4D/3N Backpacking Bromo & Ijen Without A Tour (Part 8) : Banyuwangi – Probolinggo Business Class Train Ride

 Good Bye Kawah Ijen, hello Mt. Bromo!! Our East Java highlights backpacking journey continued on the iron horse, chugging tirelessly on the rickety railway tracks. Due to time constraint, we skipped the free breakfast provided by Kg. Osing Inn, Banyuwangi and made a mad dash to the train station to catch the morning train. 😛

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Classy, But Costly Train Ride to Probolinggo

So, how was it like to travel on a Business Class train in East Java? Here is my honest review. 😀 The facilities and service provided in this class was slightly better, however as expected, the price of the food and everything else is doubled of those in the Economy Class.

Take for example the fried rice a.k.a nasi goreng we had on both train classes. It was the same fried rice. It tasted the same. It even had the same ingredients in it. The only difference is that one was served in a plastic food container with plastic cutlery for Rp.17,000 @ Economy Class, whereas another was served on a porcelain plate with stainless steel cutlery for Rp.27,000 @ Business Class! Just take a look at the two photos below. In other words, it is same-same, but different, if you get what I mean. 😉

The presentation of the fried rice a.k.a nasi goreng served in Business Class was more appealing, but eating it on the moving train without the support of a table is just ridiculous! The porcelain plate and stainless steel cutlery was heavy. 🙁 Eating from it became a juggling/balancing act. For this reason, foods served in plastic food containers seem to be a better, more convenient option.

 

A Sense Of Privacy & Peace Of Mind

The seats in the Business Class were slightly more comfortable and nicely decorated. Both the temperature and the atmosphere in the berth was cooler, and it smells better too, but the most obvious thing is the seats were facing in the same direction, and there were less people on board which gave us more privacy as compared to travelling in the Economy Class. 🙂

There was nothing much to do on board the train except to enjoy the scenic views as we passed by East Java villages, green paddy fields, lush forests and plantations. Throughout the journey, we were approached by friendly train attendants offering food and drinks. There were even pillows and blankets for rent too!

A point to remember when travelling Business Class on the train in East Java or anywhere else for that matter, and that is to keep your ticket with you at all times for there will be officers on duty doing their rounds, making sure that there are no free-loaders on board. To sum it up, we had a smooth and safe journey travelling from Karangasem, Banyuwangi to Probolinggo, East Java.

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