Serving 162 Thousand Customers, Blambangan Ekspres Connects Jakarta and Banyuwangi on Indonesia's Longest Train Journey
Amid growing public interest in traveling by long-distance public transportation, the Blambangan Ekspres Train continues to be a preferred choice for customers who want to enjoy a comfortable journey while taking in the scenery of Java Island through the train window. During the January–April 2026 period, the Blambangan Ekspres served a total of 162,863 customers.
Operating on the Pasarsenen–Ketapang round-trip route, the train covers a distance of approximately 1,031 kilometers, making it Indonesia's longest intercity train service. In a single journey, customers travel through a variety of landscapes, from the bustling urban areas of Jakarta, the expansive rice fields of the North Coast (Pantura), the northern coastal region of Java, the mountain ranges of East Java, to the tropical atmosphere of Banyuwangi, the gateway to Bali.
KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication Anne Purba said the Blambangan Ekspres offers a unique travel experience, allowing customers to enjoy the many faces of Indonesia in a single journey.
"The Blambangan Ekspres offers a truly distinctive travel experience. From the train window, customers can witness changing landscapes from one city to another, ranging from urban areas and rice fields to coastal regions and the mountains at the eastern tip of Java Island. The long journey feels more relaxing because customers can enjoy the scenery without the fatigue of driving," she said.
The atmosphere of the journey also changes with the time of day. While passing through the Pantura region in the afternoon, customers can enjoy sunlight reflecting off rice fields and fish ponds. As night falls, the city lights along Java's northern corridor create a peaceful travel atmosphere. Then, as morning arrives in East Java, customers are welcomed by views of mountains, plantations, and the distinctive fresh air of the eastern part of the island.
This ever-changing scenery is one of the reasons why long-distance train travel remains popular. Customers can rest, enjoy meals during the journey, chat with family members, read a book, or simply admire the passing landscapes without the stress of road congestion.
In addition to providing a memorable travel experience, the Blambangan Ekspres also connects many strategic cities and leading tourist destinations. The train stops at several major stations, including Cirebon, Tegal, Pekalongan, Semarang Tawang, Cepu, Bojonegoro, Surabaya Pasarturi, Sidoarjo, Pasuruan, Probolinggo, Jember, and Banyuwangi Kota.
Each region along the route offers its own unique tourist attractions. Semarang is well known for its Old Town district and culinary tourism, Probolinggo serves as the gateway to Mount Bromo, while Banyuwangi is home to many leading destinations such as Ijen Crater, Red Island Beach, Baluran National Park, and Alas Purwo National Park.
According to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the number of international tourist arrivals in Indonesia throughout 2025 exceeded 13 million visits and continued to show positive growth in early 2026. This growth has also contributed to increasing demand for tourism supported by comfortable and well-connected public transportation between regions.
Anne added that train travel is becoming increasingly popular because it allows customers to enjoy a more relaxed journey while remaining productive during the trip.
"Long-distance train travel offers a different kind of experience. There are many memorable moments customers can enjoy from the train window, from sunrise and vast rice fields to the silhouettes of the mountains in eastern Java. The journey itself becomes part of the travel experience," she said.
VP Corporate Communication KAI