Argo Anjasmoro Train Gains Popularity, Making Jakarta–Surabaya Weekends More Relaxing via Java’s North Line

There are many ways to enjoy the weekend. Some people choose to return home to meet family, some look for local culinary delights at their destinations, while others simply want to sit comfortably and watch the landscapes of Java transform outside the train window. Through the Argo Anjasmoro Train, journeys between Jakarta and Surabaya can feel more relaxing, well-planned, and enjoyable.

The Argo Anjasmoro Train serves the Gambir–Surabaya Pasarturi round-trip route via Java's North Line. Along its journey, the train calls at Gambir, Jatinegara, Bekasi, Cirebon, Tegal, Pekalongan, Semarang Tawang, Cepu, Bojonegoro, and Surabaya Pasarturi. This string of cities ensures that the journey is not merely an intercity transit, but an experiential travel offering a diverse taste of culinary treats, tourism, culture, and the signature atmosphere of Java’s northern corridor.

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) recorded that the Argo Anjasmoro Train served 68,025 passengers from January to May 2026. This figure marks a 285.28 percent growth compared to the 17,656 passengers recorded during the same period in 2025. In terms of volume, there was an additional 50,369 passengers during the first five months of 2026.

This expansion should be viewed within the context of the Argo Anjasmoro Train's operations as it gained public traction since 2025. In the January–May 2025 data, passenger realization only began to register in March 2025 with 5,101 passengers, followed by 9,573 passengers in April, and 2,982 passengers in May. Meanwhile, in the January–May 2026 period, passenger volumes were much more evenly distributed, with 9,726 passengers in January, 11,868 passengers in February, 19,603 passengers in March, 13,017 passengers in April, and 13,811 passengers in May.

KAI Vice President of Corporate Communications Anne Purba stated that the passenger surge on the Argo Anjasmoro Train demonstrates that the public highly welcomes additional travel options on the Jakarta–Surabaya route, especially for weekend getaways, business trips, family gatherings, and vacations.

“The Argo Anjasmoro Train offers a comfortable travel alternative for Jakarta–Surabaya passengers. Customers can depart from the city center, enjoy the journey across Java's North Line, and arrive at their destination with a wealth of choices for activities, from culinary exploration and sightseeing to family reunions,”

The route of the Argo Anjasmoro Train also boasts strong demographic appeal. Based on BPS data from 2026, the four provinces connected by this route house massive populations: DKI Jakarta with 10.6697 million people, West Java with 51.1639 million people, Central Java with 38.5650 million people, and East Java with 42.3520 million people. With a total pool of approximately 142.75 million residents, this corridor possesses immense mobility potential for intercity travel, weekend tourism, family visits, business activities, and regional economic movements.

Departing from Gambir, passengers find themselves at the heart of Jakarta, in close proximity to government districts, offices, Monas (the National Monument), museums, public spaces, and urban activity centers. For passengers from Jakarta and its surroundings, Gambir serves as a practical starting node toward Central and East Java.

At Jatinegara and Bekasi, the Argo Anjasmoro Train expands boarding options for residents in eastern Jakarta and eastern Jabodetabek. Passengers residing in residential developments, working downtown, or wishing to embark without traveling too far can utilize these stops to match their itineraries.

Upon entering Cirebon, the travel experience begins to grow richer with cultural nuances and culinary flavors. Passengers can plan a visit to royal palaces (keraton), Sunyaragi Cave, the Trusmi batik center, or savor local dishes like empal gentong, nasi jamblang, tahu gejrot, and docang. Cirebon serves as an excellent stopover city for those looking to experience cultural and culinary tourism in a single journey.

Next, Tegal offers a warm coastal atmosphere. The city is famous for its teh poci (claypot tea), tahu aci (tapioca-filled tofu), sate blengong (goose/duck satay), as well as urban and beach tourism options. For Argo Anjasmoro passengers, Tegal provides a light, welcoming, and vibrant stop deeply connected to the signature tastes of the Pantura (North Coast) community.

In Pekalongan, passengers can uncover a batik heritage that has become inseparable from the city's identity. The Batik Museum, traditional batik villages, local markets, and the signature sego megono dish make Pekalongan attractive for travelers wanting to combine shopping, dining, and cultural heritage. Local batik crafts and delicacies also offer a prominent stage for regional MSMEs to expand their reach to passengers from various cities.

Arriving at Semarang Tawang, passengers are welcomed by one of the most iconic cities along Java's North Line. From this station, travelers can easily reach the Old Town (Kota Lama) of Semarang, Lawang Sewu, and the Simpang Lima area, while indulging in local favorites such as lumpia (spring rolls), tahu gimbal, bandeng presto (pressure-cooked milkfish), wingko babat, and various other specialties. Semarang stands as an excellent choice for a weekend getaway due to its highly accessible history tours, food hubs, hotels, and urban transit network.

In Cepu and Bojonegoro, the journey of the Argo Anjasmoro Train taps into towns driven by local economic pulses closely knit with the community. Passengers can continue onward to culinary spots, markets, nature reserves, local craft hubs, or family events. This customer mobility fosters vibrant business opportunities for eateries, food stalls, feeder transport drivers, lodging providers, and local MSMEs surrounding the stations and tourist destinations.

The journey eventually concludes at Surabaya Pasarturi, one of the primary gateways to the city of Surabaya. From this station, passengers can comfortably access the Tunjungan area, the Old Town of Surabaya, the Heroes Monument (Tugu Pahlawan), culinary hubs, business districts, and shopping centers, while enjoying signature dishes like rawon, rujak cingur, lonton balap, tahu tek, and classic Surabaya souvenirs.

“Every stop along the Argo Anjasmoro Train route has its own distinct appeal. There are cities with robust culinary identities, batik towns, heritage cities, coastal towns, and nodes tied closely to business and family activities. This journey allows passengers to witness the many faces of Java in a more comfortable manner,”

Anne added that the Argo Anjasmoro Train also brings direct benefits to economic activities around the stations. When passengers board and alight, supporting services thrive—ranging from food stalls, beverage vendors, souvenir shops, and feeder transport drivers to lodging facilities and regional MSMEs surrounding the destinations.

“For passengers, a single journey can mean a vacation, a work trip, or returning home to loved ones. For small business owners, the presence of these passengers opens up chances for their goods to be purchased, local products to be recognized, and the economy around the station to come alive,”

KAI invites the public to make weekend travel with the Argo Anjasmoro Train a cheerful and well-planned experience. Passengers can curate an itinerary from city to city: enjoying the culinary delights of Cirebon, tasting the teh poci and tahu aci of Tegal, hunting for Pekalongan batik, soaking in the heritage of Semarang, stopping by Cepu and Bojonegoro, and finally wrapping up the trip with the unique atmosphere of Surabaya.

“Train travel always leaves room for new stories. There are landscapes to admire, cities to visit, culinary treats to try, souvenirs to bring home, and families waiting at the destination. The Argo Anjasmoro Train delivers a Jakarta–Surabaya travel experience that is comfortable, warm, and full of options,”

Passengers can check travel availability, the latest schedules, fares, and book tickets for the Argo Anjasmoro Train through the Access by KAI application, the official website kai.id, station ticket counters, and other authorized ticket sales channels. KAI advises passengers to verify their travel schedules, bring valid identification, manage their baggage properly, and arrive early at the station to ensure a comfortable and orderly journey.

VP Corporate Communications KAI