Major city · Indonesia
Kutacane
Skip Kutacane unless you need a cash stop or a bed before Ketambe: the town has one market and poor hotels. One night max, then move on.
Kutacane is the transport hub of Southeast Aceh, a market town of about 100,000 people on the main road through northern Sumatra. There is little to see beyond the daily market, and accommodation is basic. Most travellers use it as a stopover on the way to Ketambe or Takengon, or to get cash before heading into the jungle.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- Mar–Oct
- avoid Nov–Feb (rainy season)
- Airport
- KTK
- 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
Emergency numbers for Kutacane110 ▾
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 Kutacane, 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
- SafetyKutacane is generally safe, but the main road can be busy with trucks and scooters.
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.
- AirportcheckKTK Ketambe Airport (Small airport serving Banda Aceh and Medan several times a week; check flight status and safety record.).
- Getting aroundWalk or take a taxi (small taxis are everywhere).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideBus to MedanRp150,000–200,000 (check)
- Budget bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomRp60,000
- Mid-range bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomRp80,000
- High-end bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomRp100,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp150,000 · Mid Rp250,000 · High Rp400,000
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
- KTK Ketambe Airport (Small airport serving Banda Aceh and Medan several times a week; check flight status and safety record.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
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
Best
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: Mar–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Feb. 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 Nov (18 rain days), driest Jun (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kutacane: 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
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 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)
12 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 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)
18 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17 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 or take a taxi (small taxis are everywhere). The town is compact.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ketambe
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Minivan from the market, about 1 h
Gateway to Gunung Leuser National Park; trekking, wildlife.
Takengon
cautionDoor to door: About 5–6 h
Bus to Blankenjeren (4–5 h), then onward; or direct bus if available
Scenic mountain town on Lake Laut Tawar; check bus connections.
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.
Near the market
All hotels are within walking distance of the market. Standard is low: Rp60,000–100,000 for a basic room with poor toilet and shower.
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
- Rp150,000–250,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp250,000–400,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rp400,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic hotel room1 × 1 night × Rp60,000 | Rp60,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × Rp150,000 | Rp150,000 |
| Minivan to Ketambe, one way1 × Rp50,000 · check | Rp50,000 |
| Bus to Medan, one way1 × Rp150,000 · check | Rp150,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp41,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp451,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp451,000≈ US$30 |
Very basic, poor toilet and shower.
2026 estimate in rupiah; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Basic hotel roomVery basic. | Rp60,000–100,000 |
| Nasi goreng at a warung | Rp15,000–25,000 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | Rp5,000–8,000 |
| Minivan to Ketambe | Rp50,000 (check) |
| Bus to Medan | Rp150,000–200,000 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- ATMs do not accept foreign cards as of 2024: bring enough cash from Medan or Banda Aceh.
- Hotels are very basic; stay only if you have to.
- Buses to the north (Blankenjeren, Takengon) are infrequent; check departure times the day before.
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.
KutacaneKutacane
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)
- Minivan to Ketambe: about Rp50,000, about 1 h (check)
- Bus to Medan: about Rp150,000–200,000, 6–9 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 ATM? — Where is the ATM? (dee mah-nah ah-teh-ehm)
- Saya perlu uang tunai — I need cash (sah-yah puhr-loo oo-ahng too-nai)
ATMs do not accept foreign cards. Bring enough cash from Medan or Banda Aceh.
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 Kutacane. 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: Mar–Oct · avoid Nov–Feb (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
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Ketambe and Takengon with verified transport schedules.
- ATM status field-checked for foreign cards.
- Hotel listings with current prices and basic amenities.
Sources
Ask about Kutacane
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