Ambarawa Ekspres Becomes a Favorite Train Connecting Semarang–Surabaya During the 2025/2026 Nataru Holiday Period
Public mobility along the northern railway corridor of Java Island remained high during the 2025 Christmas and 2026 New Year transportation period (Nataru). Amid the flow of travel, the Ambarawa Ekspres train was recorded as one of the most popular services on the Semarang–Surabaya route. Based on booking data for the period from December 18, 2025 to January 4, 2026, Train KA 264 serving the Semarang Poncol–Surabaya Pasarturi route and Train KA 263 serving the Surabaya Pasarturi–Semarang Poncol route were among the main choices for passengers.
Cumulatively, the two Ambarawa Ekspres services served and were booked by 54,562 passengers for round trip journeys between Semarang and Surabaya. Of this total, KA 264 served 27,308 passengers, while KA 263 served 27,254 passengers. This achievement demonstrates the strong preference for railways as an intercity mode of transportation during the year end holiday period.
KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication Anne Purba said that the high public interest in the Ambarawa Ekspres reflects the strategic role of railway services along Java’s northern corridor. According to her, the Semarang–Surabaya route is one of the corridors with consistently high mobility, serving family trips, tourism, and economic activities.
Anne added that the availability of daily departures for the Ambarawa Ekspres provides greater flexibility for people in planning their journeys.
“Travel patterns during Nataru show that passengers are increasingly considering punctuality, comfort, and ease of intercity access when choosing a mode of transportation,” she said.
Furthermore, Anne explained that the Ambarawa Ekspres also plays a role in strengthening regional connectivity along Java’s northern corridor. By serving strategic stations such as Semarang Tawang, Ngrombo, Kradenan, Randublatung, Cepu, Bojonegoro, Babat, and Lamongan, the train expands travel access for communities from various areas to regional activity centers.
“Railways provide a space for movement that brings together various travel needs along a single route. During the year end holiday period, we saw how trains remain a relevant choice amid high public mobility,” said Anne.
Nationally, KAI recorded ticket sales during the 2025 Christmas and 2026 New Year transportation period, from December 18, 2025 to January 4, 2026, reaching 4,068,603 tickets as of Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 08:00 WIB. This figure represents a 9.06 percent increase compared with the 2024/2025 Nataru period, which recorded 3,730,584 tickets, and may continue to increase as ticket sales remain open until the end of the transportation period.
Long distance railway ticket sales reached 3,317,786 tickets, or 120.2 percent of the capacity of 2,761,048 seats, while local railway ticket sales reached 750,817 tickets, or 100.8 percent of the total 745,056 seats. These occupancy levels were influenced by the dynamic nature of passenger travel, with passengers boarding and alighting at various stations along the route.
During the 2025/2026 Nataru period, passenger movements on long distance and local railway services remained consistently high, with travel peaks occurring ahead of the Christmas holiday and during the final weekend of the year. Pasarsenen, Yogyakarta, and Gambir were recorded as major departure and destination hubs for long distance railway travel, followed by other strategic stations such as Surabaya Pasarturi, Semarang Tawang, Bandung, Surabaya Gubeng, Purwokerto, Semarang Poncol, Lempuyangan, and Bekasi.
“KAI would like to thank all members of the public and passengers for their continued trust during the 2025/2026 Christmas and New Year transportation period. Every piece of feedback, appreciation, and criticism serves as valuable input for KAI in evaluating and improving the quality of its services going forward,” Anne concluded.
VP Corporate Communication KAI