Last-Minute Homecoming Travel Made Easier and More Affordable: Here Are the Solutions
As the 2026 Eid homecoming approaches, Indonesian society is again preparing for the mudik season, which represents one of the largest human migrations each year. The Ministry of Transportation projects approximately 143.9 million people will travel during this year’s Eid homecoming period.
Whilst some members of the public have booked travel tickets well in advance, many others only begin planning their homecoming journeys closer to their departure dates. This situation often raises concerns about ticket availability and price surges.
However, a number of government policies and various promotional programmes from travel platforms are considered capable of helping the public plan their homecoming more easily, including those making bookings in the final moments.
The government, for instance, has issued several policies to support the smooth flow of travel during the 2026 Eid homecoming season. Some of these include domestic airline ticket discounts of up to 18 percent, the addition of 60 train services, and train ticket reductions of up to 30 percent on certain routes.
Additionally, the government has temporarily opened six tolled expressway sections that can be used free of charge during the Eid period to support the smooth flow of vehicle traffic.
Baidi Li, Vice President of Commercial at Traveloka, stated that Eid represents an important moment for Indonesian society to return to their hometowns and gather with family.
“Eid has always been a tradition greatly anticipated by Indonesian society to return home and gather with family,” Baidi stated in a written statement.
He explained that Traveloka offers various promotional programmes and travel services that can help the public plan their homecoming more efficiently and affordably, including those only recently planning their trips close to departure dates.
“Through our Ramadan FULL Promo, we want to provide convenience for the public in planning their homecoming journeys more efficiently and affordably,” said Baidi.
According to him, Traveloka provides various travel service options ranging from transportation and accommodation to tourism activities that can support traveller comfort during the homecoming season.
“With diverse promotions and comprehensive travel services, Traveloka helps ensure that Eid homecoming journeys, including those planned last-minute, can still be undertaken more comfortably and easily,” he said.
In planning their homecoming journey, the public now has various transportation options available that are more flexible, ranging from aeroplanes and trains to buses and overland travel using private vehicles.
For those choosing overland travel, the Trans-Jawa Toll Road is one of the main routes widely used. This expressway, stretching from Merak, Banten to Probolinggo, East Java, not only offers travel time efficiency but also presents various culinary and tourism destinations along the route.
Several cities along this toll route can also serve as stopping points for travellers to rest and enjoy local tourism.
In Cirebon, for instance, travellers can visit Taman Sari Gua Sunyaragi, purchase traditional batik with megamendung motifs, and enjoy local cuisine such as nasi jamblang.
Meanwhile in Semarang, travellers can explore the historic Old Town area, visit Lawang Sewu, and taste Semarang’s famous spring rolls (lumpia).
Travel can also be continued to Salatiga, which offers mountain panoramas with Mount Merbabu as a backdrop and relatively cool air. In this area, travellers can enjoy outdoor activities at Kopeng Tourism Park.
In Solo, travellers can enjoy cultural tourism such as visiting Mangkunegaran Palace and Laweyan Batik Village, as well as sampling the local speciality of nasi liwet.
Additionally, Yogyakarta is also one of the favourite destinations frequently visited by homebound travellers, with main attractions including Prambanan Temple and various other cultural tourism options.
Entering the East Java region, travel can be continued with a stopover in Madiun to enjoy nasi pecel cuisine, through to Surabaya which has several historic destinations such as the Heroes Monument.
For families travelling with children, Surabaya also provides various family recreation facilities such as amusement parks in shopping centres.
Meanwhile, for travellers with more time available, the journey can also be continued towards the Mount Bromo tourism area to enjoy natural panoramas and sunrise.
On the other hand, Traveloka is also launching its Ramadan FULL Promo programme running from 6 to 17 March 2026 to help the public obtain travel tickets and accommodation at more competitive prices.
The promotional programme presents various attractive offers at specific times.
Some of these include aeroplane ticket promotions with cashback of up to Rp2 million available every Monday and Tuesday from 11:00 to 12:00 WIB (Western Indonesian Time).
Additionally, there is a Hotel Brand Day programme with room rates starting from Rp300,000 running every Wednesday to Friday from 12:00 to 18:00 WIB.
Traveloka is also offering cashback of up to Rp300,000 for the purchase of bus and travel tickets available every Friday and Sunday from 12:00 to 13:00 WIB.
Beyond this, a Buy 1 Get 1 programme for Xperience services is also available every weekend at specific times, as well as instant cashback offers of up to Rp1,000,000 for various Traveloka products throughout the day.
With the peak homecoming season drawing closer, these various conveniences are expected to help the public plan their journeys home more comfortably, including those only booking tickets in the final moments.