Major city · Indonesia
PadangKota Padang
Use Padang as a 1-night gateway to West Sumatra, not a base: sleep near the beach, eat nasi padang, then move on to Bukittinggi or the Mentawai ferries.
Padang is the capital of West Sumatra and the main entry point for the region: Minangkabau culture, the ferry port for the Mentawai Islands and the road up to Bukittinggi. The city itself is administrative and spread out, with a beach promenade, a handful of sights and Indonesia's most famous regional food. Most travellers spend one night here, or two if they add a beach day at Bungus Bay.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- May–Sep (drier)
- avoid Oct–Dec (wettest), and the Eid al-Fitr travel peak
- Airport
- PDG
- Nights
- 1–2
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 Padang112 ▾
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, 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 is a low-crime city and the main risks are traffic, wet-season roads and the sea at Air Manis.
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 · 113 fire (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.
- AirportPDG Minangkabau International (About 23 km (14 mi) north-west of the city; airport train or Damri bus into town.).PDG Minangkabau International (About 14 mi (23 km) north-west of the city; airport train or Damri bus into town.).
- Getting aroundAngkot minivans run the two main roads for about Rp2,000–5,000 a trip; pay the driver in cash.
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 warungRp10,000–25,000
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekRp75,000–150,000
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personRp100,000
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomRp450,000
- High-end bedHotel 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
- PDG Minangkabau International (About 23 km (14 mi) north-west of the city; airport train or Damri bus into town.)PDG Minangkabau International (About 14 mi (23 km) north-west of the city; airport train or Damri bus into town.)
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
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Oct–Dec. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Oct (21 rain days), driest Feb (14). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Padang: 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 (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
21 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
21 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
20 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
Angkot minivans run the two main roads for about Rp2,000–5,000 a trip; pay the driver in cash. Grab and Blue Bird taxis work in the centre and are the easy option for airport runs and evenings. Renting a car with a driver is the usual way to reach Bungus Bay or the Bukittinggi road; self-driving is not advised.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bungus Bay
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Car with driver or angkot south along the coast road
Quiet bay with calm water; best as an overnight or a half-day swim.
Bukittinggi
overnightDoor to door: About 2–3 h
Minibus from the bus terminal
Highland town with the Sianok canyon; sleep there rather than return the same day.
Padang Panjang
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus or minibus north-east
Small highland town on the Bukittinggi road; pairs with a Bukittinggi stay.
Batusangkar
cautionDoor to door: About 3 h
Bus via Padang Panjang
Minangkabau royal sites; long for a day return, better with a night.
Koto Gadang
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Car or minibus towards Bukittinggi
Silverwork village above the Sianok valley; combine with Bukittinggi.
Solok
cautionDoor to door: About 2.5–3 h
Bus south-east
Rice country and Lake Singkarak; a full day or an overnight.
Payakumbuh
overnightDoor to door: About 4 h
Bus north-east
Gateway to the Harau valley; too far for a day return.
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.
Pantai Padang / Purus
Beachfront promenade, walkable to food stalls and the Siti Nurbaya bridge; best for one night.
Jalan Jenderal Sudirman / city centre
Banks, malls and Padang restaurants; practical if you leave early by bus.
Batang Arau / Chinatown
Old river-mouth quarter, budget guesthouses, close to the bridge and the beach.
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
- Rp300,000–500,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp500,000–1,000,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rp1,000,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × Rp450,000 | Rp450,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × Rp700,000 | Rp1,400,000 |
| Airport train, one way2 × Rp10,000 | Rp20,000 |
| Damri airport bus, one way2 × Rp25,000 | Rp50,000 |
| Car with driver, one day1 × Rp275,000 | Rp275,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × Rp100,000 | Rp200,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp240,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp1,318,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp2,635,000≈ US$170 |
2026 estimate in rupiah; flights and long-distance buses excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Nasi padang meal at a rumah makan | Rp25,000–60,000 |
| Coffee or tea at a warung | Rp10,000–25,000 |
| Angkot ride in the city | Rp2,000–5,000 |
| Bottle of Bintang at a supermarket | Rp30,000–50,000 |
| Surfboard rental at Air Manis, per day | about Rp50,000 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | Rp75,000–150,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- October to December is the wettest stretch: expect heavy afternoon rain and slick roads.
- Some Padang dishes use offal — hearts, lungs, brains — so ask what is in a dish before you take it.
- Alcohol is limited to hotel bars and supermarkets; the city is a devout Muslim community.
- Prices quoted to obvious foreigners can be a few thousand rupiah higher; agree the fare before you get in.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency
- 112
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 113
Pocket card
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PadangKota Padang
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, yaTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Police110
- Fire113
Embassy
Most countries have embassies in Jakarta; Australia, the US and others keep consulates in Bali or Surabaya. Check your own country's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport train, PDG to Padang: about Rp10,000, five departures a day
- Damri bus, airport to city: about Rp25,000, roughly 45 min
- Taxi, airport to town: under Rp50,000 if you agree the fare
Say or show
- Permisi / Maaf — Excuse me / Sorry (per-mee-see / ma-af)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (te-ree-ma ka-seeh)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (be-ra-pa har-ga-nya)
- Yang ini, ya — This one, please (yang ee-nee, ya)
- Bisa bayar pakai kartu? — Can I pay by card? (bee-sa ba-yar pa-kai kar-too)
- Di mana toiletnya? — Where is the toilet? (dee ma-na toy-let-nya)
Padang is a conservative city: dress modestly away from the beach and expect no alcohol outside hotels.
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. 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) · avoid Oct–Dec (wettest), and the Eid al-Fitr travel peak · 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
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PDG: airport train times, Damri last bus, taxi fallback.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Pantai Padang, Batang Arau and the bridge, the museum and Ganting mosque.
- Place pages with verified hours (Adityawarman Museum, Grand Mosque of West Sumatra, Ganting mosque) and eat pages with last orders.
- Mentawai ferry and Bukittinggi transfer fixtures with cutoffs.