Even though I now live in Jakarta, the city of Malang will always be home. Born in this East Javanese city — the second largest in the province after Surabaya and the third strongest economy after Surabaya and Kediri — I carry its spirit wherever I go. The Greater Malang area — which also includes Batu City and Malang Regency — is home to over 3 million residents, while the city itself counts around 800 thousand. Beyond its size and economic importance, Malang is also cherished as one of Java’s favorite domestic tourism destinations. The city is blessed with cooler mountain-side air, a refreshing contrast to the tropical heat of many other urban centers. Malang was shaped into a colonial resort city by the Dutch East Indies government, its boulevards and villas echoing a legacy of European leisure amidst East Java’s highland charm.
Surrounded by mountains on nearly every side, Malang offers both scenic beauty and a sense of calm that draws visitors year after year. This vibrant mix of scale and intimacy makes Malang a fascinating destination to return to. Travelers have a number of options to reach Malang. The toll road from Surabaya offers a convenient land route, while Abdul Rahman Saleh (MLG) Airport connects the city by air. From Jakarta, daily flights depart from both Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) and Halim Perdanakusuma (HLM) airports, making Malang accessible for visitors from the nation's capital. Another way to reach Malang — one that has become increasingly popular — is by train, thanks to the ongoing improvement efforts by PT Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI), the state-owned company overseeing Indonesia’s railway transportation. Enhanced schedules, upgraded facilities, and more comfortable carriages have made train travel a preferred choice for both locals and tourists. Each day, economy and executive class trains depart from both Jakarta’s Gambir and Pasar Senen stations, carrying passengers to Malang Station and a number of other stations along the way.
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Gambir Station stands proudly beside Monas, anchoring the heart of Jakarta with timeless journeys
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Once a stop for commuter trains, Gambir now focuses solely on long-distance routes as reshaped by demand
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| From comfortable seats to onboard service—PT KAI’s journey of comfort and service keeps gaining ground |
Economy trains generally depart from Pasar Senen Station, while executive services leave from Gambir, each offering different levels of comfort and convenience. Yet whichever class you choose, the journey itself takes between 12 and 14 hours, with most trains departing in the late afternoon or evening and arriving in Malang by morning. Along the way, the route passes through major stations such as Cirebon, Semarang, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya. Economy trains generally make more stops along the way and sometimes yield to executive trains, which can add time to the journey. Executive trains, meanwhile, enjoy track priority, and stop only at major stations — offering a smoother, more comfortable ride. Having said that, even economy class has seen major improvements in recent years, with designated seating that is far more comfortable than before, basic air-conditioning, and the welcome absence of vendors who once caused unwanted interruptions during the ride.
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Eastward across Java, the train weaves through large station and humble stops—each with its own rhythm
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| Emerald rice fields stretch beyond the window—Java’s living canvas in motion |
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| Bridges span rivers and tunnels carve through hills, each crossing a quiet marvel of engineering |
Through the train’s wide windows, passengers are treated to a panorama of Java. The route passes bustling cityscapes, compact neighborhoods built close to the railway, and vast green fields. Bridges cross rivers and canyons, while historic tunnels — some constructed during the colonial period — add a sense of heritage to the long journey toward Malang. Each scene is a reminder that this journey is not only about reaching Malang but about witnessing the soul of the island along the way.
Like the trains themselves, many stations along the route have undergone upgrades over the years, since most were originally built during the Dutch East Indies era. Gambir Station in Central Jakarta, for instance, first opened in 1871 under the name Weltevreden Station. Malang Station — often referred to as Malang Kota to distinguish it from the Malang Kota Lama Station which is located at the older part of the city — followed in 1879, standing as a gateway to the city ever since. In 2019, a modern station building rose on the east side of the railway, serving the city’s expanding flow of travelers. Still, the original station remains in use, quietly preserving the legacy of rail travel that has shaped Java for generations.
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| Malang’s City Hall and Tugu Monument greet travelers with colonial grace and floral charm |
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| Kampung Warna-Warni turns rooftops into a joyful mosaic, a burst of color by the river |
As the gateway to Malang, the station — particularly its original building — stands close to the city center. In fact, it is less than a five‑minute walk to Malang City Hall and Alun‑Alun Tugu, the roundabout that hosts the city’s official monument, a symbol of Malang’s identity. Nearby attractions include street vendors selling local dishes just outside the station and Kampung Warna Warni Jodipan, the Rainbow Village that has become one of Malang’s most photographed spots. With the station located nrxt to the city center, visitors can easily explore Malang. Public transport may be limited, but Grab and Gojek provide reliable options for getting around.
Whether you choose economy or executive class, the train journey to Malang offers more than transportation — it offers perspective. From colonial‑era stations to modern upgrades, from bustling cityscapes to serene mountain air, the ride captures Java’s diversity in motion. And at the end of the line, Malang awaits, ready to welcome travelers with its heritage, warmth, and charm.
Stasiun Malang Kota
Malang Train Station
Location Jl. Trunojoyo No 79, Klojen, Malang, East Java, Indonesia
Ticker price range:
IDR 350,000 – 760,000 / one-way ticket from Jakarta to Malang
(as of this writing; fares may vary depending on train type, class, and route)
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