Semarang to Cirebon

About 222km west from Semarang to Cirebon along the Pantura line, the double-tracked railway that follows Java's north coast through Weleri, Pekalongan, Pemalang, Tegal and Brebes. Because nearly every train between Jakarta and Semarang or Surabaya on the northern route uses it, this is one of the best-served stretches on the network: there is a train at almost any hour of the day or night.

Which trains run this route: KAI Daop 4 Semarang lists the Muria (the trains formerly sold as the Argo Muria, Argo Sindoro and Argo Merbabu), the Anggrek, Sembrani and Brawijaya in eksekutif, and the Harina, Jayabaya, Gumarang, Ciremai, Kertajaya, Tawang Jaya and Menoreh with ekonomi seats. The fastest eksekutif trains take around two and a quarter hours. The Kaligung is the regional service, running from Semarang Poncol to Cirebon Prujakan in just under four hours and stopping at the towns along the way; some Kaligung trips only go as far as Tegal or Brebes.

Fares: KAI sells special short-distance fares between Semarang and Cirebon on these long-distance trains, from Rp 80,000 to Rp 105,000 in ekonomi and Rp 140,000 in eksekutif, subject to a seat quota and bookable from two hours before departure in Access by KAI. Ordinary fares vary by train and class.

The route: mostly flat coastal country of rice fields, fishponds and batik towns, but between Weleri and Batang the line threads through the Alas Roban hills and briefly runs right beside the Java Sea around Plabuan. Sit on the right-hand side heading west for the sea.

Which stations? Long-distance trains leave from Semarang Tawang, the grand 1914 station on the edge of the old town, and many also call at Semarang Poncol. In Cirebon, eksekutif trains use the main station, also known as Kejaksan, which is central; many ekonomi trains and the Kaligung use Cirebon Prujakan, a little further south. Check your ticket before booking a hotel.

Why go: Cirebon is a batik centre with two sultans' palaces, Kasepuhan and Kanoman, and the batik village of Trusmi just outside town. It is also a useful junction for trains south towards Purwokerto and west to Jakarta.

Check current times and fares in Access by KAI. For the opposite direction, see Cirebon to Semarang; for the whole run to the capital, see Semarang to Jakarta.