Java, Indonesia’s fifth largest island, is a beautiful island with an impressive landscape. You will find imposing volcanoes, green rice fields, gigantic temples and quaint villages. The nice thing about Java is that you can easily explore this island by train. The trains on Java are very comfortable and well organized, and it is a fun way to see a lot of the island. This travel guide tells you everything you need to know about traveling by train in Java, Indonesia!
Traveling through Java by train
Traveling through Java by train is the easiest and most comfortable way to explore the island. Java’s rail network is well developed and connects the main cities from west to east, such as Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Malang. These are also very scenic train rides, as you pass local villages and vast rice fields along the way. The most famous railroad company is Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI).
We ourselves took the train three times during our tour of Java in Indonesia:
- Jakarta to Bandung: a 3h train ride called ‘Argo Parahyangan’
- Bandung to Yogyakarta: train ride of 6.5h called ‘Lodaya’
- Yogyakarta to Malang: train ride of 6.5h called ‘Malioboro Express’
The trains in Java run very punctually and are almost never delayed. So being on time is the message! The trains run at several times a day. Pay close attention to the hour you book, because you can also take a night train if you want for the longer distances. If you take a night train, though, you won’t be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Buy tickets & train times
You can easily buy your train tickets locally at the station. The vending machines have an English translation function and are self-explanatory. However, the longer train rides often run only once or twice a day and are therefore quickly sold out. If you want to be sure of a seat, it is best to book your train ticket a few days to a few weeks in advance. This is because locals also travel frequently by train, and as a result the trains fill up quickly.
On the website Ticket.com you can find the current hours of the trains and buy tickets. You then get your ticket in your mailbox that you have to have scanned. When we wanted to order tickets, our credit card was not always accepted on Ticket.com. So we came to the Indonesian website Traveloka.com (also in English), where we could order tickets.
Different classes on the train in Java
On the train, you have a choice of different classes. We list them here for you, from cheap to expensive, and what the main differences are.
Economy (ekonomi – EKO).
This is the cheapest class, but still comfortable to sit in. There is not always air conditioning in economy, but for a shorter train ride such as from Jakarta to Bandung, this is definitely doable. In economy, your seats are not assigned, so you have to get a little lucky if you want to sit next to each other. The seats are also less spacious than in the other classes.
Business (bisnis – BIS)
The business class is similar to the executive but with less comfort. You sit in pairs and there is air conditioning in the carriage. But unlike executive, here you don’t have power outlets and a table at your seat. This class is also not available on all trains.
Executive (eksekutif – EKS)
We ourselves always traveled in Executive Class. Here you have spacious seats in pairs with plenty of legroom and a table. You also have fixed, assigned seats. All seats have power outlets. Handy if you want to charge your cell phone or laptop in the meantime. There is also air conditioning in executive. These tickets are a bit more expensive, but still very affordable compared to Europe. Especially if you are taking a longer ride like from Yogyakarta to Malang, we can only recommend this class.
Panoramic
This class is actual and special type of wagon that has been in service only in recent years. This luxury wagon has all the facilities of the executive class, with one extra special element. There are large, panoramic windows present from floor to ceiling. This adds an extra dimension to your train ride. Also, this wagon has skylights for extra light. You can book this for the Jakarta-Bandung and Bandung-Yogyakarta-Surabaya train ride, but at limited times of the day.
TRAVEL TIP: Sometimes the air conditioning is very loud in the carriage and it can get uncomfortably cold. So be sure to bring a sweater on the train.
Mutual differences classes
When you go to book tickets online, you will see that sometimes there are still distinctions. For example, you have Economy (AA) and Economy (AB). However, the seats you book are exactly the same, only there is a price difference. So try to book your ticket early, because otherwise you will be forced to buy a more expensive ticket.
Facilities on the train in Java
There are several toilets on trains in Java that are kept very clean. Depending on your train, these are Western toilets or squat toilets (where you squat over). Staff also regularly come by to collect your garbage. There is also a restaurant on the long-distance trains where you can order food or drinks. In addition, staff also regularly come by with a cart where you can order coffee, soft drinks and food such as nasi goreng to eat at your seat. Finally, there is plenty of room in the luggage compartments above the seats to store your luggage during the ride.
Traveling by train in Java is, in our opinion, the most fun and relaxing way to explore this beautiful island. Not only is it sustainable and local, but along the way you will also enjoy the most beautiful landscapes that Java has to offer.
Do you have any questions about traveling by train in Java? Let us know in the comments below! If you have any questions about other trips, please do not hesitate to contact us at contact or send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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