Solo to Surabaya

Roughly 250km from Solo Balapan to Surabaya Gubeng, taking between three and a half and four and a quarter hours. This is the eastern half of Java's southern main line, and it is one of the busiest stretches on the network: services from Yogyakarta, Bandung and Jakarta all funnel through Solo on their way to Surabaya.

Which trains run this route: the Sancaka is the workhorse, running between Yogyakarta and Surabaya Gubeng several times a day with eksekutif and premium ekonomi. The Argo Wilis and Bima are all-eksekutif long-distance trains passing through, and Mutiara Selatan, Wijayakusuma, Gaya Baru Malam Selatan and Sri Tanjung add more options, some of them at night.

The route. East of Solo the line crosses into East Java through Sragen and Ngawi to Madiun, with Mount Lawu on the right for the first hour, then runs through Nganjuk to the junction at Kertosono and on via Jombang and Mojokerto into Surabaya. It is green and pleasant rather than dramatic.

Train or road? The toll road is now slightly quicker on a good day, but the train is predictable and drops you at Gubeng, close to central Surabaya. From Gubeng you can continue to Malang or east towards Banyuwangi and the Bali ferry (see Surabaya to Banyuwangi).

Check current departures and fares in Access by KAI, as the mix of trains varies by day.