Major city · Indonesia
Batusangkar
Spend 1–2 days in Batusangkar to see Lake Singkarak and Pagaruyung Palace; longer only for mountain hikes.
Batusangkar, capital of Tanah Datar Regency in West Sumatra, sits between Mount Marapi and Mount Sago and is a short drive to Lake Singkarak. Its historic sites – Fort Van der Capellen and the Pagaruyung Palace – and natural scenery can be covered in a day or two; add extra time for trekking or lake activities.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jun–Sep (rainy season, check)
- Airport
- PDG
- Nights
- 1–2
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 Batusangkar110 ▾
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 Batusangkar, 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
- SafetyBatusangkar is generally safe; petty theft can occur in markets, so keep valuables secure and avoid isolated mountain trails after dark.
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 · 113 fire · 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.
- AirportPDG Minangkabau International Airport (about 120 km (75 mi) north, 2‑h drive).PDG Minangkabau International Airport (about 75 mi (120 km) north, 2‑h drive).
- Getting aroundLocal minibuses (angkot) connect town to lake and mountain sites; taxis and motorbike rentals are common for short trips.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))Rp30,000–40,000
- Museum or sight ticketLake Singkarak entrycheckRp10,000
- Budget bedBudget hotel room, a night, per roomRp250,000
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel room, a night, per roomRp350,000
- High-end bedBudget hotel room, a night, per roomRp500,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp250,000 · Mid Rp350,000 · High Rp500,000
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 Airport (about 120 km (75 mi) north, 2‑h drive)PDG Minangkabau International Airport (about 75 mi (120 km) north, 2‑h drive)
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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Care
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Care
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Care
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Care
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Apr–May, Oct. Mixed: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Jun (15 rain days), driest Jan (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Batusangkar: 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)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 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
Local minibuses (angkot) connect town to lake and mountain sites; taxis and motorbike rentals are common for short trips.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lake Singkarak
goDoor to door: ≈45 min round trip
Taxi or rented motorbike, about 15 km (9.3 mi), 30 minTaxi or rented motorbike, about 9.3 mi (15 km), 30 min
Entry fee Rp10,000; swimming and lakeside walks.
Harau Valley
cautionDoor to door: ≈3 h total
Minibus or private car, ~60 km (37 mi), 1.5 hMinibus or private car, ~37 mi (60 km), 1.5 h
Roads winding; best with driver familiar with area.
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.
Emersia Hotel & Resort
central, basic amenities
EmerOne Hotel
mid‑range, near market
Pagaruyung Hotel
close to palace, budget
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
- Rp250,000–350,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp350,000–500,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rp500,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hotel room1 × 1 night × Rp250,000 | Rp250,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × Rp250,000 | Rp250,000 |
| Lake Singkarak entry1 × Rp10,000 · check | Rp10,000 |
| Motorbike rental (full day)1 × Rp80,000 · check | Rp80,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp59,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp649,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp649,000≈ US$40 |
per night, double occupancy
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Lake Singkarak entrycheck | Rp10,000 |
| Capellen coin (exchange)used at Van Der Capellen Market | Rp2,500 per coin |
| Meal (local Minang dish) | Rp15,000–30,000 |
| Taxi (5 km) | Rp30,000–40,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus schedules can be irregular; confirm times at the terminal.
- Mountain trails may be steep; consider a guide for safety.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 113
- Ambulance
- 118
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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BatusangkarBatusangkar
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire113
- Ambulance118
Embassy
US consulate in Medan (check address); other embassies in Jakarta.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Jakarta → Batusangkar bus: ≈ Rp150,000, 12‑h journey (check)
- Taxi Batusangkar → Lake Singkarak: ≈ Rp40,000–50,000
Say or show
- Maaf — Excuse me / Sorry (ma-fah)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (tuh-ree-mah kah-see)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (buh-rah-pah har-gah-nyah)
- Di mana toilet? — Where is the toilet? (dee mah-nah twoy-let)
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 Batusangkar. 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: Apr–Oct · avoid Jun–Sep (rainy season, check) · 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
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 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
Ask about Batusangkar
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