Foreign Tourists Increasingly Using Regional Train Stations in Java and Sumatra, KAI Reports

Foreign tourist travel by train is increasingly spreading to various regional stations in Java and Sumatra. PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) recorded that around a third of foreign tourists using long-distance trains in the first half of 2026 began their journeys from stations outside the ten with the highest passenger volumes.

KAI data shows that 106,474 foreign tourists, or 34.47 per cent of a total 308,874 customers, departed from 222 regional stations during January to June 2026. This figure represents a 4.87 per cent increase compared to the same period last year and accounted for almost two-thirds of the growth in foreign tourist customers over the past year.

Vice President Corporate Communication KAI, Anne Purba, stated that this changing pattern indicates foreign tourists are beginning to use more cities as starting points for their travels. “Tourists are starting to use more stations as departure points. This pattern opens up space for regional cities to introduce their cultural, culinary, historical, and natural strengths, as well as the life of their communities,” Anne said.

According to Anne, this development is occurring alongside an increase in foreign tourist visits to Indonesia. The Central Statistics Agency recorded that foreign tourist arrivals in May 2026 reached 1.38 million visits, an increase of 5.83 per cent compared to May of the previous year. Meanwhile, UN Tourism estimates that international tourist travel will grow by around 3 to 4 per cent throughout 2026.

Internally at KAI, 11 out of 13 operational areas recorded an increase in foreign tourist customers in the first half of 2026. The highest growth occurred in Regional Division IV Tanjungkarang at 12.76 per cent, followed by Operational Area 4 Semarang at 12.38 per cent, Operational Area 5 Purwokerto at 11.46 per cent, and Operational Area 8 Surabaya at 11.42 per cent.

At the station level, Purwokerto served 5,780 foreign tourists, a rise of 20.54 per cent compared to the first half of 2025. Tegal recorded a 23.55 per cent increase to 2,980 customers, while Kiaracondong rose by 18.08 per cent to 2,018 customers. Several stations with smaller customer bases also recorded significant growth. Garut served 587 foreign tourists, a 41.79 per cent increase. Purwakarta rose by 56.20 per cent to 617 customers, while Bogor Paledang nearly tripled to 1,262 customers from a previous 420.

Anne assessed that this data could serve as input for local governments in preparing supporting services, ranging from onward transportation and destination information to public facilities suited to tourists’ needs. “Stations can become gateways to local experiences. Good connectivity will help tourists reach destinations while connecting them with local products and community services,” Anne said.