Indonesia's homecoming rush has begun, ahead of celebrations marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan this weekend.

More than 120 million people are expected to travel for the holidays, after pandemic restrictions were lifted for the first time in four years.

Muslims are believed to comprise more than 80 percent of Indonesia's 270 million people. Government agencies and many companies are closed from Wednesday so that their staff can return to their hometowns.

Crowds thronged a railway station in the capital, Jakarta, as people boarded long-haul trains. Police set up a temporary base there to prevent confusion, and the Red Cross also deployed medical support staff.

Authorities believe the country's COVID situation is stable, so they lifted travel restrictions this year. Indonesia confirmed around 1,300 new cases on Tuesday.