Tickets to Ride – Train Travel in Indonesia

Mar 13th, 2009, in IM Posts, Opinion, Travel, by Chris

View the original article here.

25 Comments on “Tickets to Ride – Train Travel in Indonesia”

Lee Says:
March 13th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Wow this is great, as somebody who’s been itching to get out of Jakarta (cheaply) this is excellent info. Many thanks for taking the time to put it together!
David Says:
March 13th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Yes, it is great stuff, thanks RD….my train travelling days may be passed me a bit though, haven’t been in one in almost ten years, but I did the Surabaya to Yogya, Sby to Jakarta (northern route) and Sby to Banyuwangi route several times each back then. Used both “Bisnis” and “Exseutif” (spelling?) class. Never tried Economy although someone I knew who did go on Economy from Jkt to Sby said there were a lot of chickens in cages on the train, as well as the people.
sputjam Says:
March 13th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
thanks for the info on the medan to permatang siantar and then onwards to lake toba. roads too winding for my stomach.
There should be a small airport on lake toba for turboprops.
Lairedion Says:
March 14th, 2009 at 1:31 am
RD,

Nice article. It’s too bad Indonesia doesn’t have an extensive rail network. Traveling by train is fun. I always wondered what a trans-Sulawesi train journey from Makassar to Manado would be.
Joe Says:
March 14th, 2009 at 4:18 am
Every time I take a train from Jakarta inevitably at some point someone would throw rocks at the train. Not pebbles, but fist-sized rocks, that could seriously injure an unlucky passenger. Can someone shed some light on this subject? Are these just bored kids with a sick idea of fun?
ET Says:
March 14th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Imagine a ‘Nusantara Express’ TGV from Medan to Denpasar with all the luxury of its European and Malay-Thai counterparts. Building a bridge between Sumatra-Java (already in the plans) and Java-Bali shouldn’t be an impassable obstacle.

What a boost to high-class tourism it would be.
David Says:
March 14th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Joe, I don’t know about rock throwing but do remember coming through the Jakarta suburbs, when the train is going pretty slow, and young boys run alongside, jump on board, and make off with any bags left near the door…
sputjam Says:
March 15th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
TGV and highway should link denpasar to pekan baru, then branch out via pulau karimun to pontian in southern tip of johore in malaysia via tunnel/bridge, connecting bali/surabaya/jakarta to singapore/kuala lumpur/bangkok.
Now would b the right time to spend on those stimulus package on this project. It will pay for itself as there are 130 million on java/sumatra and another 110 million people in malaysia/singapore /thailand.
After all denmark and sweden built a tunnel/bridge for both road and rail that connects both countries with a population of maybe ten million or slightly more and the project is self financed by impementing toll charges.
oztrack Says:
March 16th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
I am a regular visitor to Indonesia from Australia and I LOVE travelling by train! I only travel by air if time is a consideration or if there is no rail option.

I find them comfortable, reasonably priced, punctual and relaxing, though apart from local trains, I have never travelled inter-city by ekonomi…..maybe I should!

I have never been involved in an accident (I have travelled many thousands of kms) and the only time I was in any way concerned was travelling between Yogya and Bandung, when the engine was clearly underpowered and stopped several times in the uphill sections, going backwards on occasions, to the alarm of passengers…..me included.

Trains are a very cost effective way of transporting large numbers of people, but the capital costs of the infrastructure involved, are considerable. Maybe this could be a means for the RI government to stimulate the economy?
Suryo Perkoso Says:
March 17th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Oztrack, don’t be alarmed, the engine has plenty of power, it’s just that the drive fell asleep, and the brakes don’t always work.
Suryo Perkoso Says:
March 17th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
my “r” key doesn’t always work either….
Rob Says:
March 18th, 2009 at 3:38 am
I have always enjoyed taking the train in Indonesia. Unlike Patung my train days are not behind me

My most recent train journey is the short Gambir to Bandung jaunt up through the hills. If I recall the fare for eksekutif kelas is like IDR 65K or thereabouts. Affordable and affords one the opportunity to witness some spectacular (and not so spectacular) scenery along the way.
Burung Koel Says:
March 18th, 2009 at 8:29 am
I haven’t been on one in a while, but one of my fondest memories is taking the Yogya – Banyuwangi third class train back in 1986. I had to sit on my rucksack in the aisle, but idling through Java in daylight, with a panorama of rice fields and distant volcanoes outside the window has stayed with me.

In contrast, I took the overnight Senja Utama from Yogya to Jakarta and back a couple of times. The carriages were made in East Germany, the AC was set to ‘suspended animation’ and despite being in first class, at every stop I was woken by peddlers walking up and down the aisle, yelling and sticking bags of whatever wingko is under my nose! Still, when you’re young…
mingo Says:
March 22nd, 2009 at 6:59 am
Travelling from Jakarta to Yogya return by train is the only way to go, I do this trip at least once sometimes twice a year and am always amazed by the ever changing scenery and yes BK you are right about the air con and the suspended animation bit on the overnighter,
Katrin Says:
April 19th, 2009 at 1:12 am
Hello,

could anyone please tell me how the “Ekonomi” trains are like? As far as I have understood they have no air-conditing. Does this mean you can open the window or are the windows open all the time?

On the other hand, can you open the windows of the eksekutif/business trains?

I travelled from Jakarta to Yogya in 1992 and as far as I remember the windows of the carriage could be opened and I took some very nice pictures of the journey. I do not remember anymore what kind of train it was. It started early in the morning at Gambir station and arrived at Yogya in the evening.
David Says:
April 19th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Ekonomi – yes windows would be open all the time.

Business – yes you can open them, from memory, I think……but pretty sure the windows that open are the narrow top ones, not the ones at eye-level when you’re sitting.

Eksekutif – no because air-con.
Manuel Emerson Donaldo Says:
May 18th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Dear Sir;

I am planning to visit Indonesia on the 2oth and travel to Jogjakarta from KJakarta by train ehere can I book a ticket? I would appreciate a speedy reply

YOurs truly

Emerson
yudha Says:
May 27th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
I prefer to travel by “ekonomi” (3rd class) trains on short distances because the fares are way cheaper rather than bus fares. The passengers are mostly kind, though I need to keep an eye on my belongings. If you happen to be in Surabaya, East Java, I would recommend to travel using Penataran Ikon (Surabaya-Blitar via Malang) and Dhoho Ikon (Surabaya-Blitar via Kertosono). Both trains are intended to be icons of third class trains with cleaner passenger cars and better security.
Steve Says:
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Hi there, I’m planning on visiting Bali but I’m trying to determine the cheapest way to get there, leaving from Kuala Lumpur. I thought about either flying directly to Bali or flying to Jakarta and then taking the train/bus/ferry to Bali. If anyone has any recommendations please let me know I would like to see the country side of Indonesia, but my time is pretty limited. Will I save money flying into Jakarta or am I wasting my time? Thanks!
David Says:
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:42 pm
am I wasting my time?

Yes. Depends how young and adventurous you are, or not. Bus – if you’re tall you won’t be able to move your legs, if you’re short you’ll still hate it. Or train to end of Java-ferry to Bali-bus to Kuta – better but still exhausting, helluva trip. It wouldn’t be any cheaper but if you’re up for it and you really want to get a taste of Java and meet some people along the way then go for it, me I feel too old for that kind of trip now.
Chris Says:
July 24th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Update, July 2010:

The train timetable/fare information page now lives at http://kereta-api.co.id. It doesn’t always work properly, but gives you a good general idea of what’s possible.
Nizam Says:
January 20th, 2011 at 5:34 am
oh well………….., thank you for the article, I remember when I was so young ( 10-12 yrs old)
my dad took me to travel from Jakarta to Surabaya, oh wow……….. it was steam locomotive then, I had so much fun. I am planing going to visit Indonesia again,will try to ride the train to Bandung, Jogyakarta and Surabaya, maybe to Malang too, but not sure how to get the ticket, should I just go to Gambir Station and get the ticket?, anyone please help me
Nizam Says:
January 20th, 2011 at 5:36 am
sorry……, the time was in mid 50s

Suryo……, the engineer fell to sleep and the brakes don’t always work, that was funny joke, its in bad taste, but still funny
Darwin Says:
April 17th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
The official on line time table for KA is now located here http://kereta-api.co.id
The data base will give you information about most of the Eksekutif and Bisnis class services in Java. Not all trains or all stops are included at the moment.

I am trying to construct some more comprehensive information for travellers here https://sites.google.com/site/railwaysofjava/home

Eventually I hope to have timetables for most or all trains operating in Indonesia, but will be relying on information reported to me to try and keep the details up to date.

There is all information about buying tickets, if you can avoid the Indonesian public holidays then just go to any staffed KA railway station up to 30 days in advance and you can purchase tickets for the long distance trains.
Nelson Tingang Says:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
What’s the current train fare Jakarta/Bandung and howlong (hrs) does it take?

Is it safe to travel by train? Also is the the train reliable, punctual? I intend to travel with my family of 4, is it convenient? What’s the difference travelling by EXECUTIVE or BUSINESS class.

Thanks for the advise.