Eid isn’t just a festival—it’s a homecoming, a pilgrimage of the heart. After a month of fasting, patience, and prayer, millions embark on one of the greatest human migrations of the year.
This journey is joyful—a long-awaited reunion with parents, grandparents, and childhood memories for some, for others, it’s an obstacle course of sold-out tickets, endless traffic jams, and overbooked flights. Whether by plane, packed train, or hours on the road, the desire to be home is all that matters.
In Indonesia, the homecoming tradition is called mudik. This massive exodus sees millions of Indonesians leaving urban centers to return to their hometowns. The scale of mudik is monumental; in 2024, it was estimated that around 193 million people, or 71% of the population, participated in this tradition.
The journey is often fraught with challenges. Major roads and highways become heavily congested, leading to traffic jams that can last for hours. Despite these hardships, the spirit of mudik remains resilient.
The Indonesian government has taken steps to improve the experience, such as implementing free homecoming programs and enhancing transportation infrastructure. In 2024, a survey revealed that the public satisfaction rate for mudik reached 89%, indicating significant improvements in the overall experience.
Book cheap flights to Indonesia on Wego
Malaysia
In Malaysia, the tradition of returning home for Eid is known as balik kampung, which translates to “return to the village.” Millions of Malaysians leave urban centers to reconnect with family and celebrate the festive season. With about 70% of Kuala Lumpur’s 1.6 million population originating from other parts of the country, this period witnesses a massive migration that transforms highways into bustling arteries of travel.
Motorists embarking on balik kampung journeys often face challenging conditions. Traffic congestion is a common issue, with peak periods leading to severe delays. Journeys that typically take four hours can extend to 12 or more as millions of vehicles fill the roads, especially when holiday breaks fall immediately before or after weekends.
The Authorities have intercepted thousands of vehicles attempting unauthorized travel in the past; for example, over 3,000 vehicles were ordered to turn back after trying to cross state borders without proper documentation in 2020. Despite these challenges, the festive atmosphere prevails, as families eagerly await reunions and traditional celebrations that make the long journey worthwhile.
