Jakarta. Indonesians marked the Isra Mi’raj holiday on Friday by visiting religious sites, tourist attractions, and returning to their hometowns, triggering heavy crowds at public spaces, transport hubs, and major roads across Java and beyond.

The long weekend significantly boosted domestic travel. At Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, authorities recorded 147,613 passengers as of Friday morning and early afternoon, comprising 77,410 departures and 70,203 arrivals. Passenger traffic was concentrated at Terminal 2 for domestic flights, with long queues at check-in counters. Popular routes included Denpasar, Medan, Surabaya, Makassar, and Balikpapan.

One traveler, Syafwat, who flew from Bandung to Banjarmasin for a semester break, described the airport as busy but orderly. He advised fellow passengers to prepare for possible delays due to weather conditions.

Rail transport experienced a similar spike. Yogyakarta Station served 25,911 passengers on Friday, a 26% increase from normal days. State railway operator KAI added four extra trains to accommodate demand on major routes to Jakarta, Surabaya and Malang. In Jakarta, more than 30,000 passengers departed from Pasar Senen and Gambir stations, while arrivals reached about 25,000. Favorite destinations included Yogyakarta, Semarang, Surabaya, Purwokerto and Bandung. 

Road traffic also intensified as many people chose to drive out of town. Vehicle volumes on the Jakarta–Cikampek toll road surged from early Friday, prompting police and toll operator Jasa Marga to implement contra-flow traffic arrangements toward Cikampek. Congestion was observed from West Karawang to East Karawang, with thousands of vehicles heading toward Trans-Java routes and the Cipularang toll road. Jasa Marga estimated that around 288,000 vehicles would pass through the Cikampek Utama toll gate during the holiday period.

Traffic jams were also reported in the Puncak highlands of West Java, a popular weekend destination. Long queues stretched more than four kilometers from the Jagorawi toll road exit toward the Gadog intersection. Police recorded about 3,300 vehicles entering the area between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., far above normal levels. Authorities enforced an odd-even license plate system and alternating one-way traffic to manage the flow.

In Jakarta, leisure venues remained busy. The Planetarium at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) in Central Jakarta operated under special arrangements for the holiday. Visitors queued as early as 8 a.m., despite shows starting in the afternoon. Tickets were sold exclusively on-site, with each session capped at 200 viewers and daily shows reduced to three.

Since reopening on Dec. 25, 2025, after a major revitalization, the Planetarium has seen rising visitor numbers. Online tickets for regular days are reportedly sold out through Jan. 18. Ticket prices remain affordable at Rp10,000 for the general public, while students can enter for free until March 2026.

Tourist attractions also saw a surge in visitors. Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) in East Jakarta drew thousands of people seeking to spend the long weekend outdoors. TMII Corporate Secretary Agdya Yogandari said around 6,000 visitors had entered the park by midday. Families were seen strolling through green areas, sampling regional cuisine, and attending cultural performances. Light rain fell in the afternoon, but it did little to dampen enthusiasm. TMII is hosting a series of events through Jan. 18, including traditional dance shows, culinary festivals, and guided tours.

In Tangerang, Banten, families and local residents flocked to the newly inaugurated Al-Ikhlas Mosque in the PIK 2 area. Visitors gathered from nearby districts as well as Jakarta, arriving by motorcycle and private cars. Many took selfies around the mosque’s courtyard and interior, while others observed Asr prayers or read the Quran.