Government Offers Train to Plane Fare Discounts for 2026 School Holidays
The government is again preparing transport fare discounts, this time valid during the 2026 school holiday period. The programme covers several modes, from trains and sea vessels to ferries and aeroplanes. The policy is designed to help the public reduce travel costs during the holidays. On the other hand, the incentive is also expected to encourage mobility, tourism, and economic activity in various regions.
Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi stated that the transport fare discounts for the 2026 school holidays are provided in accordance with the directive of President Prabowo Subianto. According to him, this policy is intended to maintain public purchasing power while supporting the movement of people during the holiday season.
“In accordance with the directive of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto, to maintain public purchasing power and price control, the government is re-implementing a transport fare discount policy for the 2026 school holiday period and the 2026/2027 Christmas and New Year holidays,” the Minister said in a statement.
Referring to an official release from the Ministry of Transportation, the transport discount policy forms part of the government’s stimulus during the 2026 school holiday period. The programme is also expected to ease the public’s travel costs and have a positive impact on the transport and tourism sectors.
There are four incentives provided by the government for this year’s school holidays: a discount on economy-class trains, economy-class sea vessels, ferry port service fees, and economy-class plane tickets through a Government-Borne VAT scheme.
- Economy-class trains discounted by 30 percent
The government is providing a 30 percent discount for all commercial economy-class train service routes. This discount is valid for travel from 20 June to 5 July 2026.
- Economy-class sea vessels discounted by 30 percent
A discount is also given for sea transport. The amount is 30 percent for all economy-class passenger ship routes, valid from 20 June to 15 August 2026.
- Ferry port service fees discounted by 100 percent
For ferry transport, the government is providing a 100 percent discount on port service fees for foot passengers and Group II and IVA vehicles. This programme is valid from 20 June to 5 July 2026.
- Economy-class plane tickets receive Government-Borne VAT incentive
Meanwhile, for air transport, the government is providing an incentive in the form of 100 percent Government-Borne VAT for scheduled economy-class plane tickets. This policy is valid for the period from 24 June to 5 July 2026.
The Ministry of Transportation stated that the full discount on port service fees applies to seven ferry routes: Merak-Bakauheni, Ketapang-Gilimanuk, Lembar-Padangbai, Kayangan-Pototano, Tanjung Uban-Telaga Punggur, Ajibata-Ambarita, and Sape-Labuan Bajo.
According to Dudy, this policy represents the government’s presence in making it easier for the public to travel at more affordable costs. He hopes the transport incentives during the school holidays can be optimally utilised by the public. The government also emphasises that safety, security, and comfort remain priorities during the holiday period. Therefore, the public is urged to plan their journeys early to take advantage of the discount programme while travelling more comfortably.