It felt like just two days ago when I started the train journey from Jakarta, which indeed it was, and now it’s time for the last train journey to the eastern end of the railway in Java.
The KA Mutiara Timur Malam plies the route from Surabaya Gubeng to Banyuwangi Baru and onwards to Denpasar, despite there being no bridges to Bali island and no railway tracks on Bali island itself. However, it is considered a train destination and service in PT KAI’s books and the KA Mutiara Timur Malam night train service terminates there, even as announced in the station. That means to say that you can buy a single ticket from Surabaya Gubeng to Denpasar.
I booked my key train tickets through Tiket.com as they had Rp.40,000 and Rp.100,000 promo codes to be used on tickets of different minimum prices, saving me about 20% than if I had gotten my tickets directly. Also, the official website does not accept foreign credit cards.
NOTE: The KA Mutiara Timur Siang day train originates and terminates its service at Banyuwangi Baru. Tickets are not sold on the KA Mutiara Timur Siang to Denpasar.
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.
The old Surabaya Gubeng station on the city side closes at 8pm, thereafter all passengers will use the new Surabaya Gubeng station located on the eastern and not-very-lively side of the railway for boarding and departure. An inconvenient detour by foot but there’s only one option anyway.
First impression-wise, it looks more spacious than the old station but I’d rather still have convenience over the look of the station.
The ticket counter at the new Surabaya Gubeng station.
The check-in counters are on the opposing side of the hall.
My boarding pass for the journey from Surabaya Gubeng to Denpasar. Do note than PT KAI sells through tickets all the way to Denpasar despite the railway ending at Banyuwangi Baru – the ferry and bus transfer is included in the through ticket.
My Mutiara Timur Malam being shown ready for boarding. This means that it’s fine to get your ticket checked to wait in the waiting area before the platform, and not actually meaning that you can board the train, because the train isn’t here yet.
Ticket checking before the boarding area.
The waiting area at Surabaya Gubeng.
The Mutiara Timur Malam would depart from Track 5 later on.
This is probably to prevent confusion as Track 5 is actually served by Platform 1, which is an island platform with Platform 2 serving Track 6, which is also served by Platform 3 on the station side. So just count the tracks to make your life easier.
“306 km” to Banyuwangi.
The closed old station as seen from the new station.
With the train arriving at the platform, the passengers start to fill up the area.
The CC 201 83 53 ready to haul the Mutiara Timur Malam towards Banyuwangi Baru.
The nameplate of the KA Mutiara Timur.
Boarding the Mutiara Timur Malam for the last train leg of my journey.
As compared with the KA Gajayana, the blankets were already placed on the seat ready for passengers and the curtains drawn.
The interior of the crowded train.
Inside the toilet on the old K1 Eksekutif coach.
The solo seat seems more private with the older design where there is a recess to the coach from the borders, but this seat still remained empty – probably for a good reason.
The view from my seat.
The frills for the journey to Banyuwangi Baru.
The train continued with most of the passengers alighting at Jember, and thereafter most of the remainder at Karangasem, which is closer to the actual town of Banyuwangi.
The interior of the almost-empty coach on the last few minutes of the journey to Banyuwangi Baru.
The interior of the other Eksekutif coach in front, as the platform was too short to alight from.
The portion of the KA Mutiara Timur Malam that didn’t make it to the platform.
Arrived at Banyuwangi Baru, the easternmost railway station in Indonesia.
The nameplate of the KA Mutiara Timur.
The station sign of Banyuwangi Baru. Looks strange to me.
The waiting hall of Banyuwangi Baru.
294km back to Surabaya from Banyuwangi Baru.
Wait, didn’t it say 306km at Surabaya Gubeng? Well, note that it says Banyuwangi and not Banyuwangi Baru. Banyuwangi Baru, as the name suggests, is a new station nearer to the main town of Banyuwangi and the ferry terminal than the old station which was further up north and on a separate alignment splitting off from the defunct Kabat station between Rogojampi and Karangasem.
Looking back at the train before exiting the station.
The exit marked by a huge sign, with becak drivers waiting ahead going “Denpasar Denpasar Denpasar”.
Looking back at the exit area, while trying to find the place to wait for the onward transfer to Denpasar.
An on time arrival of my train, with the next Mutiara Timur Malam in 24 hours time already showing on the screen since this station serves so little trains.
The exterior of the Banyuwangi Baru Railway Station.
Where is the bus to Denpasar?
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 ASDP Ferry from Ketapang (Banyuwangi Baru) to Gilimanuk
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)
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