Indonesia’s first high-speed train, Whoosh, has seen a remarkable increase in international passengers throughout 2025.
According to data from PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), the operator of the service, 335,681 foreign tourists traveled on the Whoosh line between January and October 2025, representing a 65.3% jump compared with 203,071 passengers recorded during the same period in 2024.
Since its launch in October 2023, the Whoosh service has carried a total of 600,958 international passengers, marking it as one of the country’s most prominent transport achievements in recent years.
KCIC’s General Manager of Corporate Secretary, Eva Chairunisa, described the rising number of international passengers as a strong indicator of Whoosh’s growing reputation as a modern symbol of Indonesia.
“The increase in foreign passengers shows that Whoosh is not only a fast mode of transportation but also the new face of Indonesian tourism. International visitors can now enjoy safe, fast, and comfortable travel between Jakarta and Bandung.” Eva said on Tuesday (November 4), as quoted by BeritaSatu.
Top Markets: Malaysia, Singapore, and China
Among foreign travelers, Malaysia remained the largest market with 264,569 passengers, accounting for 44% of total international users. Singapore followed with 68,470 passengers (11.4%), and China ranked third with 53,892 passengers (9%). Other key source markets included Japan (28,881 passengers) and South Korea (19,729 passengers).
Most foreign travelers use the Whoosh service for both leisure and business trips, taking advantage of its efficiency to explore or conduct meetings across the Jakarta–Bandung corridor—an area increasingly promoted as a dynamic tourism and investment hub.
Boosting Regional Tourism
To further strengthen tourism along the Whoosh route, KCIC continues to collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, local governments, and industry stakeholders.
Initiatives include travel fairs, Whoosh Group Reservations, and familiarization trips for international travel agencies and media outlets. These efforts aim to simplify group travel arrangements and attract more global visitors to Bandung Raya and Greater Jakarta.
KCIC stated that the partnership strategy aligns with Indonesia’s broader tourism goals, especially in promoting sustainable and accessible travel. The high-speed train not only improves connectivity between key destinations but also supports local economies through greater visitor mobility.
Eva added that KCIC remains optimistic about the continuing growth of international passengers in the coming years.
“With world-class service and increasing global recognition, Whoosh is poised to play an essential role in the growth of Indonesia’s tourism and creative economy,” she concluded.
The Whoosh high-speed train, which connects Jakarta and Bandung in just 36 minutes, continues to redefine intercity travel in Indonesia. As international awareness rises, the service is expected to strengthen the nation’s image as a leader in modern infrastructure and tourism innovation across Southeast Asia.
Source: BeritaSatu, KataFoto
Photo Credit: katafoto/HO/Humas KCIC
