Jakarta to Banyuwangi

The Blambangan Ekspres is the only direct train between Jakarta and Banyuwangi, and at about 1,030km it is the longest passenger train journey in Indonesia. It runs the full length of Java along the northern line through Cirebon, Tegal, Pekalongan, Semarang Tawang, Cepu and Bojonegoro to Surabaya Pasarturi and Gubeng, then turns south-east through Sidoarjo, Pasuruan, Probolinggo and Jember before climbing through the plantation hills at Kalibaru and dropping to the coast at Ketapang.

The train: one train a day each way, with eksekutif carriages and new-generation ekonomi coaches with forward-facing adjustable seats. Under KAI's 2025 timetable it leaves Pasar Senen at 12:10 and reaches Ketapang at 04:40 the next morning, about sixteen and a half hours. The service started in December 2022 between Ketapang and Semarang and was extended to Jakarta in July 2024.

Check your Jakarta station. The Blambangan Ekspres starts from Pasar Senen, not Gambir. It also picks up at Jatinegara and Bekasi on the way out of the city.

The Bali connection: Ketapang station is a short walk from Ketapang ferry port, where boats leave for Gilimanuk on Bali around the clock, so an early-morning arrival puts you on Bali soon after breakfast. Banyuwangi is also the base for the blue-fire hikes on the Ijen crater, which start in the middle of the night.

Is it worth doing in one go? It is the cheapest and simplest way to cross the whole of Java with one ticket, and the eksekutif seats are fine for a night. If you would rather break the journey, take a train to Surabaya and continue to Banyuwangi the next day, or go via Malang for Bromo. From West Java, the Sangkuriang runs direct from Bandung.

Check current departures and fares in Access by KAI. For the opposite direction, see Banyuwangi to Jakarta.