Bandung is the capital city of West Java province in Indonesia, and about 150 km southeast of Jakarta. I was in Bandung after riding the Jakarta Bandung High-Speed Railway. The new train (known as Whoosh) is the fastest train in Southeast Asia, with a top speed of 350 km/h. I’ve been to Bandung before, but […]
Notes on Bengkulu: A historic fort city on the wrong side of Sumatra
Bengkulu is the capital of Bengkulu province on the west coast of Sumatra Island. The city was a British outpost for nearly two centuries, though the colonial remnants are not as well preserved as the famous Straits cities. I visited Bengkulu after going from Palambang to Lubuk Linggau by train. Instead of backtracking on the […]
Notes on Lubuk Linggau – At the end of the line in South Sumatra
Lubuk Linggau (or Lubuklinggau) is a city in South Sumatra, Indonesia. A train goes from Palembang to Lubuk Linggau, so that was the only excuse I needed to visit. I didn’t want to backtrack to Palembang, so I decided to stay in Lubuk Linggau and then find other transport to Bengkulu on the coast. The […]
Soekarno–Hatta Line: Jakarta airport railway and station guide
A guide to the Soekarno–Hatta Line – the Jakarta airport train. Travel information, tickets, and which stations are best for visitors. The Soekarno–Hatta Airport Commuter Line (formerly the Soekarno–Hatta Airport Rail Link) is the airport railway connecting Soekarno–Hatta International Airport to Central Jakarta. The Soekarno–Hatta Line was built with the combination of a new railway […]
Southeast Asia train travel guide
A guide to train travel Southeast Asia, featuring resources for buying tickets and reviews of rail travel in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia railways index Cambodia Indonesia Laos Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam Southeast Asia train travel resources Southeast Asia train travel FAQs Future Southeast Asia railways Cambodia Railway Operator: Royal Railway. Buy Cambodia train […]
Notes on Siantar: things to do while waiting for the train in North Sumatra
Pematangsiantar (also known as Siantar) is city in North Sumatra Province of Indonesia, and it’s the second-largest city in North Sumatra after Medan. Siantar not a city on the tourist trail, but I ended up here on the way back from Lake Toba to Medan. There is a train from Siantar to Medan, and I […]
Makassar–Parepare railway: the first section of the Trans-Sulawesi railway
The Makassar–Parepare railway is a railway line in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. This railway will eventually form part of the Trans-Sulawesi Railway from Makassar to Manado, and other lines are planned around the island. This guide is for the Makassar–Parepare railway, including maps, tickets, timetables, and what to expect onboard. Makassar–Parepare railway The first stage of […]
Yogyakarta International Airport Rail Link
Yogyakarta International Airport Rail Link is the airport rail service connecting Yogyakarta to Yogyakarta International Airport. Yogyakarta International Airport (IYIA) opened in 2019, replacing Adisutjipto Airport as the main airport of Yogyakarta. The new airport is about 45 km from Yogyakarta, but it’s near the main railway that runs near the southern coastline of Central […]
Java to Bali by train, ferry, and bus
A guide for how to travel overland from Java to Bali by train, ferry, and bus. Java and Bali are separated by the Bali Strait, and the islands are 2.4 km apart at the closest points. Ferries run continually between the two islands, so this is one of the easiest crossings when overlanding across Indonesia. […]
Bandung to Yogyakarta by train – one of the most scenic rail journeys in Southeast Asia
The train from Bandung to Yogyakarta is one of the most scenic rail journeys in Southeast Asia. I’ve been on most of the rail lines in Southeast Asia, so I feel confident making such a claim. In fact, I would say that this rail journey through West and Central Java should be more globally famous. […]
