Last updated on April 22nd, 2018
Travelling from Kualanamu Airport (Medan) to Bukit Lawang by bus is relatively easy with the exception of the locals trying to rip you off.
There’s something special about visiting Sumatra. The journey is worth it to see orangutans in Gunung Leuser National Park.
Kualanamu Airport to Bukit Lawang
Go to the airport bus stop (it’s right outside and you’ll see signs).
Get on the bus going to Binjai, 40,000 IDR. There will be signs on the bus and the stop sign saying Binjai. The price is written on the bus stop so you shouldn’t get ripped off. I didn’t.
The bus ride from Kualanamu Airport to Binjai will take 1.5 to 2 hours. My bus was empty. There were only 3 passengers and 2 crew. The bus had a capacity of about 40 people. The engine was loud as a rock concert.
When the bus drops you off at Binjai, it won’t be a bus terminal, just some run-down area. You’ll have to take a tuk tuk to the bus going to Bukit Lawang (at least this is what I had to do).
There will be tuk tuk drivers offering their services to go the Bukit Lawang buses. They tried to charge me 50,000 IDR for a 10-minute taxi ride. I ended up paying 25,000 IDR but the real price should be 10,000 or 15,000 IDR.
The price of the bus to Bukit Lawang is 25,000 IDR. I tried to get on the bus for 25,000 IDR but the fuckers working at the bus stop would only let me on the bus for 50,000 IDR. Pricks.
The bus ride from Binjai to Bukit Lawang takes 2 to 3 hours. It’s rough and bumpy. The bus is a microbus and is usually crammed with not much legroom. During the ride, you’ll notice the deforestation of the rainforest with thousands of aligned palm oil trees.
The bus to Bukit Lawang will drop you off at the market, which is also the bus terminal. You can take a tuk tuk to your accommodation for 10,000 IDR.
The bus was better than paying 500,000 IDR for a private transfer.
Catching the ALS bus from the airport to Binjai is the recommended option for 40,000, the smaller vans are much less comfortable and no AC.
Tell the bus/van driver from Medan you need to be dropped at the Super Mall and you are catching the van to Bukit Lawang, you do not need to catch a tuk tuk or taxi to another location. The van will drop you across the street from the “Super Mall”, just wait there in a shaded area as the vans run every 15-30 minutes. Just hold your hand up and out to hail a van as they approach. Confirm they are going to Bukit Lawang.
The actual price, Binjai to Bukit Lawang is 20,000 but if you are pressed, pay as much as an extra 10,000 (less than $.70). If you choose to pay a higher price, that is up to you. Never pay before you get to Bukit Lawang or Medan! Even if you agreed to a higher price, I recommend you demand a receipt for what you are paying before you pay and threaten to contact the company! A trick is to type the fare/amount into your cellphone, when you verify the destination with the driver, you can use it to verify the fare even if he/she doesn’t speak any English.
You will arrive at the bus station/Friday Market area, a tuk tuk to the riverfront is only 10,000 so I recommend it.