Through Railways, Foreign Tourists Discover the Beauty of the Archipelago from Sumatra

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) recorded that 21,911 foreign tourists used railway services in the Sumatra region throughout January–August 2026. This figure was part of the 498,232 foreign tourists who utilized KAI railway services across all KAI operational areas during the same period.

Nationally, the number of foreign tourist customers using KAI railway services in January–August 2026 increased by 3.83 percent compared to the same period in 2025, which recorded 479,861 foreign tourists, or an increase of 18,371 customers.

The increase in foreign tourist journeys occurred alongside the development of Indonesia's tourism sector. Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), foreign tourist arrivals to Indonesia in July 2026 reached 1.53 million visits, an increase of 2.95 percent compared to July 2025.

Vice President Corporate Communication KAI Anne Purba said that railway services are part of tourists' journeys in exploring various regions of Indonesia with diverse natural, cultural, and historical wealth.

“Indonesia has many destinations with unique characteristics in each region. Through railway services, tourists can enjoy journeys that connect various regions while getting to know the beauty of the archipelago more closely,” said Anne.

On Sumatra Island, foreign tourists' train journeys were spread across various KAI operational areas. Divre I North Sumatra recorded the highest number of foreign tourists with 14,023 customers, followed by Divre II West Sumatra with 5,427 customers, Divre IV Tanjungkarang with 1,362 customers, and Divre III Palembang with 1,099 customers.

Based on station data, the five stations on Sumatra Island with the highest number of foreign tourists throughout January–August 2026 were:

1. Medan Station: 4,037 foreign tourists
2. Rantauprapat Station: 1,780 foreign tourists
3. Minangkabau International Airport Station: 1,345 foreign tourists
4. Padang Station: 1,338 foreign tourists
5. Tanjungbalai Station: 1,261 foreign tourists

Foreign tourists' journeys by train in Sumatra took place amid the region's continuously developing tourism potential. Based on BPS data, North Sumatra recorded 22,583 foreign tourist visits in January 2026 through three entry points, while West Sumatra recorded 6,106 foreign tourist visits through Minangkabau International Airport in January 2026.

Various destinations in Sumatra offer attractions for tourism journeys, ranging from Lake Toba in North Sumatra, the cultural richness of the Minangkabau people in West Sumatra, to various natural and historical areas in other provinces.

Anne added that KAI continues to improve travel service quality through the development of customer facilities, easier access to travel information, and improved service standards at stations and during journeys.

“Every train journey provides customers with an opportunity to get to know various regions of Indonesia more closely. KAI will continue to strengthen its services so that domestic and foreign tourists can enjoy increasingly comfortable journeys while supporting the introduction of the tourism potential of the archipelago,” concluded Anne.

VP Corporate Communication KAI