Medan Transportation

Hi Guys

I want to travel in the morning (26Oct'08) to Parapat, Samosir and come back to Medan airport next day evening (27Oct'08 on or before 8:00 Pm) but passing via Berastagi. Please advice for best transport means and hotel stay.

Bes Regards

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The Airport is located very near to the city (infact with in the city) most hotels can be reached with in 15 minutes max by Taxi or by the Becak, you need to do isavoid the Taxi Company Agents and Tauts come out from the terminal parking lot, walk a little and cross the street infront you will find Motor Becaks standing. It cost cheaper then airport taxi (IDR10,000 to 15,000) while Taxi company have fixed charges over IDR45,000.

Domestic and International Arrivals are handled with in same terminal since the Original Domestic Terminal was destroyed because of fire. All terminals are adjecent and only few minutes walk away from each other.

Motorcycles (Ojeks) also available if you dont have heavy or large size luggage.

On my return from Medan I walked to the airport from my accomodation, it took less then 15 minutes.

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Are you crazy? That is what my host said when I asked him to book me a seat on a bus from Medan to Jakarta and I said YES I am. Took ALS Bus leaving Medan (Terminal at Jalan Sisangamaraja) to Yogjakarta via Jakarta at 3.00 PM and arrived in Cikaranag Terminal at 3.00 PM 2 days later. 2 Nights and 2 Days crossing zig zag roads of Sumatra Passing the Lake Toba with spectecular scenary and crossing the Sunda Seas on Ferry, sittiting of the Front Seat (#1) with a clear view ahead.

An Adventure of a life time stopping at almost every noteable city/town of Sumatra, Ticket Cost that time IDR215000.00 for Airconditioned Bus. The Foods/Drinks on the way are not very expensive, just a little higher then the usual prices which is justified

I have taken the boat between Penang and Belawan which is a seaport 20km north of Medan.

There is also substantial railway link from Medan to Belawan as well as to other towns in Northern Sumatra - Binjai and Tanjungpura (northwest) and Tebing Tinggi and Pematang Siantar (southeast).

Actually, air and road are easier ways to get to other parts of Sumatra.

There are many day, 1 night or 2 nights tour by bus to Danau Toba (Lake Toba), Brastagi and other tourist destinations.

The cheapest way to get around is by the public minibuses.

However not recommended as you will squeeze into this small mini bus in squatting positions.

There is no bus stop but the mini-buses will pick up passengers waiting at common popular road corners.

You may want to take a spin to see how the students, local Medanese go to work but when you see the cramp condition, I doubt you want to do it again.

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The best way to see Kesawan Square and Merdeka Square is by foot.

At Kesawan Square, the colonial and prewar house have five foot way (covered walkways outside the building). Merdeka Square is an Esplanade surrounded by colonial buildings, railway station and banks and eating outlets.

The only thing is that there is a lack of pedestrian trafffic light crossing or overhead bridges. So exercise caution when crossing the road especially the several lanes road around Merdeka Square.

Or have your becak driver follow you as you get on foot and explore the urban historic and local downtown environs.

Medan taxis are the easiest and safest way to get around town.

However, there is no meter used. So you have to negotiate the price before boarding.

Some will try to up the price while you are getting there but be firm. Found the taxi drivers to be reasonable. We were allowed to fit 4 persons in the back seat!

If your taxi takes to a shopping mall, you can stop in front and walk as some malls require taxis to pay a parking fee to enter to drop off passengers. At some hotels, taxi booth are opened and checked by hotel security.

Most taxi drivers do not speak English. So have your destination or hotel name written down if you cannot speak Bahasa Indonesia.

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One of the most popular and fun way to see the tourist sights or visit the shopping malls of Medan is by becak. It is a trishaw but run by a motorcycle.

Fares need to be negotiated after letting know where you are going. Depending on your destination/s, it can be anywhere from 10,000 to 40,000 rupiah.

It can take two persons and a third person on the motorcycle.

There is a front cover if it rains and so have fun going around.