KA Argo Parahyangan 35 Train from Bandung to Jakarta Gambir in Premium Class (K3 2018 Stainless Steel)

Since my purpose of coming to Bandung was only to try out the Panoramic train, I scheduled just enough time to have lunch at Loko Coffee Shop Bandung in Bandung Railway Station before returning to Jakarta by Argo Parahyangan 35 for an evening arrival. Also, since I have already spent my money on the Panoramic train, I returned to Jakarta this time by Premium Class (K3).

Bandung Railway Station

It’s hard to miss Bandung Railway Station with this new big sign in front of Loko Coffee Shop Bandung.

Taking the sheltered walkway in to Bandung Railway Station.

Signs have been updated with the rebranded Commuter Line Bandung Raya and Commuter Line Garut, and also the future Feeder Kereta Cepat train to Padaralang for future Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway passengers.

The façade of Bandung Railway Station north building.

A new station hall for Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway passengers has also been built to the left of the current Bandung Railway Station north building for the Feeder Kereta Cepat.

The departure hall of Bandung Railway Station north building.

The entrance to the platforms is just here, but first, I need to get myself checked-in.

Check-in

Check-in kiosks are located at the side of the ticket checking area.

Check-in is easy with a simple scan of my booking code, and I just needed to click print.

Printing out my boarding pass from the check-in kiosk.

My boarding pass for my KA Argo Parahyangan 35 train from Bandung to Jakarta Gambir in Premium Class.

A registration counter for facial recognition is available beside the ticket checking area. However, since I was using a passport and not a KTP, I couldn’t register myself for facial recognition for boarding.

Queuing to get my boarding pass checked manually with my passport.

As I was still early, the platform was not opened for entry yet. Seats are available just after the ticket checking area.

Once boarding is called, passengers proceed to the Skybridge to access the platforms across the tracks.

Heading to the Skybridge of Bandung Railway Station.

The new Feeder Kereta Cepat boarding hall is located just beside the Skybridge, so I peeked through the glass for a sneak preview.

Looks like the Feeder Kereta Cepat will be integrated with the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway ticketing system with different fare gates installed.

Heading up the travellator to the Skybridge.

Heading across the Skybridge across the tracks.

A Reska staff welcomes all passengers on board the Argo Parahyangan 35 on the Skybridge, before the travellator down to the platform.

My Argo Parahyangan 35 will be departing from Platform 5.

Heading down the travellator to Platform 5.

Platform 5 is on an island platform with Platform 4, and it was quite obvious which train was mine with the stainless steel coaches. The Commuter Line Garut is on Platform 4, but boarding was from the south building.

Signs on the platform also point to the Argo Parahyangan.

The main island platform of Bandung Railway Station.

The destination plate of the Argo Parahyangan, displayed on selected coaches.

K3 2018 Stainless Steel Premium Class

I headed to my booked seat first to leave my bag before I explored the rest of the train.

The interior of the K3 2018 Stainless Steel Premium Class coaches. These are similar to the new Economy Class coaches, but with reclining functions. This new feature is debatable, in my opinion.

4 Premium Class coaches are attached on the Argo Parahyangan 35.

The route map of my Argo Parahyangan 35 train from Bandung to Jakarta Gambir, stopping only at Cimahi. That’s too fast.

I booked seat 11A for slightly more legroom as it is the only facing bay of 4 seats on board the Premium Class coach. As luck would have it, my seat 11A in coach 4 was facing in the travelling direction.

Do note that coaches in Indonesia may be rotated randomly, even in the same rake, and there is no fixed row number according to the direction of travel.

My extra legroom at my booked seat 11A.

An integrated side table and 2 2-pin power sockets are provided by the window at the window seat.

For comparison, here’s the less-than-ideal legroom on board Premium Class coaches. The legroom is the same as Economy Class, until the person in front reclines into you.

This is how the Premium Class seat looks like when reclined.

Seats can be reclined with the recline lever by the side.

The knee room is more restricted when the person in front reclines.

Also, your nose will be smelling the front person’s scalp when reclined, since the seat backs aren’t as high as airplane seats. This new upgraded feature feels more like a bug to me.

To avoid this, I will have to recline my own seat, which will pass on my inconvenience to the next person behind.

Unfortunately, PT KAI seems to be on a mission to upgrade all Economy Class New Image seats to Premium Class reclining seats, which is not ideal to me, though many others would disagree with me and welcome the reclining feature.

3.5mm earphone jacks are available in between each pair of seats to listen to the on-board entertainment screen located along the coach.

Retractable window shades are available at each window, with them set at half-down upon boarding with the afternoon sun.

In Executive Class, each row of seats get 1 window each, while in Premium Class, 3 rows of seats share 2 windows.

A squat toilet is available, designated as the men’s toilet.

A sitting toilet is also available, designated as the ladies’ toilet.

Do note that due to the random rotation of the coaches within the rake, the toilets may not always be at every vestibule, and at other parts, 2 sets of toilets can be found in 1 vestibule areas.

Kereta Makan (Restaurant Car)

A kereta makan or restaurant car is in the middle of the train in between the Executive Class and Premium Class coaches.

A mushola is also available on board the kereta makan for Muslim prayers.

K1 2018 Stainless Steel Executive Class

4 Executive Class coaches are attached on the Argo Parahyangan 35. These were more popular than Economy Class even with the higher fare.

The locomotive was attached to my Argo Parahyangan 35 train already, however, the platform was too short for me to go to the front to snap a picture.

My Argo Parahyangan 35 train departed from Bandung on time at 3pm.

Cimahi Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Cimahi Railway Station. This is the only intermediate station served by my Argo Parahyangan 35.

Passing through Padaralang Railway Station, the future interchange station with the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway.

The new interchange section of Padaralang Railway Station is still under construction as of 18 August 2023. It doesn’t look even close to being ready.

Heading along rice fields and curves when heading out of Bandung.

Passing by Jalan Tol Purwakarta–Bandung–Cileunyi or Jalan Tol Purbaleunyi.

The Reska trolley came around the Premium Class coaches and sales were almost zero since the number of passengers in my coach was almost zero too. The Reska staff also went on the PA to promote the food and drinks available. The 3pm departure was also not a meal time for most passengers to be feeling hungry.

To assist in sales, I decided to order a hot Cappuccino. This costs Rp 13,000.

The hot Cappuccino came from an instant packet, with chocolate powder provided separately as a topping.

Entering Jabodetabek in the sunset.

Heading on the double-double track into Jakarta.

My Argo Parahyangan 35 arrived at Jakarta Gambir at 5.49pm – 9 minutes delayed.

Finally spotting the locomotive, CC 206 13 92, which hauled me from Bandung to Jakarta Gambir.

CC is the bogie arrangement of the locomotive (Co-Co), 206 or (CC 206) is the class of locomotive, 13 represents the year of manufacture (2013), and 92 represents the number in the series.

Heading down the staircase from the platform to the concourse level.

Taking the escalator down from the concourse level to the arrival hall.

The arrival hall of Jakarta Gambir Railway Station.

As I was continuing my journey by busway, I headed out of the north exit.

Walking through the car park to head out of Jakarta Gambir Railway Station.

The new 3D sign of Gambir with the background of MONAS.

Walking out of the north exit.

The busway stop towards MONAS temporary central busway is located just outside the north exit.

Conclusion

I enjoyed my cheaper Premium Class journey as much as my incoming Panoramic train, especially with a rather empty coach, and I had all 4 seats in my bay for myself throughout the journey, offering unlimited legroom and storage space. Since I roughly knew the landmarks along the line from Bandung to Jakarta already, the scenic spots are in my mind and I could give myself a mental tour of the scenery and landmarks around. But perhaps it’s the almost-empty coach that made my journey the most comfortable. Or perhaps it was simply a train, and I enjoy my train rides regardless of what class they are, most of the time.