Foreign Tourists Increasingly Travel by Train, First Semester 2026 Reaches 308,874 Passengers

A positive trend in foreign tourist travel using Long-Distance Trains was recorded throughout the first semester of 2026. PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) served 308,874 foreign tourists during this period, an increase of 2.54% compared to the same period in 2025 with 301,219 foreign tourists.

Vice President Corporate Communication KAI, Anne Purba, explained that this growth shows that trains are increasingly becoming part of the tourism experience in Indonesia. For foreign tourists, traveling by train offers a comfortable way to move between cities while also enjoying the local atmosphere up close. Tourists can enjoy views of rice fields, mountains, rivers, urban areas, and heritage sites from the train window, making the journey part of their holiday story in Indonesia.

Interest from foreign tourists in train travel can also be seen from trends in recent years. In 2022, Long-Distance Trains served 300,708 foreign tourists. This number increased to 580,995 tourists in 2023, then 669,226 tourists in 2024, and reached 694,123 tourists in 2025. Over the period from 2022 to 2025, the number of foreign tourists using Long-Distance Trains grew by 130.83%.

Anne added that this growth aligns with the increasingly important role of trains in supporting connectivity to various tourist destinations. Long-Distance Trains connect major cities, cultural areas, culinary centers, natural destinations, as well as regions that attract tourist visits.

Throughout the first semester of 2026, several major stations became favorite departure points for foreign tourists using long-distance trains. Gambir Station recorded the highest number with 50,067 tourists, followed by Yogyakarta Station with 49,202 tourists. In the next position, Bandung Station served 28,078 foreign tourists.

Meanwhile, Pasarsenen Station recorded 16,980 tourists, followed by Surabaya Gubeng Station with 15,514 tourists. Semarang Tawang Station also recorded a significant figure with 11,668 tourists, as well as Malang Station with 9,881 tourists.
As for Surabaya Pasar Turi Station, it served 7,899 tourists, followed by Cirebon Station with 6,474 tourists, and Probolinggo Station with 6,152 foreign tourists. This data shows the high interest of foreign tourists in utilizing train transportation to explore various destinations in Indonesia.

The total departures of foreign tourists from these 10 stations reached 201,915 customers or 65.37% of the total foreign tourists using Long-Distance Trains in the first semester of 2026. This data shows that KAI’s main stations serve as key departure points for tourist mobility to various leading destinations in Indonesia.

Anne stated that foreign tourist travel by train is part of promoting Indonesia’s charm. Each route presents a different experience, ranging from natural panoramas, urban atmospheres, service hospitality, to easy access to tourist destinations.

KAI continues to strengthen Long-Distance Train services through improvements in facilities, cleanliness, safety, punctuality, and ease of ticket booking through Access by KAI. KAI also encourages service integration so that tourist travel becomes easier from the planning stage until arrival at the destination city.

Anne added that the presence of foreign tourists in Long-Distance Train services also has a positive impact on the regional tourism ecosystem. Their journeys create opportunities for hotels, culinary businesses, onward transportation, tour guides, MSMEs, and local economic actors around stations and destinations.

Trains serve as a connector that brings tourists closer to the many stories of Indonesia. KAI will continue to provide safe, comfortable, and memorable journeys so that more foreign tourists choose trains as part of their holidays.