Tegal is on the North Coast Route trunk road (Jalur Pantura). From the west, a tolled motorway connects Jakarta, 275 km (171 mi), and Cirebon, 75 km (47 mi), with Tegal. The toll ends at Tegal's western outskirts. To the east, the trunk road continues to the provincial capital Semarang, 160 km (99 mi).

• -6.86735109.14261 Tegal railway station (in the center of the city). The station serves about 15 trains per day from Jakarta, and a similar number from Semarang (many of them originating in East Java). There are also three trains a day from Purwokerto, and one from Bandung (via Cikampek). 

• -6.8725109.10762 Tegal bus terminal. Numerous intercity economy and executive buses from Jakarta and Semarang. (updated May 2020)

There are some online ride-hailing apps such as Gojek. You may choose to go by motorcycle or car.

• Glotak, a spicy dish made from gembus (Javanese tofu dregs).
• Kue pia, mung bean pastry.
• Nasi bogana, rice with side dishes wrapped in banana leaves.
• Olos, tapioca starch batter snack.
• Rujak teplak, boiled veggies with cassava sauce.
• Sate Tegal or Sate kambing muda (young goat or mutton satay)
• Sauto is soto, the widely available clear broth soup, but with the addition of fermented soybeans (tauco) giving a delicious umami hit. Widely available.
• Tahu aci (fried flour-filled tofu)
• Tahu pletok (fried flour-filled tofu)

• -6.936109.1251 Sate Batibul Bang Awi, Jl Raya Ujung Rusi 11, Adiwerna, ☏ +62 283 344-8049. daily 09:00-23:00. This is goat satay made from kids under three months old (the name batibul is from di bawah tiga bulan = below three months), a specialty of Tegal. (updated Nov 2017)
• -6.874937109.1275622 Kupat Glabed Randugunting, Jl. Ayam No.26, Randugunting, Tegal Selatan. Tu-Su, 17:30-22:30. Serves kupat glabed, rice cake with tempeh in gravy. It is served with satay. (updated Nov 2022)