How to travel from Malang to Yogyakarta ​ by train

If you’re heading west across Java, the train from Malang to Yogyakarta is one of the most rewarding journeys you can take. Instead of dealing with airports or long, uncomfortable bus rides, you get a smooth, scenic trip through the heart of the island.

This route links two of Java’s most interesting cities: the cooler, more relaxed city of Malang, which serves as a gateway to Mount Bromo, and the cultural, laid-back atmosphere of Yogyakarta.

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Route map and details

After departing from Malang, the line heads south and west for the first 100 km towards Tulungagung. From there, the route continues north towards the major railway junction at Kertosono.

Beyond Kertosono, the line carries on across Central Java, passing through rural landscapes, small towns, and rice fields before arriving in the popular tourist destination of Yogyakarta.

Timetables

There are five trains per day from Malang to Yogyakarta:

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.

How much does it cost?

Several types of train operate on the route from Malang to Yogyakarta, including the Gajayana train.

On the Gajayana trains from Malang, the most expensive seats are in the Luxury carriages, costing from IDR600,000 (US$35). As you drop down the various classes on this and other trains (Executive, Economy), tickets can be bought for as little as IDR260,000 (US$15).