Minister Reveals Plans for Indonesia's 'Orient Express' Luxury Train
The government will soon inaugurate the Nusantara Explorer luxury tourist train, which is being touted as a premium-class train akin to an Indonesian version of the Orient Express.
Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi revealed that the inauguration is targeted for August 2026.
“Yes, the Nusantara Explorer — we recently did not exactly a trial, but we have already tried using it. Later we will refine the Explorer,” Dudy said when met at the central courtyard of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (6/8/2026).
Dudy said President Prabowo Subianto had already personally tried the inaugural use of the tourist train.
A number of inputs from the head of state are now being used as material for refinement before the train is truly operated for the public.
“Earlier the President already tried its inaugural use. We will refine it based on the input from the President. Then we will prepare it especially for tourism,” he explained.
Regarding routes, Dudy said the Nusantara Explorer will operate on an on-request basis, meaning according to tourist demand, with the technical arrangements handed over to PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI).
“For now it is for tourism. So it will be on request later, but technically KAI will arrange it. But this is more of a train for tourism,” he said.
He added that a number of test runs have already been carried out to several destinations, including Yogyakarta and Semarang.
Going forward, the route is also open to being expanded to other regions according to passenger demand, including the possibility of long-distance routes via Java’s southern line.
“Yes, to Jogja, then previously to Semarang — we tried those. But it also opens up opportunities for the Surabaya area, because this is for tourism if the request is indeed long-distance,” Dudy said.
“Previously there was an idea, for example, from Jakarta to Banyuwangi, because they would take the southern route to see the scenery. If the demand is indeed up to Banyuwangi, then it will be served up to Banyuwangi,” he explained.