blog.cat.transportasi7 min read·
Lempuyangan Station: Economy Trains Guide
Lempuyangan Station is Yogyakarta's oldest train station, now the hub for economy-class trains. Its history, services, access, and facilities.
Lempuyangan Station, coded LPN, stands on Jalan Lempuyangan No. 1, Bausasran subdistrict, Danurejan District, Yogyakarta City. It sits about 1.3 kilometers east of Tugu Station, along the boundary between Gondokusuman District to the north and Danurejan to the south, and roughly 1.5 kilometers northeast of the Malioboro area.
Built on land of about 45,000 square meters and sitting at 114 meters above sea level, the station has eleven active tracks that make it one of Indonesia’s busiest. The reservation counter opens from 07.30 to 19.30 WIB, with long-distance economy trains, agglomeration trains, and the Yogyakarta Commuter Line running throughout the day.
Walking Through Yogyakarta’s Oldest Station, Still Bustling
Stepping into Lempuyangan Station, visitors are greeted by a hall with a high roof and the still-preserved architectural details from Nederlandsch Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij days. A signboard near the entrance marked +114 meters shows the station’s elevation, while announcements of arriving trains alternate with the bustle of vendors at the outer kiosks. Unlike Tugu with its polished colonial atmosphere, Lempuyangan feels more grounded and everyday, in keeping with its historic role as the economy-class hub.
The station complex includes a main building for offices and ticket sales, a train hangar, two signal towers, a warehouse, a mosque, small kiosks, restrooms, and two crossing keepers’ huts. Parts of the east and west wings have been added and renovated over time, but the main structure inherited from 1872 remains intact. From here, tracks running east to west connect Yogyakarta with Semarang to the north and Java’s southern line all the way to Surabaya in the east, following the station’s original function of transporting sugar-mill goods to the Semarang port in the late 19th century.
An 1872 History, Passenger Numbers, and a Varied Fleet of Trains
Built by the Nederlandsch Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij and officially operating from 2 March 1872, Lempuyangan Station predates Tugu by fifteen years. The main type-B building originally covered just 259 square meters and was constructed on land owned by the Yogyakarta Palace. After decades of operating as a goods station, its function expanded in the early 1900s to serve passengers, initially only on the Yogyakarta–Semarang route. It now falls under PT Kereta Api Indonesia Operational Region VI.
PT KAI data recorded 2,492,942 passengers boarding and alighting at Lempuyangan from January to October 2024, placing it ninth among Indonesia’s busiest stations. The trains that stop here vary widely, from Java southern-line economy class to mixed-class routes. Bogowonto with executive and premium economy runs the Lempuyangan–Pasar Senen route via Purwokerto and Cirebon Prujakan, while Gajahwong covers the same route in priority, executive, and economy classes. Gaya Baru Malam Selatan serves the Pasar Senen–Surabaya Gubeng route in executive and economy, while the Yogyakarta Commuter Line stopping here connects Kutoarjo in the west to Palur in the east.
The eleven tracks are each assigned specific roles. Tracks 3 and 4 are straight-through tracks toward Yogyakarta, track 5 is for intercity arrivals, track 6 is for freight-train stops, and tracks 7 through 9 park cement-train sets that come in from the east via a unique line running to Balai Yasa Pengok, Java’s largest railway workshop. Balai Yasa Pengok itself is linked to Lempuyangan through a track that cuts through housing complexes and blends with kampung alleys.
Around Lempuyangan Station
- Malioboro & Kilometer Zero — about 1.5 kilometers southwest — Yogyakarta City’s iconic street with batik vendors, angkringan food stalls, and historic buildings.
- Beringharjo Market — about 1.7 kilometers — A legendary traditional market since 1758, with the most complete batik and souvenir selection.
- Sonobudoyo Museum — about 2 kilometers — An archaeology and Javanese cultural museum with wayang, keris, and Mataram artifacts.
- Tugu Jogja — about 1.8 kilometers northwest — The iconic landmark of Yogyakarta City at the northern end of the Philosophical Axis.
Final Thoughts
Lempuyangan is not Tugu’s overshadowed sibling, it is the first train gateway that opened Yogyakarta to Java’s rail network and still carries most economy-class traffic into the province. For travelers relying on long-distance economy trains to reach Yogyakarta, this station is a more realistic choice than Tugu, with the Malioboro area still within reach by andong, becak, or a short ride-hailing trip.
FAQ: About Lempuyangan Station
What is the official code and address of Lempuyangan Station?
The station code is LPN, at Jalan Lempuyangan No. 1, Bausasran, Danurejan, Yogyakarta City.
Which trains stop at Lempuyangan Station?
Economy-class and mixed-class intercity trains on Java’s southern line such as Bogowonto, Gajahwong, and Gaya Baru Malam Selatan, plus the Yogyakarta Commuter Line.
How far is Lempuyangan Station from Tugu Station?
About 1.3 kilometers west from Lempuyangan to Tugu Station.
How far is Lempuyangan Station from Malioboro?
About 1.5 kilometers southwest, usually a 5 to 10-minute trip by ride-hailing, becak, or taxi.
When did Lempuyangan Station officially begin operating?
Since 2 March 1872 by the Nederlandsch Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij, making it the oldest train station in the Special Region of Yogyakarta.