Jakarta to Merak (for the Sumatra Ferry)

There is no direct long-distance train from Jakarta to Merak, but the journey to Java's westernmost station, inside the ferry port for Sumatra, is easy, cheap and done in two legs on KAI Commuter trains. Allow around four and a half to five hours door to door, including the change.

Leg one, Tanah Abang to Rangkasbitung: take the KRL Commuter Line Rangkasbitung from Jakarta Tanah Abang. Trains run two or three times an hour and take about two hours, calling at Palmerah, Kebayoran, Sudimara, Serpong, Parung Panjang, Tigaraksa and Maja among others. Some trains terminate early at Serpong, Parung Panjang or Tigaraksa, so check the destination board and board one that shows Rangkasbitung. You pay with a KMT or bank card at the gate, and the fare is distance-based.

Leg two, Rangkasbitung to Merak: the Commuter Line Merak (still widely called the KA Lokal Merak) runs seven times a day each way over the 69km line through Serang and Cilegon, taking just under two hours and calling at all eleven stations. KAI charges Rp 3,000 for the trip. At Rangkasbitung, tap out of the KRL and then check in again for the Merak train; the queue at the gates can be long, so leave at least 20 minutes. Merak trains currently leave Rangkasbitung at around 05:05, 07:35, 09:55, 13:50, 16:45, 18:55 and 21:10, but times change, so check the Lokal menu in Access by KAI, where you can also buy the ticket.

Arriving at Merak: Merak station sits inside the Port of Merak complex run by ASDP Indonesia Ferry, so the walk to the ferry terminal is short. Ferries cross the Sunda Strait to Bakauheni at the southern tip of Sumatra round the clock; from Bakauheni it is about two hours by road to Bandar Lampung, where trains run north to Palembang.

Things to know: this is a commuter journey, not a tourist train. There are no reserved seats, luggage space is limited and both legs are busy at peak times. Around Lebaran, KAI has cut the Merak trains back to Cilegon to keep mudik crowds away from the port, so check before travelling then. The 16:45 and 18:55 departures from Rangkasbitung reach Merak in time for an evening crossing.

For the return trip, see Merak to Jakarta.