In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Indonesia
Pematangsiantar
One day is enough; reach from Medan by shared taxi (≈2 h, Rp45‑50k) or train (≈4 h, Rp22k). Explore the market, temple and zoo, then rest.
Pematangsiantar is North Sumatra's second‑largest city (≈280 k). Its compact centre, market, Buddhist temple, zoo and colonial villas fit a half‑day visit; transport links from Medan make a day trip easy.
- Country
- Indonesia
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- IDR
- Money
- Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.
- Daily spend
- Budget Rp70,000–100,000 excl. bed · Mid Rp120,000–180,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Telkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire/ambulance 118/119 · General 112
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · European round pins.
- Tipping
- Warung: Nothing.; Restaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.; Drivers and guides: Rp50,000–100,000 a day.; Spa: Rp20,000–50,000.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.
- Toilets
- Western in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Shared taxi Medan → Siantar | Rp45,000–50,000 |
| Train ticket Medan → Siantar | Rp22,000 |
| Minibus (same distance as becak) | Rp5,000 |
| Becak (≈3 km (1.9 mi))Becak (≈1.9 mi (3 km)) | Rp20,000 |
| Motorbike rental (per day) | Rp60,000 |
| Beer (bar) | Rp50,000 |
| Tuak (palm wine, glass) | Rp1,000 |
| Badak soft drink bottle | Rp12,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- KNO · Kualanamu International (Medan)
- Shared taxi to Siantar ≈2 h, Rp45‑50k
Typical fares
- Medan → Siantar shared taxi
- ≈Rp45,000–50,000, 2 h
- Becak ride (3 km)
- ≈Rp20,000
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Language, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Becak (≈Rp20k for 3 km (1.9 mi)), minibus (≈Rp5k same distance, no schedule), motorbike rental (≈Rp60k/day, 150 cc Vespa).Becak (≈Rp20k for 1.9 mi (3 km)), minibus (≈Rp5k same distance, no schedule), motorbike rental (≈Rp60k/day, 150 cc Vespa).
See and do
Known for
- Avalokitesvara Temple
- Pematangsiantar Zoo
- Sidamanik Tea Plantation
- Colonial villas
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Toba (Parapat) | Taxi or minibus from Siantar, ≈1.5 h | ≈2 h |
Sleep
- Siantar Hotel
- Mid‑range, free lobby Wi‑Fi; not budget
- Siantar GH
- Guesthouse near bus station, ≈Rp20k/night
- Wisma Tuluy
- Church‑run budget, clean, north of centre
Language
Indonesian is easy to start: Latin script, no tones, simple grammar. Nearly everyone speaks it alongside a regional language (Javanese, Sundanese, Balinese and hundreds more). English is common in Bali tourism.
- 'Terima kasih' (thank you), 'berapa?' (how much?), 'tidak pedas' (not spicy).
- WhatsApp for every business.
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Light handshake then hand to chest; smile; avoid: Firm grips
- Left hand: Give and receive with the right; avoid: Passing anything with the left
- Temples: Sarong and sash; step around offerings; avoid: Standing higher than priests
- Keeping calm: Patience; indirect requests; avoid: Anger in public
- Pointing: Thumb; avoid: Index finger
Scams and watch-outs
- No fixed bus timetables; minibus may leave without warning
- Becak rides are a tourist experience; negotiate price
- Public pools lack filtration; check water before swimming
Generally safe; keep an eye on belongings in crowded markets and watch traffic when crossing streets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Pematangsiantar yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Avalokitesvara Temple
- Pematangsiantar Zoo
- Sidamanik Tea Plantation
- Colonial villas
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Pematangsiantar, revision 5232004 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5232004
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/pematangsiantar). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.