Government Forecasts Eid 2026 Homecoming Peak Travel Occurring in Two Waves

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) announced that there would be 143.9 million passenger trips during this year’s Eid holiday homecoming. The bulk of population movement is expected in Central Java, East Java, and West Java.

“First, regarding the Eid homecoming trend. Based on a survey conducted by the Ministry of Transportation, an estimated 143.9 million trips or citizens are expected to undertake Eid homecoming travel. Looking at destinations, the majority will return to Central Java and East Java, followed by West Java, Yogyakarta, and South Sulawesi,” said AHY during a press conference at the Bina Graha Building in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (11 March 2026).

Additionally, AHY noted that the predicted peak of the homecoming exodus would occur in two waves: on 14-15 March and 18-19 March.

“As for the return journey peak, it is estimated to fall on 24 and 25 March, then the second peak on 28 and 29 March,” he stated.

To anticipate the surge in mobility, the government has prepared several measures to alleviate traffic congestion. One approach involves promoting the work-from-anywhere (WFA) policy, which is hoped to reduce the concentration of population movement.

“That is why, to ease this, we are implementing work-from-anywhere. This will be explained in more detail by the Minister of State Secretariat. The key point is that the previous policy to reduce congestion of this kind has proven effective in mitigating extreme traffic jams,” he said.

In terms of transport mode, AHY noted that private vehicles remain the primary choice for those returning to their hometowns. Approximately 52 percent of homecoming travellers are expected to use private cars.

“Regarding the transport modes used, these are the top trends. Private vehicles remain very dominant, with an estimated 52 percent usage,” he said.

After private cars, motorcycles and public buses are the most widely used transport modes. Other transport options include inter-island ferries, aeroplanes, inter-city railways, and ocean vessels.

“Followed by motorcycles and public buses. Other modes include inter-island ferries, aeroplanes, inter-city railways, ocean vessels, and so on. So one can imagine that homecoming travel means the main burden falls on major roads, including toll roads, national highways, and arterial roads that will be used to reach the destination cities and districts,” he concluded.