Probolinggo to Banyuwangi PATAS question

Hi Brodie,

I have no idea what "PATAS" is, but there are plenty of buses running between Progolinggo and Banyuwangi. Usually there are different classes of buses on Java, some with AC and some without, and with prices varying a little bit. Some buses have prices posted on board, but more often than not, it's a little tricky to figure out exactly what the price should be.

Probolinggo bus station indeed has lots of touts and thieves, and people generally trying to get money out of you in some way. My advice would be this: instead of catching the bus at the bus station, head a kilometer or two away, along the main road east out of town, and just flag buses down from the side of the road. This is common in Java, and means you shouldn't have to deal with the bus station touts. The conductor on the bus might still try and rip you off, but you have a better chance of not being scammed.

Be aware of pickpockets and bag snatchers anywhere on Java's busy public transportation network, but especially around Probolinggo's bus station.

@Buck83 to Ijen via Bondowoso or Karang Asam?

A PATAS bus is an express service and shouldn't be picking up passengers from the roadside.

In theory, or in practice?

In my (limited) experience of buses in and out of Probolinggo, the main factor slowing them down is the traffic, and not how often they stop to pick up and drop off passengers.

Some PATAS bus (in bigger cities anyway) depart from their pul (office / private garage).. and some are really (mostly) non stop.. but I don't know about Probolinggo's situation other than the bus you see at Bayuangga

But from Probolinggo if you're going to Ijen by Banyuwangi / Karangasem why not take the train? Price and timing fixed.. about 4.5-5 hours and not subjected to variable traffic conditions or chance of encountering crazy driver.. can even book online..

Granted you'll probably be too late for 11:xx train and only depart Probolinggo at 16:xx and reach Banyuwangi at 9 pm but you can directly ask to be brought to Ijen the very same midnight (e.g. arrange with the owner of the guesthouse you book)
Even if you can leave at say 1pm ish from Probolinggo the bus journey may be 6 hours+

Thanks for the reply, ya I was looking at the train however it seems there are only two times that it leaves Probolinggo...11AM and 9:49PM on that dates that I chose ( Jul 23rd).

I would go for the 11AM train, however I feel that I'll be cutting it real tight if I am coming from Cemoro Lawang that morning. I read somewhere that the green buses probably won't start running from Cemoro Lawang to Probolinggo until 9AM which would give me 2 hours to get to Probolinggo train station.

Most Patas buses really only pick up passengers at stations in major towns/cities along the way. This being Indonesia, nothing is set to stone and some will pick you up elsewhere, but I'd recommend boarding at the bus station in Prpbolinggo.
Try to pay only on board, once the bus is already going.

I had a quick check for trains on Tokopedia from Probolinggo to Karangasem & it's all full 23/07/2018. You left it too late.

I still see spaces on traveloka.com for 21,22 and 23 Jul 2018 and yes there's a 16:20 departure (Sri Tanjung in economy AC) arriving 20:34.

Take note each online seller (tiket.com, tokopedia, traveloka) seems to have partitioned inventories.. and then even if it's sold out online at the actual station counter you may still have ticket (reserved for last second purchase - no early bird discount but still something like 90-100k).

anyway 11:04 train will be too close