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How to get to Ketambe

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Travelling from Medan or Berastagi

Medan is a chaotic city and most travellers tend to pass through as quickly as possible. It is however, considered one of the great food meccas of Asia and worth spending a couple of days exploring restaurants, warungs and street stalls throughout Medan if you're a foodie. It also has a number of historic temples to visit and several large shopping malls if you need to pick up supplies before coming to Ketambe. 3 and 4 star hotels are relatively inexpensive and there are cheaper backpacker accommodation options too. Feel free to ask for recommendations within your budget.

While you are in Medan you should take cash out from an ATM to cover all your costs while in Aceh. Since 2020 only Sharia banks and ATMs are allowed to operate in Aceh and it's no longer possible to use international bank cards in local ATMs. Throughout Aceh most businesses prefer cash and the majority do not have card payment facilities, so it's best to take more than needed and avoid getting caught out.

Kualanamu airport to Medan city

If you arrive at Medan's Kualanamu airport before 9am, it’s possible to travel to Ketambe via public transport in the same day (depending on traffic!). Take the ALS shuttle bus to Simpang Pos OR the Damri (big blue bus) to Carrefour shopping centre. Each costs 40.000rp per person. Tell the driver where you would like to get off and they will tell you when it’s your stop. From there, you need to take a becak (motorbike with passenger side cart) to “Loket BTN” for the public bus or to “Komplek Citra Garden” across the road from the share taxi office. Becak drivers like to haggle, but you shouldn’t pay more than 10-20.000rp for this short 1-3km trip.

Bus to Ketambe

The BTN mini-buses leave when full in the morning, with the last one leaving before lunch time. If you miss that, they also have an overnight bus leaving at 10pm and 11pm - but it will not be a comfortable night’s sleep. A ticket to Kutacane will cost 70-80.000rp and the trip takes 6-8 hours.

When you arrive in Kutacane you will need to take the labi-labi (pickup truck with a roof) to Ketambe. Generally the sight of a foreigner in Kutacane will have people shouting ‘Ketambe!?” at you, and they will show you where the labi-labi is. The hour journey from here to Ketambe costs around 20.000rp per person. The last one leaves at 5pm, and there aren’t any decent places to stay in Kutacane, so it’s best to allow plenty of time.

Travelling to Ketambe by bus is not for the faint of heart. With 4 changeovers the journey will take anywhere from 10-20 hours and cost around 150.000rp for one person. You'll also need to know a little Indonesian to discuss prices. If you're travelling in a group or have luggage I would definitely recommend taking a share taxi or private car. But for the adventurous solo traveller it can still be a thrilling challenge!

Share taxi to Ketambe

A share taxi is a more comfortable option and can take you direct to Ketambe. CK Travel Wisata is across the road from Komplek Citra Garden and is the only company that goes direct to Kutacane. They also only leave in the mornings about 10 or 11am, and then again at 10pm. It can be challenging to get to their office from the airport (follow steps above to get to Carrefour via Damri bus, then becak to CK Travel Wisata on Jalan Jamin Ginting). Otherwise Safar can arrange airport pickup and travel all the way to Ketambe village for 350.000-400.000rp per person if arranged prior to arrival .

Private car to Ketambe

Private taxis can be booked through Safar direct to Ketambe. This is the fastest way to get there and for groups of 3 or more the best option. The driver can pick you up from your accommodation in Medan or directly from the airport. A private car one way to Ketambe carrying up to 4 passengers will cost 1.3-1.6 million rupiah, depending on pick up location and time.

Bus via Berastagi

Staying a night or two in Berastagi beforehand can make the trip easier. Public buses from Simpang Pos to Berastagi run all day, so it wont matter when you arrive. From Berastagi you can ask the receptionist at your guesthouse/hotel where to catch the BTN bus to Kutacane.

Travelling from Banda Aceh

From Banda Aceh to Ketambe is a 2 day journey by bus. It’s possible to take a direct 17 hour bus that passes through Takengon and Belangkejeren before Ketambe and then on to Kutacane. Most buses will stop in Takengon overnight. Up in the mountains and a little cooler, Takengon has a gorgeous lake and excellent coffee, so not a bad place to spend a night or two. Bus trips the full distance will cost 200-300.000rp per person

Susi Air used to fly a route Banda Aceh to Kutacane, on Mondays, Fridays and every second Wednesday. Currently this service is not available as it's rumoured to be changing carriers.

Where to Stay in Ketambe

There are 6 different guesthouses currently open in Ketambe, and one more 2km away within the national park. They are Pondok Wisata , Thousand Hills , Friendship , Sadar Wisata , Pak Mus , Wisma Cinta Alam and Gurah Guesthouse . Each has individual rooms or bungalows ranging in price from 50.000rp to 200.000rp per night. Gurah Guesthouse is a few km past the village. The oldest (Wisma Cinta Alam) has been open for over 20 years and the newest (Thousand Hill) only 8 years.  Friendship and Pondok Wisata have both recently had renovations done.

Each guesthouse will have a restaurant or provide set meals, and each will have guides attached that they would prefer you trek with. The guesthouse owners make extra from this, as they provide the equipment and hire the guides. The prices will be similar, but in this case the guides make less money. If you have not pre-booked a guide before arriving, expect to be offered packages from the accomodation.

In 2022 we will be opening an ecolodge just outside of Ketambe . Checkout the blog to follow along with our ecolodge building progress .

Meeting with Safar

If you arrive to Ketambe with enough time to spare, it’s always nice to meet and chat with your guide before you’re out the door and on your way. It also gives you a chance to ask any extra questions you might have. Without internet or a local phone it can be difficult to arrange a time to meet, but if Safar is expecting you and not in the jungle with other guests, you can always take a short walk down the road and meet at his house - or he can meet you where you are staying.

On the morning of your trek, after breakfast and packed for adventure, you can store your big luggage here or at the guesthouse where you are staying.

There is no ATM in Ketambe, so to avoid a day trip to Kutacane and back it’s a good idea to bring enough rupiah with you. Paying before the trip is preferred so Safar and his porter can buy food and supplies. If you decide to extend your trip, add a night trek or want to give a tip, this can be paid for at the end of the trek.

Safar can be reached whenever he’s not on a trek by whatsapp +61435 010 395, Facebook messenger or by chatting to someone in the guesthouse who can call him.

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Trip to include Medan, Berastagi, Danau Toba and Ketambe - North Sumatra Forum

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Trip to include Medan, Berastagi, Danau Toba and Ketambe

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Sorry to ask this, but the more research for our month long trip i do, the more I get confused.

Which is the better route by public transport (most probably shared kijang if possible for each leg).

2. Medan to Berastagi to Danau Toba to Ketambe.

I don't know if the public transport from Medan to Danau Toba goes through Berastagi (if so we would visit here first) or goes via Tebingtinggi and Pematangsiantar (If so then Danau Toba first)

Dear Infoaddict,

There is no direct public transport from Berastagi to Parapat (Danau Toba). Please be aware that public transport is not a shared kijang or shared taxi. Public transport is by public bus, L300, minivan or angkot.

You can consider the following routes and transport.

Shared taxi, including stop at Si Piso Piso Waterfall, from Berastagi to Parapat.

From Parapat ferry to Tuk Tuk, Samosir

From Tuk Tuk with Angkot to Pangururan

From Pangururan with public transport to Ketambe

Alternative:

From Medan with public transport to Parapat.

Parapat – Samosir – Tuk Tuk – Parapat. (Ferry)

Parapat – Berastagi with shared taxi

Public transport from Berastagi to Ketambe

HORAS !!! HORAS !!! HORAS !!!! WELCOME TO LAKE TOBA

Thank you both for your replies.

Horas - your posts have provided many hours of enjoyment so far and I still have lots to read.

Sambalgoreng we have at last found a trip that you have done that we haven't :)

However we now have option 3 that Pamela has kindly provided (courtesy of a PM).

This does seem to make more sense as we will then not be worrying if we will make it back from Ketambe to Medan in time to catch the last flight at 20:25

Any comments on this route?

Whilst we have journeyed around Borneo & Indonesia for the last 2 holidays, I still get confused between all the various modes of transport. Just in Sulawesi we had pete pete, mikrolet and angkot, which we found to be generally all the same and OK for local journeys.

But what is the difference between shared taxi, shared kijang, L300, minibus and travel?

I know from crossing Flores last year that all drivers like to see if they can burst your eardrums with their sound system, whilst all the male passengers have their own chainsmoking competition. This leaves the women free to throw up into plastic bags and then fling them out the window in an effort to hit what we call suicide dogs (you know the ones that lay in the road and only move when they realize they are going to lose)

Horas - Do you happen to know what the public transport options are from Pangururan to Ketambe?

In Medan, travel is also called taxi. Travel/taxi is 7-seats per car (1 next to driver, 3 behind driver, 3 last row). Passengers book per seat so it is shared (you can book the whole vehicle if you want). Travel/taxi are Kijang, Innova, Avanza etc brand of car . L300 is small bus/minibus or van type vehicle, about 11 seats or more, not as comfortable as travel but cheaper. From Tomok, other than angkot, you can get travel/kijang or minibus to Pangururan. Maybe Bapak Horas can confirm this. From Pangururan you can get to Berastagi by minibus. Berastagi to Kutacane you can get travel or minibus. Part of the road is bad. If you take travel, driver can drop you at the accomodarion of your choice in Ketambe. If you take minibus by BTN or Karsima, it ends in Kutacane. You take becak to angkot terminal at the market then angkot to Ketambe. Tell driver the name of your accommodation in Ketambe and he drop you in front of it. A tip, the last row of seats in travel or minibus is least comfortable.

A question, is Pamela's suggestion via Pangururan then transfer in Kabanjahe not Berastagi to Kutacane?

Hi Everyone,

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2194026

Other experiences relating to travelling in the area are

http://hittnthetrail.blogspot.com.au/2010/01/ketambe-indonesia.html

http://travellingamandablog.wordpress.com/2013/05/27/using-the-princess-card-in-ketambe-talking-to-goats-in-blankenjeren-and-poo-coffee-in-takengon/

Hope these above links might be of some use to anyone reading.

Let me go through the different observations and questions one by one.

I second the option 3 suggestion of Pamela. Should have thought about it myself.

Angkot is smaller than Minivan, next to the driver one seat for two passengers. In the back two rows where you face each other. Comfortable space for 6 people, so the Angkot seats in total 10 or a few more, if with children.

Minivan (Angkot) from Tomok to Pangururan. Two seats next to the driver seats 3 people. Three rows in the back for 4 people, so the total number of passengers is 15. It can be quite a few more when passengers also go for sitting on top of the Minivan upto 10. It is maybe not very comfortable, but the view is better.

L300 sometimes also called Eltor. This one seats very comfortably 11 to 12 passengers, but it can easily carry 15 to 20. As said all these modes of transportation are full smoking, full AC – full video (meaning no doors and open windows)

The route Tomok – Pangururan is only operated by Minibus (called Angkot). From Tuk Tuk walk to Simpang Tuk Tuk where you flag down the Angkot to Pangururan. Make sure that the destination of this Angkot is Pangururan and does not have Ambarita or Tolping as its final destination. It safes a little bit of time and money to take the direct Angkot to Pangururan. There is no travel/kijang from Tomok to Pangururan.

From Pangururan to Kutacane (see referenced threads Pamela) the transfer point is Sidikalang, not Kabanjahe or Berastagi.

Last year for a couple of months there was a regular service, Ketambe – Kutacane to Tuk Tuk via Sidikalang and Pangururan operated by Pribumi. This bus started early morning from Ketambe (most likely Kutacane) and reached Tuk Tuk at about 21.00 h.

The next day it followed the same route back. I don’t see the Pribumi bus anymore these days.

From what I hear from guests (which I meet during my sunset beer in the Warung) coming with public transport to Tuk Tuk from Ketambe about 7 out of 10 get stuck in Sidikalang, as the regular Angkot service Sidikalang – Pangururan stops at about 16.00 h in the afternoon. Also for reason that especially when it is raining even the best crazy racing star F1 drivers are not to keen on negotiating Tele Hill in the dark.

HORAS !!! HORAS !!! HORAS !!! WELCOME TO TUK TUK

No more PO Sumber Sari, PSN or STT from Tomok to Pangururan? No more PSN minibus Pangururan to Berastagi? If no more, I am sorry give you wrong info. AFAIK if you want to go by travel/taxi or Karsima or BTN you go Berastagi to Kutacane. I am sorry I did not realise you not going to Berastagi.

I just did that exact trip in January 2014, feel free to read my blog for tips! Good luck!

http://ersteerfahrung.wordpress.com/

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11 Things to do in and Around Medan — these will make you want to fly to Medan in a heartbeat

At 1.5 hours away from Singapore by flight, Medan and its surrounding regions make an ideal getaway whether you’re looking to indulge in gastronomic adventures or breathtaking sights. Read on to uncover inspiration for your next long weekend getaway .

Living in Singapore, we’re pretty blessed that beautiful destinations are less than a 3 hour flight away. Take Medan for one, at just 1.5 hours away, it was the perfect destination to get our dose of good food, inspiring natural sights and to pamper ourselves in some of the most luxurious yet affordable accommodations .

Read also: 5 day Medan and Lake Toba Itinerary

In this list, we’ll be covering sights within Medan city as well as epic sights just a few hours drive away.

Within Medan:

1) indulge yourself at a jw marriott for under s$100 a night.

While a night in JW Marriott Singapore costs more than S$400, you can indulge in a luxurious night at a much more affordable rate (under S$100) in Medan. With 5-star service and amenities, there really isn’t a reason to stay somewhere else. Those willing to splurge a little more on the rooms can be rewarded with an insane view of the city.

2) Have breakfast at the locals’ favourite Duck Noodle place — Bihun Bibek Aise

Just ask any local and you’ll be wowed at the amount of food recommendations they can rattle off the top of their heads. One of the more popular Chinese eateries here is Bihun Bibek located just a 15 minute stroll from JW Marriott , we got here early to find the entire eatery packed.

Cost: Rp65,000/bowl (~S$6.5) Opening Hours:  6:30AM – 11AM (They sell out pretty early!) Address:  Jl. Kumango, Kesawan, West Medan, Medan City, North Sumatra 202212, Indonesia

3) Satisfy your durian cravings any time of the day — Si Bolang Durian

Cost: Seasonal rates Off season: Rp.60,000 – 95,000/kg or S$6 – 9.50/kg Peak season: Rp.15,000 – 25,000/kg or S$1.50 –2.50 Opening Hours:  24 hours Address: Jalan Iskandar Muda No.75 C-D

From Chinese cuisine to 24-hour durian shops, you can spend an entire day eating 6 meals and you still would not have scratched the surface of food gems in this city. Check out Day 4 of our Medan Itinerary for more details.

4) Visit the home of Medan’s most prominent Chinese merchant — Tjong A Fie Mansion

This unassuming 2 storey mansion belonged to a Hakka merchant in the 1900s. Walk in and you’ll be amazed at the architecture and design of this century-old mansion, delicately preserved to its original glory.

There are 35 rooms altogether and one of his grandsons still lives in a closed-off section of the compounds For Rp35,000 (~S$3.50), you’ll get to tour some of the grandest rooms like the ballroom, the dining area and Tjong A Fie’s personal bedroom which is easily bigger than 3 modern day bedrooms in Singapore.

Entrance Fee:  Rp.35,000 (~S$3.5), includes a guided tour Opening Hours:  9AM – 5PM Address : Jalan Jendral Ahmad Yani VII No.105

Around Medan:

5) check in to a room with panoramic views of lake toba — taman simalem resort.

At 1200m above sea level, Taman Simalem Resort makes a popular getaway for the local Medan-ese as it offers a cool escape from the warm bustling city. That aside, it’s also one of the best places to experience the beauty of Lake Toba, also known as the largest volcanic lake in the world.

The resort itself offers many activities that will make leaving its compounds a difficult mission; take a yoga-class on the hills over-looking Lake Toba, sign up for a  jungle trek  or just sit back and pamper yourself with a  relaxing Indonesian massage or Ayurvedic treatment .

6)  Catch the most beautiful sunrise overlooking  Lake Toba — One Tree Hill

In fact, I dare say it’s probably one of the best places to catch the sun rising above Lake Toba. Feast your eyes as the darkness recedes to reveal the gorgeous caldera. On clearer days, you might even spot the island Pulau Samosir — the world’s largest island within an island.

7) Pulau Samosir: Explore the largest island in the world within a volcano

At 640 square kilometres, this island is often compared to the size of Singapore (719 square kilometres). Most of the residents living on the island are of Batak descent and speak a slightly different dialect. The island also caters to travellers looking to experience Lake Toba up close.

Take your pick from one of the many resorts lined on the edge of the island offering panoramic, waterfront views.

8) Spot Rainbows at Indonesia’s tallest Waterfall — Sipiso-Piso

This epic 120-metre waterfall happens to be the tallest one in Indonesia and you can spot rainbows easily on sunny mornings — you might even spot doubles! Located in Tongging, it’s only a 20 minute drive from Taman Simalem Resort to the lookout point on top. Take a 20 minute trek down to the base; we say it’s worth it!

9) Swing your cares away at Bukit Indah Simarunjung

A popular pitstop from Medan or Berastagi towards the ferry to Pulau Semosir is the Simarunjung Rest house . They serve pretty strong ginger tea and goreng pisang (banana fritters) but perhaps the main attraction is the installations that are perfect for photos.

Our favourite installation of all was the giant swing that hung between 2 tall trees, strategically built with a perfect view of Lake Toba.

10) Trek up smoking volcanoes of Gunung Sibayak

Down by the crater, you can even dig up fresh & warm mud laced with loads of skin-loving minerals for an express facial.

11) Treat your well-worked muscles to a relaxing soak  at the Semangat Gunung Hot Springs

The perfect treat after trekking Gunung Sibayak, you’ll find a handful of public hot springs at the base of the volcano. With entrance fees ranging from Rp.5000 – 7000, treat yourself to a relaxing dip while being surrounded by mountain views all around. Its water is also filled with healthy minerals that are great for the skin.

Direct Flight from Singapore to Medan

Accommodation Savings in Medan & Lake Toba

For additional savings, enjoy 10% off your Medan and Lake Toba accommodations on Expedia by using the promo code < MEDAN10 > during checkout! Visit Expedia’s website to find out more.

Win A Pair Of Air Tickets To Medan!

Head over to the  My Great Escape contest page  and answer why Medan is your choice of destination and you could be waking up to the epic caldera views of Lake Toba! Don’t forget to check out our Lake Toba & Medan itinerary for tips and tricks to planning your next escape!

This article was brought to you by  Changi Airport Group .

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I grew up in Medan. And I’m glad you gave the food thumbs up, because if there’s one thing I absolutely love and would return to the city for, it’s the FOOD! Lake Toba is a national treasure, no doubt. Those with more time can also check out the orangutans in Bukit Lawang. I didn’t manage to see the rainbows in Sipiso-piso, but it was great fun getting drenched there with a bunch of friends back in my high school days… it’s just so nostalgic! 🙂

I wrote a list of other 8 places you can also check out while you’re in Medan, thought it might contribute to some additional ideas 🙂 https://scarletscribs.wordpress.com/2014/03/17/8-great-places-you-can-visit-in-north-sumatra-from-medan/

Thanks for the recommendations Andrew!

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The 3rd largest city in indonesia.

Medan is the capital city of North Sumatra Province and Indonesia’s foruth biggest city, after Jakarta, Surabaya and Bandung . Besides Batam and Bintan , Medan is geographically one of Indonesia’s closest cities to both Malaysia and Singapore. As the leading Medan Tour Agent, our office is located right in the heart of the city. 

The main entry point for international visitors to Medan Indonesia, would be the KualaNamu International Airport. It’s the second largest airport in Indonesia.

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What to See and Do in Medan

Attractions and activities.

When tourists come to Medan, most are after the famous attractions like Lake Toba (Danau Toba) , the biggest crater lake in the world,  Samosir Island , Mount Sinabung , Mount Sibayak , Sipiso-Piso Waterfall , Maimoon Palace , Medan Great Mosque  (Grand Mosque), Gunung Leuser National Park and more. 

In terms of places & towns, there are quite a number to visit beyond the main Medan city itself; Parapat , Berastagi , Bukit Lawang, Bukit Tinggi, and even Pematang Siantar.

Not sure what to do and where to go in Medan Indonesia and North Sumatra? Save your time & money and let us plan and serve you. 

For your easy reference, we have collated the top attractions in Medan Indonesia, and things to do in medan and north sumartra . 

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Places to Visit in North Sumatra

Berastagi town, parapat town, medan city.

Attractions & Places to Visit in Berastagi

Attractions & Places to Visit in Parapat

Attractions & Places to Visit in Medan

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How to Explore Medan

Tours & transportation.

If you prefer a full-fledged & convenient tour service, you could opt for one of our standard 3D2N Medan Lake Toba Tour , 4D3N Medan Lake Toba Tour , or 5D4N Medan Lake Toba Tour Package . Depending on your budget and preference, we can even customize the most suitable travel itineraries for you and your group.

Read more on interesting places to explore in Medan Indonesia .

Alternatively, if you have your own itineraries and plans, you could just rent one of our vehicles together with a driver throughout your entire stay. Alternatively, if you only have one day to explore medan, arrange with us for a 1-day medan city tour. Our new and reliable vehicles range from 5-seater and 7-seater cars to 40-seater buses.

Medan Indonesia Travel Guide

We have researched and written the following articles to identify the best places to visit, food to eat, places to stay for your trip to Medan Indonesia. Feel free to read and comment on the articles and share with us any new ideas or interesting places in Medan and North Sumatra that we are able feature for our readers.

Holiday Packing Tips to Lake Toba

7 Things to Do in Medan and North Sumatra

12 Best Medan Restaurants, Cafe, & Food

9 Unusual & Hidden North Sumatra Places to Visit

Good & Cheap Medan Hotels Below USD55 per night

11 Top Attractions in Medan Indonesia

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Sumatra’s major metropolis, and Indonesia’s third-largest city, Medan is the first (or final) port of call for many visitors to the island. Given it's not on the coast, and there's no mountain backdrop or even a grand river, Medan is much maligned among many travelers as a soulless industrialised city, a necessary evil to reach more exciting destinations. While it does have issues with traffic and pollution, it's a city with real Indonesian urban character. If you can get over the culture shock and give Medan a bit of time, you'll discover there's more than a hint of crumbling Dutch-colonial-era architecture, plus some worthwhile sightseeing and shopping, contemporary nightlife and restaurants, and old-school backstreet food stalls.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Museum of North Sumatra

Housed in a striking traditional building, this museum has a well-presented collection ranging from early North Sumatran civilisations and the Hindu,…

Istana Maimoon

The grand, 30-room Maimoon Palace was built by the Sultan of Deli in 1888 and features Malay, Mughal and Italian influences. Only the main room, which…

Tjong A Fie Mansion

The home of a famous Chinese merchant who died in 1921 – formerly the wealthiest resident of Medan – this mansion mixes opulent Victorian and Chinese…

Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni

One for advocates of religious diversity and quirky architecture, this surreal Catholic church combines Hindu and Islamic architecture styles with a…

Mesjid Raya

The impressive Grand Mosque was commissioned by the Sultan of Deli in 1906. The Moroccan-style building has a grand entrance, towering ceilings, ornate…

Sri Mariamman Temple

Dating to 1884, Medan's oldest Hindu temple has a classic Dravidian style typical of South India, with a storied tower adorned with ornamental deity…

One of several fine examples of ornate Dutch colonial buildings in downtown Medan is the stately town hall, constructed in 1908.

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Indonesia’s third-largest city, Medan is the gateway to North Sumatra. Often railed against by fast-transiting tourists as one of Southeast Asia’s least charming cities, Medan makes a better impression on visitors who stick around a bit longer. Chaotic as any Indonesian metropolis, it certainly has its fair share of pollution and traffic jams, but also boasts more urban comforts than anywhere else in Sumatra .

The best travel tips for visiting Medan

Top attractions and things to do in medan, best areas to stay in medan, best restaurants and bars in medan, how to get around medan, how many days do you need in medan, best time to visit medan, how to get to medan, tailor-made travel itineraries for indonesia, created by local experts.

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Enjoy a luxurious stay in Bali, with hand-picked 5 Star Hotels. This trip includes privately guided tours as well as leisure time, ideal for families with kids. Highlights include sea temple Tanah Lot, Jatiluwih rice terraces and Uluwatu temple with its famous Kecak dance.

Medan has a diverse population hailing from all across the archipelago and beyond, including substantial Indian and Chinese minorities whose roots in the city predate the arrival of the Dutch, the latter having left a few graceful examples of colonial architecture – evidence of the wealth generated from the vast plantations that to this day stretch up the slopes of the Bukit Barisan to the west of the city. The city has some interesting early 20th-century architecture, a decent museum, plus a number of alluring temples in its Indian Quarter. Stick around.

Busy Medan is Indonesia’s third-largest city © Shutterstock

There may not be that much by the way of things to see and do in Medan, but even taking in the cacophony of Indonesia’s third-largest city can be a compelling reason to stick around a bit.

#1 Puruse the Museum of North Sumatra

The large, informative Museum of North Sumatra, 500m east of Jalan Sisingamangaraja (often shortened to SM Raja) on the southern side of the Bukit Barisan cemetery near the stadium, tells the history of North Sumatra, and includes a couple of Arabic gravestones from 8 AD and some ancient stone Buddhist sculptures.

#2 Admire the Grand Mosque of Medan

The black-domed Mesjid Raya (Grand Mosque of Medan) is one of the most recognisable buildings in Sumatra. Designed by a Dutch architect in 1906, it has North African-style arched windows, blue-tiled walls and vivid stained-glass windows.

Grand mosque in Medan, Indonesia © Shutterstock

#3 Seek out some stunning architecture

Jalan Brig Jend A Yani, at the northern end of Jalan Pemuda, was the centre of colonial Medan, and a few early twentieth-century buildings still remain. The weathered Mansion of Tjong A Fie (no. 105), a beautiful green and yellow two-storey house built in 1900 for the head of the Chinese community in Medan, the fine 1920s Harrison-Crossfield Building, and the grand, dazzlingly white headquarters of PT Perkebunan IX, a government-run tobacco company.

#4 Wander around the Indian Quarter

In the west of the city is the Sri Mariamman Temple, Medan’s oldest and most venerated Hindu shrine. It was built in 1884 and is devoted to the goddess Kali. The temple marks the beginning of the Indian quarter, the Kampung Keling, which is the largest of its kind in Indonesia .

In recent decades, the shrinking Indian population has been offset by an increasing number of Chinese, whose presence is made known by the nearby Vihara Gunung Timur (Temple of the Eastern Mountain), the largest Taoist temple in Sumatra. Its multitude of dragons, wizards, warriors and lotus petals are tucked away about 800m south of Sri Mariamman.

Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni is a Marian shrine built in the Indo-Mogul style that opened in 2005 in Medan, Indonesia © Shutterstock

The best accommodation in Medan is found to the southeast of Mesjid Raya. There is nothing here to blow your socks off – most hostels and hotels are compacted or super basic

Around Jl Sisingamangaraja

There is a clutch of half-decent, cheap hotels running alongside the western side of Jl Sisingamangaraja and in the shadow of the Grand Mosque of Medan. This is the most convenient place to stay for the city’s sights.

Find all the best places in the city .

The best places to stay in Medan

Looking for specific hotels? Look no furhter. Our local travel specialists have selected the best options to stay in Medan.

• Pondok Wisata Angel The most popular backpacker spot in town, with clean, bright rooms with fan or a/c. Staff are helpful, and there’s free wi-fi and tasty food in the downstairs Angel Café
• Residence Clean and all-green hotel by the Grand Mosque with a decent range of compact rooms: top-floor rooms have a/c and TV, while standard rooms can be a tad musty (ask for one with a window) with a cramped, inside mandi. The café/restaurant downstairs is good value with free wi-fi, and there’s a pleasant rooftop garden.
• Sultan Homestay Right in the thick of the budget hotels, this cheapie has super-basic rooms with shared bathrooms. Escape the heat in one of the otherwise identical a/c rooms upstairs. Breakfast is included, and there’s friendly staff and free wi-fi.

Entrance to the Grand in Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia © Shutterstock

Medan has its own style of alfresco eating, where a bunch of stall owners gather in one place and put out chairs and tables. Servers then bring around menus listing all the food available from each of the stalls. At night, travellers tend to go bowling at Yuki Simpang Raya or drink in ex-pat hangouts like the Tavern Pub, which also hosts live music.

The best restaurants in Medan

• Cahaya Baru The best of the Indian restaurants in Kampung Keling, set in clean, a/c surroundings. The menu is mostly North Indian (think veg or chicken thali), with a handful of South Indian favourites (like masala dosa) and local dishes. Authentic flavours, colourful decor and local patrons combine to make you feel as though you’re in Delhi.
• Tip Top Restaurant Part-restaurant, part-Medan institution – this is a venerable old place that’s been serving European and Indonesian food since 1934. The large menu includes Western, Chinese and Indonesian dishes as well as an extensive selection of cakes and ice creams.

Motorised becaks are one of the best ways to get around Medan © Worldpics/Shutterstock

For most visitors, the best way to get around Medan is using motorised becaks (rickshaws), though regular angkots (minivans) and taxis are handy for longer journeys.

The mainstay of the city transport network; they are numbered, and many have names too. The main angkot station is at Sambu, west of the Olympia Plaza, though the Medan Mall stop is more useful for travellers.

Motorised becaks

Another convenient way of getting around the city centre. Agree on a price before you set off.

Cheap and common, a taxi can be a helpful way to get around, especially at night. Only use metered cabs.

Most travellers spend no more than a day or so in Medan, using it as a transit point to Bukit Lawang, Danau Toba or Malaysia. As all the sights can be visited within 24 hours, it’s not worth sticking around any more than two days.

Looking for inspiration for your trip? Talk to our Indonesia travel experts .

Medan has some great local festivals © Denis Moskvinov/Shutterstock

Medan has a hot and humid climate that varies little throughout the year, except during the annual monsoon season. The city's wettest months are August to December when daily rainfall can arrive one hour and leave the next. Expect overcast skies and regular downpours.

Some of the hotels will offer discounts during this time but as Medan is such a busy, city rooms can still be needed by those visiting on business. Good sunny weather between March to May make it the best time to visit ahead of major holidays or events.

Find out more about the best time to visit Indonesia .

The easiest ways to arrive in Medan are by plane or bus. The city has two major bus stations, both serving destinations in different parts of the county.

Medan’s Kuala Namu International Airport, the second largest in the country, is about 30km east of the city. The airport is linked with the city by rail and bus. The trip is quicker but pricier by rail with becaks (cycle rickshaws) connecting Medan’s train station to the Mesjid Raya area.

Buses connect the airport to several spots in the city, departing roughly every 15min. Recommended taxis for the trip between the airport and city centre include Blue Bird and Express.

Medan has two main bus stations. The sprawling Amplas station, 5km southeast of the city centre, serves buses for all points south, including Bukittinggi and Danau Toba. The Pinang Baris bus station, 10k west of the city centre, serves buses for destinations to the north or west of the city, including Bukit Lawang, Berastagi and Aceh.

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An independent travel guide to Medan

Published/Last edited on 17th June, 2019.

Medan is the most populous city in Sumatra, the crowded and noisy capital of North Sumatra province and the first port of call for most travellers bent on exploring the region.

On this page: An introduction to Medan

• Why you should go to Medan

When to go to Medan

Orientation.

• Where to stay

Where to eat

What to see and do, getting there and away.

Browse hotels in Medan on Agoda

Provided by Travelfish partner Agoda .

Why should you go to Medan?

At least among international travellers and travel writers, we’re in a distinct minority in liking Medan— we love it actually. Yes, as a general rule—at least from a tourism perspective—Indonesia does not do large cities all that well, but in Medan, in the fairly compact downtown area around and to the west of the train station, we found an at times pretty, and very walkable city. The Indonesian food is extraordinarily good and we found the locals (with just a couple of exceptions) to be universally welcoming, friendly, helpful and hospitable. Really!

Medan does not boast much in the way of top line attractions, but there is a very good museum which serves as a great primer before venturing into Karo country, a beautiful and historic villa and an impressive mosque all of which can be used to fill in one full day in Medan. But, for us, the real attraction is the food and we’d say the prime reason for lingering is simply so you can eat more .

The transport hub of northern Sumatra, Medan is also the jumping off point for ground transport to Aceh , Berastagi , Bukit Lawang , Ketambe and Lake Toba so even if you are not planning on overnighting here, you will most likely need to pass through—give it at least a night we say!

As with much of North Sumatra, at least as far as foreign tourists go, peak season in Medan is late June through August , coinciding with European summer. Even at this time though, it is unlikely you will need reservations as the city attracts a bare trickle of tourists, and there are over one hundred hotels to choose from.

Weather wise, Medan is steamy hot and humid year round , but peak season coincides with the region’s dry season, so expect warm and often dry weather at that time. While Medan can see wild and beastly thunderstorms year round, it is subject to North Sumatra’s general wet season which runs roughly November to March, so expect even more rain then.

While Medan is a large city, the downtown area, using Merdeka Park and the train station as a centre, is relatively easy to navigate. We walked much of downtown, but Go-jek, becaks and taxis are common and easy to use, bringing the greater city easily within reach.

The city’s above mentioned primary attractions are all situated to the south of Merdeka Park, Tjong A Fie Mansion is as easy walk away, though Istana Maimoon, the State Museum of North Sumatra and Raya Al-Mashun Mosque, while walking distance from one another, are best reached by taxi or Go-Jek from the train station.

The city boasts over one hundred hotels, but many are chain hotels scattered all over the city. The two primary hubs which put the primary sights within reach, are within walking distance of the train station and, to the south, along SM Raja (near Raya Al-Mashun Mosque). If you stay further afield, be prepared to walk a lot or use transport to get around.

Foreign access ATMs are everywhere and all hotels should offer WiFi . There is a small tourist kiosk on the north side of Merdeka Park, but every time we visited it, it was locked up, so your mileage may vary. On the same northern side of the same park is a police station should you find yourself needing assistance. Siloam Hospital is one of the most central hospitals should you be in need of medical care.

Siloam Hospital Dhirga Surya 6 Jl Imam Bonjol, Medan. https://www.siloamhospitals.com/en/Hospitals-and-Clinics/Hospitals/Rumah-Sakit-Siloam-Dhirga-Surya

Where to stay in Medan

While Medan is a large city with loads of hotels to choose from, for most it will make sense to choose a property fairly central. Most of the following are within walking distance of at least some of the sights, with one further flung option for those who want to spend more time eating and drinking coffee along Jl Ring Road.

Set right above the train station, the friendly and uber-clean Hotel d’Prima ticks a lot of the boxes we look for in a hotel, making it our prima choice in Medan.

Staff are especially helpful and friendly, spacious rooms immaculate, showers piping hot and the beds’ crisp linen a refreshing blast after a few weeks touring the non-so-hot linen of North Sumatra. Free Wifi is standard and rooms include tea and coffee, flatscreen TV and big glass windows which let the light pour in. One minor quibble is the “desk” is not really a desk and if you need to do some work, you’ll be working on the bed or in a nearby cafe.

We’re not joking about the location—the hotel is literally on top of Medan train station—making it ideal for those wanting to use the train service to the airport and it is just across the road from the Merdeka Park and, beyond that Merdeka Walk with its many cafes and restaurants. You’re also just a ten minute stroll from Tjong A Fie Mansion.

Rates (superiors 350,000 rupiah, deluxe 400,000 rupiah) are very reasonable for the standard and really the only word of warning would be to do your laundry elsewhere as it is expensive here! If this is your first night in Sumatra and you want to ease yourself into Medan, if Hotel d’Prima fits with your budget, look no further. Shop online for a discounted price—room rates include a complimentary breakfast from the Starbucks downstairs.

Check rates for d'primahotel Medan on Agoda.com Rates from US$21++.

Large with carpet that wouldn’t look out of place in The Shining, the five floor Hotel Madani is kitty corner to Raya Al-Mashun Mosque and offers up good midrange, if a bit dowdy, fare rooms.

As with the nearby Angel and Residence, the hotel is convenient to the mosque and Istana Maimoon but little else and we’d say if you were looking to spend in this kind of price bracket you’d probably be better with one of the more downtown and more modern hotels, like d’Prima or Hermes Palace—this feels like a tour group and/or wedding hotel.

Nevertheless rooms are comfortable and well–sized with a yellow hue throughout. Beds are not as firm as they look like they should be, but have bed lamps and side tables along with upholstered furniture and a small desk. Hot water bathrooms are immaculate. No alcohol or drugs are allowed on the premises and travelling couples may be asked for a wedding certificate if they want to share a room. Walk-in rates (superior 750,000 rupiah, deluxe 900,000 rupiah) are high—shop online for a far more reasonable rate.

With a modern, almost hipster-style cafe on the ground floor (a serious reflection on Tip Top across the road), the smart and pretty modern Kama Hotel fits the bill if d’Prima doesn’t do it for you.

Rooms are clean and well kept, if a little pokey and given how busy the road out front is, the hotel is not as noisy as you’d expect. Located just down the road from Tjong A Fie Mansion, you’re barely a hop skip and a jump from Medan’s premiere tourist attraction and also just a short walk to Merdeka Walk—a foreigner friendly strip of eateries and cafes.

The one minus here are the staff who, on our visit were abrupt to the point of rude and it took quite a bit of cajoling for them to even show us a room when we were not satisfied with the photo album they showed us (and even then they would not let us take photos inside a room). Studio rooms (from 260,000 rupiah) are very tight and if you’re going to head here, we’d say the standard (350,000 rupiah) or superior rooms (400,000 rupiah) are worth the extra money. The deluxe rooms (580,000 rupiah) apparently sleep four and would work for a family.

Location is good—there are a few vestiges of old Medan on this street—lets hope they don’t meet the wrecking ball that has befallen so much of the rest of Medan’s heritage.

Check rates for Kama Hotel Medan on Agoda.com Rates from US$17++.

If you’re looking for an old school guesthouse style place in Medan, forever–running Angel Guesthouse remains reliable, affordable and friendly—even if the location, on a busy Medan thoroughfare, leaves a bit to be desired.

With a deep blue and bright yellow theme throughout the rooms (apparently the favourite colours of the owner the friendly staffer who showed us around said) rooms come in three primary flavours: Dorm (80,000 rupiah), fan cooled (130,000 rupiah) and with air-con (150,000 rupiah). We were shown an air-con room, which, for the money struck us reasonable value, though the street front location means only the hardiest of sleepers will not require earplugs, as the road out front is real busy—rooms back off the street are certainly what you should be aiming for. Within, they are barebones affairs, with a standing fan and a bed with clean linen in good condition. The bathrooms are acceptable for the money.

The ground floor plays home to a traveller style cafe which dishes out surprisingly good local fare (try the soto —when they say spicy they mean it), and going by the number of musical instruments laying around, the evenings could be fun. Angel can arrange all manner of tours and onwards transport and is walking distance to Raya Al-Mashun Mosque and Istana Maimoon, but little else.

If you’re looking for a backpacker crashpad, then this is a solid bet. If you want something more hotel style, the also long running Residence is just around the corner, but the rooms were pretty dire, though the hotel was starting to renovate, so it may improve in the future.

RedDoorz is an Indonesian franchise/chain hotel group that has a bunch of hotels in Medan, and if you happen to be looking for a property away from the centre of things, the RedDoorz Plus @ Setiabudi Medan is terrific value.

Set down a relatively quiet street, rooms are large and immaculate, with very comfortable beds and plenty enough space to throw a party for you and your travelling companions. The hot water bathroom is immaculate (as is the room) and the room is fitted out with typical mod-cons you’d expect at this price-point. Standards start at 200,000 rupiah and superiors at 250,000 rupiah. The deluxe rooms (350,000 rupiah) make for very good value family value as they sleep four. There is also an upstairs shared terrace area and a large downstairs common area with brightly coloured furniture and plenty of light. We found the staff to be friendly and accommodating.

While the area is not convenient to the main sights of Medan (which are about 20 minutes away by ojek or taxi depending on traffic), it is convenient to the raft or restaurants and late-night coffee shops on Jl Ring Road. So, if you’re looking for something a little off the beaten track, this is a good flashpacker option.

Check rates for RedDoorz Premium @ Setiabudi Medan on Agoda.com Rates from US$16++.

Map of where to stay in Medan

Click on the hotel name to open its position in Apple or Google maps.

Tell any Indonesian you’re heading to Medan and the food recommendations will come thick and fast, and while chances are you can eat pretty well in any Indonesian city, Medan really is in a class of its own. Pack an empty stomach.

One of the most common recommendations you’ll hear is for Rumah Makan Sinar Pagi , a soto joint a fifteen minute walk from Merdeka Park. While it was closed for Ramadan over our most recent visit, it was so often recommended we’re slotting it up top (and Travelfish has eaten here in the past). The medium-sized eatery is busy with people slurping on bowls of delicious soto ayam and soto daging . The soto is a fragrant, comprised of coconut milk infused with a barrage of spices and mounds of shredded chicken or beef.

Nearby, slightly closer to Merdeka Park, but on the same street, you’ll spy the similarly simple and old school Rumah Makan Soto Medan , which we opted for when we found the above to be closed. The soto ayam delivered the goods (as did the spicy green chilli it was served with) all washed down with an iced tea.

Sticking with soto, and more conveniently placed if you are staying right in the centre of things, Soto Kesawan is a narrow warung on Jalan Ahmad Yani which serves terrific curry prawn soup or soto udang . The coconut milk based soup is topped with piles of large peeled and ready to eat boiled prawns so that every mouthful of the velvety broth contains at least one chunk. Also served here and highly recommended is the roti canai with curry. Conveniently located almost straight across from Tjong A Fie Mansion.

A little further to the south (about a ten minute walk) from Soto Kesawan, you’ll strike upon Mie Ayam Kumango . Compared to the above-mentioned places, this is a more modern eatery whose air-con makes it a great spot to escape Medan’s often blistering heat. We went with the house speciality Mie Ayam Kumango (32,000 rupiah), but the menu contains a full raft of other noodle dishes. This is a good option for people looking for a few more creature comforts in where they eat. Very friendly staff.

Set a block to the east of Tjong A Fie Mansion, Bihun Bebek Kumango Koh Asie is a small hole in the wall serving enormous but delicious bowls of thin rice noodles topped with piles of succulent duck or chicken. The noodles are bihun while the meat is free from large sheets of fat and skin that often taints lesser versions of this dish. At 80,000 rupiah, this is not a budget bowl—they apparently used to serve half portions which would have been welcome as the servings really are huge—if you’re a travelling couple, consider sharing a single bowl!

Medan has a couple of downtown food streets which are great for if you’re not wanting to spend much money yet want to be spoiled for choice. These two streets, walking distance from each other and both north-south running, are Jalan Selat Panjang and Jalan Semarang . Of the two, we preferred Selat Panjang, having a good nasi ayam at Nasi Ayam SP3 and a mie pangsit at Mie Tiong Sim (not on the same night mind you!) Jl Semarang has more footpath eating along with hole in the wall restaurants, but there is also plenty of choice—take a look and see what you find—in most cases expect to pay 25,000–30,000 rupiah per dish, and don’t forget to grab some satay before you bail.

Not quite a walking street, Merdeka Walk runs along the west side of Merdeka Park and offers up about a half dozen restaurants and coffee shops (yes, there is a Starbucks here) in a social and fun setting. Come in the evening and it can be packed with local Medanites kicking back and cooling off with a few cold meals and plenty to fill the stomach. We ate well at both Srikandi (Indonesian) and Nelayan (dim sum) and, for the setting, prices are reasonable.

A nationwide Padang chain, Restoran Sederhana Masakan Padang has a half dozen branches in Medan and we chose a branch on Jl Ring Road for our final meal in Medan and, take our word for it, it did not disappoint. If you are not familiar with Padang food, a vast selection of plates, each loaded with a different dish are placed on your table and you help yourself, paying for just what you eat. This is a great (and not overly expensive) way to try a lot of dishes. The branch we tried was out on the ring road, but there are more central options. Garuda is another popular Padang chain with multiple outlets in Medan.

If Medan was your grandmother’s house, Tip Top would be the out of place lounge on the back veranda, which, despite the dust and cat fur is a comfortable spot to lose an hour or so. It is here you’ll find A Home Connect Direct phone, a collectors item cash register and a menu that ranges all the way from baked goods and Chinese fare to Mexicaner Ice ice cream (do try the latter). According to their menu in business since 1929 (though their website says 1934), this is a good spot to escape the heat during the day or, should it be to your taste, enjoy live entertainment thrice weekly in the evening.

If you’re looking for some South Asian fare, Medan has a small Indian quarter and there you’ll find Cahaya Baru offering up North and South Indian food in a clean and cool (yes it is air-con) setting. We had a mutton biryani (48,000 rupiah) but the thali sets (from 30,000 rupiah) looked good.

For coffee, Medan is absolutely awash in places to sip coffee, so we’ll point you to three places to get you started. Downtown, on the ground floor of Lippo Plaza you’ll find Tre Mon , which has a leafy open-air garden area along with an air-con interior. They also do decent lunch fare including pasta, should you have reached soto capacity.

Meanwhile out on Jl Ring Road, there are two very different spots, almost side by side. Piacevole is your typical modern cafe with comfortable seating and service with a smile—think Starbucks but not Starbucks and better than Starbucks. At the other end of the spectrum, and almost next door, is King Kuphi Ulee Kareng , an old school bag coffee joint which we loved—it is open nice and late too.

The above barely scratches the surface of where to eat in Medan and for further tips, we found Eat With Roy’s wrap on 30 places to eat in Medan to be handy, while on Twitter, as always when it comes to Indonesian fare Indonesian food guru Arie was very generous with his tips for both Medan and Aceh.

Map of where to eat in Medan

Click on the restaurant name to open its position in Apple or Google maps.

Restaurant contact details and addresses

Bihun Bebek Kumango Koh Asie 15 Jl Kumango, Medan. Mo–Sa: 07:00–11:00 Cahaya Baru 12/16 Jl Teuku Cik Ditiro, Medan. T: (061) 453 0962 Mo–Su: 10:00–22:00 Jalan Semarang food street Jl Semarang, Medan. King Kuphi Ulee Kareng 8 A-B Jl Ring Road, Medan. Mo–Su: 08:00-late Merdeka Walk Jl Baliakota, Medan. Mie Ayam Kumango 16 Jl Mangkubumi, Medan. Piacevole Ringroad Jl Ring Road, Medan. https://www.instagram.com/piacevolecoffee/ Mo–Su: 10:00–22:00 Restoran Sederhana Masakan Padang Gagak Hitam 80 Jl Ring Road, Medan. T: (061) 4208 1877 https://www.restoransederhana.id/ Mo–Su: 08:00–22:00 RM Soto Medan 8 Gatot Subroto, Medan. Mo–Su: 07:30–21:00 Rumah Makan Sinar Pagi Cnr of Gatot Subroto and Jalan Sei Deli Medan. Mo–Su: 08:00–15:00 Selat Panjang food street Jl Selat Panjang, Medan. Soto Kesawan Jl Ahmad Yani, Medan. Mo–Sa: 08:00–15:00 Tip Top 92 Jl Ahmad Yani, Medan. T: (061) 451 4442 http://tiptop-medan.com/ Mo–Su: 08:00–23:00 Tre Mon Lippo Plaza, ground floor, 6 Jl Imam Bonjol, Medan. T: (061) 8051 1188 https://tremonconcept.com/

Tjong A Fie Mansion

105 Jl Ahmad Yani, Medan T: (0813) 751 6003Mo–Su: 09:00–17:00 (No entry after 16:30) [email protected] https://tjongafiemansion.org/

Tjong A Fie Mansion is a fabulous old house built in 1895 by Chinese immigrant and successful businessman, Tjong A Fie.

Born in 1860 in Guandong, China, Tjong A Fie headed to Sumatra in 1878 to join his brother Tjong Yong Hian in Medan to pursue his fortune. While his brother was already well established, together they grew even more successful as they dealt between the Dutch and Chinese businessmen both in Sumatra and mainland China. In 1906 Tjong A Fie partnered with Cheong Fatt Tze in Penang and between them they built the first railway in China. Later, following the death of his brother, Tjong A Fie was declared Kapitan of Medan and under his guidance many schools, hospitals, places of religious worship (of all faiths) and more was built.

It was the Cheong Fatt Tze mansion in Penang that was the inspiration for Tjong A Fie’s mansion in Medan and the similarities are striking, with much of the internal design quite similar. Original colourful tiles, hardwood floors, painted ceilings and shutters still grace this majestic structure and provide a stunning insight into how the elite in Indonesia lived at the turn of the 19th century.

Tjong A Fie died at the age of 61, still living in his mansion, and the town honoured his legacy with one of the largest funeral processions Medan had ever seen. Unlike its counterpart in Penang, Tjong A Fie mansion remains in the hands of his descendants (a relative still lives upstairs) though after his death family members gambled away much of the furniture—guides will happily point out the few items which are original. The grandeur though is more about the actual house than its contents, and while it is a shame much of the contents have been lost, this remains a fascinating house to wander through.

Location map for Tjong A Fie Mansion

State Museum of North Sumatra

51 Jl HM Joni, Medan Tu–Su: 08:00–15:30

The one worthwhile to see museum in Medan, the sprawling State Museum of North Sumatra delivers a rounded approach to the history and culture of the region.

The museum is well documented in both English and Indonesian, though the lighting is low, so some squinting is required. Ground floor exhibits range from a large stuffed tiger to anatomically correct stone statues, temple lions and an entire whale skeleton, through to a blow by blow explanation of the colonial period through to independence and beyond.

Upstairs is arguably the more interesting section, with scale models of Batak houses, examples of traditional clothing of the various ethnic groups who populate the province, tools, handicrafts and a weaving display.

If you’re planning on exploring North Sumatra and have a few spare hours in your day, a visit here will help to give you a grounding in what you’ll see and encounter once you break out of Medan. If you are a real museum hound, the Museum Perjuangan TNI at 8 Jl KH Zainul Arifin near Sun Plaza is worth a quick look if you are in the area.

Sticking with the State Museum, if you’re in the area, swing by Raya Al-Mashun Mosque and Istana Maimoon as they are a ten and 15 minute walk away. Recommended.

Location map for State Museum of North Sumatra

Raya al-mashun mosque.

61 JL SM Raja, Medan

Mesjid Raya Al–Mashun , or simply Mesjid Raya for short, was commissioned in 1906 by Sultan Ma’mum Al Rasyid and first opened for prayer in 1909.

The impressive mosque is bright white with inlaid green tiles which contrasts blindingly with the massive black domes sitting atop the roof. Inside, stunning tiles, stained glass, marble and some fine stone and wooden carving adorn many of the surfaces of the structure. It is interesting to note that many of these materials were imported from France, Germany and Italy.

This is a particularly beautiful mosque and if you plan to visit any mosque in Indonesia, this is a good one to start with. Non-Muslims are permitted to enter the mosque outside of prayer time. Entry is by donation and you may be asked for payment by the guy who minds your shoes.

Location map for Raya Al-Mashun Mosque

Istana maimoon.

45 Jl Brigjen Katamso, Medan Mo–Su: 08:00–17:00

Istana Maimoon was built in 1888 by the then sultan as the centre of governance in Medan until the 1920s and today it is still worth a look, if primarily for the building rather than the contents.

While it once received dignitaries and entertained guests, nowadays it serves as a tiny museum of sorts although most of the building is off limits to visitors. A number of gift shops sell knick-knacks inside and the most popular past time appears to be getting dressed up in Sultaneque garb and having your photo taken. The building is still largely in original condition with the floors and ceiling being particularly impressive, though it is as its best from a distance.

Istana Maimoon is a short walk from Raya Al-Mashun Mosque so it is easy to visit both in the same visit.

Location map for Istana Maimoon

Getting to and from Medan’s Kualanuma International Airport (KNO) airport is most easily accomplished by train at a cost of 100,000 rupiah per person. This train arrives and departs from Medan station in the centre of town a short becak ride or walk from much of the downtown accommodation. The journey time varies between 30 and 45 minutes depending on which direction you’re heading and the train leaves roughly hourly depending on the time of the day. Tickets can only be purchased with a credit or debit card—no cash.

By taxi expect to pay around 150,000 to 200,000 rupiah depending on where you are going in the city and traffic conditions.

If you are heading to Bukit Lawang , aside from getting the train to the airport, trains also run from Medan central station to Binjai —a small town located to the west of Medan. The trip takes about 45 minutes and costs 5,000 rupiah. From Binjai train station you can get a bejak (it is not walking distance, bank on 15,000–20,000 rupiah in a bejak or use Go-Jek) to where vans leave for Bukit Lawang —just tell the bejak driver you want to go to Bukit Lawang and they (should) know where to take you.

If they don’t, the vans leave from beside a park called Tanah Lapang Merdeka Binjai to the south west of the train station—as mentioned, it is not a comfortable walking distance from the train station. The vans charge 50,000 rupiah for foreign passengers and the trip takes about three hours. The main advantage of this route is it allows you to avoid the touts at Pinang Baris bus station.

Transport in and out of Medan is a little disorganised and confusing and getting to where you want to go can be a bit of a pain depending on where are headed.

If you are booking a long distance bus, we strongly recommend booking your ticket online through Traveloka as the bus ticket will clearly indicate which bus station or bus company office you need to go to.

There are two primary bus terminals in Medan, Pinang Baris roughly 10 kilometres to the north of town serving destinations to the north and Amplas roughly 8.5km to the southeast of the city.

In theory Pinang Baris serves destinations to the north, notably of interest to foreign travellers, Berastagi and Bukit Lawang, while Amplas serves everything else. However there are plenty of exceptions, and in the case of both bus stations, many bus companies run their own terminals . So, when you book your ticket, it is important to clarify which terminal (or bus office) the departure will be from.

With that in mind...

Pinang Baris Sample fares and rough trip durations are as follows:

Berastagi: Departs every hour, takes around 2-3 hours and costs 20,000 rupiah. Bukit Lawang: Minivans depart when full, takes 3-4 hours and costs 50,000 rupiah for foreign tourists. You may be dropped off outside the bus station, about 500 metres up the road. This is preferred as these vans are usually filled with passengers first and therefore depart first.

For Banda Aceh there are departures throughout the day but from bus company stations. Trip time is 10 to 15 hours and tickets go for 180,000 to 200,000 rupiah. Companies include Putra Pelangi, Sempati Star. These services also stop at Lhokseumawe and Pidie.

Terminal Amplas Although Amplas technically serves destinations to the south, in reality it operates primarily as a vehicle pool for the bus companies lining the main road in the surrounding area. So depending on your destination, you may have to depart directly from the terminal or from a bus operator’s office up the road. Check beforehand!

Bukittinggi: Departs 4-5 times daily, takes 17-23 hours and costs 180,000 to 280,000 rupiah. Carriers include ALS and Sempati Star. Danau Toba depart from the terminal proper regularly throughout the day, cost 40,000 rupiah and take 4 to 5 hours. Padang: Departs 5-6 times daily, 19-28 hours and costs 190,000 to 290,000 rupiah. Carriers include ALS and Sempati Star.

The Padang Bulan area to the south of Medan is where you need to come for services to Kutacane which connects with services to Ketambe . Opposite Citra Garden on Jl Jamin Ginting are a series of small travel agents including Dairi Transport who run vans and share cars. For Kutacane, tickets in a share car depart roughly hourly and take 7 hours. We were quoted 200,000 rupiah per person, which is high—bargain.

By Stuart McDonald. Last updated on 17th June, 2019.

More destinations

Banda Aceh Berastagi Bukit Lawang Bukittinggi Ketambe Lake Toba Padang Pulau Weh Takengon

Holiday checklist

If you prefer to have all your ducks in a row before you hit the road, here are some travel services you may wish to consider.

• SafetyWing offers affordable travel insurance , along with coverage for travellers up to the age of 70.
• Buying a SIM card through Klook to pickup at the airport when you arrive can save you time and money. Choose from airports across Southeast Asia.
• GetYourGuide offers a quite comprehensive range of popular organised activities across the region.
• 12Go is a reliable travel agent for selecting and booking your transport in advance.

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PT.  Velindo Tours & Travel, adalah perusahaan travel Medan yang berlokasi di Medan, Indonesia.  Berpengalaman sejak 2020 sampai dengan saat ini.  Velindo Tours & Travel terus berupaya untuk melayani dalam berbagai kebutuhan seperti tiket pesawat, paket tour, jasa Visa, jasa Paspor, jasa rental mobil, hotel dan kebutuhan wisata lainnya.

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Welcome to King's Star Tour and Travel Services! 

Founded in 1971, King's Star Tour and Travel Services is one of the oldest and largest travel agencies in Medan. Our office has been a winner of numerous Top Ten agent awards from all the major airlines operating in Indonesia.

Located in Medan, Indonesia, King's Star Tour and Travel Services offers the perfect vacations with world famous historic sites, spectacular scenery, and unique charm. We can help you plan your trips to and from Indonesia, find places to stay, provide guiding services, suggest travel arrangements, and much more.    Our mission is to provide the best hospitality and travel assistance to all our customers. We offer a wide breadth of services, helping people visit familiar and new places with ease. Our customers span generations as we have been in the travel industry for over 4 decades. 

Please contact us today for your travel needs. Our professional, friendly and experienced staff is ready to assist you.   "King's Star is simply the best travel agency in Medan. Their staff was friendly and knowledgeable, and found us interesting tours and wonderful hotels on our travel to Indonesia. When we wanted to change the date of our return trip back to the U.S. and there were no seats available, King's Star got us confirmed bookings. It was amazing!" -- M.E., USA  

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15 Travel Medan Siap Antar Jemput, Armada Lengkap

Ingin bepergian dari daerah Medan menuju daerah lainnya seperti Jakarta dan yang lain? Beberapa penyedia jasa travel Medan ini bisa bantu kamu buat memenuhinya. Langsung aja cek beberapa rekomendasi dari kami. 

Penyedia jasa travel yang ada di Medan itu ada banyak. Rute dan layanan mereka pun beragam. Bahkan beberapa di antaranya ada yang punya keunggulan dari segi kelengkapan armada yang disediakan. 

Tapi kamu jelas bakal bingung kalau mau milih jasa travelnya saking banyaknya pilihan. Nah dengan itu kami akan menyarankan atau memberimu rekomendasi biar nggak terlalu bingung. 

Daftar isi:

Daftar Agen Travel Medan

Ada beberapa daftar travel yang bisa kamu pilih untuk kebutuhan mudik atau membuatmu sampai ke tempat tujuan. Cek beberapa rekomendasi dari kami ini, ya!

1. Mega Kencana Tours 

Salah satu agen travel Medan yang cukup besar adalah Mega Kencana Tours. Travel ini menawarkan sejumlah layanan travel untuk domestik dan bahkan internasional. Bisa dikatakan tempat ini menawarkan paket travel yang lengkap. 

Sejumlah destinasi travel MK Tours ini adalah Danau Toba, Bali, Labuan Bajo, Lombok, Manado Malang, Bromo, Bandung, Jogja, Bukit Tinggi, Bintan, dan masih banyak lagi. Destinasi internasionalnya pun banyak. 

Kamu bisa pergi ke Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Jepang, Eropa, Maldives, Dubai, Hongkong, Kamboja, dan masih banyak destinasi lainnya lagi. Perusahaan yang sudah berdiri dari tahun 2000 ini bisa memenuhi kebutuhanmu!

2. PT. Angkasa Tour & Travel

Angkasa Tour & Travel juga jadi salah satu agen travel yang terbesar di Medan. Jika ingin menggunakan jasanya, bisa menghubungi nomor travel Medan yang sudah kami sediakan pada tabel di atas. 

Mereka ini sudah berdiri dari tahun 2008 dan telah mewujudkan impian banyak orang untuk perjalanan domestik maupun luar negeri. Kelebihan dari travel ini adalah urusan perjalananmu bisa semakin gampang. 

Misalnya nih, saat kamu ingin bepergian ke luar negeri maka urusan pemesanan tiket pesawat, pengurusan KITAS, sampai WiFi untuk kebutuhan akses internet di negara tujuan bisa langsung diserahkan pada mereka. 

3. PT. Lovely Holidays Tour and Travel

Perusahaan mobil travel Medan selanjutnya yang jasanya bisa kamu gunakan adalah PT. Lovely Holidays Tour & Travel. Perusahaan ini udah cukup lama berdiri yakni dari tahun 2003. 

Agen travel di Medan ini sudah memiliki guide dan staff yang profesional dan berpengalaman. Menawarkan kualitas untuk tour domestic menuju Jawa, Bali, Lombok, dan juga Kalimantan. Ingin travel ke sekitaran Medan saja? Tentu bisa. 

Layanannya tentu saja bervariasi. Ada umroh, layanan studi tour, sampai dengan layanan untuk pergi liburan. Langsung cek website mereka buat tahu jasa travelnya lebih lengkap!

4. Bombay Tours & Travel

Bombay Tours & Travel bisa menjadi pilihanmu jika ingin datang ke beberapa daerah di Medan seperti Subulussalam, Rimo, Singkil, Tapaktuan, Labuhan Haji, Blangpidie, Naganraya, dan juga Meulaboh. 

Perusahaan atau agen travel ini sudah berdiri lebih dari 7 tahun. Tentu saja hal yang pasti mereka berikan adalah pelayanan yang cukup memuaskan. Armada mereka pun masuk dalam kategori baik karena ada Innova dengan jumlah yang cukup banyak. 

Jika memang ingin menggunakan jasa Bombay Tours & Travel kamu bisa langsung menghubungi nomor telepon travel Medan yang telah kami jelaskan di atas. Nggak bakal kecewa deh kalau pilih travel ini. 

5. PT Eva Prima Angkasa Tour & Travel

PT Eva Prima Angkasa Tour & Travel memiliki layanan jika kamu butuh agen travel untuk kebutuhan liburan. Melalui website resminya, mereka menjadwalkan dengan lengkap perjalanan menuju bali. 

Awalnya kamu bakal melalui perjalanan travel Medan Jakarta dengan pesawat dan bakal dilanjutkan dengan perjalanan menuju Bali. Itenerary yang tersedia di sini memang terbilang memuaskan dan kamu nggak bakal rugi pakai layanan agen travel ini. 

Belum ada informasi perjalanan selain ke Bali. Mungkin kamu bisa langsung menanyakannya lewat nomor telepon dari PT Eva Prima Angkasa Tour & Travel. 

6. Aulia Travel Medan

Aulia Travel adalah Biro Perjalanan Wisata di Medan yang menawarkan harga paket tour sesuai dengan layanan. Pelayanannya yang nyaman serta proses pemesanan yang mudah bisa kamu peroleh dari agen travel ini. 

Biro perjalanan ini menawarkan banyak destinasi mulai dari Tour di daerah Medan itu sendiri sampai menjadi salah satu travel Medan Aceh yang bisa kamu pertimbangkan. Nggak hanya itu, mereka ini juga nyewain mobil yang mungkin kamu butuhin, loh!

Lantaran banyaknya pilihan paket yang tersedia di Aulia Travel, biro ini cocok banget bagi kamu dan keluarga yang memang ingin pergi berwisata. Responnya cepat, guide dan staffnya profesional, dan harganya juga terjangkau. 

7. Narasindo Tours

Mau umroh atau mau liburan ke berbagai benua? Mungkin Narasindo Tours bisa menjadi jawabannya. Melalui Biro perjalanan ini kamu bisa mengantarmu ke benua Eropa, Asia, kebutuhan religius, sampai dengan perjalanan domestic juga bisa. 

Biro travel Medan kisaran harganya mulai dari Rp 300 ribuan aja. Kamu bisa kok cek lebih detail di website resmi mereka. Kurang lebih harganya hampir sama dengan biro perjalanan lainnya. 

Telah berdiri sejak tahun 2002, perusahaan ini berhasil mendapatkan penghargaan dari Medan Tourism Award dengan kategori ‘Best Travel Agency’. Jadi untuk layanan, produk, dan semua hal yang ditawarkan dalam biro perjalanan ini bisa kamu jadikan pilihan terbaik. 

8. Bintan Travel Medan

Bagi yang mau tour atau melakukan perjalanan wisata di Medan maka Bintan Travel bisa menjadi pilihan. Di sini mereka menyediakan beragam paket wisata seperti Tour Medan 1 Day sampai dengan Tour Medan 6D5N. 

Pada umumnya, pelanggan travel ini memilih layanan mereka untuk melakukan tour atau wisata menuju Danau Toba dengan berbagai pilihan paketnya mulai dari yang sehari saja sampai dengan 5 hari. 

Tidak hanya itu saja. Jika kamu memang butuh sewa mobil saja, mereka bisa kok menyediakannya bagimu. Ada armada seperti Innova, Avanza, HiAce, Isuzu Elf Short, Bus Medium, sampai dengan Bus dengan 44 Seat. 

9. CV. Win Travel Medan

CV Win Travel Medan juga jadi salah satu biro perjalanan yang bisa kamu pilih. Mereka melayani cukup banyak kebutuhan pelanggan dalam urusan perjalanan dan antar jemput ke berbagai tempat. 

Misalnya saja antar jemput ke Danau Toba, P. Sidempuan, Penyabungan, Padang, Bengkulu, Dumai, Sibolga, dan ke beberapa daerah lainnya. Menariknya lagi CV Win Travel memberlakukan sistem voucher. 

Setiap ada pelanggan yang memesan jasa travel dari mereka, maka pelanggan bakal diberikan kupon atau voucher senilai Rp 10.000. Nantinya kupon yang diberikan oleh travel Medan ini bisa digunakan untuk diskon ketika memesan kembali jasanya. 

10. PT Humaira Mandiri Transport

Kebutuhan masyarakat kota Medan untuk berwisata atau melakukan perjalanan ke luar kota bisa dianulir dengan adanya PT Humaira Mandiri Transport. Mereka merupakan salah satu agen perjalanan wisata juga jasa sewa mobil yang terpercaya di Medan. 

PT Humaira Mandiri Transport melayani masyarakat yang ingin berwisata ke luar kota dan khusus dengan tujuan Pekanbaru dan sekitarnya. Agen travel ini menawarkan perjalanan yang aman, nyaman, dan tentu saja tepat waktu. 

Layanan mereka door-to-door. Jadi setiap pelanggan bakal dibawa langsung ke tempat tujuan tanpa harus ebrjalan kaki lagi atau menaiki angkutan lain karena ditinggal oleh travelnya. Langsung hubungi agen mereka untuk tahu lebih lanjut, ya!

11. PT. Maju Ika Jaya Tour & Travel Medan

Biro perjalanan ini menawarkan cukup banyak layanan jika kamu membutuhkannya. PT. Maju Ika Jaya Tour & Travel bisa menyediakan kebutuhan tiket pesawat, voucher hotel, pembuatan visa dan paspor, sewa mobil, sampai dengan perjalanan inbound dan outbond yang kamu butuhkan. 

Khusus Inbound Tour mereka menawarkan destinasi wisata ke Danau Toba dengan berbagai pilihan. Selain itu juga memiliki banyak destinasi untuk layanan Outbound Tour yang mereka berikan. 

Perusahaan ini sudah berdiri sejak tahun 1989 dan tentu saja untuk urusan pengalaman dan layanan nggak perlu kamu ragukan lagi. 

12. Raya Utama Travel

Raya Utama Travel terus berupaya sejak tahun 2000 untuk memberikan layanan terbaik mereka di bidang travel atau perjalanan. Sebagai biro perjalanan, mereka punya service Group Tours, Land Tours, dan juga Travel Insurance. 

Pada layanan Group Tours, kamu bisa memilih sejumlah destinasi seperti beberapa negara di Asia, Eropa, China, New Zealand, America, Africa, dan juga Australia. Nah untuk layanan Land Tours-nya, mereka memberikan destinasi menuju Hanoi, Lombok, 3D Lost World Hotel, dan lainnya. 

Biro perjalanan dan travel ini bisa memberimu kualitas pelayanan yang maksimal, suasana yang mewah, dan juga nyaman. Tapi mereka mengklaim kalau harga layanannya tetap terjangkau. 

13. Dwijaya Tour

Ada cukup banyak paket yang disediakan oleh Dwijaya Tour. Contohnya ada Adventure Package, FIT Package, Group Series Package, dan Incentive Package. Guna memperoleh informasi mengenai paket dan harganya bisa langsung memasukkan tanggal perjalanan. 

Nantinya di website resmi mereka sudah bisa melihat secara langsung mengenai informasi harga paket. Mengenai apa saja armada yang tersedia masih belum ada informasi. Tapi sepertinya mereka bisa melayani perjalanan wisata domsetik dan juga luar negeri. 

14. Barospati Express Tour & Travel

Barospati Express Tour & Travel adalah salah satu biro perjalanan yang juga bisa memfasilitasi kebutuhanmu untuk berwisata. Contohnya saja pada layanan Tailored Trips kamu bisa memilih banyak destinasi mulai dari Surfing Nias Island, Orangutan Jungle Trekking, Enduro Dirt Biking Sumatera, 

Mereka pun bisa memberikan layanan terbaik dan respon cepat ketika kamu ingin memesan layanan trip atau wisata dari sini. Pelayanan yang mewah juga bisa kamu peroleh dari Barospati Express Tour & Travel. 

15. King’s Star Tour & Travel

Perusahaan atau biro travel satu ini menawarkan layanan yang ekslusif bagi kamu yang memang butuh jasa perjalanan. Sudah berdiri dari tahun 1971, tentu saja pengalaman yang mereka miliki sudah banyak. 

Dengan bertahun-tahun pengalaman yang mereka miliki, mereka bisa memberimu travel service yang berkualitas, staff yang berpengalaman, dan juga layanan yang bisa dipersonalisasi. 

Destinasi wisata atau perjalanan di tempat ini pun bervariasi mulai dari China, Korea, Swiss, Eropa, dan masih banyak lagi. Kamu pun bisa memesan jasa sewa mobil di King’s Star Tour & Travel. 

Tips Memilih Agen Travel Medan

Demi bisa mendapatkan layanan terbaik untuk Biro Perjalanan yang bisa memberikanmu layanan terbaik, kami bisa memberimu banyak tips. Cek tips lengkapnya di sini, ya: 

1. Sudah Terdaftar Secara Resmi

Setiap orang ataupun kelompok orang yang punya usaha baiknya terdaftar secara resmi pada Lembaga terkait atau instansi pemerintahan tertentu. Tujuannya adalah agar badan usaha itu punya kekuatan hukum. 

Selain itu tentu saja badan usaha yang sudah legal bisa memperoleh kepercayaan dari konsumen. Jika travel agen sudah terdaftar secara legal sebagai penyedia layanan perjalanan, maka travel agen itu memiliki potensi penipuan yang jauh lebih kecil. 

Tidak cukup itu saja. Kamu pun harus memperhatikan bagaimana rekam jejaknya, siapa saja klien atau pelanggan yang sudah pakai jasa mereka, juga testimoni yang bisa mendukung kredibilitas dari agen travel tersebut. 

2. Punya Lokasi Jelas

Tips selanjutnya adalah kamu pun harus cari tahu lokasi dari agen travel terkait. Meskipun bisnis agen travel belakangan banyak dilakukan dengan online, kamu pun perlu memastikan tempat atau lokasinya. 

Tempat maupun alamat usaha jadi bagian yang amat penting dari suatu bisnis buat menjadikannya profesional juga terpercaya. Kamu pun wajib tahu lokasi dari kantor travel tersebut. 

Coba buka Google Maps juga cari nama travel agen tersebut. Rating yang tinggi juga ulasan yang bagus dari pelanggan lamanya bisa mendukung kredibilitas dari suatu agen travel yang bakal kamu pilih. 

Dengan begitu, kamu dapat meminimalisir risiko biar nggak rugi karena ditipu dan lain sejenisnya. 

3. Kredibilitas

Pilihlah agen perjalanan dengan hati-hati meskipun lagi buru-buru. Kamu pun tetap harus waspada dengan cara mengetahui bagaimana latar belakang perusahaan agen perjalanan agar nggak salah pilih. 

Krebilitas ini bisa jelasin gimana perusahaan tersebut ketika menjalankan bisnisnya. Apakah mereka ini berpengalaman, profesional, atau jadi agen perjalanan yang seringkali mengecewakan kliennya. 

Kamu bisa cek kredibilitasnya melalui: 

• Testimoni 
• Akun media sosial
• Website resmi
• Ulasan dari orang terdekat yang pernah menggunakan jasanya. 

4. Transparan

Tips lainnya yang perlu kamu perhatikan adalah transparansi dari agen terkait. Contohnya saja seperti keterbukaan untuk masalah pembayaran. Mereka bakal terbuka untuk urusan harga juga fasilitas apa saja yang bisa diperoleh dengan harga tersebut. 

Agen travel nggak bakal menutupi informasi apapun dari kamu. Dengan itu tentu saja potensi untuk melakukan penipuan masih sangat kecil. Contohnya mereka bakal menjabarkan detail paket yang amat jelas. 

Mereka pun nggak bakal menutup-nutuipi harga maupun syarat juga ketentuan yang sedang berlaku. 

5. Responsif

Agen travel yang bagus yakni adalah agen perjalanan yang responsif. Responsif di sini bisa diartikan sebagai cepat tanggap ketika melayani klien ataupun pelanggan entah itu lewat email, telepon, dan juga live chat. 

Hal utama yang dibutuhkan klien yakni ikatan yang terbentuk antara dirinya dengan penyedia jasa. Dalam hal ini penyedia jasanya adalah agen travel Medan. Agen travel yang responsif atau cepat tanggap tentu jadi nilai plus di hati kalian. 

Itulah sejumlah tips dan juga beberapa rekomendasi dari kami untuk kamu yang sedang butuh agen travel di Medan yang berkualitas dan terpercaya. Semoga cukup membantu, ya!

Firdaus Al Faqi adalah seorang Content Writer berpengalaman asal Situbondo, Jawa Timur. Dari tahun 2019, ia telah berkecimpung di dunia tulis-menulis. Saat ini aktif menulis di berbagai media seperti Mojok.co, Pikiran Rakyat, Bangun Bisnis dan Alamat Bagus.

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How To Get To Lake Toba From Medan: Transportation Guide 2024

This post contains affiliate links. I will earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.

Are you looking at how to get to Lake Toba from Medan in North Sumatra, Indonesia? If so then you’re in the right place!

We enjoyed our time at Lake Toba and found its tranquillity, Batak culture and stunning landscapes wonderful. If we ever make it back to Sumatra (hopefully), it’s on the “return list”.

However, getting to Lake Toba from Medan on public transport was a challenge! We actually came straight from Bukit Lawang thinking we could make it in one day, we didn’t, but since we had to pass through Medan, we know exactly how it’s done! If you need a transport guide to Bukit Lawang, it’s here.

Since it took every type of transport for us to reach Lake Toba, we thought a comprehensive guide to walking you through the various methods of transport available would be helpful! 

This Lake Toba transportation guide is going to ensure you a smooth journey to this breathtaking destination.

For the purpose of this how-to get to Lake Toba guide, I’ll provide explanations on how to get there from either Medan Airport or Medan Central.

How To Get To Lake Toba Price Summary

✔️Train Price. 102,000 IDR p/p one-way (£5.30 / $6.70) – To be combined with bus price. ✔️Bus Price. 25,000 IDR p/p one-way (£1.35 / $1.60) ✔️Private Transfer. From £95/$120 ✔️Rental Price. 7-days est. £550.00 / $700.00 ✔️Ferry Price. 15,000 IDR p/p one-way (£0.78 / $1.00) Pro Tip: From Kuala Namu airport you will find shared taxis and tour companies if you exit and turn right towards the bus station. From there you should be able to secure yourself transport to Lake Toba.

How To Get To Lake Toba: Exploring Your Options

If you’re heading for Sumatra, the most popular airport is in the city of Medan (Kualanamu International Airport) . It’s a large(ish) airport and does have a number of international flights in and out.

Therefore, it’s possible to fly direct to North Sumatra, bypassing internal transfers through Java or Bali – depending on where you’re coming from.

There is also a smaller airport – Silangit Airport – located 2 hours from the port town of Parapat at Lake Toba, (this is where you’ll want to go to catch the ferry over to Samosir Island). You can fly from Medan to Silangit in 30 minutes. 

However, we came from Medan and so I’ll be taking you through our journey.

Whether you’re arriving at Medan Airport or from Medan city centre, there are multiple transport options to take you to Lake Toba. This guide covers the three main modes of travel: train, bus, and private car.

Looking To Book Your Holiday Soon? Check Prices Below.

How to get to lake toba by train.

In total, you’re looking at a minimum of 6.5 hours to complete the journey from Medan Airport to Parapat, Lake Toba, plus any transfer/waiting time.

Amazingly, since it was the only time we experienced a railway line in Indonesia, Lake Toba is connected to Medan by train, or at least halfway. 

There’s a rail line running from Medan Airport to Medan Central Station . At Medan Central Station, you’ll need to jump onto another train to Pematang Siantar Station.

Since we came from Bukit Lawang we arrived at Medan Central Station but it was on our initial arrival we used the airport rail link. It’s pretty great and means travel is a lot more comfortable. 

I recommend you take the train too! However, the only train departing to Pematang Siantar Station is at 2 pm. This means you will miss the last ferry to Samosir Island and so you’ll need to arrange accommodation in Parapat for the night.

✔️The fare from Medan Airport to Medan Central Station is IDR 80,000 p/p, one-way. (£ / $) ✔️The fare from Medan Central Station to Pematang Siantar Station is IDR 22,000 p/p, one-way. (£ / ) ✔️You’re looking at around 35-40 minutes of travel time to get from Medan Airport to Medan Central Station (these leave regularly enough) and then 4 hours to Pematang Siantar Station, traffic dependant – it’s quite a slow-moving train. 

Pemtang Siantar Station To Parapat

Once we arrived at Pematang Siantar Station there was supposed to be a bus outside to Parapat, however, no bus was to be found! Luckily we had met two Indonesian lads who were heading there too and together we managed to find the way.

If there is no bus when you step off the train, follow these instructions:

✔️Don’t jump in the first taxi/becak which comes running over, they always cost more! ✔️Instead, walk out of the station a little bit and jump in one on the main road.  ✔️The fare should be IDR 10.000 and you’re going to Intersection 2 (which is the bus stop to Parapat) ✔️The bus fee is IDR 25,000 and will take you to Parapat in about 2 hours, traffic depending. 

Remember, you’ll be reaching Parapat after dark and so it’s best to have your accommodation sorted before you arrive.  

It’s not really somewhere you’ll want to spend much time and the accommodations aren’t great, but for one night, these three will do:

These Are Our Suggested Hotels

📍 valencia homestay redpartner.

Valencia Homestay Redpartner is a 1-star property located in Parapat. This 1-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk. The hotel also provides free WiFi and free private parking.

📍 RedDoorz near Danau Toba Parapat

RedDoorz near Danau Toba Parapat is a 2-star property situated in Parapat. This 2-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. There is a restaurant serving Asian cuisine, and free private parking is available.

📍 Khas Parapat

The Inna Parapat is located in the mountains near Lake Toba. This secluded resort is a 3-hour drive from the capital of Medan. Free Wi-Fi and free parking are available.

How To Get To Lake Toba By Bus

In total, you’re looking at a minimum of 4.5 hours to complete the journey from Medan Airport to Parapat, Lake Toba, plus any transfer/waiting time.

If you want to get to Samosir Island on the same day, then you might want to consider taking the bus. We caught the bus back to Medan from Parapat and lucky for us it was practically empty, nevertheless, it was still hot. 

If you’re catching a local bus it’s unlikely it will have air-con and it is usually full. We just visited during a very quiet period post-pandemic.

We had a wild time trying to reach the airport after the bus had dropped us off at God knows where. Supposedly a bus station, but there was nothing and no one around. We had to walk in the sweaty heat with our hefty bags to the main road where we waited for hours for a bus that never came.

In the end, we jumped in a taxi only to have a dispute with them over the cost; it had been agreed before we got in but the driver decided to change his mind saying the cost was for one person!

Anyways, we caught that bus from the main road at Parapat and if you’re happy to pay for a taxi at the other end (it really wasn’t that much), then you’re journey won’t be as stressful as ours.

That said, it was at 10:40 AM on a weekday! We did wait on the side of the road, under the umbrella of a local’s food stall, who in the end was helping us to catch the correct bus.

Medan Central To Lake Toba

Moving on, if you’re catching the bus from central Medan to Lake Toba , you’ll want to get to Amplas Bus Terminal. 

If you’re coming from Bukit Lawang like us, you’ll get dropped off at Pingang Baris Bus Terminal (if you catch the bus all the way back to Medan – no train). From there, you’ll want the local bus going to Amplas Bus Station.

✔️The fare from Pingang Baris Bus Terminal to Amplas Bus Terminal is IDR 15,000 (£/$) p/p one-way. ✔️The fare from Amplas Bus Terminal to Parapat is IDR 50,000 (£/$) p/p one-way. ✔️From Amplas Bus Terminal to Parapat it should take around 4 hours travel time, traffic dependant. From Pingang Baris it’s about 40 minutes to Amplas.

Medan Airport To Lake Toba  

If you’re departing directly from the airport there are a few ways to reach Lake Toba. Exit the airport and turn right outside to find the buses.

From the airport, there is the Damri bus company which will take you to Amplas Bus Terminal, from there you can jump on another bus to Parapat.

✔️The fare from Medan Airport to Amplas Bus Terminal is IDR 15,000 (£/$) p/p one-way. ✔️You’re looking at around 20 minutes of travel time to get from Medan Airport to Amplas.

It’s also possible to take the Paradep bus company to Pematang Siantar and then another bus to Parapat. 

✔️The fare from Medan Airport to Pematang Siantar is IDR 55,000 (£/$) p/p one-way. ✔️The fare from Pematang Siantar to Parapat is IDR 25,000 (£/$) p/p one-way. ✔️In total, the journey should take around 4 hours but again, this depends on the traffic.

Or, I’ve also read you can take a coach directly to Parapat via Nice Trans bus company , it’s just more expensive however the information is not so clear on this one.

✔️The fare is IDR 450,000 (£/$). I’m not sure if this is for one person or a group but the takeaway is that there is a direct bus.

How To Get To Lake Toba By Private Transfer

In total, you’re looking at a minimum of 4 hours to complete the journey from Medan Airport to Parapat, Lake Toba, plus any transfer/waiting time.

If you’ve got a spare buck then the most convenient way to reach Lake Toba is by private transfer. This mode of transport offers flexibility, comfort and stress-free travel. 

For a seamless experience, a bit of pre-planning is helpful as you’ll want to ensure you book with a reputable company.

If you’re looking to pre-book online , make sure you do your research and look for comfortable vehicles with air-con, experienced drivers and positive customer reviews. 

We like to use Viator to book our transfers and tours, they have a highly reviewed private car transfer service here.

Once you’ve made your booking I would contact them in advance and confirm the date and pick-up. Provide them with your flight details if you have them. I’d also reconfirm a couple of days before and then the day before, just to be sure!

Make sure you’re clear about where you’re getting picked up and at what time. If they can meet you at the arrival gate with a sign, all the better! Ensure that you have your luggage ready and communicate any special requirements you may have.

✔️You’re looking at around £95.00 / $120.00 for a pre-booked service through online platforms like Viator. ✔️If you pick up a private car from the airport the fee should be around IDR 500,000 to 800,000 (£25.00 / $32.00)

Shared Taxi

It’s possible to find a private car at the airport although rates are not set and you’re likely to get bombarded by drivers when you exit the airport. You can also get a shared taxi although I wouldn’t recommend this as in our experience it’s not comfortable and takes forever as it will make multiple stops. 

If you’re thinking to do that, better catch the local buses/train.

How To Get To Lake Toba By Rental Car

Embarking on a road trip to Lake Toba by rental car offers you the freedom to explore at your own pace and discover the hidden gems of Indonesia’s landscapes. Jack and I would absolutely love to do a road trip around Sumatra, we did one in Bali and it was epic!

That said, before setting out make sure to research and book a reliable rental car company that offers vehicles suitable for your travel group and needs. Ensure the rental car is equipped with GPS for easy navigation!

Keep in mind that driving in Indonesia is on the left-hand side, with the driver’s seat on the right-hand side. Familiarise yourself with local traffic rules and road signs before starting your journey.

In most cases, a driver’s license issued in your home country is valid for driving in Indonesia . However, it’s a good idea to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your local license for added convenience and compliance.

Consider breaking up your journey to Lake Toba with a stop in Berastagi. This charming town offers a chance to rest, explore local attractions, and enjoy the picturesque surroundings before continuing your drive to Lake Toba.

✔️Rental Price for a 7-day rental is estimated at £550.00 / $700.00 . ✔️The journey direct can be done in 4 hours. 

Pro Tip: While Google Maps works well in most areas, be prepared for possible gaps in coverage, particularly in isolated or mountainous terrains. Remember to plan ahead, prioritise safety, and embrace the spontaneity of the open road.

How To Get To Samosir Island

You’ve made it to Parapat, finally! Parapat is a popular port town of Lake Toba and the closest port to Medan. It’s where you’ll get dropped off and where you’ll catch the ferry over to Samosir Island.

Samosir Island is the main tourist hub of Lake Toba and is filled with Batak-style architecture, markets, tourist attractions and fantastic hiking opportunities. It’s a beautiful and tranquil island and somewhere you should absolutely be visiting!

To get to Samosir Island head to Port Tiga Raja in Parapat , which is the departure point for the ferry to Samosir Island. The ferry ride offers a picturesque experience of Lake Toba’s beauty.

Ferries from Parapat to Samosir Island are a convenient and cost-effective mode of transportation. Unlike buses, ferry timings are generally reliable although hiccups do occur and the last ferry is often cancelled. 

Apart from that, you can trust that the ferry will depart…eventually!

✔️The fare is IDR 15,000 per person.  ✔️The ferry should run every half hour on the hour starting from 8:30 am onwards. The last ferry departs from Parapat at 7 pm, giving you ample time to plan your trip.

The ferry journey across Lake Toba to and from Samosir Island typically takes around 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your drop-off point. Use this time to soak in the breathtaking views and appreciate the tranquil surroundings.

Conclusion: How To Get To Lake Toba

Whether you choose to reach Lake Toba on public transport or in the comfort and convenience of a private car transfer, your passage will eventually bring you to Parapat and the gorgeous Lake Toba. 

I hope with these practical insights on how to get to Lake Toba you’ll be able to plan your journey with ease, or at least have a better understanding of how to get there.

The journey can be an experience for even the most seasoned traveller so take advantage of modern technology, such as GPS, and brush up on your negotiating skills. 

A few basic phrases in Bahasa Indonesian are going to help your journey go smoothly too and remember to embrace the journey itself!

Set forth with confidence, curiosity, and a sense of adventure, knowing that every step towards Lake Toba is a step towards a remarkable natural wonder!

Explore & Discover More

Come and join our socials and keep up to date with the latest adventures. Find the latest travel photos, and blog updates, ask questions and get travel inspiration. ✔️ FIND ON INSTAGRAM ✔️ JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

Abigail Dalton is the owner and creator behind I’m Going On An Adventure, a blog which helps travellers find unique destinations worldwide. She focuses on budget travel and outdoor adventure, giving first-hand experiences to help her readers plan their perfect trips and make the best memories. She also helps travellers plan their dream holidays with bespoke travel services where she creates fun-packed itineraries. When she isn't writing about her travels you'll find her on long country walks foraging for mushrooms or enjoying a cool fruity white under the sun, toes tucked in the sand.

4 Days Medan

Penang - medan - parapat.

Assemble at Penang International Airport for your departure flight to Medan. Upon arrival, transfer to Parapat  via Tebing Tinggi  and Pematang   Siantar . Arrival in the Parapat , check-in hotel then free for leisure.

Parapat - Lake Toba - Samosir Island - Parapat

After breakfast, visit to Lake Toba  - Bukit Gibeon Waterfall . After that take a ferry boat tour to Samosir Island . Visit the Tomok village, old tomb of Raja Sidabutar , and seeing traditional houses of Batak Toba and  Ambarita village to see the old stone court of Raja Siallangan.

Parapat - Berastagi - Medan

Today, we transfer to B e rastagi  via Simarjarunjung  Rest House  and  Sipiso Piso Waterfall . Arrive in Berastagi, visit Fruit Market . and  Taman Lumbini . Then head north to Medan .

Medan - Penang

After breakfast in hotel, Medan City orientation tour to  Maimoon Palace , Cemara Asri Temple  and enjoy shopping at Shopping Mall. After that transfer to airport. Tour Ends.

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• Bus & Travel
• Airport Transfer

Things to Do

Find your travel regulations, anywhere to medan open, city/country status descriptions.

• Starting 9 June 2023 until further notice , based on SE Satgas COVID-19 No 1 Tahun 2023 :
• Travelers no longer need to present COVID-19 vaccination certificate or COVID-19 test result when traveling.
• [International Travel Update] Many countries have opened their borders for international tourists. Please ensure you have read all the information completely and have fulfilled travel regulations in origin country and destination country when flying abroad.
• Please ensure you have read and fulfilled all regulations to be allowed on board.
• This landing page is updated regularly based on the latest regulation. Please check this page regularly for the latest updates.

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Overview of TravelBiz Hotel

Popular amenities.

• Free breakfast Free breakfast Free breakfast
• Spa Spa Spa
• Free parking Free parking Free parking
• Free WiFi Free WiFi Free WiFi
• Air conditioning Air conditioning Air conditioning
• Airport transfer Airport transfer Airport transfer

Main amenities

• Daily housekeeping
• Spa services
• Airport shuttle
• 24-hour front desk
• Air conditioning
• Luggage storage

Feel at home

• Private bathroom
• Separate sitting area
• Digital TV service
• Free self parking

What's around

• Popular Location Great Mosque of Medan 16 min walk
• Popular Location Medan Mall 18 min walk
• Popular Location Maimun Palace 19 min walk
• Airport Medan (KNO-Kuala Namu Intl.) 44 min drive

Room options

View all photos for grand room.

View all photos for Superior Room

Superior Room

View all photos for deluxe room.

Deluxe Room

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Jiyo Boutique Inn

About the neighborhood

What's nearby.

• Great Mosque of Medan - 16 min walk
• Medan Mall - 18 min walk
• Maimun Palace - 19 min walk
• Grand City Hall - 3 min drive
• Sun Plaza - 3 min drive

Getting around

• Medan (KNO-Kuala Namu Intl.) - 45 min drive
• Medan Station - 11 min drive
• Pulu Brayan Station - 24 min drive
• Bandara Kualanamu Station - 24 min drive
• Airport shuttle (surcharge)

Restaurants

• Chasio Asan - 3 min walk
• Laksa Yoserizal - 5 min walk
• TST Pak Haji Puri - 7 min walk
• Mie Lebong - 8 min walk
• Citi Kopitiam - 6 min walk

About this property

At a glance, arriving/leaving.

• Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM
• Minimum check-in age: 18
• Check-out time is noon

Restrictions related to your trip

• Check COVID-19 restrictions.

Special check-in instructions

• Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival
• This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in

Required at check-in

• Cash deposit required for incidental charges
• Government-issued photo ID may be required
• Minimum check-in age is 18
• No pets or service animals allowed
• Free WiFi in public areas
• Free WiFi in rooms (speed: 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices))
• Free onsite self parking
• Airport shuttle on request (available 24 hours)*

Other information

• Designated smoking areas (fines apply)

Property amenities

Food and drink.

• Free buffet breakfast each morning 7:00 AM–10:00 AM

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Wheelchairs available on site
• Well-lit path to entrance

Room amenities

Be entertained.

• 32-inch Smart TV
• Digital TV channels

Home comfort

• Hypo-allergenic bedding
• Bed sheets provided

What to enjoy

Stay connected.

• Free WiFi (speed of 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices))
• Free bottled water
• Access via exterior corridors
• Shared accommodations

Special features

Fees & policies, refundable deposits.

• Cash deposit: IDR 100000 per accommodation, per stay

Optional extras

• Airport shuttle service is offered for an extra charge of IDR 250000 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 4)

Children & extra beds

• Airport shuttle for children between the ages of 5 and 8 costs IDR 249999 (one-way)

Pool, spa, & gym (if applicable)

• Reservations are required for massage services and can be made by contacting the property before arrival at the number on the booking confirmation

Also known as

Frequently asked questions.

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8/10 Very Good

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