Padang to Pariaman by Train

The West Sumatra network is small and disconnected from everything else, but the Padang to Pariaman line is a pleasant coastal ride of about 65km, taking around two hours.

The route runs north along the coast with sea views for much of the way and hills inland. Pariaman itself is a beach town with a reasonable stretch of sand, which makes this a straightforward day trip from Padang.

Which trains run this route: Sibinuang is the main service. The Minangkabau Express also runs on part of this network, connecting Padang with Minangkabau International Airport.

Scale expectations. This is a regional line with a handful of daily departures and basic rolling stock. It is not connected to any other Sumatran network — reaching Medan or Palembang from here means flying or a very long road journey.