Must-Try Indonesian Ride: Unforgettable Experiences for Every Traveler!

After my adventure in Malang, I had initially intended to head straight to Yogyakarta for the sake of convenience. However, the allure of a 270-degree panoramic train experience, which is exclusively available from Surabaya, was too tempting to pass up. So, I decided to first hop on a bus from Malang to Surabaya, and from there, I embarked on the scenic train journey to Yogyakarta.

The sunlight shines into the carriage, surrounded by scenery, and any view is absolutely beautiful. The important thing is this experience, a rare chance not to think about where you are going, just quietly looking out of the window, enjoying the unknown landscape scroll that belongs to you.
I sat on the right side, Figure 1 shows the view from the left side of my seat, Figures 2-4 show the view from my right side, and Figure 5 is the view from outside before boarding.

[Recommend] Ticket purchase method (Figure 6 is the ticket)
➡Online ticket purchase:
Download the Traveloka app, select “trains” on the homepage (Figure 7), then (Figure 8) set the departure station as Surabaya, the arrival station as Yogyakarta, the date, and click search, (Figure 9) scroll down, find Argo Wilis Panoramic and click to enter.

Follow the prompts to fill in passport information and pay, (Figure 9) credit card payment is available, the ticket price is 700,000 Indonesian Rupiah, with an additional service fee of more than 20,000 Rupiah.
➡Offline ticket purchase: Locate Gubeng Railway Station on Google Maps (Figure 10), enter through the small path on the right side of the parking lot exit and walk straight, first see “arrival” then “departure”, keep walking until you see the ticket office.

Clearly tell the counter staff which day, which train, and which seat you want to buy, or open Traveloka and show them, payment can be made by card or cash, no service fee is charged.
➡Tip 1
It is recommended to book tickets online in advance during peak season, and during off-peak season, you can arrive in Surabaya one day in advance and buy tickets at the station offline, saving the service fee, and also getting a feel for the place in advance, avoiding wasting time on the day of travel because you can’t find your way.

The traffic in Surabaya is not very pedestrian-friendly, and it’s easy to get lost.
[Recommend] Seat selection
It is recommended to choose seats towards the back, the view is super good! The front row has a slightly limited view. As for left or right, when buying tickets offline, ask the staff, she said the train will change direction, so it’s hard to say which side has a better view.

On the way, you can see the Suro Islamic Mosque (Figures 11-12), on the right side of the train’s direction (corresponding to seat numbers A or B), listen carefully to the station announcements, they will remind you when approaching.
[Recommend] Departure
Following the route for offline ticket purchase, find “departure”, show your ticket to the staff, and they will guide you to board the train.

[Recommend] Other
➡The only downside: It sways much more than Chinese high-speed trains, but it’s still acceptable.
➡Air conditioning: The air conditioning is normal, but if you’re cold-sensitive, it’s still recommended to bring a jacket.
➡Meals: Breakfast, drinks, and snacks (Figure 14) and one main meal (Figure 15) are provided, you can also order coffee from the attendant, but only hot.