Bali Today, 27 Juli 2025 – If you’re looking for a charming, low-cost alternative to the usual highway dash from Jakarta to Bandung, this slow-travel rail route might just steal your heart—and save your wallet.
Forget the $10 buses or the $20 high-spezed rail. With just Rp 16,000 (about $1), you can take the scenic route across Java’s rich rural landscape using a smart combination of local trains. The journey, made possible by Indonesia’s state-run KAI Group, combines three rail segments that locals use daily—offering not just affordability but authentic slices of everyday life.
A Journey in Three Acts
The trip begins at Manggarai Station in Jakarta, where you board the Commuter Line to Cikarang for a mere Rp 4,000. The train weaves through Greater Jakarta’s sprawling suburbs—gritty, alive, and unapologetically real.
At Cikarang, switch to the KA Lokal Walahar, a regional train that travels to Purwakarta, also for Rp 4,000. This leg winds through Karawang and Cikampek, offering pastoral views of rice paddies, teak forests, and gentle slopes toward the hills of West Java.
Over 3.8 million people rode this route in 2024 alone, and according to the latest mid-2025 data, over 2 million passengers have already taken it this year—testament to its popularity.
The 13:26 departure from Cikarang gets you into Purwakarta by 14:50, giving you just enough time to rest, grab a bite, or explore.
“Purwakarta isn’t just a transfer point. It’s a stop worth making,” notes Bali Today. Here, travelers can sample the legendary Sate Maranggi just outside the station or take a stroll to Sri Baduga Fountain Park, a weekend favorite for local families.
The Final Stretch: Into the Highlands
By late afternoon, it’s time to board the KA Lokal Garut, connecting Purwakarta to Bandung (Rp. 8000). Choose the 16:25 departure (there’s also a very early 04:25), which arrives in Bandung at 18:54—perfectly timed for night markets, street eats, or creative coffee shops that define the city’s cool energy.
The last leg is the most scenic. The train ascends into the cool highlands of West Java, passing Ciganea, Padalarang, Cimahi, and finally into Bandung. Highlights include the dramatic Sasaksaat tunnel, limestone cliffs, and winding rails that seem suspended between valleys and treetops.
“We want people to know there are joyful, affordable ways to travel between cities. This service is daily, traffic-free, scenic, and fully integrated,” said Anne Purba, VP of Public Relations at KAI, in a release shared with Bali Today.
KAI’s Access by KAI app makes checking schedules and booking seats easy—even for tourists.
Why Travelers Are Falling in Love with This Route
It’s not just the budget-friendly price. It’s the pace. The sights. The ritual of waiting at small-town stations, hearing the distant horn echo through rice fields, and watching waterfalls and terraces flash by your window.
“For those longing to see rice paddies, hills, even waterfalls—KAI offers a seat to it all. The journey is slow, but every second is filled with meaning,” Anne added in her statement to Bali Today.
So if you’re planning a trip to Bandung from Jakarta—or just craving an offbeat adventure—leave behind the express lanes and choose the window seat. Sometimes, the longest route is the one that brings you closest to the soul of a place.
By Giostanovlatto
