If you are planning to visit Sumatra in Indonesia, you are going to want to stop by Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake in the world. Unlike other popular destinations in the country, getting to Lake Toba can be a bit of a hassle when you do not know how.
Within this travel guide, I will provide you with all the information you need to help you get from Medan, the capital city of Sumatra, to Lake Toba based on my experience traveling the route while backpacking around Sumatra for a month. Without further ado, here are ways you can get from Medan to Lake Toba.
5 Ways to Get from Medan to Lake Toba (Tuk-Tuk)
1. By Public Bus + Ferry
The most affordable way to get from Medan to Lake Toba is to take one of the many public buses and vans leaving from Amplas Bus Terminal in Medan. These buses leave every day during the day from 7 AM to 4 PM (approximately) and have no fixed schedule. The bus will leave when it's almost full, and they will go around the city to pick up more people until it's completely full.
To get on one of these buses, you just have to make sure you get to Amplas Bus Terminal before 4 PM and ask the information desk to direct you to the bus operator to Lake Toba, then you can buy the ticket from there.
If you are coming from Medan Airport, you can easily catch the DAMRI bus located right by the exit terminal to Amplas Bus Terminal. The bus leaves when it is full (only during the day, approximately at 7 AM - 4 PM), takes one hour, and costs around 40,000 IDR per person.
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The bus will take you to Parapat in 4 hours, and it will cost you around 60,000 IDR per person. I took one of the small minivans to Lake Toba, and it was surprisingly comfortable.
The minivans came equipped with good AC, which is more common now than before. The seats were not completely filled up, but the leg rooms were a bit cramped, and I had to wait only about 15 minutes before the bus left. Not bad at all.
Once you are in Parapat, make sure you tell your driver to drop you off at Tiga Raja Port so you can get a ferry across to Tuk-Tuk on Samosir Island, Lake Toba.
The ferry leaves from Tiga Raja between 8:30 AM and 7:30 PM, every hour. Unlike the buses, the ferry leaves on schedule, so make sure you plan your trip carefully.
The ferry from Parapat to Tuk-Tuk should take about 45 minutes, and it will cost you around 25,000 IDR (1.5 USD) per person per way. The best thing about the ferry is that they will ask you where you are staying as you approach the island, and they will drop you off in front of your guesthouse (make sure you book a place in Tuk-Tuk!).
Tips: Stay at Romlan Guesthouse for a lakeside room with an incredible view and an affordable price. That's where I stayed, and I loved every moment of it.
For this trip, it should take about 5 hours and cost 85,000 IDR (~5 USD) to get from Medan City to Lake Toba, 6 hours and 115,000 IDR (~7 USD) per person if you are coming from Medan Airport.
If your flight arrives late, I recommend you stay overnight at one of the many hotels near the airport and start early the next day as you will not likely make it in time for the last ferry to Tuk-tuk.
2. By Shared Taxi + Ferry
If you are traveling as a couple or in a group of 3-4, or you are one lucky solo traveler, you can also hire a shared taxi straight from Medan Airport to Parapat and catch the ferry across to Tuk-Tuk.
At the Airport's exit, you will find a line of kiosks where you can inquire about a shared taxi to Parapat. If you are lucky enough to find a shared taxi to join, it will likely cost you about 180,000 - 230,000 IDR per person.
A shared taxi will also be more expensive, but it will be a bit more comfortable and slightly faster than going with a public bus/van at about 4 hours as you will go straight from the airport to Parapat.
Once you arrive in Parapat, the taxi should drop you off at Tiga Raja where you can then catch a ferry across to Tuk-tuk for 25,000 IDR. The ferry leaves between 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM, every hour. Make sure you calculate the time carefully so you do not miss the last ferry. Otherwise, it's best you stay overnight near Medan Airport.
With this route, it will cost you about 200,000 - 280,000 IDR (~12 - 17 USD) per person and it will take you around 5 hours coming straight from the airport. This option is best if you are traveling in a small group.
3. By Private Taxi + Ferry
If you are looking for a more comfortable ride to Lake Toba, you can also hire a private taxi at the kiosks by the Airport's exit or you can book the transfer in advance here. A private taxi can cost between 800,000 IDR to 1,500,000 IDR per car, and it should take about 4 hours before you arrive in Parapat.
Once you arrive in Parapat, the taxi should drop you off at Tiga Raja where you can then catch a ferry across to Tuk-tuk for 25,000 IDR. The ferry leaves between 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM, every hour. Again, make sure you calculate the time carefully so you do not miss the last ferry. Otherwise, it's best you stay overnight near Medan Airport.
With this route, it will cost you about 825,000 - 1,525,000 IDR (~50 - 90 USD) per person and it will take you around 5 hours coming straight from the airport. This option is best if you are looking for the most comfortable way to get to Lake Toba and you don't mind paying a bit more.
4. By Train + Public Bus + Ferry
I do not recommend you do this unless you really love traveling by train and don't mind starting very early in Medan and taking several modes of transportation to get to Lake Toba.
To take the train, you will have to catch the 12:05 PM train from Medan Train Station to Siantar. It will cost you about 22,000 IDR, and you should arrive in Siantar at 2:48 PM. Then, you are going to have to find a taxi or a motor taxi to take you to Parapat.
The journey should take another 1.5 hours and cost between 50,000 - 80,000 IDR to get you to Tiga Raja Port where you can then catch the 4:30 PM or 5:30 PM ferry to Tuk-Tuk.
Considering you are staying overnight in Medan, this route will take you more than 6.5 hours and it will cost you 125,000 IDR (~7.5 USD) per person, which is even more expensive than if you were to take a public bus. For more information on this trip, I highly recommend you read a great on-the-ground report by Nomadic Notes.
5. By Flight + Taxi + Ferry
Another option is to take a flight from Medan to Silangit Airport and then catch a taxi to Parapat before getting the ferry across to Tuk-tuk.
This may seem like a good idea on paper, but in actuality, you will be paying way more without saving that much travel time considering that Silangit Airport is 2.5 hours away from Parapat and there is no direct flight between Medan and Silangit. You will either have to transit in Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta and it will take anywhere between 5.5 hours to 8 hours, not to mention the time-consuming procedure of getting through an airport.
All of this, and you still have to pay for the flight which is about 2,500,000 - 3,000,000 IDR per person as well as a private taxi to Tuk-tuk which will be another 800,000 IDR. In total, you will be paying between 3,300,000 - 3,800,000 IDR (~200 - 230 USD) for the whole trip, and yet, you are barely saving any time. I would not recommend you to go with this route.
Things to Know Before Traveling from Medan to Lake Toba
- Stay in Tuk-tuk: The best area to stay at Lake Toba is in Tuk-tuk, a small lakeside town located on Samosir Island. It is well located, right by the water, very quiet, and plenty of accommodation to choose from. I recommend you stay at Romlan Guesthouse.
- Start your journey early: Be sure to start your journey from Medan to Lake Toba as early as you can, preferably before 11 AM, so you can catch the ferry in time. The roads are not good in Sumatra and any roadside accident will delay your trip significantly.
- Be prepared to sit in a cramped car: In Sumatra, you will find that mini-buses and vans have very little legroom and often squeeze in as many people as possible. Be sure to get a window seat and prepare yourself both mentally and physically for the journey.
- Pack Snacks and don't drink too much water: The journey will be long and depending on the driver, they will likely stop for a break once or not at all, so avoid drinking lots of water before the trip and pack some snacks in case you get hungry.
- Prepare cash: Non of the services you will be using for the transfer accept credit cards so be sure to have cash with you.
My Experience Getting From Medan to Lake Toba
From Medan Airport to Medan Bus Terminal
When I arrived at Medan Airport at 9 AM, I went to the exit and inquired about a shared taxi at one of the bus operator's kiosks there. They told me that there is no shared taxi nor a direct transport option at the moment, so I would have to take the DAMRI bus to Amplas Bus Terminal and catch another bus to Parapat.
DAMRI bus from the airport is a big one with AC and plenty of space. I waited for about an hour before the bus left from the airport. It was partially full but I still had both seats to myself so it was pretty comfortable.
I told the driver to drop me off at Amplas Bus Terminal. It took about 45 minutes and cost me 40,000 IDR. However, they dropped me off at a random intersection near the terminal, so I had to walk from the intersection to the terminal myself, as the bus doesn't go inside.
From Medan Bus Terminal to Parapat
Once I got to the bus terminal at around 10 AM, I asked the information lady inside and she directed me to a minivan company that could take me to Parapat. I paid about 60,000 IDR for the ticket and bought a few snacks from the terminal for the ride.
The minivan was small but not as cramped as I thought, and it had a working AC, which is more common nowadays here. It only took me about 15 minutes before the bus left the terminal, partially full. The bus then went around the city to pick up more people until it was full enough. I still had 2 seats to myself, so that was pretty unexpected.
Then the journey began as the bus took the 2-lane highway for the first few hours and veered off into a local mountain road that is often narrow and riddled with potholes. This is where the real journey begins as the driver zig-zags his way around traffic to Parapat. It's best not to look or think about it when you are in the car. Trust me.
After a 4-hour ride and one 10-minute break along a roadside Warung, the bus dropped me off at Tiga Raja Port at around 2:35 PM. Make sure you tell your driver to drop you off at Tiga Raja port beforehand. I had my lunch there as I waited for the 3:30 PM ferry across to Tuk-tuk in Samosir Island.
From Parapat to Tuk-Tuk in Lake Toba
The ferry leaves from Tiga Raja between 8:30 AM and 7:30 PM, every hour, and it costs about 25,000 IDR per person. The ferry will drop you off right in front of your accommodation in Tuk-tuk.
I waited an hour before the ferry left, and it took about 45 minutes before I arrived at Romlan Guesthouse, where I stayed in Tuk-tuk, at around 4 PM. The whole journey took about 7 hours and cost me 85,000 IDR. All in all, it was a pretty smooth experience, all things considered.
Getting Out of Lake Toba
After spending a few days relaxing at Lake Toba, you can plan your trip to your next destination with your guesthouse. At Romlan Guesthouse, where I stayed, you can organize the transfer directly from them at no extra cost, and they will book a transfer for you from Parapat to whichever place you want to go.
Here are some shared taxi routes and prices you might be interested in:
- Medan Airport - 210,000 IDR
- Medan City - 180,000 IDR
- Berastagi - 250,000 IDR
- Bukit Lawang - 280,000 IDR
These prices do not include the ferry back to Parapat, and they often leave in the morning, so you will likely have to catch one of the first boats out of Tuk-tuk to Parapat at 8 AM. Make sure you confirm again with your guesthouse.
Where to Stay at Lake Toba?
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Indonesia
I hope this travel guide will help you plan your trip to Indonesia. I have visited Indonesia more times than I could count, and I have written many articles about the country.
If you are looking for more articles about Indonesia, here is a selection of articles that might help you plan your trip to Indonesia even more.
- Looking for a complete itinerary and travel guide for Indonesia? One Month Itinerary for Indonesia.
- For a complete itinerary to Sumatra, check out: One Month Backpacking Sumatra Itinerary.
- Being the largest volcanic lake in the world, you can't visit Sumatra without visiting Lake Toba. Here are the 10 Awesome Things to do in Lake Toba, Sumatra.
- Berastagi is home to some of the most accessible volcanoes in Sumatra. It's definitely worth a stop if hiking a volcano is on your bucket list. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Berastagi.
- Want to see orangutans in the wild in Indonesia? The best place is Bukit Lawang and here's A Complete Guide to Orangutan Trekking in Bukit Lawang.
- For West Sumatra, your journey will likely begin in Padang, the capital city of the province, with a ton of things to do. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Padang.
- Get off the beaten path in Sumatra and visit Bukittinggi, the old capital of the Pagaruyung Kingdom, and explore the highlands with this guide: 12 Best Things to Do in Bukittinggi.
- Want to visit Bukittinggi? Here are all the best ways you can travel there: How to Get to Bukittinggi: A Complete Guide
- One of the best islands to visit in Sumatra is Mentawai. It's not just a place for surfers. You can enjoy the beach, snorkeling, and even spend days living with the Mentaway tribe. Here is A Complete Travel Guide to Mentawai.
- If you want to visit and live with the Mentawai Tribe in the jungle for a few days, this guide is for you: Visiting the Mentawai Tribe: A Complete Guide.
- Not sure how to get to the Mentawai Islands? Here is all the information you need from ferry schedules, costs, and more: How to Get to Mentawai: A Complete Guide
- Are you planning to travel to Indonesia as part of a big Southeast Asia trip? Check out our 3-month backpacking itinerary for Southeast Asia.
- If you are visiting Bali for the first time, here is a travel guide to get you started: 10 BEST Places To Visit In Bali.
- Jakarta is a massive city unlike any other, and there are quite a lot to do here if you know where to look. Here are the 8 Best Things To Do in Jakarta.
- Yogyakarta is a great cultural and historical place to visit in Indonesia, and there are plenty of things to see and do there. Here are the 9 Best Things To Do in Yogyakarta.
- Did you know that there is an island in Indonesia that is free of tourists? One of them is Karimunjawa, a true hidden gem island of Java. Here's a complete guide on how to travel to Karimunjawa island.
- Looking for an article that summarizes a trip through the Java island? Check out my photo essay of Java, Indonesia.
- Lombok is now gaining in popularity, but one of the best things you can do on the island is to trek Mount Rinjani, a volcano on a lake in another volcano on an island. Here's a complete guide on how to trek Mount Rinjani.
- Gili Trawangan is one of the most popular Gili islands in Lombok, and even though it's crowded, you can often find solitude if you know where to look. Plus, it's cheap. Here's an article about exploring Gili Trawangan.
- I bet visiting the Komodo Island is among the top of your bucket list. If so, you are going to need this: Here's a complete backpacking guide to the Komodo Islands.
- Want to visit Kelimutu lakes? Here's a complete travel guide on how to get to Kelimutu lakes in Flores.
- Flores is another great island that deserves way more credit than it receives. There's the Komodo islands, Kelimutu tri-colored lakes, and so much more. Here is a 10-day travel guide for Flores and Komodo Island.
- Watch a travel video I made about Bali, Lombok, and Flores here: Nusantara, a journey through Bali, Lombok, and Flores, Indonesia.
- Not convinced by my words about Indonesia and Southeast Asia? Check out my photographic journey through the subcontinent: 64 photos that will inspire you to visit Southeast Asia.
- Wondering where you want to go next? How about Timor Leste? Visit Timor Leste Travel Guide page for more information about traveling to Timor Leste.
- To see all articles about Indonesia, visit the Indonesia Travel Guide page.
- Looking for more travel guides for Southeast Asia? You can find more on my Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
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