Most travellers reach Bukit Lawang from Medan, home to North Sumatra's main airport. But it isn't the only starting point: plenty of people arrive directly from Berastagi or Lake Toba too, especially those doing the route the other way around, starting in Bukit Lawang before heading south. Whichever way you come, the journey takes a while, and that's part of what has kept the jungle around it so intact.
In short: from Medan to Bukit Lawang
- Distance: about 90 km from Kualanamu airport (KNO), Medan.
- Private car: 3 to 4 hours, 40 € per car from the airport (35 € from a Medan hotel).
- Shared shuttle: 3 to 5 hours, 210,000 IDR (about 10 €) per person.
- Public bus: 5 to 7+ hours via Binjai, the cheapest option.
The most common starting point: Kualanamu Airport
Most international and domestic flights land at Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) in Medan, North Sumatra's main gateway. From there, Bukit Lawang sits roughly 90 km northwest, a journey that can take anywhere from 3 to 7+ hours depending on how you travel and the state of the road.
Three ways to make the journey
Private transfer (3-4 hours). The most direct and comfortable option. You leave when you want, stop when you want, and travel without other passengers. This is usually booked together with your trek.
Shared shuttle (3-5 hours). A 6-seat vehicle shared with other travellers heading the same way. Cheaper than a private car, with pickups from the airport typically running early-to-mid afternoon. Expect a short wait if others are still arriving.
AI-generated illustration.
Public transport (5-7+ hours). The cheapest option, and the most involved. From Medan Airport: an ALS bus to Binjai (60K IDR, ~€3), then a small orange public bus to Bukit Lawang (30K IDR, ~€1.50). From a Medan hotel: a taxi to Pinang Baris Station, then a direct local minibus to the Bukit Lawang bus terminal (around 50K IDR, ~€2.50, roughly 3 hours). Good to know: the last bus from Binjai station leaves around 18:00.
| Route | Private transfer | Shared shuttle |
|---|---|---|
| Airport → Bukit Lawang | 40 € | 210K IDR (~10 €) |
| Medan hotel/city → Bukit Lawang | 35 € | 165K IDR (~8 €) |
| Bukit Lawang → Berastagi | 65 € | 230K IDR (~11 €) |
| Bukit Lawang → Lake Toba | 85 € | 270K IDR (~13 €) |
| Bukit Lawang → Tangkahan (jeep, return) | 45 € | – |
Indicative 2026 rates, one-way except Tangkahan. Private transfer prices are per vehicle; shared shuttle and public bus prices are per person.
We can mainly help arrange the private transfer and shared shuttle; just mention it when you enquire about a trek.
Arriving in the village
Guesthouses in Bukit Lawang sit along the Bohorok river and aren't reachable by car. Wherever your transport drops you off, our guides meet you and take you the rest of the way on foot or by motorbike, carrying your bags.
After that: Berastagi, Lake Toba, or back to Medan
Plenty of travellers don't head straight back to Medan after their trek: they carry on south to Berastagi and Lake Toba instead, two natural next stops. We can organise this leg in either direction, depending on how you'd rather structure your trip.
Ready to go?
Six treks from 1 to 7 days, from €70 per person.