As the first high-speed train in Indonesia, Southeast Asia, and the Southern Hemisphere, the fantastically named Whoosh is a trailblazing addition to the region’s railway network.
The new line has dramatically reduced travel times between Bandung and Jakarta, with journeys now taking just 50 minutes. While the high-speed train may seem like the obvious choice, there are two alternative routes that, although less direct, can offer an easier overall journey.
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Route map and details
Three options are available when taking the train from Bandung to Jakarta. Two of them use the high-speed train and one takes the windy (but much slower) route on the inter-city mainline.
Option #1:
Bandung to Jakarta on the high-speed train
Journey time: 50 minutes
Whoosh trains use the newly-built high-speed line connecting the outskirts of Bandung with the outskirts of Jakarta, via Padalarang and Karawang. It is worth noting that the stations are not located near the city centres, so you will need to use public transport or a taxi to travel to and from them.
Option #2:
Shuttle from Bandung to Padalarang, then high-speed train
Journey time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Bandung’s high-speed station, Tegalluar, is located almost an hour’s drive from the city centre, which can be inconvenient. To address this, the railway operator has introduced a free shuttle train from Bandung’s main station to Padalarang, where you can connect with high-speed services to Jakarta.
The shuttle timetable is designed to align with high-speed departures, making the journey relatively seamless.
Option #3:
Bandung city centre to Jakarta city centre using normal train
Journey time: 3 hours
Despite the appeal of high-speed rail, many travellers still opt for the original slow train, known as Parahyangan, which runs from Bandung station to Jakarta’s Gambir station, both conveniently located in the city centres.
Although the journey takes longer (3 hours versus 50 minutes), the overall travel time is often similar once you factor in the trip to and from the high-speed stations. It can also be a much simpler and more straightforward journey. Tickets are typically around half the price of the high-speed service.
Timetables
Option #1:
Bandung to Jakarta on the high-speed train
There are 31 high-speed trains per day from Bandung to Jakarta (28 on Sundays), departing at 5 and 35 minutes past the hour.
Option 2:
Shuttle from Bandung to Padalarang, then high-speed train
Recognising that the new high-speed station at Tegalluar is located far from Bandung city centre, a free shuttle service has been introduced between Bandung and Padalarang, where passengers can connect with high-speed trains to Jakarta.
The shuttle from Bandung to Padalarang is scheduled to arrive 19 minutes before high-speed departures to Halim Station in Jakarta, allowing plenty of time to make the connection.
The first three shuttle services of the day operate from Monday to Saturday only.
The table below shows the times of the shuttle service from Bandung to Padalarang, then the connecting high-speed train times from Padalarang to Jakarta.
Option #3:
Bandung city centre to Jakarta city centre using normal train
Not everything on the Bandung to Jakarta route is high-speed. The original train between the two cities is still running and remains a popular option. For many travellers, the slower pace is part of the appeal, and it is significantly cheaper as well.
One clear advantage is the location of the stations, both in the heart of the city and easy to reach on foot or by public transport.
Eight trains run each day from Bandung to Jakarta’s Gambir station, with a journey time of around three hours.
How to buy tickets
The easiest way to buy train tickets in Indonesia is online rather than going to the station. You do pay a very small commission but the ease and convenience makes it worthwhile in our opinion.
For the normal train, Tiket is the best place to book and has a simple to use interface and accepts international credit cards. It’s also a good place to check availability, timetables and prices.
High-speed trains can be booked on the official website.
How much does it cost?
As you might expect, tickets from Bandung to Jakarta are significantly more expensive on the high-speed train compared to the normal, slower train.
High-speed train prices:
| Class | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|
| Premium Economy | 250,000 |
| Business | 450,000 |
| First | 600,000 |
The prices for the normal train (Parahyangan) from Bandung to Jakarta start from:
| Class | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|
| Ekonomi | 100,000 |
| Eksekutif | 150,000 |
| Eksekutif Luxury | 400,000 |
| Panoramic | 350,000 |
(The shuttle train from Bandung to Padalarang is free of charge for passengers with an onward high-speed train ticket.)
Useful reads before you go:
Top 10 tips for Southeast Asia train travel
7 reasons why you should travel by train around Southeast Asia
5 AMAZING train journeys in Southeast Asia
10 essentials experienced travellers always take on trains in Southeast Asia
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