1

If you don't wanna travel along with Chickens, Goats and people lay down on the train's corridors then
pick up the executive one which equipped with air conditioned.. Coz business class have no AC but fan -not sure if it's a fan
or slow motion windy.. :) It's only $10-13 different but worth it for 7 hours journey...

regards,
-haris-

2

sara, both bisnis or eksekutif trains are fine, the main difference being fan or airco (which tends to be too cold...but you'll get a blanket on the night trains)
don't worry, you won't be travelling with chickens or goats, that's just an untrue cliche, and even in ekonomi class conditions have improved tremendously, since trains can no longer be overbooked (only numbered seats are sold now, no more standing tickets)
enjoy your trip, and remember the upcoming idul fitri holidays later in august, no more tickets will be available then!

3

thanks for your kind replies. they are all really useful!
in fact we will be travelling in mid August, and I would like to spend one night only in Jakarta, so...where I can book trains in advance? travelling by night could be better choice?
thanks again!

4

Hi Saragat,

Perhaps not with goats, OK I recognize it's to much.
But, chickens yes. At least, that was based on my experiences.
People lay down on the corridors' floor are very common in the "bisnis" class..
If you wanna take night train, I really suggest you to take the executive one for
your convenience.

cheers

5

Ignore #5 - s/he must be a troll. I've never seen a chicken on a bisnis class train. Indonesia is not India.

No, it isn't dangerous. Do a key word search for information on booking trains in advance. The question's been asked plenty of times before.

You'd be better off bussing from Surabaya to Bali. There are no trains in Bali so you're going to be on a bus for that leg of the journey anyway.

6

Hi Saragat

It's not possible to buy train ticket online from abroad or book one in advance but it's a good idea to ask your hotel. If they can't help try to contact one of the travel agents listed at the Indonesian train website:
http://www.kereta-api.co.id/layanan-produk/reservasi-tiket/4-rail-agent.html
I have used Masindo and Patuna (both are listed in there) to buy plane tickets before and they are reliable and can recommend them.

When are you planning to take the trip? I believe tickets from 16-20 August are already sold out now because of Eid holiday. Same for bus and plane tickets. The prices are also almost doubled for that period. My suggestion is to go to Yogyakarta after August 21. It'll be much easier to get a ticket and the prices will return to normal.

About "bisnis" and "eksekutif" class of course the latter is more comfortable with aircon, reclining seat and vendors are not allowed to board the train. The price difference is around 150k IDR. Eksekutif trains depart from Gambir station while bisnis trains from Pasar Senen station. Bisnis class is okay (for me) and the people in there are usually friendlier than the rich ones in eksekutif class. The only thing I hate with bisnis class is when the train stop at Cirebon station. Horde of vendors will board the train and they are much much more agressive than vendors at other stations. Very annoying! The only way to avoid them is by pretending to be asleep. Keep one eye half open to watch your lugage though :)

Another option to Yogyakarta is the southern train route via Bandung. The view is more scenic along this route so take the morning train if you want to enjoy the view. But since there is no direct train from Jakarta for this route you have to spend the night at Bandung. Hmm yes why not skip Jakarta and go to Bandung on your first day? From any airport terminal you can take Xtrans or Cipaganti van straight to Bandung (2 hr journey cost around 100k IDR) and spend the night there then the next morning catch a train to Yogyakarta. There are two morning trains from Bandung to Yogyakarta the first is Argo Wilis (eksekutif) at 7am and then Lodaya Pagi (eksekutif and bisnis) at 8 am. Also you will avoid Cirebon by taking this route although the price difference between bisnis and exekutif class here is only 20k IDR. Just an option to consider :)

Have a nice trip!

7

hi sara ... what is definite date for the train transport Jakarta to Yogyakarta? remember that in the 3rd week of august, Indonesia has a Moslem Greatest Days, it's Idul Fitri days, celebrating on 19th or 20th August. a lot of people back to their hometown to celebrate it by their family. How about the transport? they celebrate vacation by private car, train, public bus, airflight and most of them is by motorbike. meanwhile, the potentially date for their moving is around 1 week before and after. if you do the trip by 12th to 26th by train (suggestion is by Executive coach), highly probability, the train is full booked. For the train schedule, the official website please open here (just available in Indonesia version) :
http://www.kereta-api.co.id/jadwal-ka.html
Dangerous for the night train? No, absolutely.... the safe train even doing at night
How many hours Surabaya to Bali (Denpasar) ? Normally, timing duration is as follow :

• surabaya to Ketapang port = 6-7 hours
• Ketapang port to Gilimanuk port by ferryship = 1,5-2 hours
• Gilimanuk to Denpasar = 3,5 hours

long journey, right?
if you don't mind, could you please inform me, how many days do you have time from Jakarta to Bali? visiting touristy object in Yogyakarta? Mt Bromo? and what the definite date? ....... wawan (www.bromoadventureland.com)

8

travelling mid august, out of jakarta, by train? good luck with that...those tickets sold out immediately when reservations started two months ago...it is simply the busiest period of the year! better to prepare a plan B and try to book a plane or bus instead...

9

Well, got the eeby jeebies reading this thread as I have a flight out of Jakarta at precisely that date! And have to get back from Bali.

Got onto Air Asia website and booked a flight for the day before, Denpasar to Jakarta, luckily, seat available.

Also had already booked one from Jakarta to Yogjakarta, takes an hour and costs 30 euros (+ tax), sure beats sitting on a bus or train for hours on end.
I also like the time gain I get that way. I would like to visit Lombok and the Gillis, but not sure if I have the time for all of them....

From Yogja I'll be going overland on to Bali.

10

Well, now I am scared:-)

Our plans would be arriving in Jakarta on August 13 and on 14 or 15 move to Yogyakarta.
Do you really need that from Bandung would be better?

I thought not to take bus to avoid traffic on the roads....

11

@aminata: which company will you fly with?

12

@ saragat - Air Asia - the cheapie Asian airline. You can book it all online.

13

@aminata: maybe I am doing something wrong, but I have just simulate the reservation for the Air Asia flight on AUgust 14 and the price is roughly 70€...actually from August 16 the flight is unavailble. did you book it in advance, right?

@mike66jakarta: I tried to contact Patuna by e-mail, but the mail is rejected...I think will be difficult to reach them from Europe.

in genaral would be then difficulto to move to the Bromo area aroeunf August 17?

Edited by: saragat

Edited by: saragat

14

Indonesian companies seem to never respond to email lol. Shame.
If you can't get train ticket I suggest to go to Yogya by plane and get tickets now while they are still available. I have checked other companies website Lion Air(www.lionair.co.id) and Sriwijaya Air (www.sriwijayaair.co.id) and the ticket for Jakarta-Yogya on August 14 also cost around 70€. I'm not sure if they accept foreign credit card but I think Air Asia will.
Train and airplane ticket prices will drop significantly after August 21.

If you want to go to Bromo and can't get bus or train ticket from Yogya to Malang or Probolinggo you can rent a car (ask your hotel or browse here www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-car-rental/) but the prices will be expensive as it will be peak of Eid holiday. Hotels will also charge peak season rate during that time.