Medan Indonesia Pride

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Medan City Guide

Medan Travel & Tourist Information

Many readers have requested a Summary of the Key Travel Information for Tourists and Visitors to Medan.

So we created this page for you. For more detailed updated news, review and information, please surf the categories on your left. For the basic information about Medan please surf our page on Medan Sumatera Utara

Some Explanations on Medan:

Medan City

Medan is the third largest city in Indonesia. Located in North Sumatra ( Sumatera Utara ) of Indonesia with a population of 2.5 millions residents. It is said that during day time, the population of Medan City will grow to about 4 millions with people coming from suburbs.

Kota Medan

Some times you will see or hear the word Kota Medan, “Kota” means “City” in Bahasa Indonesia hence Kota Medan means Medan City.

North Sumatra

North Sumatra may also be written in Bahasa as Sumatera Utara

Airport:

Medan Polonia International Airport is 15-30 minutes from city center. However, the airport will be moved soon to Kuala Namu which is about 2 hours drive from Medan city center

More on Medan Airport

Flights:

International Flights to Medan include:

From Singapore: Silk Air , ValuAir

From Kuala Lumpur and Penang: Air Asia, Malaysia Airlines, Lion Air

Domestic Flights include:

Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Air Asia, Batavia Air, Linus Air, Jatayu Airlines, Sriwijaya Air, Riau Airlines, Mandala Airlines, Merpati, Kartika Airlines

More information and flight schedules in Medan Flights & Medan Flights Updates

Sea - Boat

Medan is not located by the sea but there is a port nearby known as Belawan about 45 minutes from city center. Belawan port 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.

Medan To and from Batam and Singapore:

A cheap popular way to get to Medan from Singapore is to take a ferry from Singapore to Batam and a ferry from Batam to Belawan - Medan. Many Medanese also use this route from Medan - Belawan , Batam to Singapore to avoid Fiscal payment ( a pre-tax fee Rp1.000.000 around USD 100 that Medanese are required to pay on departing Medan ). By traveling to Batam, Medanese can avoid this fee as Batam to Singapore is a fiscal Free zone.

However, this is not a popular route anymore since the budget airlines operates in Medan.

Medan To and 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

Medan To and From Malaysia ( Penang ):

Daily ferries run to/from Penang, Malaysia. Operated by Langkawi Ferry Services, Tel:+62-61-4521666/4527555 in Medan; +60-4-2642088 in Penang

Since March 2007 there is a ferry from Medan to Lumut (Perak/Malaysia). It’s RM100 one way and RM180 for a return ticket. The ferry leaves on Friday and Monday at 10:00 am from Medans port Belawan and on Wednesday and Saturday at 10:30 am from Lumut. As schedules changes check the schedule before (Indonesia office: sukma@medan.wasantara.net.id +62-6261-7320421 in Medan, Malaysia office: imn_tsc@streamyx.com, +60-5-6056804000 in Lumut).

Currency:

Currency used is Indonesia Rupiah, you can use the currency conversion tool on the right bar. Current conversion rate is USD 1 = Rp 9200 (July 2008)

Currency notes are:

Rp1.000 ; Rp5.000; Rp10.000; Rp20.000; Rp50.000; Rp100.000

Coins are:

Rp25; Rp50; Rp100, Rp500; Rp1000

some low denomination coins like the Rp25 and Rp50 are difficult to find so you may not get the exact change for your purchase (best to use credit card in this case)

Money Changer

There is a Money Changer right across the street from the airport at Petronas Petrol Station. The money changer is inside the convenience store.

If not, you will have to go to:

• King’s Money Changer - Jl.Brigjen.Katamso
• Istana Valas - Jl.Ir.H.Juanda Baru
• Deli Mega Valutindo - Jl.Jen.Ahmad Yani No.94

Language:

Main Language is Bahasa Indonesia, a little similar to Malaysia’s Bahasa Melayu.

English is spoken in more developed areas, city center and Shopping Centers, and of course the Hotels. There are many international schools and hotels in Medan now hence you do find English speaking Medanese round and about.

Hokkien ( a Chinese Dialect ) is widely spoken by the Chinese Community in Medan compared to other parts of Indonesia. I remember my friend who was visiting from Jakarta found it surprising about this. Similar to Penang - Malaysia where Hokkien is also widely used.

Mandarin and Cantonese dialects are also spoken by some of the Chinese community.

We have prepared some basic Bahasa Indonesia and its translation to English to help you get by in Medan

Weather:

Yahoo! Weather - Medan, ID
Yahoo! Weather for Medan, ID

Conditions for Medan, ID at 8:00 pm WIT

Current Conditions:
Mostly Cloudy, 77 F

Forecast:
Fri - Scattered Thunderstorms. High: 86 Low: 73
Sat - Scattered Thunderstorms. High: 87 Low: 73

Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)

Police Station:

Kantor Polisi Pamong Praja Kota Medan
Jl. Pinang Baris No. 114-A Medan
Telp. +6261-8453192 ; +6261 4520971
Emergency Call: 110

Hospitals:

There are several hospitals around. But we cant be sure if they can all speak English for your communication. The more reputable ones are, Glenni International Hospital and Medan Medical Centre

Gleni International Hospital
Jl Listrik 2 A
MEDAN 20112
061-4566368

Medan Medical Center
Jl KH Agus Salim 5
MEDAN 20118
061-4535222

Hotels:

International Hotel Chains:

Novotel ; Best Western ; Aryaduta ; Grand Swiss BelHotel ; Aston International ; JW Marriott

Local Hotels:

Grand Angkasa ; Emerald Garden ; Garuda Plaza

More information on Medan Hotels

Transport:

Becak

Also known as trishaws or pedicabs. You have to be good negotiator if you want to ride on becaks, with price ranging between Rp.5,000 to Rp.10,000 depending on the destination (near or far).

Inflation seems to have hit the Becaks in Medan (Jan07). Most drivers wanted Rp30,000 which came down to Rp15,000 when spoken to in Bahasa Indonesia. Locals can still get short becak ride for Rp5,000 to Rp10,000 but Rp15,000 is standard for longer (10 minutes or more) rides.

Very few becak drivers speak more than a few words of English, but a map and lots of pointing will get you to the right place, even if it takes twice as long as you thought.

As you can get a hotel taxi for Rp35,000 to almost anywhere in Medan, paying more than Rp15,000 for a longer ride is probably not a good idea. Local taxis are now Rp30,000 to almost anywhere. They will not bargain much with tourists or visitors (people from Java!). The only difference I could detect between the becak and the taxi was that the taxi kept you dry when it rained, not much difference apart from that.

Taxi

Cost Rp.20,000 (2005) to go anywhere around the city (close or far). Be careful of picking up a taxi. Try to pick taxi from a reliable place such in front of malls, shopping centres or airport. Better taxis can be hailed from shopping malls, but not hotels apparently. Suggest use hotel taxi rather than street taxi. Most taxi drivers won’t use a meter and want to bargain. One taxi company that always uses a meter is Express. They are white and can usually be found around Sun Plaza and Tasbi residential complex. Call +6261-4552211 if you want to order.

Angkot - Mini Vans Public Transport

Public transport is not reliable and not suggested for travelers, though they have fixed price from one destination to other destinations.

Small minivans have painted numbers (1 to 267 in Medan) that signify their routes, which even locals don’t have memorized. If you speak Bahasa Indonesia, just ask where people are standing by the roadsides which “bus” number corresponds to your location and what the price is in advance. When a van with the appropriate number approaches, flag them down as they don’t make scheduled stops (just drive along a given route and drop off passengers when told or pick up new passengers when flagged). If you are a westerner, be sure to confirm the price before getting in. This type of transportation should only be braved by those with a point-to-point knowledge of Medan and a working knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia so they know where to tell the driver to stop, unless you have a local friend whom can take you around.

One easy route is Minibus #3 from the great mosque (at the side of yuki mall) to the Medan Mall, which is Rp 2,000

All sudako or angkot (minibus) are now Rp 3,000 per ride.

Bus

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). 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, with prices varying by location served. As an example of prices from August 2005, expect to pay around Rp.50,000-80,000 for an 8-10 hour 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. Furthermore, while the large luxury buses have ample stowage above seats, keep valuables safe while you sleep.

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).

more on Medan Transport

Food:

Hawkers, Street Food for local dishes

Selat Panjang - a lot of the local Medanese that moved to Jakarta will surely return to this street for their local favorites

Merdeka Walk - popular with younger generation, open air organized center to hang out at night

Padang Food: where all the dishes are brought to your table for you to choose

Garuda and Simpang Tiga

International Chains of Restaurants in case you have trouble with local food:

Mc Donald, KFC Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut

More information on Medan Food

Shopping

Shopping Centers in Medan:

Sun Plaza for more upscale products, cinemas, furnitures, Hypermarket, Department store

Medan Fair for more local shops, IT, mobile phones, restaurants, Hypermarket, Department Store

Grand Palladium for small local shops, mobile phones, Hypermarket, Department Store, Cinema

Medan Mall for local shops, wholesale products at the rear of building, Supermarket, Department Store

Medan Plaza local shopping

Thamrin Plaza & Yang Lim Plaza for local shopping

Plaza Millennium for mobile phones retail and wholesale

Cambridge Mall & Grand Deli City (to be open)

More on Medan Shopping

Map of Medan

Please see the special Google Map we develop as Map of Medan

Medan Media Koran

Local newspapers include:

Analisa, Medan Bisnis, Aplaus, SIB, Harian Global, Waspada, Mimbar Umum, Garuda

and of course not to forget! The only English Media for visitors to Medan:

…. MedanKu.com….

Consulates in Medan

All consulates in North Sumatera are located in Medan and many of them are honorary consulates. The consulates in Medan (in alphabetical order):

Australia
Jl.RA.Kartini No.32;Tel: +6261-455 4504; Fax: +6261-415 6820
www.austembjak.or.id

Belgium
Jl. Letjen.Jamin Ginting No.459;Tel: +6261-821 0559

Denmark
Jl. Hang Jebat No.2;Tel: +6261-415 3020; Fax: +6261-453 8384
www.embdenmark.or.id

Great Britain
Jl. Letjen.Jamin Ginting No.459;Tel: +6261-821 0559
www.britain-in-indonesia.or.id

Finland
Jl. Hang Jebat No.2;Tel: +6261-415 3020; Fax: +6261- 453 8384

French
Gedung Bank SUMUT, 6th Fl. Jl.Imam Bonjol No.18;Tel: +6261-456 6100; Fax: +6261-456 4228
www.embafrance-id.org

Germany
Jl. Karim MS No.4;Tel: +6261-/Fax. 453 7108

India
Jl.Uskup Agung No.19;Tel: +6261-453 1308; Fax: +6261- 453 1319
www.eoijakarta.or.id

Japan
Wisma BII 5th Fl. Jl.Diponegoro No.18;Tel: +6261-457 5193;457 4560; www.embjapan.or.id

Malaysia
Jl.Diponegoro No.43;Tel: +6261-453 1342; Fax: +6261-453 4681

Netherland
Jl.Mongonsidi No.45T;Tel: +6261-456 9853; Fax: +6261-453 6130

Norway
Jl.Ir.H.Juanda No.24-O;Tel: +6261- 457 0012; Fax: +6261- 457 0024

Singapore
Has moved to Pekanbaru;www.mfa.gov.sg/jk

Sweden
Jl.Hang Jebat No.2;Tel: +6261- 4153 020; Fax: +6261- 453 8384;
www.swedembjakarta.com

Thailand
Jl. Cut Mutia Medan Sumut 20152; Tel:+6261) 415-2425 Fax:+6261) 457-6214

Turkey
Jl.Dr.Mansyur No.122/124;Tel: +6261-821 2981; Fax: +6261-821 2983

More reviews and news on Medan Travel and Travel Tips

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