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How to get from Jakarta to Pangandaran
Pangandaran is a laidback town in West Java that has only recently gained popularity among foreign tourists. If you’re looking for a serene vibe and an intimate look into local Javanese life, you can definitely find those here.
Pangandaran offers unspoiled and calm beaches – from white to black sand – that transformed this quiet fisherman town into a booming hotspot. It also doesn’t hurt that just 40 km west of Pangandaran is Batu Karas, which offers the same laidback mood but with the addition of good swells!
When travelling the 360 km distance from Jakarta to Pangandaran, you have 3 options: you can take the train for 9.5-10 hours, the bus for 10 hours, or a flight for 2 hours. Fares range from $7 (105,000 IDR) to $110 (1,700,000 IDR).
3 ways to get from Jakarta to Pangandaran
The train is a comfortable way to travel from Jakarta to Pangandaran. Keep in mind that the train travels only up to Banjar Station, from where you need to take an additional bus ride to Pangandaran. The journey takes around 9.5 to 10 hours and total fares start from $7 (105,000 IDR).
The only direct way to travel from Jakarta to Pangandaran is by bus. It’s also another cheap option for this route, with fares from $10 (150,000 IDR). However, it’s neither the safest nor the most comfortable for the 10-hour journey to Pangandaran.
If you want a quick way to get to Pangandaran, you can take a 1-hour flight to Cijulang Airport, plus a 1-hour ojek ride to Pangandaran. It’s the most expensive option with fares from $110 (1,700,000 IDR). Note that flights are available only on select days.
Tip: Continue your journey from Pangadaran to Batu Karas
To make the most of your visit to this region, we highly recommend continuing your journey to Batu Karas. Especially if you’re a surfer, you will love the vibe and the breaks here!
You can travel 40 km from Pangandaran to Batu Karas in just 2 easy steps. First, take a bus from Pangandaran town centre to Cijulang. The bus ride takes about an hour and costs $0.60 (10,000 IDR).
From Cijulang, you can take an ojek (motorcycle taxi) to travel the remaining 10 km to Batu Karas. Ojek fares range from $6.50 (100,000 IDR).
Alternatively, you can take a taxi directly from Pangandaran to Batu Karas. Taxi rates start from $16.50 (250,000 IDR).
Want to travel straight to Batu Karas? Make sure to check out this dedicated route guide from Jakarta to Batu Karas.
Itinerary from Jakarta to Pangandaran
Jakarta to Pangandaran by Train
A cheap way to travel from Jakarta to Pangandaran is by train. There are no direct trains on this route though. You can take the train only up to Banjar, about 65 km away from Pangandaran.
From Banjar, it’s a 2-hour bus ride to Pangandaran. Total fares start from $7 (105,000 IDR) for the 9.5 to 10-hour journey.
Step 1: Jakarta to Banjar by Train
Only two trains operate from Jakarta to Banjar daily, departing at 09:30 and 20:50 from Pasar Senen Station in Central Jakarta.
It takes 7.5 to 8 hours by train to Banjar Station. Only economy seats are available for this route, which cost $4.30 (65,000 IDR).
Train schedule from Jakarta to Banjar
Step 2: Banjar to Pangandaran by Bus
From Banjar, you can take a bus to Pangandaran. Two bus companies on this route are Budiman and Sonny Prima. These buses both originate from Tasikmalaya, pick up passengers in Banjar, and then head to Pangandaran (and Cijulang for those going to Batu Karas).
The first bus departure from Tasikmalaya is at 06:00 and there are buses available every one to two hours until 19:00.
You can board the bus at Banjar Bus Terminal, located 3 km from the train station. It’s also possible to hail the bus on the street near the train station.
Fares for a non-airconditioned bus from Banjar to Pangandaran start from $2.70 (40,000 IDR). Travel time is about 2 hours.
The bus makes a stop at Pangandaran Bus Terminal before continuing its journey to Cijulang. At the terminal, you can take the traditional becak to your accommodation with fares from $1.30 (20,000 IDR). If you already know where your hotel is located, you can also just get off the bus near your hotel.
Jakarta to Pangandaran by Bus
The only direct way to travel from Jakarta to Pangandaran is by bus. You don’t have to worry about transfers, but it’s a long journey that isn’t the most comfortable.
One of the bus companies on this route is PO Gapuraning Rahayu. Ticket prices start from $10 (150,000 IDR) and you can expect a departure every hour from 06:30 to 18:30.
Departure and arrival station
Buses depart from Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal in Jakarta city centre. You can get off the bus early if your hotel is along the highway.
Otherwise, the last stop is Pangandaran Bus Terminal. From here, you can take the traditional becak to your destination. A ride costs from $1.30 (20,000 IDR).
Jakarta to Pangandaran by Flight
There are two nearby airports from Pangandaran: Cijulang Airport and Cilacap Airport.
Susi Air used to offer flights from Jakarta to both airports. However, the last time we checked (April 2023), only flights to Cijulang Airport are available.
The flight from Jakarta to Cijulang takes only an hour. Then, it’s an hour’s ride to Pangandaran by taxi or motorcycle taxi (ojek).
Step 1: Jakarta to Cijulang by Flight
The nearest airport to Pangandaran is Cijulang Nusawiru Airport (CJN), located 25 km away. While this airport is closer to Batu Karas than Pangandaran, it is still a short trip from the airport to Pangandaran.
Susi Air is the sole airline on the Jakarta to Cijulang route, with the flights departing from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Central Jakarta. Note that these flights are only on select days, usually Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
The flight from Jakarta to Cijulang takes an hour and a ticket costs $105 (1,600,000 IDR).
Note that Susi Air uses a small 12-seater aircraft, so seats can sell out fast. Also, allowed free luggage is only up to 10kg. If you’re bringing a surfboard, you have to pay extra.
Step 2: Cijulang to Pangandaran
Pangandaran is about an hour away from Cijulang Airport. You can check your accommodation if they offer private pick-up from the airport. Otherwise, taxis are also available outside, and rates start from $16.50 (250,000 IDR).
A cheaper option is a motorcycle taxi (ojek) for about $6.50 (100,000 IDR), but we only suggest this if you don’t have heavy luggage or a surfboard with you.
Alternative option: Jakarta to Pangandaran via Cilacap Airport
Another airport near Pangandaran is Cilacap Airport, about 80 km away.
The last time we checked (April 2023), Susi Air stopped operating flights to this airport.
There used to be flights from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta to Cilacap Airport, departing at 08:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
The journey was about a little over an hour, and fares were around $100 (1,540,000 IDR).
Also here, you can ask your accommodation to arrange a private pick-up beforehand. By taxi, travel time to Pangandaran takes about 2 hours and fares start from $30 (445,000 IDR).
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
