Merak to Jakarta (from the Sumatra Ferry)

Arriving at Merak on the ferry from Bakauheni, you can reach central Jakarta by train without touching a bus. It takes two KAI Commuter trains and around four and a half to five hours in all, including the change at Rangkasbitung.

Finding the train: Merak station is inside the Port of Merak complex run by ASDP Indonesia Ferry, so it is a short walk from the ferry terminal. It is the westernmost active station on Java.

Leg one, Merak to Rangkasbitung: the Commuter Line Merak (still widely called the KA Lokal Merak) runs seven times a day each way, calling at all eleven stations through Cilegon and Serang and taking just under two hours. KAI charges Rp 3,000 for the trip. Trains currently leave Merak at around 05:10, 07:30, 09:50, 12:35, 16:20, 19:00 and 21:20. The last one reaches Rangkasbitung at about 23:00, too late for a sensible onward connection, so if you cross in the evening aim for the 16:20 or 19:00. Times change, so check the Lokal menu in Access by KAI, where you can also buy the ticket.

Leg two, Rangkasbitung to Tanah Abang: tap out of the Merak train and check in again for the KRL Commuter Line Rangkasbitung, which runs two or three times an hour and takes about two hours to Tanah Abang, with stops including Maja, Tigaraksa, Parung Panjang, Serpong and Kebayoran. You pay with a KMT or bank card at the gate, and the fare is distance-based. From Tanah Abang, other KRL lines run on to Manggarai, Sudirman and the rest of the city.

Things to know: this is a commuter journey, with no reserved seats and limited room for luggage, and both legs fill up at peak times. Around Lebaran, KAI has cut the Merak trains back to Cilegon during the mudik rush, so check before travelling then.

Coming from further into Sumatra? Trains link Palembang with Bandar Lampung, about two hours by road from the Bakauheni ferry. For the outward trip, see Jakarta to Merak.