It was my first experience to go to Java without my family. I went to Malang only with my friend. We didn’t really plan it but we made it in the end. Just another short escape.
As the title, we travelled to Malang from Bali by train. I really wanted to try to travel by train again after years. While my friend has never been travelling by train before and he was also very curious. I checked that we can use a train to Malang from Banyuwangi, of course not from Bali.
I booked the ticket via https://www.kai.id/. I should have departed from Banyuwangi Baru Station at 5:00 AM. It was so early and the only available train. My mother told me that I have to leave Denpasar before 12:00 AM as I need to take a ferry to be in Banyuwangi. I finally arrived in Gilimanuk Harbour around 10:00 PM. We parked the motorbike at the parking area under a canopy, close to BNI ATM and the locket of the walking guests. The place is safe enough. There were some other people also park the bikes there. In the end, after I left the motorbike for 4 days, we didn’t pay more, only once when we entered the harbour. I think it was only IDR 2,000.
We bought the ferry ticket on the spot. Don’t worry, the locket is open 24hours and will always be available. The ticket was only IDR 6,000 per person per way. So we spent only IDR 24,000 for two way and two persons. We were so lucky that the ferry departed 30 minutes after that. Then, in another 30 minutes, we arrived in Ketapang Harbour.
It is only 10 minutes walk from Ketapang to Banyuwangi Baru Station. We stopped by in the closest convenience store for 10 minutes then walked again to the station. The station was opened one hour before the train arrived. So, we have to wait in the terrace with all mosquitos for about 2 – 3 hours.
The station was nice enough, clean and modern. When it opened, we just needed to print out the boarding pass by using the standing machine like you do it in the airport and no long queue needed. I found that was really amazing and super customer friendly. So many changes and improvement happened since the last time I used this type of public transportation. I was amazed. Anyway, the train ticket was IDR 62,000 per person per way.
I was also amazed when I entered the train. It was clean, Air Conditioned, stewardess available and there are two plugs to charge your mobile phones. The last time I used a train, it was so dirty, smelly and many sellers inside.
We departed at 5:00 AM. It took about 6 hours to reach Malang Kota Lama Station.
Finally, we reached Malang but we got off at Malang Kota Baru Station instead.
We have booked a motorbike and rented it out for 4 days. I rented it here: http://rentalmotordimalang.com/. It was IDR 75,000 per day including 2 helmets and 1 raincoat. But I suggest renting another raincoat as it was not enough and wouldn’t be convenient to share one raincoat like what I did. The supplier brought the motorbike to the station or to the place that you wanted without any extra charge. And when you wanted to return it, they will come to pick up the motorbike.
We went to Batu straight away by the help of Google Maps. So easy and accurate enough.
We stayed in Batu for 2 nights and followed by one night in Malang City. We visited the places of interest there, like Batu Night Spectacular, Batu Secret Zoo, Jatim Park 2, the old but gold Selecta, Museum Angkot, Jodipan and many more. Of course, we also explored the iconic culinary spots there.
It was a short, close and super fun holiday. The most important thing is I did enjoy the trip.
mawmaw mawar 