Nearly 700 Thousand Foreign Tourists Took Long-Distance Trains in Indonesia Throughout 2025

Amidst stretches of rice fields, northern coastlines, and towering volcanic mountains, Kereta Api Indonesia (Indonesian Railways) is no longer just a transportation route, but a corridor for global journeys. Throughout 2025, 694,123 foreign tourists chose Long-Distance Trains to explore the archipelago.

This surge represents a 3.7 percent increase compared to 2024 and continues the consistent growth trend since 2022. From 300 thousand tourists in 2022, the number rose to 580 thousand in 2023, then reached nearly 700 thousand in 2025. 

Trains are gradually transforming from mere mobility tools into part of the Travel Experience itself.

"Throughout the 2025 period, 694,123 foreign tourists were recorded Traveling using long-distance trains, an increase of 3.7 percent compared to 2024 which reached 669,226 tourists," said Anne Purba, Vice President of Corporate Communication at KAI.

The travel map of these tourists shows cultural and natural nodes as favorite starting points. 

Yogyakarta, Jakarta, Bandung, to Malang and Probolinggo serve as gateways to ancient temples, colonial cities, volcanic mountains, and tropical beaches. 

Stations are no longer just places for passengers to board and alight, but meeting points between the local economy, travel stories, and global flows.

Beyond mere numbers, the increased use of trains by foreign tourists reflects growing confidence in Indonesia's Public Transportation services. 

It also signals a shift in global travel preferences towards slower, deeper, and more environmentally friendly journeys.

"At the same time, using trains supports more environmentally friendly travel, allowing Tourism to grow without sacrificing sustainability," said Anne.

Economically, every Train journey creates a ripple effect. Small hotels in destination cities are occupied, local eateries and cafes thrive, tour guides find work, and regional products find buyers. From the railway tracks, foreign exchange flows not only to the center but spreads to cities often overlooked by mainstream tourism maps.

"This chain of activities is the main channel for foreign exchange inflow and strengthens the regional economic structure," explained Anne.

In an increasingly climate-conscious global context, railways also offer a new narrative for Indonesia as a low-carbon destination. 

With lower emissions compared to planes or private vehicles for medium distances, trains symbolize how tourism can grow alongside responsibility towards the planet.