By train or bus?
Sometimes, passengers arriving at Jakarta Airport want to head straight to Bandung.
While travelling by train from Jakarta to Bandung is a relaxing and scenic journey, it is not always suitable, especially for those on a tight schedule.
View Larger Map to see Google’s current estimated travel time
As there is no rail-link between Jakarta Airport and Central Jakarta, visitors cannot accurately predict how long their 29km journey to Gambir Railway Station will take. Whether travelling by taxi or airport bus, the ride into the city can be affected by traffic, weather, roadworks, etc. They can miss the train or end up waiting hours at the station.
Having said that, the toll road between Jakarta and Bandung (a.k.a. Cipularang) can also have huge traffic jams. It is often Jakarta residents travelling to/from Bandung for the weekend, around public holidays, etc.
So when should visitors take the bus and when the train?
There are two companies operating airport buses between Jakarta Airport and Bandung: X-Trans and Primajasa. Both are compared with the train below.
1. SCHEDULE
![]() X-Trans |
![]() Primajasa |
![]() Train | |
Operates: | Every Hour, 07:30 to 22:30 |
Every Half Hour, 07:30 to 23:30 |
6 trains, 05:45 to 19:40 |
Airport Buses depart more frequently than trains, and are more suitable for a flight arriving in the morning.
2. FINAL DESTINATION
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|
If you are staying in Bandung, X-Trans and the train terminate at a more central location than Primajasa. If you wish to continue to another city by bus (e.g. Pangandaran), the Primajasa terminus next to the main toll road is more convenient.
3. COST
![]() X-Trans |
![]() Primajasa |
![]() Train | |
Price of 1 Ticket |
Rp100 000 ($US10) |
Rp90 000 ($US9) |
Rp85 000 to Rp120 000* ($US8.50 to $US12) |
*Price includes Rp30 000 for DAMRI Airport bus. If travelling by taxi, the price would be different.
There is little difference in cost. The price of 1 train ticket covers travelling in both business and executive classes.
Train tickets can be booked online, up to 90 days in advance; airport bus tickets can only be purchased on the day, at the airport.
4. TOTAL TRAVEL TIME
In theory, taking the airport bus would be faster; Google Maps estimates the 175km journey would take 2 hours 14 minutes. However, there are certain realities on the ground that also need to be considered.
For example, buses travelling from Jakarta Airport to Bandung all use Jakarta’s inner-city toll road, so they can get stuck in the capital city’s infamous traffic jams on the way.
Furthermore, the toll road from Jakarta to Bandung often gets traffic jams on Friday nights, weekends, the afternoon/evening before public holidays, etc, mostly due to Jakartans travelling to Bandung.
Finally, Bandung also has its own traffic issues. Travelling from the bus terminus to your hotel might take a while, especially for Primajasa.
The airport bus operators have cleverly masked the issue by not advertising an estimated time of arrival in their schedules, only departure times.
Taking the train might make for a more relaxing journey, as long as the ride to Gambir Station is unaffected by traffic.
SUMMARY
If arriving at Jakarta Airport on a weekday afternoon or the day before public holidays, it may be easier to take the train. At other times, the airport bus may be more suitable.
If you are interested in travelling by train between Jakarta and Bandung, please send an enquiry.
Minta info dan no ☎ bus prima jasa jurusan bandara soeta-bandung yaa, ditunggu lo sekarang
Dec. 25, 2013 ETA Jakarta airport @1445, will make my way to Gambir by bus. Estimated time travel to Gambir considering x’mas holiday & what would be train schedule to Bandung in the evenings..thanks & appreciate yr advise
saya ingin tahu samada station gambir dibuka 24 jam atau tidak kerana saya akan depature dari malaysia 21/11/2013 jam 20.20 hrs expecting arrive 21.20 hrs wib, dan akan menaiki train ke bandung jam 05.45 22/11/2013. kalau boleh saya tidak mahu menginap di mana2 sementara menunggu train. Seperkara lagi waktu pulang dari bandung ke jakarta pada 23/11/2013 saya bercadang menaiki bas direct ke airport, apa mungkin jalan akan sesak pada waktu malam?
Translate from: Malay
I want to know Samada Gambier station open 24 hours or not because I would depature from malaysia 11.21.2013 at 20.20 hrs 21.20 hrs am expecting arrive, and will climb the train to Bandung 11.22.2013 05.45. if I may not stay in mana2 mahu while waiting train. Seperkara again when you came home from Bandung to Jakarta on 23/11/2013 I bercadang up the bass direct to the airport, what roads may be congested at night time?
Hi
May I know if I can charter the whole bus for 28 passengers from Bandung to Jakarta. My big family is coming for a holiday to Bandung & Jakarta in a few month’s time.
Thank you.
Best regards
Noraishah
I am traveling to Jakarta on 17/1 and will reach around 1600hrs. If i need to head to airport from airport, will a train or mini van service be more advisable?
Hi,
Who could advice me how to get from Jakarta airport on February 8, arrival 18:00 to Bandung?
Thank you
hi..adakah airport bus primajasa direct to bandung or to jakarta city?n brpa tambang bus to bandung from the airport?arrived around 8pm so its to late klu naik train kn?any suggestion..tqvm
If you coulf help me…ill be arriving in jakarta at aroung 12 or 1 in the morning…how do i get to in bandung?…
Hi Chris,
3 of us will be arriving Jakarta on 21/2/2014 @ 11am, what do you suggest we should take Bus or Train to Bandung? in Bandung we will be staying for 1 night at The Sayana Bed and Breakfast Address: 14 Buton Street, Van De Venter, Veteran.
the next day we will be travelling back to Jakarta, should we take the Train? and we will be staying at Mangga Dua Area, is this area near to the train station?
Regards,
Connie
Im planning to go Bandung on 9 march 2014, what is the best way to reach bandung and which hotel to stay nearest to Pasar Baru shopping? If using bas is a good option, what time will the bas depart jakarta airport? TQ.
does the Damri bus goes to the gambir train station from the airport
Departure from Abudhabi 02:40 Arriving soekarno Hatta Intl 13:55
Then I need bus or trins to Bandung
Dear Sir,
I with my wife and son aged 14 come to CGK on 12 04 2014 morning. We want to go to Jogjakarta to see Borobudru. We have a flight from Joyg 15 04 2014. So can We go to Bandung and then to Jogy by train? Do We have time? How is the hotels in Bandung?
and transport from there to Yogjakarta.
leslie
Hi,
We are going to Bandung on Sunday 27 July at 18.30 at Jakarta airport, we know that a day before Id fitr., is it possible to get a bus to Bandung that moment?
27/9/14 Saturday 5.30pm reach Jakarta. what’s the best way to best western manga dua hotel and residence. next day, Sunday afternoon or evening to Bandung what type of transport u suggest. 30/9/14 Tuesday, Bandung to Jakarta airport 18.45 flight what ‘s transport suggest ?
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Interestingly, the train operator is now advertising its Bandung to Jakarta service as a way to avoid traffic: