Cirebon Becomes a Key Hub for Tourism and Economic Mobility During the 2025/2026 Nataru Period
Cirebon once again demonstrated its role as an important point of public mobility on Java Island during the 2025 Christmas and 2026 New Year transportation period. Its location at the intersection of the northern and southern railway corridors makes the area a mobility hub connecting intercity, interprovincial, and tourism journeys.
KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication Anne Purba said that travel activity in Cirebon during the Nataru period reflects the high demand for public mobility as well as growing interest in rail-based tourism. This strategic role is evident from the high volume of railway services serving passenger boarding and alighting at Cirebon Station and Cirebon Prujakan Station.
During the Nataru period, on a single operational day, 63 regular trains and 17 additional trains traveling from east to west, as well as 66 regular trains and 17 additional trains traveling from west to east, served passenger boarding and alighting at the two stations. The 17 additional trains included Nataru Motorbike Free Transportation (Motis) passenger services, supporting public mobility and the interregional transportation of two-wheeled vehicles.
“Cirebon has a distinctive role as it connects the northern corridor, such as Jakarta and Semarang, with the southern corridor toward Purwokerto and Yogyakarta. This position makes Cirebon an important transit point for passengers continuing their journeys to various regions,” said Anne.
Based on Nataru transportation data from Operational Area 3 Cirebon (Daop 3) as of Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 10:00 WIB, cumulative passenger volume for the period from December 18, 2025 to January 4, 2026 reached 274,400 passengers, consisting of 136,081 passengers boarding and 138,319 passengers alighting. On the same day, daily passenger movement reached 16,867 passengers, with 9,423 passengers boarding and 7,444 passengers alighting.
At Cirebon Station, cumulative passenger volume reached 114,821 passengers, with daily passenger movement on Sunday, January 4, 2026, reaching 6,385 passengers. Meanwhile, Cirebon Prujakan Station recorded a cumulative volume of 45,232 passengers, with daily passenger movement reaching 2,830 passengers. These figures reaffirm the role of both stations as the main entry and exit points for the Cirebon area during the long holiday period.
The high level of mobility was in line with ticket sales in the Daop 3 Cirebon area. From a capacity of 74,988 seats, ticket sales reached 81,244 tickets, equivalent to 108 percent. This occupancy level was influenced by dynamic passenger travel patterns, with passengers boarding and alighting at various stations along their routes.
In addition to domestic travel, Cirebon also recorded growth in international tourist arrivals. Throughout 2025, a total of 21,806 international tourists were recorded departing by long-distance trains from the Daop 3 Cirebon area, an increase from 19,280 international tourists in 2024. Cirebon Station recorded the highest figure, serving 12,566 international tourists.
Anne explained that railway connectivity makes it easier for tourists to access various leading destinations in Cirebon, ranging from palace and heritage areas and religious tourism destinations to culinary centers, as well as cities and regencies in the surrounding areas such as Majalengka, Indramayu, and Kuningan. The movement of tourists contributes to local economic activity, including for MSMEs, artisans, culinary vendors, and transportation and accommodation service providers around stations and tourist areas.
“The flow of passengers and tourists through Cirebon has a direct impact on the local economy. This activity strengthens the role of railways as a regional connector as well as a driver of regional economic activity,” said Anne.
Nationally, as of Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 08:00 WIB, ticket sales for the 2025 Christmas and 2026 New Year transportation period had reached 4,135,783 tickets, an increase of 10.86 percent compared to the previous Nataru period.
“The connectivity established through railway services makes interregional travel more efficient and comfortable. Cirebon is an example of how a transportation hub plays a role in maintaining smooth mobility while supporting tourism and the local economy,” Anne concluded.
VP Corporate Communication KAI