How to Buy Whoosh High-Speed Train Ticket (Jakarta-Bandung)

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Simply had enough of the horribly congested drive from Jakarta to Bandung? Get on the Whoosh fast train and beat the traffic!

What is the Whoosh train? 🌬

Whoosh is a newly launched high-speed train service connecting the city of Jakarta to Bandung. It is Indonesia’s and South East Asia’s first high-speed train system. The name itself is a shorthand for “Waktu Hemat, Operasi Optimal, Sistem Handal”. This roughly translates to “Timesaving, Optimal Operations, Reliable System”, as reported by Associated Press.

This railway is a joint venture between a government-owned PT Pilar Sinergi from Indonesia and China Railway International Co. Ltd. It is operated by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (PT KCIC). It connects Halim station to Padalarang, where you can take a feeder train to Bandung.

Its top speed goes to 350 km/h! Compared with regular train, this high-speed rail line shortens the usual 3 hour travel time to only take 45 minutes. This is good news for tourists and commuters who go back and forth from Jakarta to Bandung regularly. The increased speed is vital for commuters, especially.

Indonesian president Joko Widodo inaugurated this Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train on October 2nd, 2023. This key project was created as part of road infrastructure initiative, where the ultimate goal is modernization of our mass transportation. This ambitious plan for lessening traffic congestion between the two cities is a great start to reduce carbon emissions.

What is the route?

Whoosh train stops at 3 stations:

1. Halim Station
2. Padalarang Station: Connecting / feeder train to downtown Bandung Station 
3. Tegalluar Station

For the latest timetable, please check the timetable at PT KCIC official website.

Where can I buy the ticket for Whoosh train? 🎫

Online ticket purchase

Honestly, online is the fastest and most practical way to get your tickets! There are multiple ways to buy it online, namely:

1. KCIC’s Official Website
2. Whoosh App
3. Access App by KAI
4. Livin’ by Mandiri Bank App
5. BRImo Bank App
6. BNI Mobile Banking App

Offline ticket purchase

If you don’t mind heading to the train station first to purchase your tickets offline, you can do that too. Tickets are available, at the latest, 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time. You can purchase your tickets by using the ticket machines (for QRIS or Indonesian bank transfer payments only) or the lockets if you’d like to pay with cash or card.

What seating classes are available?

There are 3 seating classes available on the train:

1. First Class
2. Business Class
3. Premium Economy

WiFi and USB charging ports are available at all train classes’ seats.

How much does the Whoosh train ticket cost? What are the ticket prices?

There is no set price, because KCIC’s pricing changes depending on time and demand.

The estimated cost ranges between 150k to 250k IDR for Premium Economy, 450k IDR for Business Class, and 600k IDR for First Class.

How do I pay for my train ticket? 💵

There are multiple ways to pay for your ticket, namely:

• QRIS
• Indonesian bank transfer
• e-Wallet (GoPay, OVO)
• Credit or debit cards
• Cash in retail locations

My Whoosh train experience (Jakarta to Bandung) 🚄

We were traveling as a group, and purchased the tickets as groups as well (be aware that they cap the number of tickets you can buy per person!). After securing our seats and downloading the necessary QR code, we were ready for our journey.

The first station is located by the Halim Perdanakusuma airport. Fortunately there is a carpark available, though the crowded condition means that you’d be fighting for a spot during weekends or public holidays.

We came to the train station 30 minutes before the scheduled departure, with our tickets ready. After waiting for a little while, we scanned our QR codes to get inside the boarding hall. You simply have to pay attention to your platform and traincar numbers on the ticket and get into the correct one. The train was still very new and it was great to see the still-pristine interior!

The nice seats and facilities ensure that you are comfortable sitting there with WiFi and USB charging ports. For emergency conditions, it is also equipped with good safety system. It has emergency braking system and lightning protection, a necessity in Indonesia’s tropical climate.

The journey itself was divided into two legs; the Whoosh train to Padalarang station and a transfer to the feeder train that will take you directly to Bandung city center. The first leg on the fast train was very organized and comfortable, and everyone will have assigned seats.

The feeder train, in my opinion, was way worse. This was especially apparent when it gets crowded in the afternoon. Sadly there were no assigned seats on the feeder train, so after scanning the same QR code in our Whoosh tickets we just rush in to hopefully score a seat.

Fortunately, I managed to snag one just fine during our early morning departure, but the crowd ballooned up horribly during our return trip and we had to stand in the crowded aisles.

Where will I get off in Bandung?

Do not worry, you won’t end up in the middle of nowhere! The feeder train from Padalarang station will stop smack dab in the center of Bandung. You can easily grab a taxi, use online transportation (see the available apps here), or public transportation (though I do not personally recommend this for tourists).

Any attractions or food I should try nearby? 🎡

Yes, I’m so glad you asked! Here are some legendary coffee shops, restaurants, and attractions nearby, recommended by real-deal Bandung dwellers:

Coffee Shops

1. Warung Kopi Imah Babaturan: An old school coffee shop that serves cheap and delicious coffee and food. Imah Babaturan itself means “a friend’s house”! They are legendary for their cumi sambel ijo (squid with green chilies) and oseng sapi asap (stir-fried smoked beef).
2. Jabarano Coffee: A hip hang-out spot owned by the charismatic Governor of West Java, Kang Emil. Jabarano Coffee serves a variety of beverage and food choices in a spacious setting right by Jalan Braga. I really, really liked their Matcha Latte! Much better than Starbucks’ version.
3. Warung Kopi Purnama: A traditional kopitiam with long history, this coffee shop serves good coffee, light bites, and plenty of nostalgic charm. Get your kaya toast, dip it in your half-boiled eggs, and reminisce on a bygone era.

Restaurants

1. Warung Nasi Ibu Imas: Classic Sundanese food with plenty of spice! If you are looking for a place where the locals go- this is it. Evidently it does get quite crowded, so plan your visit accordingly.
2. Gormeteria: Western and asian fusion food in a modern, artsy setting.
3. Pandan Wangi: Famous for their terong raos and Sundanese fare (fried battered eggplants with sweet and spicy glaze). Keep in mind that it can get VERY packed- so come early!
4. Paskal Hypersquare: They have an outdoor food market filled with many food choices! Some famous selections are satay, roti bakar (thick toasts with fillings), and batagor (fried fishcakes and tofu). For a comfier setting with AC, pick a restaurant inside the mall.

Attractions

1. Jalan Braga: A must-go for first-time visitors. Jalan Braga is a historic street filled with both old and new shops beckoning your wallet.
2. Museum Asia Afrika: Historic Art Deco building showcasing collection from the Asia Africa Conference.
3. Balai Kota (town hall): Where the locals hang out! If you enjoy people watching in the local scene, the town hall is the (free) place to be.
4. Aroma Coffee: This family-run coffee roastery is a longtime legend in the Bandung scene. Get some coffee beans as souvenirs!
5. Lembang: if you’d like cooler temperatures, rent a villa in Lembang! The locals had warned me that the traffic there has gotten worse though- make your trip on off hours or during the lighter weekday traffic.

In conclusion, the Whoosh train is a time and cost-effective way to head to the city of Bandung from Jakarta. Above all, the train only takes 45 minutes (a godsend in Indonesia’s traffic condition) and drops you off in the middle of the city. Enjoy your trip to Bandung! 🌸

P.S. = While you are traveling in Indonesia, check out this guide on the free apps you should download and this honest review of attractions in Bali! Are these places truly overrated?

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