Source: Instagram/thejourneyyogya
Yogyakarta has always been a national and international tourist magnet. From Malioboro and the Keraton to Prambanan Temple, the city offers an unparalleled cultural and historical experience. It's no surprise that every day, thousands of travelers enter through its main gateways, such as YIA Airport, the local KRL or Prameks lines, and intercity trains from Jakarta's Gambir Station.
However, many brands often overlook a crucial fact: they are too focused on placing ads in generic urban spots, while Yogyakarta's train stations offer a highly strategic transit point with massive exposure. Thousands of eyes see, stop, and even directly interact at these locations. Unfortunately, many brands are still missing this golden opportunity.
For a traveler, the most authentic moment often occurs right after they get off the train. When the train doors open, the audience is in an active phase, ready to absorb their new surroundings. This is the perfect moment to leave a strong visual impression.
Creative advertising at a station isn't just seen; it becomes a part of the travel memory. A great example is the giant "Jumbo" character balloon installation that was set up at the east gate of Yogyakarta's Tugu Station from June 18 to June 30, 2025. This installation didn't just grab attention—it became a welcoming icon for tourists.
According to a VP of Public Relations at KAI, the purpose of such creative installations is to create a friendly, fresh, and memorable atmosphere, especially since the location is near Malioboro, a prime target for tourists. This shows that station advertising is not just a display, but an integral part of the travel narrative.
Source: Instagram/iniyogyakarta credit to Instagram/nuansyah_
To understand the immense advertising potential at stations, you need to look at the flow of arriving passengers. There are at least three main routes that ensure Tugu and Lempuyangan Stations are always packed with visitors.
YIA Airport - Tugu Station: Since 2021, the Airport Railink serves up to 50 trips per day with a travel time of around 35 to 39 minutes. This route ensures that both domestic and international tourists are directly and easily connected to the city center.
Local Routes (KRL/Prameks): The Prambanan Express (Prameks) serves the Yogyakarta - Kutoarjo route as a commuter train, operated by KAI Commuter. Meanwhile, the Solo - Yogyakarta KRL service provides around 12 departures in each direction daily, becoming the top choice for students, workers, and domestic tourists.
Jakarta Gambir - Yogyakarta: This executive route caters to national passengers with long-distance mobility. This line dominates the flow of premium tourists from the capital to the heart of Javanese culture. Executive routes like Taksaka operate about 3 times a day with a travel duration of about 6 hours and 8 minutes. Generally, trains from Jakarta to Yogyakarta depart every 3 hours with an average travel time of around 6 hours.
Yogyakarta has two main stations that are central to its train mobility, both of which have distinct characteristics that affect their advertising potential.
Tugu Station: Located in the heart of the city, just a step away from Malioboro, Tugu Station serves premium and intercity trains. Its audience consists of tourists, business professionals, and passengers with high purchasing power.
Lempuyangan Station: Known for its historic colonial architecture, Lempuyangan Station serves economy and local trains. Its demographic is more diverse, ranging from students to the general public. While not as luxurious as Tugu Station, Lempuyangan still holds a unique potential for reaching a broad audience.
Also read: Out-of-Home Advertising in Jakarta: The Smart Strategy for Modern Brands to Appear in the Real World
When it comes to advertising effectiveness, the front gate of Yogyakarta's Tugu Station is a location that is difficult to beat. Thousands of passengers pass through this area every day, making it an unavoidable point of concentrated attention.
Forced Attention: All passengers must go through this path, making it impossible for them to miss your ad.
Quality Traffic: The audience consists of high-mobility individuals, including tourists, businesspeople, students, and residents.
Strategic Position: It acts as the first and last "host" to greet the audience in Jogja. Its direct connection to Malioboro further adds to its value.
Tugu Station is not just a place for a regular billboard. Here, advertising creativity can be showcased in various formats:
Giant "Jumbo" Balloon: An iconic installation that leaves a lasting impression.
Premium Billboard at the Entrance: Provides a large visual that greets the audience directly.
LED Screens in the Waiting Area: Brand messages appear dynamic and modern.
Activation Booths: A space for direct interaction between the brand and consumers.
The goal isn't just to show an ad, but to create a visual landmark that sticks in the memory of passengers.
Also read: Creative and Effective Billboard Ad Ideas: Bring Them to Life with City Vision
Source: City Vision
Why Choose City Vision for Your OOH Ad Campaign?
Exclusivity: City Vision provides access to a limited number of premium ad slots, instantly positioning your brand as a prestigious and high-end player in the market.
Unskippable Ads: With ads placed in the most vital pathways of transit hubs, your message is impossible to miss. This ensures guaranteed exposure to a captive audience that is highly receptive to visual stimuli.
Brand Authority: By appearing in modern and trusted transit facilities, your brand's presence elevates its image, signaling dominance and reliability to a wide audience.
User-Generated Amplification: City Vision's unique installations, like the iconic "Jumbo" balloon, encourage travelers to take photos and share them on social media, providing your brand with invaluable digital amplification and extended exposure.
City Vision doesn't just provide advertising space; it creates an experience that seamlessly integrates with a traveler's journey. From the entrance and waiting areas to the exit, every point is curated to support a brand's narrative.
With City Vision, your ad isn't just seen—it becomes a part of the special moments of a traveler's arrival and departure. Ensure your brand is a part of their first impression.
Also read: Out-of-Home Advertising in Jakarta: The Smart Strategy for Modern Brands to Appear in the Real World
While both of Yogyakarta's train stations hold their own potential, if your goal is to reach a premium audience with maximum exposure, Tugu Station is the clear answer.
The choice is now yours: do you want to simply be seen, or do you want to truly make a lasting impression and be remembered? With City Vision, your brand won't just be present—it will dominate the cultural gateway of Yogyakarta. Contact the City Vision team today!
