Major city · Indonesia
Solok
Solok is a half-day stop on the Padang–Bukittinggi route: see the twin lakes and Minangkabau architecture, then move on. One night only if you want to hike the lakes.
Solok is a small city on the Trans Sumatra Highway, 64 km from Padang and 76 km from Bukittinggi. Its main draws are the twin lakes (Danau Di Atas and Danau Di Bawah), tea plantations, and traditional Minangkabau houses with carved horn-shaped roofs. Most travellers pass through in a few hours; the lakes and Bung Hatta Grand Forest Park justify a longer stop for nature lovers.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (rainy season)
- Airport
- PDG
- Nights
- 0–1
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 Solok110 ▾
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 Solok, 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
- SafetySolok is safe; normal precautions apply.
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.
- AirportcheckPDG Minangkabau International Airport (About 90 min by car/taxi; check).
- Getting aroundWalk the compact centre; for the lakes and forest park, hire a taxi or ojek (motorcycle taxi) from the terminal.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeLocal coffee (kopi)Rp5,000–10,000
- Budget bedHostel or losmen bed, a night, per personRp80,000
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomRp350,000
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomRp600,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp250,000 · Mid Rp450,000 · High Rp800,000
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 90 min by car/taxi; check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Feb
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jun (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Nov (19 rain days), driest Jul (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Solok: 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
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
18 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
17 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
16 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
16 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
19 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
19 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
Walk the compact centre; for the lakes and forest park, hire a taxi or ojek (motorcycle taxi) from the terminal. Angkot (shared minibus) run on main routes.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Twin lakes (Danau Di Atas & Danau Di Bawah)
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi or ojek from Solok, about 1 h
Lakes are 1 km (0.6 mi) apart; hike the ridge between them for views of tea plantations.Lakes are 0.6 mi (1 km) apart; hike the ridge between them for views of tea plantations.
Bung Hatta Grand Forest Park
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Taxi or ojek, about 30 min from Solok centre
70,000 ha botanical garden; monkeys and birds. Check opening hours.
Padang
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus or taxi, about 1.5 h
Coastal city with food and beaches.
Bukittinggi
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus or taxi, about 2 h
Jam Gadang, Sianok Canyon, and market.
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
Near the main market and bus terminal; basic losmen and mid-range hotels.
Lakes area (Danau Di Atas / Di Bawah)
Homestays and simple resorts; best for hikers and nature stays.
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
- Rp200,000–350,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp350,000–600,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rp600,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 1 night × Rp350,000 | Rp350,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × Rp450,000 | Rp900,000 |
| Taxi from Padang airport to Solok1 × Rp350,000 · check | Rp350,000 |
| Ojek to twin lakes (return)2 × Rp150,000 · check | Rp300,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp190,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp1,045,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp2,090,000≈ US$130 |
2026 estimate in rupiah; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Nasi padang meal | Rp20,000–40,000 |
| Local coffee (kopi) | Rp5,000–10,000 |
| Bottle of water (600 ml) | Rp3,000–5,000 |
| Ojek ride (short city trip) | Rp10,000–20,000 |
| Taxi Solok → twin lakes (one way)check | Rp150,000–200,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Rainy season (Nov–Feb) can make lake access roads muddy.
- Tea plantations are private; ask permission before entering.
- No ATM at the lakes; bring enough cash from Solok.
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.
SolokSolok
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)
- Padang → Solok (bus/taxi): about Rp50,000–80,000 bus, Rp300,000–400,000 taxi; about 1.5 h (check)
- Solok → twin lakes (ojek): about Rp150,000 return; about 1 h (check)
Say or show
- Halo — Hello (hah-loh)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (tuh-ree-mah kah-seeh)
- Berapa? — How much? (buh-rah-pah)
- Di mana …? — Where is …? (dee mah-nah)
- Enak — Delicious (eh-nahk)
Most people speak Indonesian; some English in hotels and tourist spots.
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 Solok. 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 Nov–Feb (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 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 Solok
Loading…
Was this useful?