How to travel from Yogyakarta ​​to Malang by train

If you’re heading east across Java, the train from Yogyakarta to Malang 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 that cuts through the heart of the island.

This route links two of Java’s most interesting cities: cultural, laid-back Yogyakarta and the cooler, more relaxed vibe of Malang, which is also the main gateway to Mount Bromo.

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Route map and details

After leaving the popular tourist destination of Yogyakarta, the line heads inland across Central Java, passing through rice fields, small towns, and rural landscapes before reaching the major railway junction at Kertosono.

From there, the route continues south towards Tulungagung, before turning east in the final stretch towards Malang for the last 100 km of the journey.

Timetables

There are five trains per day from Yogyakarta to Malang:

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 Yogyakarta to Malang, including the Gajayana train.

On the Gajayana trains from Yogyakarta, 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).