130,000 Train Tickets Remaining for Homebound Travel 11-20 March in Daop 8 Region
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) Daop 8 Surabaya has confirmed that train tickets for the homebound journey during the 11-20 March 2026 period now have only 130,000 seats remaining.
“Public enthusiasm for homebound travel by train is very high. Although approximately 130,000 seats are still available during the pre-Lebaran period, we urge customers to make their bookings immediately as sales are progressing dynamically every day,” said Mahendro Trang Bawono, Public Relations Manager of KAI Daop 8 Surabaya, in Surabaya on Sunday (1/3).
As of Sunday (3/1), 236,363 tickets had been sold, representing approximately 42 per cent of the total 561,528 seat capacity for departures from 11 March to 1 April 2026 from the Daop 8 Surabaya region.
“This achievement reflects public confidence in trains as a safe, comfortable, and punctual mode of transport for homebound travel,” said Mahendro.
Several dates recorded the highest sales figures, with 18 March 2026 recording 21,628 tickets, followed by 19 March 2026 with 19,674 tickets, and 17 March 2026 with 18,597 tickets. This data indicates that the peak of the homebound surge is estimated to occur during this period.
During the 2026 Lebaran Transport period, KAI Daop 8 Surabaya is operating 59 long-distance train journeys per day, consisting of 49 regular trains, 5 additional trains from Surabaya Gubeng Station, 3 additional trains from Surabaya Pasarturi Station, and 2 additional trains from Malang Station. This increase in operations represents a proactive step to accommodate the surge in public mobility optimally.
Popular trains among customers include the Airlangga, Ambarawa Ekspres, Sancaka, Probowangi, and Harina trains, with popular destinations such as Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Banyuwangi, and Bandung.
Mahendro also advised customers to consider alternative departure dates if their preferred schedule was nearly full, and to take advantage of connecting train arrangements to obtain more flexible time and route options.
As a form of support for public mobility, the government is providing economic stimulus in the form of a 30 per cent discount for Commercial Economy trains during the 14-29 March 2026 period. In the Daop 8 Surabaya region, 114,159 discounted tickets remain available.
From a total quota of 188,288 tickets provided, 74,129 tickets or approximately 39 per cent have been sold. This sales figure is projected to continue increasing given the high interest of the public in taking advantage of the discount programme.
“We encourage the public to make use of this discount programme through official sales channels before the quota is filled. This momentum represents an opportunity for customers to travel homebound more economically without reducing travel comfort,” said Mahendro.
PT KAI Daop 1 Jakarta recorded 103,000 seats still available for the 2026 Lebaran homebound journey during the 11-20 March period. The government is also providing a 30 per cent discount for Commercial Economy trains on 14-29 March.
PT KAI recorded 2026 Lebaran Transport ticket sales reaching 793,681 tickets as of 9 February 2026. Based on preliminary data, the highest customer volume was recorded on 18 March 2026 with 7,706 customers, followed by 19 March 2026 with 6,543 customers.
Public interest in trains as the primary mode of transport during Lebaran has remained consistently high every year.