Train Travel, Opens the Door for International Tourists to Explore Sumatra’s Beauty

Train Travel Opens the Door for International Tourists to Explore Sumatra

Sumatra is becoming an increasingly appealing destination to explore, including for international tourists who are choosing rail travel as part of their journey. PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) recorded 21,911 international tourists using train services across Sumatra from January to August 2026. The figure was part of a total 498,232 international tourists who used KAI train services across all of its operational areas during the same period.

Nationwide, the number of international tourists using KAI train services grew by 3.83 percent compared with the same period in 2025, when 479,861 international tourists were recorded. That translates to an additional 18,371 international tourist passengers during January–August 2026.

The increase came as Indonesia’s tourism sector continued to grow. According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Indonesia recorded 1.53 million international tourist visits in July 2026, up 2.95 percent from July 2025.

For international tourists, traveling by train is about more than simply reaching a destination. Rail journeys also offer an opportunity to experience Indonesia more closely, connecting travelers with the country’s diverse natural landscapes, cultures, and history. KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication Anne Purba explained that rail services connect regions with their own distinctive characteristics and attractions, making the journey itself part of the travel experience.

Across Sumatra, international tourist journeys by train were spread across several KAI operating regions. Divre I North Sumatra recorded the highest number with 14,023 international tourist passengers, followed by Divre II West Sumatra with 5,427, Divre IV Tanjungkarang with 1,362, and Divre III Palembang with 1,099.

Looking at individual stations, the five stations in Sumatra with the highest number of international tourist passengers from January to August 2026 were Medan Station with 4,037 passengers, Rantauprapat Station with 1,780, Minangkabau International Airport Station with 1,345, Padang Station with 1,338, and Tanjungbalai Station with 1,261.

The growing number of international tourists traveling by train comes amid the continued development of tourism across Sumatra. BPS data shows that North Sumatra recorded 22,583 international tourist visits in January 2026 through three entry points, while West Sumatra recorded 6,106 international tourist visits through Minangkabau International Airport during the same month.

Sumatra offers a wide variety of experiences for travelers, from Lake Toba in North Sumatra and the rich Minangkabau culture of West Sumatra to natural and historical attractions across other provinces on the island. The diversity gives visitors more ways to explore the region while experiencing the unique character of each destination.

To support these journeys, KAI continues to improve the overall travel experience through better passenger facilities, easier access to travel information, and enhanced service standards both at stations and onboard trains.

KAI also sees every train journey as an opportunity for passengers to discover more of Indonesia. By continuing to strengthen its services, the company aims to make journeys for both domestic and international tourists more comfortable while helping showcase the diverse tourism potential of the Indonesian archipelago.