Palembang to Lubuklinggau

The western arm of the South Sumatra network runs from Palembang's Kertapati station inland to Lubuklinggau, near the border with Bengkulu, in a little over six hours. Two trains a day make the full run, and they suit very different travellers.

Bukit Serelo is the daytime ekonomi service. It leaves Kertapati in the morning and arrives in Lubuklinggau mid-afternoon, calling at more stations along the way, including Prabumulih, Muara Enim, Lahat and Tebing Tinggi. It takes its name from the distinctive thumb-shaped peak that rises above the Lematang valley near Lahat.

Sindang Marga is the evening train, with bisnis and eksekutif carriages and fewer stops. It leaves Kertapati after dark and reaches Lubuklinggau in the small hours, so it is best for local travellers with somewhere to go on arrival rather than for visitors.

The route. Trains share the Kertapati to Prabumulih section with services towards Bandar Lampung, then branch west through coal and plantation country into the foothills of the Barisan range. Kertapati is on the south bank of the Musi, away from the city centre, so allow time to cross the river.

Why go? Lubuklinggau is the usual jumping-off point for overland travel on to Bengkulu, and Lahat is the base for the megalithic sites of the Pasemah plateau. For most visitors this is a slow, scenic way into the interior rather than a route anyone takes by accident. Book in Access by KAI, and check current times there, as both trains have been retimed in recent timetables.