Mirella Pandjaitan
Aug 25, 2025
Rail travel in Indonesia is experiencing a surge in popularity among international tourists. PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), the country's state railway company, has recorded a steady increase in the number of foreign visitors using long-distance train services to explore the archipelago.
KAI welcomed 278,072 international travellers aboard its trains between January and June 2025 alone—a notable 10.5 per cent increase from the same period in 2024, which saw 251,647 foreign passengers. According to Anne Purba, Vice President of Public Relations at KAI, this growth underscores the rising appeal of railways as a preferred mode of transport for tourists exploring Indonesia's top destinations.
Digital transformation is at the core of KAI’s efforts to enhance customer experience by fostering efficient, safer, and comfortable travel that fits the pace of modern life. Therefore, KAI has revised its ticket booking policy to cater to spontaneous travel needs. Travellers can now purchase tickets via the Access by KAI app or the official website up to 30 minutes before departure for intercity trains, and up to 10 minutes for local commuter trains—a significant change from the previous one-hour cutoff.
The update applies to all digital bookings. Customers are advised to update their apps to version 6.12.1 (Android) or 6.13.0 (iOS) to enjoy these new features. The app now also supports special fares and Go Show ticket purchases (available from two hours before departure, subject to seat availability), offering more cost-effective options for spontaneous travel.
All Indonesian passengers must now register with their National Identification Number (NIK), including infants. Meanwhile, foreign nationals are required to input the identification number listed in their passport.
Why take a train?
With extensive rail networks across Java and Sumatra, tourists can now access major cities and cultural hubs across the country.
Each destination offers unique attractions. In Jakarta, for example, travellers arriving at Gambir Station can easily reach iconic sites such as the National Monument (Monas), the Old Town (Kota Tua), Menteng, and Thamrin—famous for their historical, culinary, and shopping experiences.
Moreover, Yogyakarta Station is a gateway to cultural landmarks such as Borobudur Temple, Prambanan, Malioboro Street, and the Yogyakarta Palace, all of which continue to attract international visitors intrigued by Javanese culture.
Read also: Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, A Long-Living History
The top 10 stations are:
1. Gambir Station
2. Yogyakarta Station
3. Bandung Station
4. Surabaya Gubeng Station
5. Pasar Senen Station
6. Semarang Tawang Bank Jateng Station
7. Malang Station
8. Surabaya Pasar Turi Station
9. Cirebon Station
10. Purwokerto Station
Lost and Found: A trusted system for passenger belongings
Thousands of lost items left behind have been recovered by KAI, managed through their Lost and Found system, which aims to increase trust and customer satisfaction. These valuable items are listed as water bottles, laptops, smartphones, wallets, jewellery, phone chargers, earphones, and important documents—including land certificates.
KAI staff locate lost items through routine checks by railway police and station staff after the train reaches its final stop (including seats, dining cars, toilets, and prayer areas). Items found by other passengers are turned in to the staff as well. After collection, all recovered items are recorded in KAI’s system and stored in Lost and Found lockers at each station.
Report the loss through several official KAI channels:
- WhatsApp: Contact Centre 121 at 081112111121
- Email: [email protected]
- Customer service desks at train stations
All reports are processed transparently, and recovered items are returned free of charge. Customers are kept informed throughout the recovery process.
Simply follow these steps to reclaim such belongings:
1. Report the loss directly to KAI Customer Service or via Contact Centre 121.
2. Verification: Staff will check whether the item has been found and logged into the Lost and Found system.
3. Claim the item at the Lost and Found post in the station.
4. Bring a Valid ID (KTP or passport), a train ticket (printed or e-ticket), and verification with the railway police (Polsuska), who will match the identity with the seat number and travel time.
Once everything checks out, the lost item will be returned. Despite this robust system, passengers are reminded to stay vigilant and responsible for their belongings at all times.