NOTE: This journey is part of the KA Mutiara Timur Malam overnight train service from Surabaya Gubeng to Denpasar. The ferry and bus transfer from Banyuwangi Baru is included in the ticket fare, treated as a through train service, though you could piece the journey together yourself if you really wanted to.
After aimlessly wandering around the car park area for about 2 minutes, I decided to head back to the exit to ask the security personnel where I should wait for the connecting bus to Denpasar. It turns out that the becak (rickshaw) drivers asking if you’re going to Denpasar when you first exit the station are the real deal, and they’ll in turn inform a PT KAI staff nearby that you are present.
And by asking, I meant them going “Denpasar Denpasar Denpasar.”
It turns out that the bus wasn’t coming to Banyuwangi Baru Railway Station, so the transfer was done by becak to the Ketapang ferry terminal. As local as it gets.
Seriously though, PT KAI should have placed an official-looking sign telling KA Mutiara Timur Malam passengers who are continuing onwards to Denpasar to wait there instead of becak drivers asking if you’re going to Denpasar because that looks extremely dodgy, and it’s probably going to take a whole day to get to Denpasar at that speed anyway.
However, since I was the last guy to report my presence, I got onto the PT KAI car instead with the staff handling our transfer arrangement.
And because I was in the car, despite departing last, the staff and I arrived at the ferry terminal first. The staff then paid the becak drivers their fare for carrying the passengers on the through service.
Escorting us to the ferry terminal, he then paid the fare for the ferry as well.
The modern fare gates to enter the departure area.
The fare table for vehicles on the ferry. The fare for a minibus goes for Rp302,000.
The fare for an adult passenger though, goes for Rp6,500. No wonder they got the 5 of us who booked the through ticket across by foot instead.
The staff tapping all of us into the gate with 5 contactless cards. Once everyone was in, he returned the cards to the ferry staff on the other side of the gate. Seriously, what’s the point of such an elaborate ticketing system?
Walking on to the ferry.
The ASDP Ferry operated by KMP Edha of LSN Ferry on the journey from Ketapang to Gilimanuk.
The vehicle deck of the ferry.
The passenger area on the second deck, which almost no one spent their time in.
The open air seating area on the third and highest deck of the ferry, where most of the passengers are. Yup, those 6 people you see in this picture are more than half of the total number of passengers on board.
A small Musholla on the third deck.
Closing the ramp and slipping off from the Ketapang ferry terminal.
Looking towards Gilimanuk, Bali.
The moon, star and sunrise in one picture.
My ferry was painfully following behind two other ferries ahead to cross to Gilimanuk.
The sun starting to rise.
For some strange reason, the route to Gilimanuk took a giant S-shaped journey.
The sunrise getting more vivid.
Looking back at Ketapang port.
The views alone make up for the early arrival at Banyuwangi Baru by train.
More ferries following behind.
Waiting outside Gilimanuk port because there doesn’t seem to be any available berths.
No complaints about the delay though, the view was awesome.
We got cleared it as the sun started to rise and the sky slowly went back to normal.
Approaching the berth.
The busy Gilimanuk port in the morning.
Throwing the head rope to the pier.
Catching the monkey fist of the stern rope in one swift jump.
Arrived at Gilimanuk.
Disembarking from the ferry.
Since the staff from Ketapang wasn’t there with us, we just followed the road signs to the exit.
There were two staff waiting near the exit calling out for passengers who came from the train. Once they did a quick headcount, we headed for the bus.
Now, I’m officially in Bali.
NOTE: This journey is part of the KA Mutiara Timur Malam overnight train service from Surabaya Gubeng to Denpasar. The ferry and bus transfer from Banyuwangi Baru is included in the ticket fare, treated as a through train service, though you could piece the journey together yourself if you really wanted to.
Next post: Day 6: KA Mutiara Timur Malam DAMRI Bus from Gilimanuk to Denpasar
PT KAI Train Ticket Booking Methods
For Eksekutif, Bisnis and Ekonomi AC only. All other tickets are only sold at stations where the train serves.
- PT KAI counters
- Online from PT KAI‘s ticketing website but foreign credit cards do not work
- Online from Tiket.com – foreign credit cards accepted
Tickets are open for sale 30 to 90 days before departure, depending on train service.
Hotel Booking
Attractions Booking
- Klook (Get FREE $4.30*/RM12.90* voucher for your first purchase when you sign up here! *subject to exchange rate)
Very, very usefull info. Thank you! We booked the mutiara timur siang through tiket.com. But i found out later the KAI app is partially in English. I thought it might be worth mentioning, and also that it does not take foreign creditcards.
Appart from the usefullness, a great read about your journey. I enjoyed it. Well done.