Some time ago, I travelled to Bandung and decided to return home by Panoramic Train, which has recently become popular among travellers. According to the information, this KAI Wisata product will provide a unique experience for its users. After trying it, I found several things to consider before choosing the Panoramic Train to ensure your trip is as enjoyable as possible. Remember that the price is much higher than that of other types of trains.
The Panoramic Train is an innovation from PT KAI that offers a different and more luxurious travel experience than regular trains. With large floor-to-ceiling windows, comfortable seats, and premium facilities, travelling from Bandung to Jakarta or vice versa can now be more relaxed and enjoyable.
Tips For Riding The Bandung Jakarta Panoramic Train
Based on my personal experience some time ago on the route from Bandung to Jakarta, to maximize your experience, here are some important tips that you should pay attention to before riding the Panoramic Train.
1. Book Your Tickets Early
Because the schedule and carriages of the Bandung-Jakarta Panoramic Train and vice versa are still limited, and currently only one carriage is available, tickets sell out quickly. In addition to the limited number of carriages, departure times are also limited. Currently, trains only run in the morning, afternoon, and evening. This means that they are not available every hour.
Moreover, the Panoramic Train is currently in high demand, so it's best to book your tickets before departure. Tickets can be booked through the KAI Access app, the official KAI website, or online ticket booking platforms. You can also choose the best seats to enjoy your trip by booking early.
2. Best Seat Selection
Your seat choice determines your comfort and the view you will see during the trip. Here are some tips for choosing seats on the Bandung-Jakarta route.
If you travel from Bandung to Jakarta, choose seats in rows A or B on the left side to enjoy the best view. Rows A or B offer all the best views and historical sites. Of course, a window seat in row A is the right choice because it has a panoramic window.
Choose even-numbered seats like 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 to get a wide window, whether on the A B side or the C D side. Yesterday, sitting in an odd-numbered seat meant the window was cut off, so I couldn't see the view freely and maximally.
Seating position also affects comfort, as not all seats are oriented in the same direction as the train's movement. So, pay attention to the seat position when booking. Make sure when booking the Panoramic Train from Bandung to Jakarta, choose rows A or B with even numbers, such as 2A or 2B, 4A, or 4B, and so on.
3. Arrive Early at the Station
Arrive at the Station at least 30-45 minutes before departure time, especially if you are unfamiliar with the Bandung station area or are carrying a lot of luggage. Large stations such as Bandung Station or Gambir Station can be crowded, especially on weekends.
Arriving early allows you to check the departure schedule, find the boarding gate for the Panoramic Train, and enjoy the station atmosphere without rushing. Most importantly, you will not miss this luxurious train. Moreover, if you leave early, you can document everything about the Panoramic Train, whether it is taking photos or videos of the exterior, interior, and more, especially for you, content creators. It is important to take some footage.
4. Choose the Best Departure Time
As of October 2025, the Bandung-Jakarta Panoramic Train route, or vice versa, has only four departures per day according to the KAI Akses schedule. From Bandung, the departures are at 05:00 a.m., 10:25 a.m., 02:54 p.m., and 09:54 p.m.
The best options for seeing the Bandung cityscape are 10:25 a.m. and 2:54 p.m. Alternatively, if you want to enjoy the Bandung sunrise while enjoying the beauty of Bandung’s morning scenery, choose the 5:00 a.m. departure. Moreover, if you want to enjoy the beauty of Bandung while also catching the Jakarta sunset, take the 2:54 p.m. departure.
Yesterday, I chose the 10:25 a.m. departure because I would arrive in Jakarta at night if I took the 2:54 p.m. departure. 10:25 a.m. is the best weather condition, even though it will feel hot when the windows or roof of the Panoramic Train are opened. However, that is the fun part.
However, for those travelling with children or the elderly, you can opt for the front or back seats. You can also ask the staff to close the roof windows if it gets too hot. But consider the other passengers.
For those travelling with children or elderly passengers, you can choose the front or rear seats. You can also ask the attendant to close the roof window if it gets too hot. But consider your front or rear passengers; if you are sitting in the middle, they may prefer to have the roof window open. This is because the roof window is designed to extend over two rows of seats.
5. Take Advantage of Premium Facilities
The Panoramic Train offers various facilities such as comfortable reclining seats, USB ports for charging, spacious seating areas, seats that can be moved back, and large windows to enjoy the view.
This includes a spacious lavatory for Panoramic passengers, equipped with premium amenities, making it very comfortable. Unfortunately, this lavatory is not yet separated between male and female. Don't forget to keep the lavatory clean after you use it. Leave the lavatory as clean as you found it.
6. No need to bring lots of snacks and drinks
There's no need to bring too many drinks for the 3-hour Bandung-Jakarta route. In addition to having a restaurant area, this luxury train provides a snack box, mineral water, energy drinks, and a hot drink such as coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. You can enjoy these snacks and drinks throughout the journey.
7. Bring sunscreen
If you choose to depart during the day, bring facial protection, such as sunscreen. Even though the room is air-conditioned, the side windows and roof are glass, so the sun's heat can still be intense and feel hot on your face or body. So protect your skin by bringing sunscreen.
8. Prepare a Camera or Smartphone to Capture the Moment
Travelling by Panoramic Train is perfect for photography enthusiasts or content creators like us. The natural scenery, vast sky, and modern interior design can be interesting photo subjects to capture. Especially for those who love nature photography, having your camera or smartphone ready is a must.
If you depart early in the morning at 5:00 a.m., you will also witness moments such as the sunrise. If you are travelling from Bandung to Jakarta, you can enjoy the Jakarta sunset by taking the afternoon departure, as the train will arrive in Jakarta around 6 p.m.
9. Wear Comfortable Clothing
Although the atmosphere inside the train is quite comfortable, wearing clothing suitable for sitting for hours is still important. Choose loose-fitting and not too thick clothing for the daytime train. The heat enters the Panoramic Train when the roof windows are opened. By wearing comfortable clothes, you can relax and enjoy the trip without distractions. Also, avoid wearing shoes or clothes that are too tight.
10. Make the Most of Your Travel Time
The Panoramic Train is perfect for both vacations and business trips. The calm atmosphere and comfortable seats allow you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Bandung. In my experience, after Cikampek Station, the train enters an industrial area, and the roof windows are completely closed. You can rest or work during the rest of the trip. Alternatively, if you want to relax, you can listen to music, read a book, or enjoy the view without any distractions.
11. Follow the Rules and Etiquette While on the Train
As a premium train, all passengers must respect each other and maintain mutual comfort. If you are listening to music, use earphones and keep the volume down. The Panoramic Train environment tends to be quiet and peaceful. If you are travelling with friends or family, try to speak softly to avoid disturbing other passengers.
12. Take care of the environment during the trip
Be a savvy traveller by not littering or leaving food or drink containers behind during the train trip. Dispose of trash in the provided bins and keep your seat clean. At some stations, staff will be specifically assigned to collect trash.
Remember to finish your food, unplug your laptop or smartphone when it's fully charged and not in use, and use water or tissues in the lavatory as needed.
When purchasing tickets, you can use the KAI Access app from KAI. You don't need to print out your ticket when checking in; you can check in using the barcode in the app. This way, we are contributing to environmental sustainability.
My thought
The Panoramic Train is ideal for those who want to enjoy the journey from Bandung to Jakarta or vice versa in a more relaxed and classy way. Following the tips above, you can maximize your comfort during the trip and create an unforgettable experience.
Has anyone tried the Panoramic Train from Bandung to Jakarta? How was the experience? Feel free to share in the comments section.
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