Eid al-Fitr, also known as Lebaran, is a special occasion eagerly awaited by many, as it marks the time to return to one’s hometown. It is no surprise that homecoming travel becomes extremely busy in the days leading up to the celebration.
However, heavy traffic should not take away from this special moment. By wisely choosing the right time and route for your homecoming trip, you can still enjoy a pleasant and comfortable journey back to your hometown.
Here are some tips you can follow to determine the best time and route for your homecoming trip.
The Best Time to Travel Home
Everyone has their own preferences regarding the right time to start traveling home. However, there are several factors to consider, including the following.
1. Favorite Time for Homecoming Travelers
Based on the results of a survey conducted by the Ministry of Transportation’s Transportation Policy Agency (BKT Kemenhub) regarding public movement during the 2024 Eid homecoming period, these are the most and least favorite times for travelers.
- 07.00 – 09.59: 30,51%
- 04.00 – 06.59: 18,54%
- 19.00 – 21.59: 11,18%
- 10.00 – 12.59: 10,66%
- 16.00 – 18.59: 10,34%
- 13.00 – 15.59: 6,88%
- 01.00 – 03.59: 6,83%
- 22.00 – 23.59: 5,05%
From the survey results, you can estimate how many vehicles you’ll encounter on the road. For example, if you and your family leave during the popular travel times, between 7:00 AM and 9:59 AM, you’re likely to encounter traffic jams.
Meanwhile, if you depart at the least popular times for homecoming travelers, namely 22.00 – 23.59 or 01.00 – 03.59, the homecoming traffic will probably be quieter because there are fewer vehicles on the road.
2. Is it better to walk in the morning or at night?
Logically, leaving early in the morning after eating sahur is probably better because your body is in a more optimal state and in line with your biological clock. This way, you’re less likely to feel sleepy on the road.
Additionally, in the morning, the streets are more visible because the sun is still shining brightly. This is compared to the evening, when many streets are dark and rely solely on streetlights.
However, that doesn’t mean traveling at night after breaking the fast isn’t a good option. For those of you who can handle staying up late or even staying awake at night, starting your journey at night is very advantageous because it can avoid traffic jams.
Apalagi, kamu juga bisa menikmati perjalanan mudik sambil makan dan minum karena tidak berpuasa. Ini membuat badan menjadi lebih segar dan tidak lemas.
3. Choose the Best Day
- A few days before Eid
Most people choose to travel home four or five days before Eid because they can travel at a more relaxed pace. However, many people don’t return until three or two days before Eid because they’ve just received their allotted time off from work.
- The night of the last day of Ramadhan
Many people also return home the night before Eid al-Fitr. This is because the roads are already quiet, especially if most of the journey takes place on toll roads.
- Eid Day
After Eid al-Fitr prayers and when people begin to ask for forgiveness, many travelers begin their journey back to their hometowns. This is usually done by those whose hometowns are not too far away and can be reached within a few hours.
- After Eid
If Eid prayers in your hometown aren’t a priority, then going home one day before Eid could be an option. Besides being a great way to avoid the traffic jams, you’ll be able to meet your family back home feeling fitter, rather than exhausted from being stuck in traffic.
Choose the Best Homecoming Route
Different hometowns have different routes to choose from. However, here are some tips to consider when choosing the best homecoming route.
1. Adjust to Vehicle Type
Of course, the route for travelers traveling by motorbike will be different from that of travelers traveling by car.
If the car user is not using a toll road, then look for information about the width of the road that will be used, whether the road has an up and down contour or not, and make sure the road can be passed by car.
This is because many roads in the area may only be passable by motorbikes, not cars.
2. Pilih Rute Arus Mudik yang Aman
One of the most important factors when choosing a homecoming route is to choose a familiar one. This way, when traveling along that route, your journey will be safer because you’ll already be familiar with the roads you’ll be traveling along.
Also, ensure the road is free from crime and natural hazards, such as landslides or flooding. It’s okay to take a detour, as long as you and your family arrive safely home.
3. Don’t be shy to ask questions
For those of you who are going home for the first time, besides looking for the necessary information yourself, don’t hesitate to ask people who regularly go home to their hometowns every year.
They can provide valuable information based on their personal experience, especially regarding which routes are best, which ones to avoid, and tips for dealing with unexpected situations that may arise during the trip.
4. Pay attention to the weather
A few days before you start your trip home, check the weather conditions in your destination. Check whether it’s raining frequently or is it the hot season. You can download a weather app to your phone to use throughout your trip.
Knowing the weather conditions is important because it is closely related to the condition of the road you will be passing.
During the rainy season, roads are at risk of flooding or even landslides. However, during the hot season, the roads become drier, which can cause vehicle engines to overheat.
Then, don’t take the risk of going home if the weather is bad because it can hinder your trip and increase the risk of accidents.
Use Your Profits While Going Home
If your business remains open during the holidays but you decide to go home, don’t worry. Now you can use the Labamu app to monitor your business to ensure it’s running smoothly.
The Employee feature in the Labamu app can help you ensure your store is operating safely and is free from fraud, even when you’re back home. There’s also the Reports feature, which allows you to check comprehensive and easy-to-understand sales reports anytime, anywhere.
So, besides ensuring you stay safe during the upcoming homecoming rush, you can also ensure your business can continue operating safely using the Labamu app. Download it now on Google Play or the App Store!
