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Medan's international airport is known as Polonia International Airport and is located about 15 minutes from the city. It handles both domestic and regional international flights. Domestic departure taxes from Medan is Rp 35,000, while international departure tax is Rp 75,000.
Medan airport
Medan is currently in the process of finalising the new Kuala Namu International Airport, but when this might actually happen is still uncertain. Be prepared though as this new airport is a long way from the middle of the city and taxi transfers will be much more expensive.
A Taxi into town sets you back around Rp 40,000, unless you walk past the taxis in front of the terminal and proceed towards the exit. There are more taxis towards the exit, and if you bargain well, you can get a taxi for only Rp 20,000 (Although this is not easy to do as the road is quite bumpy and you are likely to get run down walking along the exit road, strongly suggest you negotiate with the taxi drivers at the terminal).
Metered taxis exist if you want to walk outside airport. There is a Petronas Gas Station just across the road in the left side of the exit. Usually, some Blue Bird taxis are parked there. These taxis always use meter and possibly more cheaper than taxis in airport. If you know the public bus number for your destination, it is Rp 3,500 per person, but those unfamiliar with the Indonesian language are encouraged to get taxis for their first transportation.
International
There are direct international flights to/from Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Ipoh in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok. Several discount airlines service Medan, Air Asia, JetStar Asia, Firefly to name but three. All of them are LCC so you get what you pay for.
Silk Air flies twice daily from Medan to Singapore, as does JetStar (trading in Indonesia as ValuAir). ValuAir is usually cheaper, though you have to pay for checked baggage, and if you have a connecting flight in Singapore, they won't forward your luggage.
For those flying from outside Asia, both Malaysia and Singapore Airlines sell through tickets to Medan, transiting in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore respectively. These tickets are typically little more expensive than a ticket to KL/Singapore alone; it's worth considering also 'open-jaw tickets', for instance Singapore Airlines flying in to Medan and out of Bali (or vice versa).
By bus
The central station for all larger buses in Medan is Amplas Station Central (not located in the center of the city though). This is where a lot of the smaller minivans go as well, and where travellers need to go to make connecting buses to further cities. Many of the large air-conditioned buses perform overnight routes.
Larger, non air-conditioned buses and large luxury buses (often Mercedes) that are air-conditioned (some have toilets on board, though they are squatting toilets that are difficult to use when the buses are moving, given driving habits and road conditions throughout Sumatra).
As an example of prices from August 2005, expect to pay around Rp 50,000-80,000 for an 8-10 hr overnight luxury bus (without toilet saves about Rp 10,000+) trip, as in to Duri, Bukit Lawang, or Lake Toba (Danau Toba). Such buses provide a small snack and sometimes have televisions on board. While seats are very comfortable by Sumatran standards, all rides are swervy/bumpy and drivers often play stereos quite loud during the entire trip (unless a movie is available).
Also, many buses have smoking sections in the back, and sometimes, smoking occurs in the front of the non-smoking section by the driver if the driver is so inclined. Earplugs are good accessories. Furthermore, while the large luxury buses have ample stowage above seats, keep valuables safe while you sleep.
By boat
Medan is not located by the sea but nearby Belawan is a major port with domestic and international boat and ferry services. Belawan is listed as a visa-free and visa-on-arrival entry point (see the Get in section of the Indonesia page).
To/from other parts of Indonesia: Pelni boats link Belawan with various ports in Sumatra and other Indonesian islands. The comfortable MV Kelud departs from Belawan every Tuesday. The full sailing schedule is on www.pelni.com.
Since March 2007 there is a ferry from Medan to Lumut (Perak/Malaysia). The ferry leaves on Friday and Monday at 10AM from Medans port Belawan and on Wednesday and Saturday at 10:30AM from Lumut. As schedules changes check the schedule before.
By rail
Medan is connected by rail to other conurbations on the eastern coast of Sumatra, such as Tanjungbalai, Rantauprapat, Siantar and Binjai. Executive, business and economy class trains are available, but if your budget allows, take the better class trains, which are faster and more comfortable. Tickets cost between Rp 9,000 (economy) to Rp 70,000 (executive).
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