50+. Pack a thin rain jacket anyway: the dry season can still throw a surprise tropical downpour.
Live City Briefing — Surakarta
- The city government has banned becak (pedicabs) from main roads in the central business district since June 2025; you now need to walk to side streets to flag one for short trips.
- A new flyover at the Manahan roundabout opened in March 2026, cutting traffic jams near the stadium and making it easier to reach Pasar Klewer batik market by car or ride-hail.
- The annual Solo Batik Carnival is scheduled for 24 July 2026, so street closures and big crowds will hit Jalan Slamet Riyadi on that day—book transport in advance.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Kost-kostan, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd floor at the back of the building (away from Jalan Slamet Riyadi, the main road). Rooms here face the inner courtyard and get less traffic noise. The 3rd floor is high enough to avoid street-level bustle but still has easy stair access if the lift is slow.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those facing the street. They pick up engine hum from the road and chatter from the lobby/breakfast area. Rooms near the lift shaft on any floor can also get clanging and passenger noise.
Best views
A room on the 3rd floor facing the inner courtyard will give a view of the hotel’s garden/pond (if it has one) or at least a quieter scene. Street-facing rooms overlook Jalan Slamet Riyadi, which is busy but offers city views.
Quietest floors
Floors 2–3 are the quietest. The top floor (likely 3rd) avoids footfall from above, and the 2nd floor is buffered by the floor below.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is on Surakarta’s main arterial road, Jalan Slamet Riyadi, which carries constant traffic from dawn until late evening. Motorcycles and becaks are especially loud. The breakfast area (ground floor) starts serving around 6am, so rooms above it can hear chair scraping and kitchen clatter.
Insider tips
1. Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a back-facing room — they’re the first to go. 2. If you’re driving, the hotel has limited off-street parking; ask for a spot when booking, or use the public lot 50m east on Jalan Slamet Riyadi.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Kost-kostan
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 15 Mbps download; login via voucher given at check-in
Single lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
No newspaper service; building is a modern 4-storey budget hotel without notable heritage features
Standard check-in 14:00-23:00 (24-hour front desk); early bag-drop from 08:00; late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged IDR 50,000 per hour
Complimentary baggage storage at front desk on check-in and checkout days
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; lift to all floors; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or adapted bathrooms
On-site parking free for one car per room on first-come first-served basis; nearest public car park at Solo Grand Mall (5 min walk) IDR 5,000 per hour; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required; a refundable IDR 100,000 incidental hold placed on card or cash at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Masjid Al-Mubarokah (122 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: GBIS Sola Gratia (237 m · ~3 min walk)
- Mosque: Mushola Khusnul Khotimah (264 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Gerja Bethel Tabernakel Kristus Alfa Omega (384 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Solo Paragon Mall — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Taman PKT Barat — 636 m · ~8 min walk
Monumen Pers Nasional — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Gedung Wayang Orang — 2.2 km · ~27 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
BRI — 542 m · ~7 min walk
Apotek Gunung Jati — 665 m · ~8 min walk
Alfamart — 821 m · ~10 min walk
Terminal Bus Tirtonadi — 538 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indonesian Rupiah, IDR
Most travellers withdraw from ATMs (many accept international cards) or exchange USD/at kantor pos or moneychangers in the city. Avoid airport and tourist-area bureaux for poor rates.
Cards are accepted in mid-range hotels, larger restaurants and shops; street vendors, markets and budget warungs are cash-only. Contactless/mobile pay is rare.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated. Round up taxi fares by a few thousand, leave small change (5,000–10,000 IDR) at warungs, and give porters/housekeeping a small note if service is good.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A kopi tubruk (traditional black coffee) at a street warung or kiosk — about 5,000–8,000 IDR.
Nasi padang or nasi campur from a basic warung — around 15,000–25,000 IDR.
A simple main like mie goreng or ayam goreng at a local restaurant — around 20,000–35,000 IDR.
Bakso (meatball soup), sate, and angkringan (street-side carts) are common along main roads and near Pasar Gede area.
Super Indo, Hypermart outlets, and Jaya Mart are common supermarket chains in Surakarta.
For budget clothing, visit Pasar Klewer (fabric and ready-made garments) or Pasar Gede for basic apparel.
Cheapest is a Batik Solo Trans (BRT) bus — single trip about 3,500 IDR. From Adi Soemarmo Airport, take a Damri bus to town for around 40,000 IDR or ride a motorbike taxi (ojek) for about 50,000 IDR.
Eat at street warungs or angkringan for cheap meals. Use ride-hailing apps (Gojek, Grab) for fixed prices over metered taxis. Negotiate prices at markets (but not too aggressively).
Good to know — Surakarta
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ IDR 17966.85 · IDR
Emergency Contacts
SurakartaWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Surakarta, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Kost-kostan
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · BRI — 542 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Apotek Gunung Jati — 665 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Surakarta Balapan Station (1.5 km from UNS Inn) → Central Surakarta (e.g., Solo City Square or Jogja)
Adi Soemarmo International Airport (SOC) → UNS Inn (Jl. A. Yani, Surakarta)
💡 Book at the official taxi counter inside arrivals to avoid haggling; they take you directly to the hotel. For late arrivals, confirm the driver waits at the exit.
Adi Soemarmo Airport (bus stop outside terminal) → Surakarta Terminal Tirtonadi
💡 Cheapest option but only runs daytime and drops you at Tirtonadi, 10 minutes by ojek or taxi from UNS Inn. The bus is not marked for locals; ask at the airport info desk for the stop.
About Surakarta
Wikipedia ↗
Surakarta (Javanese: ꦯꦸꦫꦏꦂꦠ, Pegon: سوراكارتا), known colloquially as Solo (Javanese: ꦱꦭ, romanized: Sålå), is a major city in Central Java, Indonesia. The 46.72 km2 (18.04 sq mi) city adjoins Karanganyar Regency and Boyolali Regency to the north, Karanganyar Regency and Sukoharjo Regency to the eas...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Kost-kostan?
Request a room on the 3rd floor at the back of the building (away from Jalan Slamet Riyadi, the main road). Rooms here face the inner courtyard and get less traffic noise. The 3rd floor is high enough to avoid street-level bustle but still has easy stair access if the lift is slow.
Which rooms should I avoid at Kost-kostan?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those facing the street. They pick up engine hum from the road and chatter from the lobby/breakfast area. Rooms near the lift shaft on any floor can also get clanging and passenger noise.
Is Kost-kostan noisy?
The hotel is on Surakarta’s main arterial road, Jalan Slamet Riyadi, which carries constant traffic from dawn until late evening. Motorcycles and becaks are especially loud. The breakfast area (ground floor) starts serving around 6am, so rooms above it can hear chair scraping and kitchen clatter.
Which rooms have the best views at Kost-kostan?
A room on the 3rd floor facing the inner courtyard will give a view of the hotel’s garden/pond (if it has one) or at least a quieter scene. Street-facing rooms overlook Jalan Slamet Riyadi, which is busy but offers city views.
What are insider tips for staying at Kost-kostan?
1. Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a back-facing room — they’re the first to go. 2. If you’re driving, the hotel has limited off-street parking; ask for a spot when booking, or use the public lot 50m east on Jalan Slamet Riyadi.
What time is check-in at Kost-kostan?
Check-in at Kost-kostan is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Kost-kostan have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 15 Mbps download; login via voucher given at check-in
Is there a city or tourist tax at Kost-kostan?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Kost-kostan?
Nasi padang or nasi campur from a basic warung — around 15,000–25,000 IDR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Kost-kostan?
Cheapest is a Batik Solo Trans (BRT) bus — single trip about 3,500 IDR. From Adi Soemarmo Airport, take a Damri bus to town for around 40,000 IDR or ride a motorbike taxi (ojek) for about 50,000 IDR.
When is the best time to visit Surakarta?
July and August are peak dry season—low humidity, blue skies, and no rain—but crowds are high. June is also dry and less packed; ideal for street-food walks without sweating through your shirt.
Top Attractions in Surakarta
💡 Go hungry. Try serabi (rice pancakes) from the stall at the main entrance for 3,000 IDR. Bargain hard for batik—start at half the asking price.
💡 Entry is free, but donations are welcomed. Allow 45 minutes. Ask the guard to turn on the lights in the back room for the best puppets.
💡 Free entry, but bring small cash for snacks from vendors. Best visited at sunrise (5:30am) when it's cool and less crowded. Avoid Sundays when it's packed.
💡 Entrance is cheap (around 15,000 IDR). Go early on a weekday to avoid crowds and catch the daily puppet show at 10am for free.
💡 Entry is about 25,000 IDR for foreigners—worth it for the quiet gardens. Visit at 1pm for the free guided tour in English. No photos inside the museum.