New Airport in Medan
Last updated: November 20, 2013
Medan’s new Kuala Namu International Airport opens on 25 July 2013.
It will replace the overcrowded Polonia Airport (MES), which will close on the same date.
The Bare Essentials | To/From The New Airport | To/From Medan | Other Tips
The Bare Essentials
| Opening date: 25 July 2013 Airport code: KNO Location: 31km North-East |
Airport Bus: Yes Airport Train: Yes – more information Toll road: Under construction |
Travelling To/From The New Medan Airport
View Going to/from Medan in a larger map
Left to Right: Pinang Baris Bus Terminal, Medan City Fair Airport Bus Terminal, Medan Train Station, the old Polonia Airport, Amplas Bus Terminal, the new Kuala Namu Airport
Medan Airport is located in Deli Serdang Regency, north-east of the city.
Full details of public transport options to/from Kuala Namu are still to be confirmed, but it will be the first Indonesian airport with a rail link. There will also be airport buses; two likely destinations are the city’s main inter-city bus terminals: Pinang Baris in the west (destinations: Aceh, Bukit Lawang, Berastagi) and Amplas in the south (Lake Toba, Sibolga, Bukittinggi).
A toll road connecting the new airport to Medan and Tebing Tinggi is still under construction, and is due to be finished in late 2014. In the meantime, it is 31km to the airport from Central Medan, measured from the City Hall (near Medan Train Station). Google Maps estimates the journey to be 53 minutes. A taxi ride would be around Rp100 000 ($US10, € 8, £7). Fares from the airport are unconfirmed; it is likely that there will still be a pre-paid fixed price voucher system – not taxi meters – similar to those currently operating at Polonia Airport and Bali Airport.
UPDATE – November 2013
We have more information and a review of Railink – the name of the train between Medan and its Airport – here.
Travelling to/from Medan
| Destination City | Flights/Week |
| 1. Jakarta | 290 |
| 2. Penang (Georgetown) | 99 |
| 3. Kuala Lumpur | 74 |
| 4. Batam | 63 |
| =5. Banda Aceh | 42 |
| =5. Singapore | 42 |
| 7. Pekanbaru | 35 |
| 8. Bandung | 32 |
| 9. Nias (Gunung Sitoli) | 28 |
| 10. Padang | 21 |
Medan is the busiest airport in Sumatra, with almost 8 million passengers in 2012. It is often a transit point for visitors than a tourist destination itself, many either just stay one night continue their journey directly to more well-known attractions with smaller airports or no airport at all. By plane, these include e.g. diving hotspot Pulau Weh near Banda Aceh, famous surfing breaks in Nias and Mentawai Islands near Padang. Places acessible from Medan by bus are listed in the previous section.
Other Hints And Tips
Based on the previous experience of the new Lombok International Airport opened in 2011, here is some further advice:
- Indonesian airline booking systems are often slow to change.
Airlines might still use MES (Polonia) as the airport code after 25 July 2013, even though the flight is arriving at/departing from KNO (Kuala Namu). Airlines only changed the airport code on their website months after Lombok International Airport opened. - It is recommended you arrive before the minimum check-in time.
With the greater distance to travel and the potential for computer system breakdowns that come with a new airport, it is a good idea to allow additional time. - It is recommended passengers reconfirm their flight a few days before.
There may be some minor schedule adjustments, due to the different location making flights slightly longer/shorter. It is now possible to do this online with almost all of the larger airlines; here is a guide. For the one exception – Sriwijaya Air – departure times by using the online booking system, i.e. check the price for 1 ticket on the same flight that you’re on. Please note: it cannot be checked this way less than 3 days before departure, when tickets cannot be booked online. 
Airport Tax may change.
Currently it is Rp35 000 ($US3.50, € 2,50, £2.25) per person for domestic flights, and Rp75 000 ($US7.50, € 6, £5.50) per person for international flights. Airport Tax in Lombok didn’t increase, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t in Medan. If there is an increase, it cannot be more than airport tax in Jakarta: Rp40 000 for domestic, Rp150 000 for international.
As further information becomes available, this post will be updated.
In the meantime, if you have a question, please write it in the comment field below.
Or if you would like to enquire about a flight to/from Medan, please fill in this form.
223 Comments on “New Airport in Medan”
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Hi Freya,
I don’t know for sure, but generally speaking Indonesian airports don’t have left luggage lockers (baggage storage) for security reasons, i.e. to stop people depositing bombs in luggage at the airport.
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Marle says:
Hi Chris, need your urgent help one more time.
Please give me direction where to take Bus Sentosa as I come out from the Immigration exit at the Airport.
Any specific shop or place nearby to guide me? A map would be helpful. Also, where do I buy the bus ticket, at a ticket sales counter or on board the bus.
Thanks again -
Hi Marle,
Sorry, haven’t been to the new Medan Airport, so I don’t know directions to the airport bus stop. I have sent a list of questions about the Medan Airport rail-link with a “secret shopper” friend, including whether the directions are clear and easy to follow; he will report back next week.
Regarding where to buy the ticket, just see what everybody else is doing. You should get a ticket or receipt, regardless of the location.
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Hi Chris,
I have just returned from Medan. The counter staff has not heard of “Bus Sentosa” and instead direct me to Damri bus (located right side of Airport exit).
Journey to town took almost 2 hrs (traffic jam), cost Rp15k and it terminates at Medan Plaza Fair. The sign on the bus however states “Carrefour” which is located in Medan Plaza. Airport tax is Rp75k and is paid at the airline counter when you check in for your boarding pass. This new airport is a lot more spacious and more efficient. -
Bernard says:
Hi Chris.
I am flying into Medan in early December. From the replies above, I gather the economical way to get to Parapat is to take the Damri bus to Amplus Terminal and from there travel by
bus to Parapat.Some clarifications;
1. What are the names of bus companies servicing the route to Parapat? What is the approximate fare in Rph?2. I am travelling budget with a family. Can you recommend an economical, safe budget stay in Medan for my return from Parapat.
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Hi Bernard,
1. There are many bus companies, ranging from a/c and large to no a/c and small. You can choose one on arrival at Amplas; they all have ticketing offices there. I’m not sure of the latest prices (prices rose in June when petrol became more expensive), but previously the non-a/c bus was Rp22 000 per person.
2. Wisma Hari Kota sounds good, but I haven’t stayed there myself. There are reviews of several other budget hotels/hostels/guesthouses here.
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Betty says:
Hi,
I am thinking of catching Garuda flight from Jakarta to Penang, and it will be a transit in Medan. Anyone have any idea, is this going to be internal transit or I need to come out and re check in in KNO Airport. Thanks!
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Hi Betty,
In Medan, you will need to change terminals, collect boarding pass for the second flight, pay airport tax of Rp75 000, and pass immigration and customs. Your bags will be checked through to Penang in Jakarta, so at least you won’t have to collect and re-check them.
By the way, it might be easier for you to fly AirAsia; they have a direct/non-stop flight from Jakarta to Penang.
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Mazlan says:
I am taking a flight from Penang to KNO. How far is KNO to Lubuk Pakam town ?
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Lenggang Kangkung says:
good info
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Yeekwok says:
I will stay at Grand Swiss Belhotel Medan and arrive at KNOAirport around 2200.
Is train service available.
Best way to tgo from airport to hotel? -
Hi Yeekwok,
Yes, a train service is available. The last train from Kuala Namu to Medan departs at 00:15 (just after midnight), arriving in Medan at 01:01.
If you don’t want to wait, there is a taxi service also. There shouldn’t be much traffic at that time of night…
We are about to post a review of the Medan Airport rail-link in a separate post on the website; for now, please see some of the earlier questions and comments.
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Belinda says:
Hello Chris
I am landing at KNO at 08:25 am on Saturday 9 Nov. I want to get away direct to Parapat to stay at Lake Toba that night. But it will be a short stay because I have to be back in Medan on Sunday night for business starting early Monday morning!
I would appreciate your help:
a) Is there a Taksi Trans running from KNO to Parapat, or do I have to get into Medan and if so where and how is best?b) What times do Taksi Trans run Medan – Parapat on Saturday and Parapat – Medan on Sunday?
c) I understand the trip takes 4 hours and costs IDR 65,000 – is that right?
d) How can I book Taksi Trans before arrival in Indonesia?
e) If Taksi Trans is not going to work out for my limited timings, what is the alternative – just take a priviate taxi from KNO? What will this cost to Parpat and return to Medan?
Many thanks for your kind help.
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Hi Belinda,
a) Not to my knowledge, no. It would be best to take the airport bus to Amplas bus terminal, then choose a bus or taxi to Parapat from there. The offices of the shared taxi operators are next to the bus terminal.
b) Like buses, shared taxis run according to demand, a schedule also described as “leave when full”.
c) Sounds about right.
d) You can’t. Taxi operators usually accept bookings at most 1 day before departure.
e) Bus – fares rose in June with the price of petrol, so I can’t be sure of the exact price. It is worth paying extra for an air-conditioned bus.
There is some additional information on the Wikitravel page for Parapat.
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Thank you Chris. That is very helpful. I’ll drop a line on this blog with any new information on prices etc.
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Scott says:
Hi Chris, I have a large (12) person group travelling through Medan Kuala airport . To reduce travel time as we are only in Medan overnight before catching an early morning flight to Nias can you please advise the nearest 4 star or above hotel to the airport. Regards and thanks
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Hi Scott,
Hotels Near Kuala Namu International Airport
Sorry to say, there are no 4 star or above hotels near the airport. In fact, I don’t think there are any hotels at all near the airport – the area was a palm oil plantation.
An alternative would be to stay at one of the many 4 star or above hotels near Medan Railway Station.
There are early morning trains for the journey to the airport:
Depart City: 03:55, 04:50, 06:15, 08:20
Arrive Airport: 04:32, 05:27, 06:52, 08:57and it is faster than bus/taxi/car because the new toll road to the airport isn’t open yet.
If you want the hotel closest to the station, that is Grand Aston City Hall Hotel & Serviced Residences. If you want to stock up on snacks and drinks before the journey to Nias, I recommend Hotel Aryaduta, which is above a Hypermart.
If you want to take the train from the airport to the city also, please advise your arrival time in Medan and I can advise the train timetable around then also.
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Below is a tweet with photo of the new train on Medan Airport Rail-link. The seats are more comfortable, there are racks for baggage, etc.
KA Bandara Kualanamu yg keberangkatan terakhir (21.30) skrg pake Kereta Woojin. Nice! pic.twitter.com/2Hvkp9jWVA
— Icarus (@kokohrocha) November 10, 2013
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Ayu says:
Is there any bakery shop / cake shop in kuala namu airport?
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Hi Ayu,
There always seems to be a Dunkin Donuts at every airport and railway station in Indonesia. I don’t know about a bakery or cake shop, though.
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Nelly says:
Hi there,
I’m arriving at Kuala Namu Int Airport at 2000 hrs (8pm) 27th Nov. However, my little brother is coming in the next morning at 0615 hours (6.15a.m.). I’m thinking of taking a cab from the airport to the hotel in the mEdan City.
After the second thought, i think it’l be wasting because it would be saved if i wait for him since out tour start in the morning around 9am. and i’m worried if he gets lost because he’s alone.
So, i need your recommendation. SHould i just stay at the airport(overnight) wait until the next sunrise or i need to go and sleep at the hotel? Is there any safe place to sleep at the airport? we just need 10 hours to lay down.
Thanks
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Hi Nelly,
I would recommend you take the airport train and stay at a hotel near Medan Railway Station.
There are no hotels at or near the airport, and I don’t think the airport is open overnight (because there are few arrivals and departures between 21:00 and 05:00) so you can’t sleep there.
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Mohan says:
Hi,What is airport tax,and how much is the visa fee,can we pay in RM or only rupees idm
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Hi Mohan,
As explained here, airport tax is a small fee you pay when checking in for a flight in Indonesia, unless you fly Garuda domestic (which has it already included in the ticket price). Airport tax must be paid in Rupiah cash.
Like citizens of all ASEAN countries, Malaysians get free entry to Indonesia for 30 days; there is no visa fee.
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Thank you very much,
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Bruce says:
Hi there
We are travelling from Adelaide Australia in early July 2014, and are looking to fly down to Sibolga where we will bus/taxi to our destination a few hours from there before returning about 12 days later. We will have 3 adults and 5 children in total. Could you please advise …
* we can go ADL to KNO via KUL in one day, arriving KNO at around 7:10pm – but this leaves the issue of where to stay that night. Is there still nothing close to the airport available? What would you suggest to be the quickest and closest accommodation to get to, just for one night?
* How do we fly KNO to Sibolga? I can’t seem to find any options.Thanks
Bruce
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krisan says:
any suggestion way to go from airport to perastagi?
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agongkia says:
I travel 5 times to and fro from Kuala Namu and Medan station with this rail service within 3 days while staying in Medan,due to flight cancellation .So train service is more suitable
for those who travel solo like me.
Even the hotel will charge me 200 rb for the service,so unless you have more than 2 pax,train and bus service is more reasonable to me.
Just walk out of arrival hall and you can get the ticket at the Train station counter.80 rb.Special rate for certain airline traveller till further notice.
Enjoy the scenery that one may not be able to see if taking other transport.
Comment on “New Airport in Medan”.
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hey- I want to do a quick visa run to KL to and from Medan- I want to know if there are any baggage storage lockers in KNO airport.
:) Thanks!!