Rail Travel Gains Popularity as 694,000 International Tourists Used KAI’s Long-Distance Train Services Throughout 2025
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) recorded a growth in the number of foreign tourists using long-distance train services throughout 2025. During that period, 694,123 foreign tourists were recorded traveling by KAI trains, a 3.7 percent increase compared to 2024, which reached 669,226 tourists.
This growth trend has remained consistent over recent years. In 2023, the number of foreign tourists using trains was recorded at 580,995 tourists, while in 2022, it reached 300,708 tourists. This continuous increase underscores the vital role of trains as the primary mode of transportation for international tourists reaching various premier destinations in Indonesia.
This achievement aligns with the government's policy direction to strengthen foreign exchange earnings through the tourism sector, while accelerating the transformation toward low-emission mobility and sustainable tourism. Intercity connectivity directly linked to tourist destinations enhances Indonesia's competitiveness as a global destination while ensuring foreign tourist spending is distributed across various regions.
Vice President of Corporate Communication at KAI, Anne Purba, stated that the increase in foreign tourists reflects growing global trust in Indonesia's train services.
"Every foreign tourist who uses the train does not only travel, but also brings foreign exchange potential through tourist spending, accommodation, culinary, and local products. At the same time, train usage supports more eco-friendly travel, allowing tourism to grow without compromising sustainability," Anne said.
On a monthly basis, peak train service usage by foreign tourists in 2025 occurred in July with 89,526 passengers and August with 89,116 passengers, in line with the surge in international travel mobility during the holiday season.
Top 10 Departure Stations for Foreign Tourists in 2025
1. Yogyakarta – 126,768 tourists
2. Gambir – 114,877 tourists
3. Bandung – 70,271 tourists
4. Pasar Senen – 38,669 tourists
5. Surabaya Gubeng – 31,713 tourists
6. Malang – 25,874 tourists
7. Semarang Tawang – 23,695 tourists
8. Probolinggo – 20,540 tourists
9. Surabaya Pasar Turi – 14,798 tourists
10. Solo Balapan – 13,566 tourists
These stations serve as primary hubs for travel toward cultural, natural, and urban tourist destinations. The connectivity provided by trains helps drive the hospitality sector, local transportation, culinary businesses, MSMEs, and the creative economy surrounding the stations and target destinations. This activity chain serves as the main channel for foreign exchange inflows and strengthens regional economic structures.
In addition to its economic impact, train usage by foreign tourists supports low-carbon tourism. As a mass transportation mode with lower emission levels compared to private vehicles and aircraft for medium distances, trains contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of holiday travel. This aligns with Indonesia's commitment toward Net Zero Emission 2060 and reinforces Indonesia's image as an environmentally conscious destination.
"Trains ensure that the foreign exchange benefits of tourism do not stop at the country's entry points, but flow into regional destinations. This is a concrete form of public transportation's contribution to strengthening the national economy while preserving environmental sustainability," Anne added.
Moving forward, KAI will continue to strengthen its role in the national tourism ecosystem by improving service quality, enhancing digital travel capabilities, and improving intermodal integration to support KAI's transformation into a globally competitive railway operator and a strategic government partner in sustainable tourism development.
VP Corporate Communication KAI