Beyond the Major Cities, International Travelers Are Discovering New Ways to Explore Indonesia with KAI
Discovering Indonesia by train is becoming an increasingly popular choice for international travelers. Beyond the country's major cities, more regional destinations are emerging as exciting stops along the journey, offering visitors the chance to experience Indonesia's rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, local cuisine, and authentic communities from a unique perspective.
During the first half of 2026, 308,874 international travelers chose KAI's long-distance train services, representing a 2.54% increase compared to the same period last year. Even more encouraging, 106,474 passengers—around one in every three international travelers—began their journey from 222 stations outside KAI's top 10 busiest stations, reflecting growing interest in exploring Indonesia beyond its traditional tourism hubs.
This trend highlights how train travel is helping international visitors discover a wider range of destinations. From cultural heritage towns and scenic countryside to culinary hotspots and hidden gems, rail travel is opening new opportunities to experience the diversity of Indonesia. Regional stations recorded a 4.87% increase in international passenger departures, outpacing the overall growth of foreign travelers and contributing nearly 65% of KAI's total increase in international passengers over the past year.
Strong growth was also recorded across several KAI operating regions. Divre IV Tanjungkarang posted the highest increase at 12.76%, followed by Daop 4 Semarang (12.38%), Daop 5 Purwokerto (11.46%), and Daop 8 Surabaya (11.42%). These figures reflect a growing interest among international visitors in exploring destinations beyond Indonesia's major metropolitan areas.
Several regional stations also experienced impressive growth. Purwokerto welcomed 5,780 international travelers, up 20.54% year-on-year. Tegal grew by 23.55%, Kiaracondong by 18.08%, while Garut and Purwakarta recorded remarkable increases of 41.79% and 56.20%, respectively. Bogor Paledang delivered one of the strongest performances, serving 1,262 international passengers, nearly three times the figure recorded during the same period in 2025.
The expanding distribution of international travelers creates new opportunities for local communities. More visitors mean greater potential for hotels, restaurants, local transportation providers, tour operators, creative businesses, and SMEs to benefit from tourism-driven economic growth. Supported by a network of 627 stations and 7,765 kilometers of active railway lines across Java and Sumatra, KAI continues to make train travel safer, more comfortable, and more connected than ever before, allowing travelers to experience Indonesia with ease.
With seamless digital ticketing, modern passenger services, and expanding connectivity, KAI is committed to making every rail journey an unforgettable adventure while bringing more of Indonesia's remarkable destinations closer to travelers from around the world.