Major city · Indonesia
Padang Sidempuan
Half a day to one night: see the Bahal temple complex and the city view from Simarsayang hill, then move on to Sibolga or Lake Toba.
Padang Sidempuan is the main city in southern North Sumatra, known for its salak fruit and as a transit hub. Most travellers use it as a stopover between Medan and Sibolga or Nias. The main draw is the 11th–13th century Bahal Buddhist temple complex, about 45 km east. The city itself has a hill viewpoint and a relaxed pace.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Oct–Dec (rainy season)
- Airport
- AEG
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Padang Sidempuan110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Padang Sidempuan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.Indonesia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckTelkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.Indonesia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.Indonesia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.Indonesia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Indonesia-wide
- SafetyPadang Sidempuan is generally safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 118/119 fire and ambulance · 112 General emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBali shuts completely for Nyepi; government offices close Friday midday for prayer; Lebaran slows the country for two weeks.Indonesia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckAEG Aek Godang Airport (About 26 km (16 mi) away in Padang Lawas; flights from Medan, Padang and Sibolga — check schedules.).AEG Aek Godang Airport (About 16 mi (26 km) away in Padang Lawas; flights from Medan, Padang and Sibolga — check schedules.).
- Getting aroundBecak motor (motorised trishaw) is the common local transport.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedBudget hotel room, a night, per roomRp150,000
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel room, a night, per roomRp250,000
- High-end bedBudget hotel room, a night, per roomRp400,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp150,000 · Mid Rp300,000 · High Rp600,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AEG Aek Godang Airport (About 26 km (16 mi) away in Padang Lawas; flights from Medan, Padang and Sibolga — check schedules.)AEG Aek Godang Airport (About 16 mi (26 km) away in Padang Lawas; flights from Medan, Padang and Sibolga — check schedules.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Oct–Dec. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Oct (16 rain days), driest Jun (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Padang Sidempuan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Becak motor (motorised trishaw) is the common local transport. For Bahal temple, hire a car or take a bus toward Padang Lawas and then a becak.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bahal temple (Candi Bahal)
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h each way
Car or bus toward Padang Lawas, then becak; about 45 km (28 mi) eastCar or bus toward Padang Lawas, then becak; about 28 mi (45 km) east
Three Buddhist temples from the 11th–13th century; remote, so plan return transport.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Bus or car via Trans-Sumatran Highway, about 2 h
Coastal town with ferry to Nias.
Door to door: About 5 h
Bus to Parapat (about 4 h), then ferry
Too far for a day trip; stay at least one night.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre (Jalan Sisingamangaraja area)
Most hotels and eateries; walkable to the salak monument and local warungs.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rp 150,000–250,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp 250,000–500,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rp 500,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel room1 × 1 night × Rp400,000 | Rp400,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × Rp300,000 | Rp600,000 |
| Car hire to Bahal temple (return)1 × Rp500,000 · check | Rp500,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp150,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp825,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp1,650,000≈ US$110 |
2026 estimate in rupiah; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Nasi goreng or mie goreng at a warung | Rp 15,000–25,000 |
| Salak fruit (per kg) | Rp 10,000–20,000 |
| Becak motor ride (short trip) | Rp 5,000–15,000 |
| Bus Padang Sidempuan → Medan | Rp 80,000–120,000 |
| Hotel Nataama double room | From Rp 150,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Aek Godang airport has limited flights; check if Medan's KNO is more reliable.
- Bahal temple is remote — arrange return transport in advance.
- Rainy season (Oct–Dec) can make roads muddy.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 118/119
- General emergency
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Padang SidempuanPadang Sidempuan
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance118/119
- General emergency112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Aek Godang airport → city centre: about Rp 100,000–150,000 by car (check)
- Becak motor city centre → Simarsayang hill: about Rp 20,000–30,000
Say or show
- Berapa? — How much? (buh-rah-pah)
- Di mana candi? — Where is the temple? (dee mah-nah chan-dee)
- Saya mau ke… — I want to go to… (sah-yah mah-oo kuh)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (tuh-ree-mah kah-seeh)
Check
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Padang Sidempuan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Oct–Dec (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Bahal temple, Simarsayang hill, and salak farms.
- Eat pages with local dishes (partapean, salak-based snacks).
- Transport page for Aek Godang airport schedules and bus routes.
Sources
Ask about Padang Sidempuan
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