Medan Flights

Medan's international airport is known as Polonia International Airport (MES) and is located about 15 minutes from the city.

There are direct flights to/from Jakarta, Pekanbaru, Batam and other cities.
AirAsia to/from Jakarta
Kartika Airlines to/from Batam and Jakarta
Merpati
Garuda
Lion Air to Jakarta and Banda Aceh
Linus Airways

Have flown by Garuda and MAS (Malaysian Airlines) from Penang to Medan before. This was the first time, I was flying on Lion Air - an Indonesian budget airlines.

Of course, I was worried a little as all Indonesian airlines were put on safety alert list recently in Europe. Anyway, the worries were unfounded as I have a smooth and comfortable flight to and fro between Penang and Medan, less than 40 minutes flight time. Was delayed though by 2 hours at Penang Airport to Medan which I was told was not usual.

As it was a short flight, only a small cup of water was offered. The other airlines between Penang and Medan is Malaysian Airlines with Air Asia (via Kuala Lumpur LCC)

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I have flown into Medan Polonia airport - four times. Each time, I am amazed by the approach. You cross the the Straits of Melaka, then the coastline of Sumatra island and quickly, you see the agriculture fields and the brown roof-tops of of Medan town with not many tall buildings.

The airport code is MES and the airport is located only 10-15 minutes from downtown Medan. May be too close for safety as the airport is a residential area and so a new airport is being built.

It is a small airport. It was busy as an international aid operation and visit by high profile world leaders after the Asian disastrous tsunami.

Anyway, you have deplane by walking down the mobile stairs and walk on the airport tarmac from the plane to the airport. Luckily it was not raining.

When departing, you will go upstairs to the second level and then down the stairs again to airport tarmac.

There is a departure tax of 75,000 Rupiah payable after you have your boarding pass.

Inside the airport, there are several well-stocked souvenir shop to use up all your Rupiah and buy those hard to find souvenir while you were in Medan shopping malls.

In April 2007 we made a trip from Medan to Lake Toba via Pemangtansiantar then returned via Kabanjahe/Brastagi. After went to Bukit Lawang.

The trip from Medan to Lake Toba took with a few stops and the ferry ride about 6-7 hourse. You could reach Prapat in 4 hours if you go non-stop. Then we went on the boat to Samosir Island, a beautiful place to stay. We stayed in Tuk-Tuk at Tabo Cottages.
You can find this hotel on the internet. It has nice rooms; fairly clean and the food is home-cooked and tasty. It is directly on the Lake. I think as far as i can judge is one of the better places at Lake Toba. We had lunch at Bagus cafe, which is a tranquil etnic hide out and we made a small tour on the Island. We went to Simanindo to see the Batak dance which is lovely and to the graves in Tomok. Watch out there as there is a fake site, you bump on the first one from the main road, but walk a bit further in and you will find the real one.
After that we took the ferry back to Prapat and then made the drive up to Brastagi, which is a bit longer, but beautiful. Hotel Siantar is a nice and very clean spot for coffeestop on the way.
Do not forget to visit the Batak kings palace on the way and Sisipiso waterfal.
We went back to Medan and the next day left for Bukit Lawang. Which is a hell of a drive of at least 3 hours. Bad road, full of potholes, but certainly worth it and there stayed at the Jungle Inn. The people and the food were lovely, but the room was not so good. Anyway you can go for the honeymoon suite, but they sell now every room as the honeymoon suite. The other place to stay is Eco lodge. Its more down stream. Jungle Inn is directly opposite of the Orang Oetan center and we did catch them wandering along the river....so that was great.

We did a wonderful trek up the mountain and tubed down river again.

I can certainly recommend both locations. Medan is a city you might not like, but look under the covers and there is quite some history there. Its been modernized and more agreeable too. Ardy Timmer

It is so so odd. In Malaysia we have trishaw mainly for tourists in Malacca and also Penang and the trishaw men - or we call them behca man peddles. We also rode them in Beijing.

But in Medan, you see loads of them but they are equiped with a motorbike - and a very unenvironmental one...lots of smokey pollution!!

Lake Toba is approximately 3 hours by road from Medan there is a frequent bus service that runs from Medan to Lake Toba and hired taxis available.

If you are in Samosir and wish to go to Lake Toba there is a regular ferry service that will carry passengers and motorcycles. If you so desire there are private speedboats for charter.

Lake Toba is approximately 3 hours by road from Medan there is a frequent bus service that runs from Medan to Lake Toba and hired taxis available.

If you are in Samosir and wish to go to Lake Toba there is a regular ferry service that will carry passengers and motorcycles. If you so desire there are private speedboats for charter.

If you are unfamiliar with Medan or need a translator for travel by Airport Taxi (the white taxi) around Medan from the Airport, a friendly travel ambassador is present at Polonia International Airport to escort you. Be prepared to give him a tip. There is no Airport Bus at Polonia International Airport.