Cirebon to Semarang

About 222km east from Cirebon to Semarang on the double-tracked Pantura line along Java's north coast, through Brebes, Tegal, Pemalang, Pekalongan and Weleri. Almost every train from Jakarta to Semarang or Surabaya on the northern route comes through Cirebon, so departures are spread right round the clock.

Which trains run this route: the trains on KAI Daop 4 Semarang's list for this corridor are the Muria (formerly the Argo Muria, Argo Sindoro and Argo Merbabu), Anggrek, Sembrani and Brawijaya in eksekutif, and the Harina, Jayabaya, Gumarang, Ciremai, Kertajaya, Tawang Jaya and Menoreh with ekonomi seats. The quickest take around two and a quarter hours. The regional Kaligung starts at Cirebon Prujakan and runs to Semarang Poncol in just under four hours, stopping at the towns along the coast.

Fares: KAI offers special short-distance fares between Cirebon and Semarang 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.

Which Cirebon station? Eksekutif trains call at the main Cirebon station, also known as Kejaksan, which is central. Many ekonomi trains and the Kaligung use Cirebon Prujakan, a little further south, so check your ticket.

The route: flat coastal country of rice fields, fishponds and batik towns for most of the way, then, after Batang, the line runs briefly right beside the Java Sea around Plabuan before climbing through the Alas Roban hills towards Weleri. Sit on the left-hand side heading east for the sea.

Tawang or Poncol? Most long-distance trains call at Semarang Poncol and finish at, or continue through, Semarang Tawang, the grand 1914 station on the edge of the restored old town. The Kaligung ends at Poncol. From Semarang there are trains on to Surabaya and inland to Solo.

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