Covering 1,031 Kilometers, KA Blambangan Ekspres Connects Tourism Routes from Jakarta to Banyuwangi
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) continues to offer journeys connecting various regions across Indonesia through its long-distance train services. One of the services with the longest route currently is the Blambangan Ekspres train, serving the Pasar Senen–Ketapang round-trip route.
With a travel distance reaching 1,031 kilometers, the Blambangan Ekspres train holds the record as the longest train route in Indonesia. This journey traverses the northern line of Java through major cities such as Cirebon, Semarang, and Surabaya, before continuing toward Banyuwangi at the eastern tip of Java Island.
In the first quarter of 2026, the Blambangan Ekspres train served 121,699 customers. This figure demonstrates strong public interest in long-distance train travel, which offers predictable travel times and comfort throughout the journey.
KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication Anne Purba stated that the long journey of the Blambangan Ekspres train delivers a unique experience for customers, as it connects diverse regional characteristics along a single route.
"The Blambangan Ekspres train takes customers across many cities and diverse landscapes. From the hustle and bustle of Jakarta to the coastal atmosphere of Banyuwangi, this journey becomes part of an enjoyable experience along the scenic rail lines," said Anne.
The reliability of this journey is also supported by consistent train punctuality performance. In the first quarter of 2026, passenger service On Time Performance (OTP) recorded departure punctuality at 99.69% and arrival punctuality at 97.67%. This achievement marks an improvement compared to the same period in the previous year, which recorded departure OTP at 99.24% and arrival OTP at 95.44%.
This consistency makes travel more predictable from start to finish, including for long journeys like the Blambangan Ekspres train that pass through multiple regions in a single continuous trip.
From a tourism perspective, travel movement toward Banyuwangi shows a steadily growing trend. Based on data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) of Banyuwangi Regency, domestic tourist visits in the first quarter of 2026 reached approximately 1.3 million trips, an increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Meanwhile, international tourist visits were recorded at around 9,000 visits during the same period.
This increase is linked to greater accessibility to Banyuwangi, including through direct train services connected from Jakarta and other major cities in Java. The Blambangan Ekspres train has become a popular travel option connecting tourists to various destinations such as Ijen Crater, Pulau Merah Beach, and Baluran National Park.
"Travel to Banyuwangi is now much more accessible. The Blambangan Ekspres train offers a comfortable option with predictable travel times, enabling the public to plan their holiday trips with greater certainty," Anne added.
The Blambangan Ekspres train is an executive and economy class train service designed for long-distance travel. The available amenities support customer comfort, ranging from ergonomic seating to a cabin atmosphere suited for long journeys.
KAI will continue to maintain service consistency to ensure every journey runs safely, comfortably, and on time. Through stronger connectivity, railways play an essential role in connecting people with various opportunities, including the growing tourism sector.
"Every journey we offer carries a different story and purpose. We want to ensure customers experience a more comfortable, peaceful, and distinctive journey every time, from departure to arrival," Anne concluded.
VP Corporate Communication KAI