Major city · Indonesia
MedanKota Medan
Give Medan one night as a transport and food stop, not a sightseeing base: fly in, eat, then move on to Lake Toba or Berastagi.
Medan is Indonesia's fourth-largest city and the gateway to North Sumatra, about 45 minutes from Kualanamu airport by train. It is a working city of shophouses, Dutch-era buildings and food streets rather than a resort, and most travellers use it for one night before heading to Lake Toba, Berastagi or Bukit Lawang.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- May–Sep (drier); city is a year-round stop
- avoid Oct–Dec (wettest), Ramadan dates for the mosque night market
- Airport
- KNO
- Nights
- 1
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.
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
Emergency numbers for Medan112 ▾
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 Medan, 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
- SafetyMedan is a busy, generally safe city, but the real risks are traffic, uneven pavements and transport price scams: use metered taxis or app cars and…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency · 110 police · 118 ambulance (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.
- AirportKNO Kualanamu International (About 45 min from the city; Railink airport train to Medan station, 31–41 min).
- Getting aroundTaxis from Bluebird or Express with the meter, or Grab/Gojek booked in the app.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea at a kedaiRp10,000–25,000
- Street or quick mealBowl of noodles or baksoRp20,000–40,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across the centreMetered; app cars are usually cheaper.Rp40,000–80,000
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum or palace entrycheckRp10,000–50,000
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personRp100,000
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomRp450,000
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomRp900,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp350,000 · Mid Rp700,000 · High Rp1,500,000
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
- KNO Kualanamu International (About 45 min from the city; Railink airport train to Medan station, 31–41 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
32°C (89°F)89°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (89°F)89°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Avoid
31°C (87°F)87°F (31°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Oct–Dec. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (74°F)74°F (23°C) low), wettest Oct (20 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Medan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (74°F)74°F (23°C)
13 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (74°F)74°F (24°C)
10 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (76°F)76°F (24°C)
15 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (74°F)74°F (24°C)
14 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Sep
32°C (89°F)89°F (32°C)
24°C (74°F)74°F (24°C)
18 rd
Oct
31°C (89°F)89°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
20 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
19 rd
Dec
31°C (87°F)87°F (31°C)
24°C (74°F)74°F (24°C)
18 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
Taxis from Bluebird or Express with the meter, or Grab/Gojek booked in the app. Angkot minivans and becak are cheap but need bargaining and Indonesian; agree the price before you get in.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Berastagi
goDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
Bus or shared car south from Medan, about 2 h
Cooler highland town; go early to beat the traffic out of the city.
Lake Toba (Parapat)
overnightDoor to door: 4–5 h to Parapat
Bus or shared car to Parapat, then ferry to Samosir
Too far for a return day; sleep on Samosir.
Bukit Lawang
overnightDoor to door: 3–4 h
Bus or shared car to Pinang Baris terminal, then onward
Orangutan trekking base; one night minimum.
Binjai
skipDoor to door: 1–1.5 h
Trans Mebidang bus from Medan, about 1 h
A market town; only worth it if you are heading further west.
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.
Medan Station / Merdeka Walk area
Best for one night with bags: airport train, taxis and food stalls on foot.
Jalan Ahmad Yani / old centre
Dutch-era buildings, Maimoon Palace and the Great Mosque within a short ride.
Polonia / Gatot Subroto
Malls, hotels and the DAMRI airport bus stop; quieter at night.
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
- Rp350,000–600,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp600,000–1,200,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rp1,200,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 1 night × Rp450,000 | Rp450,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × Rp700,000 | Rp1,400,000 |
| Railink airport train, one way2 × Rp100,000 · check | Rp200,000 |
| DAMRI airport bus, one way2 × Rp40,000 · check | Rp80,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × Rp150,000 | Rp300,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp243,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp1,337,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp2,673,000≈ US$170 |
2026 estimate in rupiah; flights and long-distance buses excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea at a kedai | Rp10,000–25,000 |
| Bowl of noodles or bakso | Rp20,000–40,000 |
| Plate of Batak grilled pork or Padang food | Rp30,000–70,000 |
| Angkot minivan ride in townAgree before boarding. | Rp5,000–15,000 |
| Taxi across the centreMetered; app cars are usually cheaper. | Rp40,000–80,000 |
| Museum or palace entrycheck | Rp10,000–50,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Becak and some taxi drivers quote one price then demand ten times it: agree the fare first, or use a metered taxi or app car.
- Traffic is heavy and pavements are uneven with open drains; cross with care after dark.
- Fewer people speak English here than in Jakarta or Denpasar; a few words of Indonesian help.
- Airport train tickets at Medan station are card-only, not cash.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency
- 112
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 113
Pocket card
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MedanKota Medan
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, yaTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Police110
- Ambulance118
Embassy
Several countries have consulates in Medan; the US, UK, Australia and Canada run embassies in Jakarta. Check your own country's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kualanamu → Medan station, Railink train: about Rp100,000, 31–41 min (check)
- Kualanamu → Plaza Medan Fair, DAMRI bus: about Rp40,000, 1–1.5 h (check)
- Taxi airport → city centre: Rp130,000–150,000 plus Rp10,000 airport surcharge (check)
Say or show
- Selamat pagi — Good morning (suh-LAH-mat PAH-ghee)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (tuh-REE-mah KAH-see)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (buh-RAH-pah HAR-gah-nyah)
- Terlalu mahal — Too expensive (tur-LAH-loo MAH-hal)
- Tolong pakai argo — Please use the meter (TOH-long PAH-kai AR-go)
- Di mana toilet? — Where is the toilet? (dee MAH-nah TOY-let)
Keep a photo of the agreed fare and the driver's licence card if you take a becak.
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 Medan. 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 (drier); city is a year-round stop · avoid Oct–Dec (wettest), Ramadan dates for the mosque night market · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialMedan city government
- officialKualanamu International Airport
- officialRailink airport train
- secondaryWikivoyage: Medan, revision 5240218 (CC BY-SA 4.0)