Residents Share Stories of Getting a Head Start on Eid Holiday Travel: Buying Train Tickets Proved Challenging

Gambir Station in Central Jakarta is becoming increasingly crowded with residents preparing for their Eid holiday journeys. One resident shared the struggles involved in obtaining train tickets despite leaving for the holiday relatively early.

“It’s been quite a struggle. Sometimes the tickets we are looking for are already sold out. We have to keep monitoring constantly, hoping that someone might cancel or perhaps more carriages become available. So we have to check regularly every day,” said Erky when met at Gambir Station on Sunday (15 March 2026).

Erky is travelling to Semarang today. He noted that this is his first time taking the train again since the COVID-19 pandemic several years ago.

“It just so happens that this is my first time taking the train again after COVID. I used to travel frequently before COVID,” he said.

In previous years, Erky and his family travelled during the holiday using a private car or bus. However, he felt that taking the train is more comfortable.

“I wanted to experience it again. It’s faster, and also more relaxing. The timing is precise,” he said.

Tri Budiarto, another resident heading to Solo today, reported that obtaining a ticket was easier for him. He had booked his ticket a month before departure.

“Well, because my company has already started the holiday period. My last working day was the 14th. That’s why I looked for a ticket for the 15th,” said Tri.

Additionally, Tri also mentioned that he had already secured his return ticket to Jakarta. He managed to avoid the peak return travel period by extending his leave until 31 March.

“Fortunately, getting the return ticket was easy. Because I extended my leave until the 31st,” he said.