Medan Travel
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Medan Travel Tips
Immigration
Visas are required except for the nationals of 48 countries namely Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom (Great Britain), United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Venezuela, Yugoslavia and Taiwanese holding MFA//M passports. The visa requirement is also waived for other nationals from friendly countries, attending a conference which has received official approval.
Visa free entry is for maximum of 60 days and is not extendable. Entry and departure must be through the airports of Polonia (Medan), Simpang Tiga (Pekanbaru), Hang Nadim (Batam), Tabing (Padang), Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), Husein Sastranegara (Bandung), Juanda (Surabaya), Adisumarmo (Solo), Ngurah Rai (Denpasar), Eltari (Kupang), Supadio (Pontianak), Sepingan (Balikpapan), Sam Ratulangi (Manado), Pattimura (Ambon), Hasanuddin (Makassar), Selaparang (Mataram), and Frans Kaisiepo (Biak), and the seaports of Belawan (Medan), Batu Ampar and Sekupang (Batam), Tanjung Priok (Jakarta), Tanjung Mas (Semarang), Tanjung Perak (Surabaya), Benoa and Padangbai (Bali), Bitung (North Sulawesi), Ambon (Maluku), and Tanjung Pinang (Bintan). There is only one land gateway, Entikong in West Kalimantan.
For other ports of arrival or departure, visitors must have visas, For others, tourist visas for thirty days can be obtained form any Indonesian embassy or consulate. Two photographs are required and a small fee is charged. Possession of passports is a must to all visitors to Indonesia valid for at least six months with proof of onward passage, either return or through tickets.
Transports
There are metered taxis in Medan. For air-conditioned taxis flag falls are Rp.2,000 (Rp. 900 for each additional kilometer) and Rp. 3,000 (Rp. 1,300 for each additional kilometer). Hire cars are available and rates differ form area to area and it is best to ask the transportation desk of your hotel for information concerning rates and distances.
Other forms of transport in Indonesia are bajaj for two passengers, small buses which ply regular routes, the man-driven pedicab “becak,” all of which need advanced bargaining to come to a mutually accepted fare. Buses are very crowded, particularly in the cities and routes need to be identified. Trains traverse the island of Java and part of Sumatra. Fares are comparatively cheap but higher on air-conditioned express trains running between major cities.
Garuda Indonesia has an extensive network throughout the country. To all major cities on the archipelago, Garuda had daily services. Garuda services are supplemented by those of Merpati Nusantara, Bouraq, and Mandala, Lion Air, Awair and Pelita.
Communication and Electricity
Long distance calls within Indonesia are by direct dial. International Direct Dial (IDD) is available from major cities and hotels to 240 countries. Long Distance, IDD and facsimile services are also available at the telecommunications offices (Wartel) in major cities and hotels. Internet service is not a difficult things to find in big cities public internet services (Warnet). Most hotels in big cities use 220 volts 50 cycles and a two-pronged plug. However, some hotels in the provinces may still be using 110 volts. It is better to check before using an appliance.
Weather
Indonesia has two seasons, the dry season from June to October and the rainy season from November to March. There are occasional showers during the transitional periods and the general maximum temperature is 33°C (62°F) and the general minimum 21°C (41°F). Humidity is high at all times.
Customer
Customs allow on entry a maximum of one liter of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco and a reasonable amount of perfume per adult. Cameras, video cameras, portable radios, cassette recorders, binoculars and sport equipment are admitted provided they are taken out on departure. They must be declared to Customs. Prohibited are firearms, narcotics drugs, pornography, Chinese printing and medicines, transceivers and cordless telephones. Films, pre-recorded video tapes and laser disks must be screened by the Censor Board.
There is no restriction on import or export of foreign currencies and travelers checks, however, the import and export of Indonesian currency exceeding Rp. 5 million is prohibited. Airport authority levies an airport tax of Rp. 50.000 for travelers on international routes and Rp. 11,000 for those on domestic routes.
Shopping and Tipping
At most hotels a service charge of 10% is added to the bill. In restaurants where a service charge is not additional, a tip of 5 to 10% would be appropriate depending on the service and type of establishment. An airport or hotel porter expects Rp. 5,000 per bag.
Tipping taxi drivers Rp. 1,000 or leaving the change is appreciated but not mandatory. It is advisable to carry small change as taxi drivers are often short of change. The big cities have shopping complexes, supermarkets and department stores where prices are fixed. They stay open from 8.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. everyday and some even on Sunday. At small shops bargaining might be necessary.
The Indonesian staple food is rice steamed boiled or fried. Some accompanying dishes can be pepper hot - big red pepper or small green ones - so it is advisable to ask before ordering. Please be inform to also ask the price before ordering. There are many restaurants specializing in European, American and Oriental cuisine including the fast food restaurants.
A variety of beverages (both imported or locals) are available everywhere including very good Indonesian beer. Keep to bottled drinks if doubtful of water served in restaurants. Travelers coming from infected areas are required to submit International certificates of valid smallpox, cholera and yellow vaccinations.
Money Changer
Bukit Indah
Jl. Palang Merah 5 Medan
Kesawan Mulia
Jl. Kumango 7 Medan
Motra Wijaya Cipta
Jl. Kolonel Sugiono 10 F Medan
Pura Buana Internasional
Gedung BPD Sumut 2nd FI Jl. Imam Bonjl 18 Medan
Victory Mustika Utama
Jl. Brigjend Katamso 29C Medan
PT. Motra
JL. Kol. Sugiono 10-F., Medan Phone: (061) 514374
PT. Inti Harapan Perwira
Jl. Pemuda, Medan Phone: (061) 510132
PT. Kesawan Mulia
JL. Kumango No.26 Medan Phone: (061) 512160
PT. Gembira City
JL. H.Zainul Arifin No.161 Medan Phone: (061) 511487
CV. Purna Buana Int.
JL. Kirana No.22 MedanPhone: (061) 529368
PT. Wembley Indovalas Eterna
JL. Perniagnan No.20 Medan Phone: (061) 517455
PT. Nusantara Indah
JL. Kalingga No.74-A Medan Phone: (061) 324091
PT. Medan City Multivalas
JL. Niblmg Raya No.173 Medan Phone: (061) 525441.ose
Foreign Exchange
US dollars and other major currencies in banknotes or travelers checks are easily exchangeable in banks or at authorized moneychangers in main tourist destinations but it is advisable to carry rupiahs in sufficient amount before traveling to outer provinces or minor towns. Daily rates are posted in banks and in leading daily newspapers.
Embassies & Consulates
Consulates:
USA
Jl. Walikota NO. 13, Medan
(061) 4152200
Belgia
Jl. Kapt. Pattimura No. 459, Medan
(061) 8210559
India
Jl. Uskup Agung A. Sugiopranoto No. 19, Medan
(061) 4556452
General Consulates Japan
Jl. P. Diponegoro No. 18, Wisma BII Lt.5, Medan
(061) 4575193
Honour Consulates of German Republic
Jl. KH Samanhudi No. 16, Medan
(061) 4568006
Nederlands Kingdom
Jl. Wolter Monginsidi 45 Blok T/39, Medan
(061) 4569853
British Kingdom
Jl. Kapt. Pattimura No. 459, Medan
(061) 8210559
Malaysia
Jl. P. Diponegoro No. 43, Medan
(061) 4531342
Norwegia
Jl. Ir. H. Juanda No. 24-28, Medan
(061) 4570012,
Uni Sovyet Social Republic
Jl. Karim MS No. 17, Medan
(061) 4150380
Turkish Republic
Jl. Dr. Mansyur No. 122-124, Medan
(061) 8212981
Thailand
Jl. Cut Mutia VI/2D, Medan
(061) 4152425
North Sumatera Tourism Board
Jl. Diponegoro No. 30 Medan, Indonesia, Tel. +62 61 4535508, Fax. +62 61 4578594, Website: http://www.sumateratourism.com
Posted
on
Friday, September 21st, 2007 at 1:40 pm under
