Getting to Jakarta: By train

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Trains at Gambir Station in Central Jakarta

Information about train tickets from PT Kereta Api (Persero) is available on the Web, but no on-line reservation is possible. In Jakarta, you can buy your tickets in the major stations up to 30 days in advance. Except in weekends, you can generally buy a ticket just before departure. Beware of ticket scalpers! They will offer their wares even to people waiting in the queues in front of the ticket sales points. You should expect to pay 50-100 percent more if you do so, and you might find that your coach has empty seats anyway.

Jakarta has several train stations.

The current main station for long distance passengers in Jakarta is the Gambir station, located in Central Jakarta, just east of the Monas. Eksekutif (AC) and some bisnis (non-AC) class trains depart from this station.

Most trains to big cities in Java (Purwokerto, Yogyakarta, Solo, Semarang, Malang and Surabaya) depart either in the morning or from late afternoon to evening.

• To Bandung: trains are frequent, with one coming almost every 2 hours, departing throughout the day. Duration: 3h30, in bisnis or eksekutif. Economy class trains are slower. Very nice landscapes.
• To Surabaya: the very good Argo Bromo Anggrek departs twice a day, at 8am and 8pm. Duration: 10h30, 265,000rp during the week in eksekutif. Prices raise during the week end and the public holidays. Be aware that the AC is extremely cold, thus bring some warm sweater. Moreover, television is usually very loud during the whole trip. Possible to order meals: 18,000rp for a nasi goreng, 3000rp for a hot tea.
• To Semarang: use the Argo Bromo Anggrek.

An airport bus service connects Soekarno-Hatta Airport with Gambir station.

Cheaper trains without air-conditioning generally use the Pasar Senen station located two blocks east of Gambir. Beware that the location is rife with crime, although the station itself has been spruced up recently. Anyway, these ekonomi trains are not really suggested for tourist travel: they are slow, facilities are poor, they are overloaded.

Most trains arriving in Jakarta also stop at Jatinegara station in the eastern part of the city, giving better access to the eastern and southern parts of the city.

Jakarta Kota station is located in the old part of the city, and serves as the departure point for commuter trains and some trains to Merak. It is an interesting Art Deco style building that is currently being restored.