As discussed previously, Java has a surprisingly good rail network, but tourists rarely travel by train due to a lack of information or difficulty booking tickets in advance.
As an addition to its flight booking service Mau Ke Mana, a sub-division of IndonesiaMatters.com, now has a train ticket booking service to make it easier for foreign visitors to see more of Indonesia, by rail.
If you'd like having train tickets booked in advance and delivered to your hotel door in Indonesia, visit the timetable page, and submit a booking enquiry. Ticket payment is normally via Paypal.
Why take the train?
See more of the country
It is difficult to see much of the countryside in Indonesia while travelling smoothly in air-conditioned comfort, due to traffic jams and poor road conditions. Travelling by train gives you a chance to see landscapes, lifestyles and scenes you otherwise wouldn't.
Some of the more scenic train journeys are: Jakarta to Bandung, Jakarta to Yogyakarta and Surabaya to Banyuwangi.
Save time & energy, reduce stress
Almost all Indonesian airports and bus terminals are outside the city, and require a long bus or expensive taxi ride to them, especially in Jakarta. Train stations though are invariably at/near the city centre, and a short trip to hotels. Delays and problems caused by bad weather (a common problem during the wet season from November-April), traffic, etc are much less of a problem for trains.
Save money
Train tickets are very reasonably priced both compared to your home country, and other modes of transport in Indonesia. The exact price often varies a little according to the day of week.
For those with a limited budget and/or time, overnight trains are an ideal way to save both.
Travel in comfort
Executive class trains have air conditioning, while business class trains have fans; seating in both classes is relatively spacious and comfortable. Tickets can be purchased up to 40 days in advance, and all have reserved seating - a policy now mandated by the railways operator. Some trains offer both executive/business classes. (We can't sell economy-class tickets because they only go on sale a short time before departure.)
Business and executive class passengers get free access to the departure station's executive lounge, similar to an airline executive lounge, with comfortable chairs, TV, air-conditioning, etc; just no free food. It's a very nice way to wait for your train to arrive, especially on a hot day or before an evening/overnight departure.
Travel safely
There are few accidents and most that do occur are caused by motorists at railway crossings, not by railway employees. Three years ago, Kereta Api Indonesia (the national rail operator) cut the speed limit from 80 km/h to 70 km/h, thereby reducing the already rare incidence of accidents, if increasing travelling time a little.
Head over here to book a ticket, and if you have any questions ask below.
All Aboard! Booking Indonesian Train Tickets is brought to you by Indonesia Matters, where you can book flights in Indonesia, and features listings of Indonesian hotels, like Kuta hotels, Sanur hotels, hotels in Jakarta and near Jakarta airport, and more.
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