Eid Homecoming Travel: KAI Serves Nearly 2 Million Long-Distance and Local Train Passengers
Ticket sales for PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) 2026 Eid (Lebaran) Transport period continue to display a positive trend as the Eid holiday arrives. This increase aligns with high public mobility as passengers rely on trains as their primary mode of transportation for homecoming travel.
As of March 21, 2026, at 10:00 WIB, total ticket sales reached 3,799,365 tickets, representing 84.5 percent of the 4,498,696 seats provided across Long-Distance and Local Train services for travel between March 11 and April 1, 2026. Approximately 699,331 seats remain available for the return flow.
Vice President of Corporate Communication at KAI, Anne Purba, stated that the growth in sales highlights strong public trust in rail transport for Eid travel.
"The trend for homecoming travel by train has continued to rise since mid-March. This is evident from ticket sales moving steadily upward, particularly for long-distance train services, which serve as the primary choice for intercity travel," said Anne.
For Long-Distance Train services, ticket sales reached 3,292,121, or 92.2 percent of the 3,571,760 total seats provided, leaving approximately 279,639 seats available for booking for return journeys.
Meanwhile, for Local Train services managed by KAI, sales reached 438,203 tickets, or 47.3 percent out of the 926,936 total seats available, leaving around 488,733 seats open. Local train ticket sales generally continue to increase closer to departure dates, as most services only open for booking 7 days prior to travel (H-7).
During the homecoming flow period (March 11–20, 2026), KAI served 1,695,218 Long-Distance Train passengers and 302,561 Local Train passengers across Java and Sumatra, bringing the total volume served during this period to 1,997,779 passengers.
Daily long-distance train passenger volumes and occupancy rates for March 11–20, 2026, were recorded as follows:
• March 11: 101,617 passengers out of 159,404 seat capacity (63.7%)
• March 12: 126,208 passengers out of 159,404 seat capacity (79.2%)
• March 13: 165,675 passengers out of 163,432 seat capacity (101.4%)
• March 14: 185,873 passengers out of 163,432 seat capacity (113.7%)
• March 15: 180,836 passengers out of 163,432 seat capacity (110.6%)
• March 16: 173,753 passengers out of 163,432 seat capacity (106.3%)
• March 17: 191,413 passengers out of 163,432 seat capacity (117.1%)
• March 18: 205,842 passengers out of 163,432 seat capacity (125.9%)
• March 19: 196,324 passengers out of 163,432 seat capacity (120.1%)
• March 20: 167,659 passengers out of 160,252 seat capacity (104.6%)
Entering March 21, 2026, passenger movement remains elevated. As of morning hours, at least 174,198 Long-Distance Train passengers are scheduled to travel within this single day, yielding a preliminary occupancy rate of 108.1 percent. This figure retains potential for growth as ticket sales remain ongoing.
Anne added that occupancy rates exceeding 100 percent are standard in long-distance train operations due to dynamic travel patterns along a single route.
"On a single long-distance train trip, one seat can be used by more than one passenger across different route segments. This scheme allows the total number of passengers served to exceed the number of available physical seats on a route," Anne explained.
High-demand train services during the 2026 Eid Transport period include KA Airlangga, KA Joglosemarkerto, KA Sri Tanjung, KA Bengawan, KA Kahuripan, KA Rajabasa, and KA Jayakarta.
Nevertheless, the public still has opportunities to secure tickets for specific trips, especially for return journeys, through alternative route options, different departure schedules, or connecting train schemes. KAI also encourages passengers to utilize connecting train services and select flexible travel dates to increase their chances of obtaining tickets.
"With capacity still available, KAI invites the public to plan their return journeys well in advance so that trips run more comfortably, smoothly, and enjoyably by train," Anne concluded.
VP Corporate Communication KAI