Trains • Indonesia

Indonesia Railways (KAI)

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) is Indonesia's national rail operator, serving Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi. The network combines long-distance Argo trains, Eksekutif, Bisnis and Ekonomi classes, KAI Commuter suburban services and the new Whoosh high-speed line between Jakarta and Bandung.

Indonesia

Who is KAI?

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero), known as KAI, is Indonesia's national railway company. Its history dates back to 28 September 1945, regarded as the birthday of Indonesian railways, and it took its current form as a state-owned company in 1999. Its headquarters are in Bandung, West Java. In 2024 KAI carried roughly 505 million passengers across a network of more than 6,900 kilometres of track.

The network on Java and Sumatra

The heart of the KAI network is the island of Java, linking the country's main cities. The busiest corridors start from Jakarta: Jakarta (Gambir)-Bandung, Jakarta-Surabaya and Jakarta-Yogyakarta. On Sumatra, KAI runs several separate networks in the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra and in the south around Lampung and Palembang. Most lines use a 1,067 mm gauge.

Jakarta (Gambir)-Bandung: the historic corridor served by the Argo Parahyangan.
Jakarta-Surabaya: Argo Bromo Anggrek, Argo Semeru and Sembrani trains.
Jakarta-Yogyakarta and Solo: Taksaka, Argo Lawu and Argo Dwipangga trains.
Jakarta-Semarang: Argo Muria and Argo Sindoro trains.

Eksekutif, Bisnis, Ekonomi classes and the Whoosh line

KAI trains are divided into several classes. Eksekutif offers wide reclining seats, air conditioning and often a meal; Bisnis provides mid-range comfort; Ekonomi is the most affordable, with more comfortable Premium variants. Alongside this conventional network, the Whoosh high-speed line, operated by KCIC, connects Jakarta (Halim) to Bandung (Tegalluar) at a top speed of 350 km/h. A journey that took around three hours by conventional rail now takes about forty minutes via the Halim, Karawang, Padalarang and Tegalluar stations.

Onboard and fares

Onboard comfort depends on the class: power sockets, air conditioning, reclining seats in Eksekutif and a restaurant car on longer routes. Fares are quoted in Indonesian rupiah (IDR) and vary with demand. As a guide, a full-price Whoosh ticket on Jakarta-Bandung is around 300,000 IDR, while a long-distance Eksekutif trip such as Jakarta-Yogyakarta can exceed 500,000 IDR. Actual prices change with the date, the class and promotions.

How to book

The easiest way to book is the official Access by KAI app or the kai.id website, which let you buy named tickets, choose your seat and manage your trip. Whoosh tickets are booked through the Whoosh app or KCIC channels. On Gopaxo you can compare train, bus and ferry routes to plan your trip in Indonesia before finalising your booking with KAI.

Travel guides

Indonesia Railways (KAI)

Jakarta
Bandung
Surabaya
Yogyakarta
Semarang
Solo
Malang
Cirebon

Most frequent questions about Gopaxo

What is the Whoosh line?

Whoosh is Southeast Asia's first high-speed line, linking Jakarta (Halim) to Bandung (Tegalluar) at 350 km/h in about forty minutes. It is operated by KCIC, separate from KAI's conventional network.

What is the difference between Eksekutif, Bisnis and Ekonomi?

Eksekutif is the most comfortable, with wide seats, strong air conditioning and often a meal. Bisnis is mid-range. Ekonomi is the most economical, with a more pleasant Premium variant.

How do I buy a KAI ticket?

The simplest way is the Access by KAI app or the kai.id website. Tickets are issued in a passenger's name, so travel with ID matching the name on the ticket.