As the end of Ramadhan nears, Indonesian Muslims began the mass exodus, with millions setting their course to celebrate Idul Fitri with their parents and relatives back home.

During the exodus, which this year is predicted to reach its peak on July 25 through 27 as Idul Fitri is expected to fall on July 28, travelers pack the roads, railroads, sea-lanes and the sky on different modes of transportation.

It’s time of the year when they have to deal with being on congested roads for hours on end.

Take the journey from Jakarta to Bandung as an example. On an average day, a trip from Jakarta to the neighboring Bandung takes two to three hours by car, but during this time of year it may take five to eight hours just to reach the town.

Those who opt to travel by train might not experience the traffic, but many would have been forced to vie for tickets months beforehand.

Some people prefer to fly despite the soaring air fares for the trip back home.

Despite all the sweats, the number of people joining the annual exodus continues to increase year after year.

The Transportation Ministry estimates that around 28 million people will join the annual exodus this year, up 7 percent from last year. Over half of the travelers will use public transportation.

Out of the total, most of them are using land transportation services — 23.8 percent drives their own cars, 21.5 percent on motorcycles and 23.7 percent on bus. The remaining travelers are taking train, plane and passenger ship.

They all show enthusiasm to return to the warmth of togetherness awaiting them at their childhood homes.

They will be able to get together with the extended family and old friends, enjoy homemade ketupat (compressed rice dish cooked in diamond-shaped packets made from plaited coconut fronds), opor ayam (chicken curry), sambal goreng ati (fried chicken liver with diced potato and beans) and Lebaran cookies.

But most importantly, mudik may also be a perfect time to relive traditional values and the simplicity of life.

On the move: Passengers wait for their flights at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten on Friday as people return home to celebrate Idul Fitri. (JP/Jerry Adiguna)

Fun ride: Comedians entertain travelers returning home via buses provided by PT Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) at Senayan complex, Jakarta on Wednesday. (JP/Ricky Yudhistira)

For the money: A man carries stones to prevent cars from rolling back on the busy Nagreg ring road hill section connecting Bandung to nearby Garut in West Java on Friday. (JP/Arya Dipa)

As the end of Ramadhan nears, Indonesian Muslims began the mass exodus, with millions setting their course to celebrate Idul Fitri with their parents and relatives back home.

During the exodus, which this year is predicted to reach its peak on July 25 through 27 as Idul Fitri is expected to fall on July 28, travelers pack the roads, railroads, sea-lanes and the sky on different modes of transportation.

It'€™s time of the year when they have to deal with being on congested roads for hours on end.

Take the journey from Jakarta to Bandung as an example. On an average day, a trip from Jakarta to the neighboring Bandung takes two to three hours by car, but during this time of year it may take five to eight hours just to reach the town.

Those who opt to travel by train might not experience the traffic, but many would have been forced to vie for tickets months beforehand.

Some people prefer to fly despite the soaring air fares for the trip back home.

Despite all the sweats, the number of people joining the annual exodus continues to increase year after year.

The Transportation Ministry estimates that around 28 million people will join the annual exodus this year, up 7 percent from last year. Over half of the travelers will use public transportation.

Out of the total, most of them are using land transportation services '€” 23.8 percent drives their own cars, 21.5 percent on motorcycles and 23.7 percent on bus. The remaining travelers are taking train, plane and passenger ship.

They all show enthusiasm to return to the warmth of togetherness awaiting them at their childhood homes.

They will be able to get together with the extended family and old friends, enjoy homemade ketupat (compressed rice dish cooked in diamond-shaped packets made from plaited coconut fronds), opor ayam (chicken curry), sambal goreng ati (fried chicken liver with diced potato and beans) and Lebaran cookies.

But most importantly, mudik may also be a perfect time to relive traditional values and the simplicity of life.