694 Thousand Foreign Tourists Use Trains Throughout 2025

JAKARTA - PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) reported that the number of foreign tourists using long-distance train services reached 694,123 throughout 2025 or increased by 3.7 percent compared to 2024 which reached 669,226 tourists.

KAI Corporate Communication Vice President Anne Purba said that this growth trend has been consistent in recent years, namely in 2023, the number of foreign tourists using trains was recorded at 580,995 tourists, while in 2022 as many as 300,708 tourists.

"This continued increase confirms the role of the train as the main mode of transportation for international tourists in reaching various flagship destinations in Indonesia," he said in a statement, Sunday, January 11.

He added that this achievement is in line with the government's policy direction in encouraging the strengthening of the country's foreign exchange through the tourism sector, as well as accelerating the transformation towards low-emission mobility and sustainable tourism.

According to him, intercity connectivity that is directly connected to tourist areas strengthens Indonesia's competitiveness as a global destination, while ensuring that foreign tourists' spending is spread to various areas.

He said that the increase in the number of foreign tourists reflected the increasing global confidence in railway services in Indonesia.

"Every foreign tourist who uses the train not only travels, but also brings the potential for foreign exchange through tourism shopping, accommodation, culinary, and local products. At the same time, the use of trains supports a more environmentally friendly journey, so that tourism grows without sacrificing sustainability," he said.

Anne said that on a monthly basis, the peak use of train services by foreign tourists in 2025 occurred in July with 89,526 customers and August with 89,116 customers, in line with increasing international tourist mobility during the holiday season.

Meanwhile, the top international tourist departure station in 2025 is Yogyakarta with 126,768 tourists; Gambir 114,877 tourists; Bandung 70,271 tourists; Pasar Senen 38,669 tourists; Surabaya Gubeng 31,713 tourists; Malang 25,874 tourists; Semarang Tawang 23,695 tourists; Probolinggo 20,540 tourists; Surabaya Pasar Turi 14,798 tourists and Solo Balapan 13,566 tourists.

Anne said the stations are the main nodes for traveling to cultural, natural, and urban tourist areas.

"The connectivity provided by the train also drives the hospitality sector, advanced transportation, culinary, MSMEs, and creative economy around the station and destination," he said.

According to him, this chain of activities is the main channel for the entry of foreign exchange and strengthening the regional economic structure.

He added that in addition to having an impact on the economy, the use of trains by foreign tourists also supports low-carbon tourism.

According to him, as a mass transportation mode with a lower emission rate compared to private vehicles and planes for medium distances, trains contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of tourist travel.

Anne conveyed this in line with Indonesia's commitment to Net Zero Emission 2060 and strengthening Indonesia's image as an environmentally friendly destination.

"The train ensures that the benefits of tourism foreign exchange do not only stop at the country's entrance, but flow to the destination area. This is a tangible form of the contribution of public transportation in strengthening the national economy while maintaining environmental sustainability," added Anne.

In the future, he said, KAI will continue to strengthen its role in the national tourism ecosystem through improving service quality, strengthening travel digitization, and intermodal integration to support the transformation of KAI as a global competitive railway operator and a strategic partner of the government in the development of sustainable tourism.