Wondering how to get to Bukit Lawang from Medan in North Sumatra, Indonesia?
I spent a week in Bukit Lawang, and loved the energy surrounding this quiet village. It was calm and peaceful, sitting on the edge of the majestic Gunung Lesuer National Park.
Bukit Lawang is one of the best places to spot orangutans in the wild, but the village itself has charm. Nestled beside a turquoise river, the jungle becomes your backdrop while the resident macaque family serves as a morning alarm.
It’s nature at its best. The only problem is that getting to Bukit Lawang can be tricky, especially if you’re travelling on a budget and using public transport.
In this guide, I’ve broken down each transportation option into clear instructions so you can find the transport method that best suits your travel style.
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Price Summary: How To Get From Medan To Bukit Lawang
For this transportation guide, I’ll explain how to get from Medan to Bukit Lawang from both Medan Airport and Medan Central in North Sumatra, Indonesia.
Public transport, such as buses and trains, or private taxis or shuttles/tourist buses (which are normally organised by a tour company/package), are your options.
🌟 My top pick >> Travel comfortably in a private air-conditioned vehicle with a professional local driver. Flexible pickup from Medan city or KNO Airport.
*Prices are indicative only from my trip. Please double-check.
- Train Price. 5,000 IDR p/p (one-way) – To be combined with bus price. (£0.27 or $0.34)
- Bus Price. 25,000 – 35,000 IDR p/p one-way (£1.35 or $1.68)
- Private Car/Taxi Price. From £67 per group 5
- Shuttle/Tourist Bus Price. 150,000 IDR p/p one-way (£8.00 or $10.00)
Unless you’re already in North Sumatra, the best way to reach Bukit Lawang is to fly into Medan Airport and take transport from there.
Read next: After spending a week in Bukit Lawang, I’ve written a complete guide to all the activities in Bukit Lawang.
🏨 Accommodation // Where To Stay In Bukit Lawang // 9.1+ ratings
Budget-friendly: Green Travelodge Bukit Lawang| Mid-range: Sam’s Bungalows | Top-end: Jungle Inn
Medan to Bukit Lawang: Airport or Central?
From Medan Airport
In total, you’re looking at around a 4-5 hour complete journey from Medan Airport to Bukit Lawang, Indonesia, on public transport.
If you’re visiting Bukit Lawang on a pre-arranged tour, transportation from Medan Airport to Bukit Lawang is usually included. If it’s not, you’ll have to make your own way; getting to Bukit Lawang on public transport will always be an experience.
A private car transfer will also include transportation from the airport to Bukit Lawang. The prices remain the same except for Sumatra Ecoventures, which increases to 650,000 IDR per car.
From Medan Central
In total, you’re looking at around a 3-4 hour complete journey from Medan Central to Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra on public transport.
My advice is to decide which mode of transport you’ll use and how long it takes you to reach Medan Central from your hotel.
A dry run the day before is a good idea; the last thing you want is to be rushing around like a madman on departure day, and Medan is traffic-heavy.
Insider tip >> Merdeka Walk is close to Medan Central, it’s a plaza/park home to many restaurants, making it a good place to grab lunch. There are also a few museums and a Royal Palace worth visiting in Medan.
⭐ BOOK >> Join either a 1-day, 2-day or 3-day jungle trek and spot orangutans in their natural habitiat inside the Gunung Lesuer National Park.
How To Get To Bukit Lawang By Train
From Medan Airport by Train
The airport rail service (often called the Airport Railink) runs from Kualanamu International Airport to Medan city centre, usually terminating at Medan Station.
Therefore, you will only be able to achieve part of the journey by train. This part of the route is well-established and reliable, reducing travel time.
From Medan Station, the local commuter train, Sri Lelawangsa, runs to Binjai; from there, you’ll need to catch a bus.
So the journey by rail looks like this:
- Train from Kualanamu Airport to Medan Station – this is the airport rail service and takes around 40–45 minutes.
- Change at Medan Station – walk over to the commuter platforms.
- Sri Lelawangsa train from Medan to Binjai – a short 30-minute hop north up the line.
From Medan Central by Train
The train was pretty decent, and although it will not take you the whole way to Bukit Lawang, it certainly helps break up the long journey.
I left Medan mid-morning and headed to Medan Central Station. I had already visited the train station and bought my ticket the day before.
It was quite difficult trying to understand the ticket prices, and I wanted to be clear on the departure times and platform.
I strongly suggest you do the same so you know where you need to be and when.
There was a small convenience shop, and the ticket office is outside the main entrance. If you’re facing the entrance, ticket sales are on the left side.
Keep in mind: There are not many trains operating, and if you miss the morning train, you will be travelling after dark by the time you reach Bukit Lawang. I don’t advise this as it can be dangerous, especially if you’re travelling solo.
The Journey: Times, Route & Cost
In total, the journey to Binjai, where you’ll get off, is 30 mins.
To make things less stressful, I decided to catch a Gojek (similar to Uber) taxi to Medan Central Station from my hostel rather than walk; this might be worth doing for you also.
- Train Route: Medan Central Station – Binjai Station (Allow 30 mins for this journey)
- Train Price: 5,000 IDR p/p one-way (£0.27 or $0.34)
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How To Get To Bukit Lawang By Bus
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From Medan Airport by Local Bus
If you’re going directly from Medan Airport to Bukit Lawang on a local bus, you’ll need to transfer buses at Binjai bus station.
From the airport, find the local ALS bus (Antar Lintas Sumatera) to Binjai. It will be orange and cost 40,000 – 50,000 IDR p/p (£2.20 – £2.70 or $2.75 – $3.35)
From Binjai bus station, you have to take a tuk-tuk costing 5,000 IDR to Tanah Lapang Binjai junction.
It’s easiest to ask a local once you arrive for the L300 or PS bus to the Bukit Lawang bus station. It takes around 3 hours and costs 30,000 IDR per person.
The Journey: Times, Route & Cost
The bus from Medan Airport to Binjai runs roughly every 45 minutes between 3 am and 10 pm and takes about 2 hours.
From Binjai to Medan, expect roughly 3 hours, though this can vary depending on traffic.
- Bus Route: Medan Airport – Binjai – Bukit Lawang
- Bus Price: 75,000 – 85,000 IDR p/p (one-way)
Note: I’ve also read that there’s a bus from Medan Airport that goes straight to Bukit Lawang. You’re looking for the bus company Amasar, and their ticket sales office is inside Medan airport. The journey takes about 5 hours and costs 80,000 IDR. However, if they aren’t full, they will make you transfer at Binjai.
From Medan Central by Local Bus
You have two options. You can either catch the bus from Medan Central to Bukit Lawang, or you can catch the bus from Binjai to Bukit Lawang after the train journey.
It is much easier to catch it from Binjai.
I know this because I missed the train on my return journey and had to take a bus from Bukit Lawang to Medan all the way. The bus drops you at Pinang Baris bus station on the outskirts of Medan, and it’s another long wait for the bus into central Medan.
I imagine it will be the same in reverse.
Therefore, assuming you are heading to Bukit Lawang via train and bus, you will depart the train at Binjai Train Station.
Directions to the bus stop from Binjai Train Station are as follows:
📍Come out of the train station to the road and turn right.
📍Follow the road for about 5 minutes until you reach the T-junction at the end.
📍Cross over the main road to reach the bus stop for the local bus, which will take you to Bukit Lawang.
From what I could tell, there were no set times for these buses, but they came often enough during the day.
This T-junction, although not 100% certain, I believe is the Tanah Lapang Binjai junction.
With that in mind, you’re looking for an orange bus with Bukit Lawang on the front. However, they don’t always say it, and it’s best to ask a local. I stopped almost every bus just to check.
Insider tip >> Keep in mind, they might try to charge extra for your bags. Make sure your bags don’t take up any seating space, are stored on the roof/boot, and don’t pay extra for them.
The Journey: Times, Route & Cost
The last buses from Binjai can depart at 4:30 pm, 6:30 pm, or 7:30 pm. There really doesn’t seem to be a set timetable, so it’s best to leave Medan early and avoid getting stuck.
- Bus Route: Binjai Station – Bukit Lawang (Allow 3 hours for this journey)
- Bus Price: 25,000 – 35,000 IDR p/p one-way – (£1.35 or $1.68) depending on your driver and negotiating skills!
Pro tip >> Make sure you don’t pay for anything in advance. Pay on arrival in Bukit Lawang and not before!
Bukit Lawang Bus Station To Riverwalk
Something else to be aware of is that your transport from the Bukit Lawang bus station (Gotong Royong) to your hotel might not be included in your hotel’s price.
If this is the case, you’re looking at around 20,000 IDR p/p (depending on where your hotel is, though this should be enough).
I thought this was expensive, given the cost of the 3-hour bus journey. The tuk-tuk ride should only take 10 mins. |Try to negotiate this into your room rate if you can.
- Tuk-Tuk Price: Bukit Lawang Bus Station to Guesthouse est. 10,000 – 20,000 IDR p/p one-way
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How To Get To Bukit Lawang By Private Car/Taxi
If you don’t fancy catching public transport and if you’re not travelling on a budget, then opt for a private transfer.
It’s the most comfortable way to reach Bukit Lawang. You can pre-arrange a private driver online through platforms like Viator, or negotiate a taxi from Medan airport to take you.
Taxis are always the most expensive option for travel; however, after an online search, they are reasonable. If you’re travelling in a group, then it becomes especially affordable!
⭐ BOOK: If you prefer to ride in private, in a relaxing and convenient way and don’t mind the price tag, then this is your best option.
Private Car Options
Unless you choose to organise this yourself with a local driver once you arrive, which might get you a better price, there are two taxi options.
You can book online:
- Sumatra Tour and Travel: Group of 2
- Sumatra Tour and Travel: Group of 4
These private transfers will pick you up from your hotel or airport and take you directly to Bukit Lawang.
That said, the other option is to arrange it directly with one of the tour companies. It will take around 3 to 5 hours to reach Bukit Lawang, depending on traffic.
- Sumatra Orangutan Explore: A private car costs 700,000 IDR for up to 4 people with luggage.
- Discover Sumatra: A private car costs 50 Euro per car, for up to 4 people.
- Sumatra Ecoventures: A private car costs 500-550,000 IDR for up to 4 people.
Note: I have not used these companies and cannot vouch for their authenticity. I wanted to give you the option, as they are slightly cheaper than going through third-party sites.
How To Get To Bukit Lawang By Shuttle/Tourist Bus
The final way to get to Bukit Lawang is by shuttle or tourist bus.
These generally leave from Medan Airport when full and stop by the city for pre-bookings. It’s therefore important to pre-book if you’re in Medan City.
The tourist buses are run by individual tour companies; however, they may sometimes share buses if there are not enough tourists to fill them.
It will take around 3 to 5 hours to reach Bukit Lawang, depending on traffic.
From Medan Airport By Shuttle/Tourist Bus
When you leave the airport building, go to the counter on the right and ask to go to Bukit Lawang. There, they will arrange a shared taxi.
You may need to wait until enough people are there for the car to start.
- Sumatra Orangutan Explore: Tourist bus costs 210,000 IDR per person from the airport. If you’re the only one to pick up, they will charge you for two people, 420,000 IDR.
- Discover Sumatra. Tourist bus to Bukit Lawang. They arrange a shared taxi. You may need to wait until enough people are there for the car to start. The costs are 210,000IDR/person.
- Sumatra Ecoventures. Tourist bus to Bukit Lawang 210,000 IDR p/p (min 2+ people).
- Tourist Bus Route. Medan Airport – Medan City – Bukit Lawang
- Tourist Bus Price: 210,000 IDR (That’s around £11.50 / $14.00 p/p)
From Medan Central Shuttle Options
- Sumatra Orangutan Explore: Tourist bus costs 150,000 IDR p/p. If you’re the only one to pick up, they will charge 2 people 300,000 IDR.
- Discover Sumatra. Tourist bus to Bukit Lawang. They usually leave in the morning. The costs are 150,000 IDR p/p.
- Sumatra Ecoventures. Tourist bus to Bukit Lawang 150,000 IDR p/p (min 2+ people).
They note a caveat: “We can only book the tourist bus from the airport or Medan if we already have guests on the day you request or you have booked a trek or activity with us”.
I think this would be the case for all three companies above.
- Tourist Bus Route: Medan City – Bukit Lawang
- Tourist Bus Price: 150,000 IDR (That’s around £8.00 / $10.00 p/p)
End Note: How To Get To Bukit Lawang
Hopefully, you’re ready for your jungle adventure and now know exactly how to get to Bukit Lawang.
I’ve tried to make it as straightforward as possible; however, this is Indonesia, and things don’t always run on schedule.
My biggest tips are to be patient and not rush into the first car, taxi, or bus that offers you a ride.
If you’re in doubt, ask the locals, but not the men by the bus stops who try to get you into their buses. They often want a tip for hailing a bus for you.
Otherwise, with a little luck, you’ll have no issues getting to Bukit Lawang.
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