For millions of Indonesians, mudik is more than a seasonal migration. It is an annual ritual of return, a crossing of seas and islands driven by longing, duty and the promise of reunion.
Ahead of the 2026/1447 Hijri Eid al-Fitr holiday, state-owned ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry says it is moving to make that journey smoother and more affordable, introducing fare discounts and a temporary single-tariff scheme on some of the country’s busiest sea crossings.
The policy, part of a broader government effort to manage the annual homecoming surge, will run for 20 days from March 12 to March 31, 2026. It covers 14 ports and seven regular and express routes, with a total stimulus budget of 35.55 billion rupiah.
ASDP estimates the program will directly benefit more than 403,000 passengers and 945,000 vehicles, equivalent to roughly 2.4 million travelers when accounting for passengers traveling inside vehicles.
Cutting Port Fees to Ease Costs
Rather than lowering base ticket prices, the company is offering a 100% discount on port service fees, which account for around 21.9% of total ferry fares on average.
The incentive applies to several key inter-island crossings, including:
- Merak–Bakauheni (Regular and Executive, round trip)
- Ketapang–Gilimanuk (round trip)
- Lembar–Padangbai (round trip)
- Kayangan–Pototano (round trip)
- Tanjung Uban–Telaga Punggur (round trip)
- Ajibata–Ambarita (round trip)
- Sape–Labuan Bajo (round trip)
The discounts apply to pedestrians and passenger vehicles, though eligibility differs between regular and executive services. On regular services, pedestrians, Class II and Class IVA vehicles qualify. On executive services, the incentive applies to pedestrians and Class II vehicles.
The measures are anchored in a joint ministerial decree on traffic management during the Eid holiday and a directive from the Director General of Land Transportation governing fare adjustments on the heavily trafficked Merak–Bakauheni route.
A Single Tariff for Peak Crossings
In a further step aimed at preventing bottlenecks, ASDP will temporarily remove the price distinction between regular and express services on the Merak–Bakauheni route, Indonesia’s main maritime gateway between Java and Sumatra.
The single-tariff policy will apply:
- March 13, 12:00 WIB to March 20, 15:00 WIB for departures from Merak Port
- March 23, 00:00 WIB to March 29, 12:00 WIB for departures from Bakauheni Port
During these windows, executive service fares will be aligned with regular service fares for pedestrians and passenger vehicles.
Operational patterns at docks will also be adjusted, meaning travelers will be assigned ships and piers according to traffic management needs rather than personal schedule preferences. The aim is to streamline vessel turnaround and maintain steady traffic flow during peak departure days.
ASDP President Director Heru Widodo described the move as part of a coordinated national effort.
“Through the stimulus and single tariff, we want to ensure that the 2026 Eid homecoming travel will be more orderly, affordable and smooth,” he said.
“This reflects collaboration between the government and state-owned enterprises to provide safe ferry services while easing the public’s burden.”
Digital Booking Push
To reduce congestion at ports, ASDP is urging travelers to book tickets in advance via its Ferizy platform, available up to 60 days before departure.
Corporate Secretary Windy Andale said the company is strengthening its ticketing system, conducting public outreach and coordinating closely with stakeholders to monitor uptake of the stimulus program.
Tickets are issued digitally via WhatsApp or email, with cashless payment options designed to speed up processing and discourage last-minute purchases at port entrances.
Passengers are required to purchase tickets before arriving at ports, travel strictly according to their scheduled departure time, and ensure all personal data is correctly submitted to avoid delays.
Managing a National Migration
Indonesia’s Eid homecoming exodus is one of the world’s largest annual movements of people, testing transport networks across land, sea and air.
For ASDP, which operates some of the country’s most strategic ferry routes, the challenge is not merely logistical but symbolic. Each vessel that departs during mudik season carries more than passengers, it carries expectations.
With fare relief and simplified pricing, the company hopes to turn what is often a congested and costly journey into a more predictable passage home.
Because for millions crossing the Sunda Strait and beyond, the voyage is only part of the story. The real destination is waiting on the other side.