Flights to Solo (Surakarta), Indonesia

Solo, officially called Surakarta, is a royal city in Central Java, Indonesia, and one of the cradles of classical Javanese culture. Two palaces still stand in the city, batik workshops fill the old quarters, and the pace of life is gentler than in Jakarta or nearby Yogyakarta. People take flights to Solo for heritage, for the food, for business and, very often, to visit family. From Singapore it makes a rewarding short break or the start of a wider trip through Java.

About Adi Soemarmo Airport serving Solo

Location

Adi Soemarmo International Airport (SOC) lies north-west of Solo city, just across the boundary in Boyolali Regency. The land around it is a mix of rice fields and suburbs, with the volcanoes Merapi and Merbabu visible to the west on clear mornings. The airport is convenient for Solo itself and for towns along the road towards Boyolali and Semarang.

Terminals

Adi Soemarmo has a single passenger terminal. It is modest in size and easy to find your way around, with a small selection of food outlets and shops selling batik and local snacks. Most scheduled flights are domestic, and international services have been limited and often seasonal, such as pilgrimage flights.

Getting to and from the airport

An airport train connects Adi Soemarmo with Solo Balapan, the city's main railway station, where you can change for trains across Java. Taxis and ride-hailing cars are the most common way into the centre, and Batik Solo Trans buses also run between the airport and the city. If you are continuing to Yogyakarta, ride the airport train to Solo Balapan and change there for the frequent commuter train west.

Direct and connecting flights to Solo

Many people search for a Singapore to Solo direct flight. Nonstop flights between Changi and Adi Soemarmo are rarely on sale, so use the direct-flight filter in the search results to see whether one runs on your dates. Most travellers connect in Jakarta, which has the widest choice of onward flights to Solo.

Another choice is to fly to Yogyakarta and continue to Solo by train, since the two cities are close and linked by frequent rail services. Compare the total trip, including the transfer, before you decide. If you are flying within Indonesia, domestic routes to Solo run from Jakarta and other Indonesian cities, so you can combine Solo with a wider Indonesian itinerary.

When to fly to Solo

Solo has a tropical climate that will feel familiar to Singaporeans, warm all year with a wet season and a dry season. The dry months, roughly May to September, are the most comfortable for exploring temples and mountain villages. From around November to March, afternoon downpours are common, though mornings are often bright and the countryside is lush and green.

On the Singapore side, the June and December school breaks and Chinese New Year are the busiest times to travel. In Indonesia, the Lebaran holiday at the end of Ramadan is by far the busiest period, because Solo is a major homecoming destination for Javanese families, and seats sell out early. Long weekends and year-end holidays are busy too. Check the monthly price chart on this page to find quieter dates.

Popular places in Solo

Keraton Kasunanan Surakarta

The palace of the Susuhunan, Solo's traditional ruler, is a complex of pavilions, courtyards and museum rooms displaying royal heirlooms, carriages and gamelan instruments. It offers a glimpse into Javanese court life.

Pura Mangkunegaran

The second royal house of Solo has one of the finest traditional pendopo halls in Java, with a painted ceiling and a collection of masks, jewellery and dance costumes. Guided visits explain the court's arts.

Pasar Klewer and the batik villages

Pasar Klewer is one of Java's largest textile markets, packed with batik of every price. For hand-drawn batik, wander the lanes of Kampung Batik Laweyan and Kauman, where workshops open their doors to visitors.

Candi Sukuh and Candi Cetho

On the slopes of Mount Lawu east of the city, these mysterious Hindu temples have stepped, pyramid-like forms unlike most in Java, and the cool mountain air and tea plantations make the trip worthwhile.

Sangiran Early Man Site

North of Solo, this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most important places in the world for fossils of early humans, with a well-presented museum.

Where to stay in Solo

Jalan Slamet Riyadi, Solo's main boulevard, is the most convenient base, with restaurants, shopping centres and easy access to the palaces. The area near Solo Balapan station suits travellers moving on by train or using the airport rail link. Laweyan offers a more traditional atmosphere among batik houses, while Manahan in the north is quieter and close to the stadium and parks. For cool air and mountain views, some visitors spend a night in Tawangmangu on the slopes of Mount Lawu.

Food to try in Solo

Nasi liwet

Rice cooked in coconut milk and served with shredded chicken, egg, chayote curry and a thick coconut cream topping, often sold from street stalls at night on banana leaves.

Timlo

A clear, comforting soup with chicken, sliced egg rolls, liver and hard-boiled egg, a classic Solo breakfast or light lunch.

Serabi Solo

Small, soft coconut milk pancakes with crisp, lacy edges, sometimes topped with chocolate or banana, cooked in clay pans over charcoal.

Selat Solo

A Javanese take on a European steak salad, with braised beef in a sweet, light sauce, served with vegetables, potatoes and a mustard-mayonnaise dressing.

Tengkleng

A spicy goat soup made with bones and a little meat in a thin curry broth, rich and satisfying, and a favourite at local warung.

Ready to explore the heart of Java? Search flights to Solo on Traveloka, compare direct and connecting options from Singapore, set a Price Alert for your dates and pay with local payment methods in the app.