Meal service on buses in Indonesia is a common facility provided to passengers during their journey. Typically, the cost of the meal is included in the ticket price, allowing passengers to enjoy a meal at a designated restaurant stop without needing to make an additional payment.
However, this practice is not common outside Indonesia, as seen in a TikTok video by @fi_markey, who appeared surprised upon receiving a free meal while travelling on a long-distance bus in Indonesia.
“POV: You take an overnight bus in Indonesia for £6, and they stop at midnight for a free dinner.”
This was the caption of the video, which shows him enjoying a bowl of soto at a restaurant late at night before reboarding the bus.
@fi_markey who knew buses in indonesia were all inclusive !! #traveltips #recommendations #traveltiktok #asia #foryoupage❤️❤️ #fyp ♬ Funny – Gold-Tiger
“Who knew buses in Indonesia were all-inclusive!!!“ he wrote in the caption.
The video garnered a significant number of comments, with many stating that free meal service is a common feature on Indonesian buses.
“That’s actually the meal included in your ticket price 😂. It’s just so affordable that they also provide some snacks and coffee. Enjoy it and have a nice trip,“ one user commented.
Another added, “Everything is cheap in Indonesia. Enjoy!”
This has led some travellers to wonder: how is it that such an affordable bus ticket includes a meal?
Various Meal Services on Indonesian Buses
In Indonesia, bus transportation is categorised into three types of services: AKAP, AKDP, and AJDP. But what differentiates them?
- AKAP (Antar Kota Antar Provinsi) refers to inter-provincial buses that travel between cities located in different provinces.
- AKDP (Antar Kota Dalam Provinsi) covers routes between cities within the same province.
- AJDP (Antar Jemput Dalam Provinsi) is a shuttle service operating within regencies or cities of a single province, using public passenger vehicles that follow a fixed route. AJDP services are regulated by the relevant provincial government.
While not all bus operators offer free meal services, long-distance buses will generally stop at least once at a restaurant for a meal break. The meal service varies depending on the operator, with some offering buffet-style dining, food counters, or menus from which passengers can order specific dishes.
The buffet options depend on the restaurant and the package arranged by the bus operator, with meal selections ranging from dishes with animal protein and vegetables to more basic offerings. Some operators also provide fixed-menu options, allowing passengers to choose from meals such as fried rice, soup, or meatballs.
Most long-distance bus operators in Java include meal service in the ticket price. Some routes, particularly those from Jakarta to East Java, involve longer travel times and therefore offer two meal services.
For shorter routes, such as from Jakarta to cities in Central Java, Yogyakarta, or parts of East Java, buses typically provide a single meal. These meal services are generally available on AC VIP to Super Executive class buses.
