Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or a traveller holidaying on a budget, there’s a certain allure to sleeper trains that draws many to hitch a ride on their cosy carriages.
Thailand’s got the Special Express No. 9 with roomy cabins to chill in, while tourists to China can catch this Hong Kong to Beijing sleeper train if they’ve got time to spare. Well, here’s one extravagant option to consider when you’re touring Indonesia – Kereta Api Indonesia’s Compartment Suites.
Kereta Api Indonesia, more commonly referred to as KAI, is a major railway operator and primarily operates the country’s public railways. They operate all over the country with many trains and routes transporting passengers between major cities like Surabaya, Jakarta, and Bandung to name a few.
KAI has 3 classes of passenger trains, namely the Executive, Business, and Economy classes. The Economy class is a great wallet-friendly way to traverse the country; there are cross-country trains that bring you from Surabaya to Jakarta for just IDR104,000 (~S$8.56).
There are only 16 of such Compartment Suites per train, and only those with a ticket can enter the carriage containing these seats.
Image credit: Kereta Api Kita via Facebook
Today, we’re talking about the highest class of seats you can get on public KAI trains, the Compartment Suites. These luxurious seats come bundled with a slew of amenities, and are only available in Executive class trains. They will set you back a pretty penny, as one-way trips for passengers of the Compartment Suites start from IDR2,100,000 (~S$172.84).
The shiny new train carriage the Compartment Suites are housed in; they were introduced back in late October 2023.
Image credit: Kereta Api Kita via Facebook
You’ll be able to find the Compartment Suites on Executive class trains travelling between Surabaya, Jakarta, Cirebong, and Yogyakarta. Sadly, those heading to and from other major cities like Bandung and Semarang will have to give these seats a miss, as trains servicing those cities do not have Compartment Suites.
Booking a KAI Compartment Suite is pretty straightforward, as you can book your seats before your trips using a variety of Indonesian ticket booking sites. The most popular sites include tiket.com and Traveloka, plus they’re both in English so you don’t have to consult Google Translate at all.
Image adapted from: Traveloka
Vacant seats for the KAI Compartment Suites are aplenty according to Traveloka, perhaps due to their steep cost. We were able to find a good deal of seats even if we were to book them just 3 days in advance, so you don’t have to fight tooth and nail for these.
If you’ve noticed, the prices for the Compartment Suites can range from IDR2,100,000 (~S$172.84) to IDR2,300,000 (~S$189.82) based on their class type. Class AA seats are the costliest of the bunch, as these seats are located at the front of the carriage, allowing for quicker alighting and boarding.
Class A seats are located centrally, while Classes H,I, and J are found at the back. However, that’s the only thing separating these Executive train seats, so it’s up to you whether you’d like to fork up more money for convenience’s sake or not.
Image credit: @keretaapiinside via Instagram
Your tickets will be emailed to you after successful bookings, and you’ll be able to scan them to print physical boarding passes at the train stations over in Indonesia.
Passengers travelling across Indonesia aboard a KAI Compartment Suite can indulge in its many amenities throughout their trip. For starters, you’ll get free access to an Executive Lounge that can be found at various stations that KAI trains operate along.
The Orchid Executive Lounge at Tugu Station in Yogyakarta.
Image credit: @keretaapikita via Instagram
Although these ain’t as fancy as those you’d find at Changi Airport like the new SATS Premier Lounge T3, you can kick back here and enjoy complimentary light snacks, as well as cups of coffee and tea. The Executive Lounge at Surabaya’s Gubeng station even has a shower you can freshen up at before your ride.
Not many people know that their Compartment Suite tickets come with access to the Executive Lounges as it’s not explicitly stated on your tickets. As a result, the lounges are often empty, perfect for getting some peace and quiet away from the bustling station. Passengers with tickets for other classes of trains can also pay IDR50,000 (~S$4.12) to enter the Executive Lounge.
After a short respite at the Executive Lounge, head to the boarding platform once your train has arrived. Your VIP experience will begin right from the get-go, as you’ll be greeted by a friendly train staff who will check your ticket and escort you right to your seat.
Even the carriage’s interior is extravagant; walk down its aisle and you’ll be flanked by glitzy silver partitions separating the private suites, accented with gold highlights.
Image credit: @nugrohofebianto18 via Instagram
Once you’ve arrived at your suite, there’s plenty of room to set your baggage aside and plop yourself into their comfy smart recliners. You can adjust the seat to your liking using the control panel on the right armrest; the seat’s swanky features include ventilation, warming, and massage functions, and you can even fully extend it to convert it into a makeshift bed.
Swivel your seat 90 degrees to catch the rolling greens whiz past your window.
Image credit: @nugrohofebianto18 via Instagram
There’s also a tablet that’s loaded up with a small selection of movies and music, and it also displays tidbits of information like route details and the weather. The train’s staff have also thoughtfully left a pair of noise-cancelling Audio Technica headphones, along with plump pillows and a blanket for when you’d like to catch some shut eye.
Image credit: @diiahmakecee via Instagram
Shortly after departure, the staff will come over to take your order for their complimentary dinner service. Expect to be served an entire 3-course meal which opens with appetisers like salad and a bread roll with butter. Mains include breaded chicken cutlet pasta, and sweet tooths can look forward to treats like chocolate fondant for dessert.
Although you won’t get an en suite bathroom, there’s a dedicated one only for Compartment Suite passengers. This marble-clad toilet’s probably the fanciest you’d ever come across on a train, and even comes installed with a Japanese-style bidet toilet with seat warming capabilities.
Image credit: @hlmanmn_ via Instagram
You’ll have to set aside at least half a day when you decide to take the KAI train from Surabaya to Jakarta, as the journey is 10 hours and 40 minutes-long. You’ll travel throughout the night from 7.20pm to 6am the next morning, so be sure to catch first light to watch the sun rise above the nearby peaks.
For those headed from Jakarta to Yogyakarta instead, you’re looking at a travel time of around 6.5 hours. Regardless of where you get off at, you’ve got quite a bit of daylight at your disposal to explore Indonesia, so dally no longer, and off you go.
If you’re not too strapped for time, opting for the Compartment Suite is one way to travel across Indonesia, and an extravagant one at that. It gets you from point A to B just like a plane would, but you’ll be comfortably seated in the privacy of your very own suite, and privy to epic vistas that you would’ve missed if you travelled by air.
For some inspo for more things to do in Indonesia, consider swinging by the African safari-styled Baobab Safari Resort in Surabaya. Outdoorsy folks can try their hand at these easy hiking trails in Indonesia, but if you’re looking for more rides across Indonesia’s rails, then this Panoramic train from Jakarta to Bandung is another one to look out for.
Cover image adapted from: @nugrohofebianto18 via Instagram, Kereta Api Kita via Facebook
It even has Japanese-style smart toilets onboard for an exquisite washroom experience.
Explore the nooks and crannies of the expansive MacRitchie area. There's plenty to explore, even…
If you're always chucking out expiring food, check out these 9 ways you can recycle…
The entire customisation process can be done and dusted in as little as 20 minutes,…
From dining deals to date ideas and club guestlists, here are all the Telegram groups…
JB-goers take note, here are things you can do in Mount Austin to spice up…