Train travel in Indonesia . . .

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 Country information

Penang (Malaysia) - Medan (Indonesia):

A daily ferry operates from Penang in Malaysia to Belawan (the port of Medan) in Indonesia (Sumatra, the northern island), sailing at 09:00 and arriving 13:00.  Returning, it sails from Belawan (Medan) at 10:30 and arrives Penang at 14:30.  The fare is about 90 Ringgit (£15/$25).  For more information, see www.langkawi-ferry.com.

Sumatra

There are a few train services in Sumatra, but no system covering the whole island.  From Medan to Panjang (for the twice-daily ferry to Merak on Java) you will need a bus to Padang (730km, 28 hours, twice daily), another from Padang to Palembang (900km, one bus daily), then a train from Palembang (Kertapati station) to Panjang (daily, 8 hours daytime train. Arrives at Tanjungkarang station, bus connection for final 2 hours to Palembang ferry).  Alternatively, you can take a train from Medan to Kisaran, bus to Tanjungbalai, then ferry to Batam and again from Batam to Palembang (3 weekly).

Java

A train system links most main cities in Java, including Jakarta and Surabaya via several different routes.  Bookings are computerised, and can be made up to 30 days in advance.  For train times and fares on Java, see http://infoka.kereta-api.com/.  Hints for using this system:

• The English button is a language selector at bottom right.

• The main stations in Jakarta are Jakarta Kota, often written as 'Jakaratakota', closer to the old colonial city centre, and Jakarta Gambir, often just written as 'Gambir', closer to the centre of the modern city.

• There are two main stations in Surabaya, Surabaya Gubeng and Surabaya Pasarturi.  Gubeng is more central, Pasarturi is slightly to the north.

• Indonesian trains have three classes, Executive (Eksecutif), Business (Bisnis) and Economy (Ekonomi).  Executive is spacious and air-conditioned, seat reservation is compulsory.  Business class is not air-conditioned, seat reservation is compulsory.  Economy is not air-conditioned, it can be crowded, and seat reservation is not possible, except on a handful of very long-distance trains.

• Trains are often identified by name rather than number.  Trains with 'Argo' in the name are the best services, and are Executive class only.

Jakarta - Surabaya trains...

Lots of trains link Jakarta with Surabaya, via at least two major routes, but the best Jakarta-Surabaya train is the 'Argo Bromo Anggrek' service, which is Executive class only, modern and air-conditioned, snacks and mineral water included in the fare.  It has comfortable reclining seats with footrests.  There is both a daytime service and a time-effective overnight service.  However, the night trains no longer have sleepers, just seats.

Jakarta ► Surabaya				Surabaya ► Jakarta
Train number:	2	4		Train number:	1	3
Jakarta Gambir depart	09:30	21:30		Surabaya Pasarturi depart	08:15	20:15
Surabaya Pasarturi arrive	20:30	08:30		Jakarta Gambir arrive	19:12	07:12

Trains 1, 2, 3 & 4 are the 'Argo Bromo Anggrek', Executive class only, fully air-conditioned. 

The fare is about 200,000 Rupiah (£11 or $21) one-way, snacks & mineral water included.  Distance is 725 km (450 miles).

Jakarta - Bandung trains...

There is a train every hour or two from Jakarta Gambir station, with Executive & Business class, taking about 3 hours for the 173 km, fare about 175,000 Rupiah (£10 or $19).  See http://infoka.kereta-api.com for more details.

Bandung - Surabaya trains...

Bandung ► Surabaya				Surabaya ► Bandung
Train number:	14F	42		Train number:	13F	41
Bandung depart	07:00	18:30		Surabaya Gubeng depart	06:55	18:00
Surabaya Gubeng arrive	19:47	08:04		Bandung arrive	19:37	07:33

Train 13F / 14F is the "Argo Wilis", air-conditioned.

If you have any more information or photos that would be useful for this page to help other travellers, please e-mail me..!

Traveller Edmund Carew travelled Surabaya-Bandung on the 'Argo Wilis':  "The aircon trains were only 50 to 75 per cent full: it was incredibly easy to book, with no queues at Surabaya or Bandung.  However, third class trains around Surabaya were packed as were local trains on the 'snappy' Bogor line from Jakartakota station.  The Indonesian railways make a real effort to run on time.  Mostly they seem to be no more than 15 minutes late, which is good although schedules between Surabaya and Bandung (hilly last bits) was only an average speed of 57 - 58 km/h."

The Thomas Cook Overseas timetable has train, bus and ferry times for Indonesia and every country in the world outside Europe plus currency and climate information. It's essential for any serious traveller, and an inspiration for armchair travellers..! 

It costs around £13.50 from the bureau de change section of any branch of Thomas Cook, or you can buy online at www.thomascooktimetables.com (click on 'Timetables and maps').

Get an online quote from both Direct Line & Columbus Direct...

Travel insurance is a boring subject, but it's a real necessity, so make sure you budget for it.  Make sure the cover is adequate - for example, at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover, from a reliable insurer.  Remember that an annual multi-trip policy is often cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just two or three trips a year.  Here are some suggested insurers.  Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy after clicking these links.

  If you're a UK resident, try Direct Line whom I've used myself on many occasions, or Columbus Direct.

      If you're resident in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or the EU, try Columbus Direct Australia.

  If you're resident in the USA or Canada, try Travel Guard USA.

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