A train journey in Indonesia could soon become much more than simply getting from one destination to another. Kereta Api Indonesia or KAI is preparing the Nusantara Explorer, a new tourist train designed to combine railway travel with Indonesia’s natural scenery, culture, local wisdom, and heritage.
The concept is built around the idea of making the journey itself part of the travel experience. Instead of simply watching the landscape pass by from a regular train seat, passengers will be able to enjoy specially designed spaces, onboard dining, private rooms, and Indonesian-inspired interiors as they travel through the country.
KAI is developing the Nusantara Explorer through the Surabaya Gubeng Railway Workshop, where a Luxury Sleeper train has undergone extensive interior modifications. The design and facilities have been developed to reflect Indonesian characteristics while creating a more comfortable setting for tourism-oriented journeys.
The project is now entering an important stage of preparation. Ahead of KAI’s 81st anniversary, the Nusantara Explorer trainset traveled from Bandung to Jakarta as part of the preparations before the service is eventually offered to the public.
KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin explained that the concept goes beyond simply putting passengers on a train and taking them to another destination.
“We are combining the beauty of Indonesia’s natural landscapes along the railway routes with local hospitality, local wisdom, and Indonesian culture. That is why we designed this train to offer our customers a different travel experience,” Bobby said.
The train has been arranged into several areas, each serving a different purpose. Passengers will have access to Signature Class, Advance Class, Compact Class, a Lounge, a Grand Restaurant, and a Kitchen & Crew area.
In total, one Nusantara Explorer trainset can accommodate up to 91 customers. Of that number, 36 passengers can stay in the available rooms, while another 55 can use the Lounge and Grand Restaurant.
The arrangement gives travelers more than one way to spend their time onboard. Those seeking greater privacy can use the room facilities, while passengers who want to relax or socialize can spend time in the Lounge or Grand Restaurant.
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The dining and lounge areas are an important part of the overall concept. Rather than treating these spaces simply as additional facilities, KAI has incorporated them into the travel experience, with comfort being one of the main considerations throughout the journey.
The train has also gone through several improvements based on feedback collected from its previous use by the President of the Republic of Indonesia. Bobby said KAI considered this input when refining the train before its development for tourism purposes.
Among the areas that have been improved are air circulation, communication and internet connectivity, and hot water facilities. These changes are intended to make the experience more comfortable and practical for passengers during longer journeys.
From an operational standpoint, the first development phase of the Nusantara Explorer has already reached 100 percent completion.
This stage covers the Signature Class, Advance Class, Compact Class, Lounge, Grand Restaurant, and Kitchen & Crew facilities. The train has also entered the certification process with the Directorate General of Railways.
Its first test took place from September 1 to 4, 2026. The test formed part of the preparation process to check the readiness of the train and its facilities before the service eventually moves toward public operation.
For KAI, however, the Nusantara Explorer is not intended to be simply a more luxurious way to travel by train. The company also sees it as a way to introduce more of Indonesia to passengers during the journey itself.
KAI Commercial Director Dendy Kurniawan said travelers will eventually be able to experience Indonesia’s natural landscapes along the railway route, visit or observe heritage areas, and enjoy Indonesian character through the train’s interior ornaments and onboard services.
This means the destination will not be the only attraction. The scenery outside the windows and the atmosphere inside the train will both become part of the tourism experience.
The idea also fits into KAI’s broader efforts to develop services that bring together railway travel, tourism, culture, and local wisdom. Rather than limiting train services to transportation, the company is exploring ways to turn rail journeys into experiences that can introduce different aspects of Indonesia to travelers.
Bobby said KAI would continue developing travel service innovations to provide customers with a wider range of journey options based on their needs.
For the Nusantara Explorer, that approach has resulted in a tourism-focused train that combines private accommodation, shared spaces, dining facilities, and Indonesian-inspired design in a single trainset.
Once it begins serving the public, the train is expected to give travelers another way to discover Indonesia. They will be able to enjoy the country’s natural scenery from the railway, experience heritage areas along the route, and encounter elements of Indonesian culture and local wisdom without leaving the train.
The Nusantara Explorer is therefore being prepared as more than just a tourist train. It represents KAI’s effort to combine transportation with tourism and cultural experiences, turning the railway journey itself into part of the destination.
