Major Wave of Homebound Travellers Expected to Enter Central Java on 18-19 March 2026

A major surge of homebound travellers is anticipated to enter Central Java during the peak of the Eid exodus on 18-19 March 2026, as travellers are expected to arrive simultaneously via land, sea, and air routes.

According to monitoring by Media Indonesia on Monday (16 March), the number of homebound travellers entering Central Java via the Trans-Java Toll Road has been steadily increasing since Sunday (15 March), with an average of 1,400-1,900 vehicles entering Semarang City passing through the Kalikangkung Toll Gate, reaching peaks of up to 2,300 vehicles per hour.

Not only on toll roads, the northern coast highway route in Central Java has experienced increased vehicle volume since early morning, with homebound travellers using motorcycles and private cars heading west from Jakarta, causing congestion at several points, though traffic remains relatively fluid overall.

At Tanjung Emas Port in Semarang, thousands of passengers are disembarking from various ships and continuing their journeys using ground transport to various areas across Central Java. “I am coming from Sampit and continuing my journey to Wonogiri,” said Karmin, 40, a migrant worker travelling with his wife and child, carrying large bags.

Similar experiences were shared by Darmadi, 59, a homebound traveller heading to Ambarawa, who revealed he has lived and worked in coal mining in Kalimantan for 20 years. Although he travels home for Eid each year, he has decided to relocate his entire family to Kalimantan.

S Joko, Branch Manager of PT Pelindo Multi Terminal at Tanjung Emas Semarang, stated that the peak homebound exodus at the port is expected to occur on Wednesday (18 March), with several ships arriving simultaneously from Sampit, Pontianak, and Kumai. In addition to state-owned company Pelni preparing 4 ships and private company PT Dharma Lautan Utama deploying 5 ships, the naval vessel KRI Banda Aceh from the Indonesian Navy will also dock at Tanjung Emas Port. “All port facilities and personnel are prepared to receive the travellers,” Joko added.

Meanwhile, AKP Dimas Arief Wicaksono, Head of the Kalikangkung Toll Gate Security Post in Semarang, reported that the number of vehicles entering Semarang through this gate continues to increase. To anticipate congestion from vehicle queues, 17 toll booths have been opened—8 existing booths and 9 additional ones. “Vehicles from the west (Jakarta) peaked at 2,300 units per hour on Sunday evening, whilst those from the east recorded 7,527 units with densities of 400-800 units per hour,” Dimas Arief Wicaksono stated.

PT Jasamarga Semarang Batang Managing Director Nasrullah separately announced that beginning Tuesday (17 March), one-way traffic systems will be implemented in stages on toll road sections, both nationally and regionally, to manage the anticipated peak exodus expected on Wednesday (18 March) through Thursday (19 March). “During the one-way implementation, vehicles from the east (Semarang) will be gradually directed off the toll road through the nearest exit,” he added.

AKP Riki Kustiawan, Traffic Chief of Tasikmalaya City Police, stated that the homebound traffic flow on the national arterial route from West Java to Central Java has not yet shown significant volume increases as of six days before Eid.

Ramp checks are part of efforts to enhance transport safety during the Eid holiday exodus period.

The increased volume of homebound traffic and the prevalence of travellers running out of e-toll credit have caused serpentine queues.

Pelindo Group dispatched participants in the 2026 Joint BUMN Mudik Programme, which carries the theme “Safe Mudik, Shared Hope,” to assist the public in returning to their home towns.

Public Electric Vehicle Charging Station (SPKLU) facilities totalling 13 units at Rest Area Km 575 B and 14 units at Rest Area Km 575 A have been provided, operating 24 hours daily.

The first peak wave of the homebound exodus occurred on Saturday (14 March) and Sunday (15 March), whilst the second wave is expected on Wednesday (18 March) and Thursday (19 March).

High sea tides (rob) reaching 1 metre in height between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Western Indonesian Time continue to occur in northern coastal waters, potentially causing flooding in various coastal areas that could disrupt the exodus.

An accident involving one bus, one car, and one truck caused congestion in the homebound traffic flow from Bandung towards Tasikmalaya.