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 Dan,
I would suggest you start on the mainland, in either Parapat or Pematang Siantar (which has an airport bus), then it would be ok.
Starting from Tuk Tuk requires boat schedules to be predictable and no traffic on the way. In my opinion, neither are certain.
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Dan says:
Hi Chris,
Yep I think we will do it this way. Is it a case of when the bus is full it leaves or do the airport buses run to a timetable?
Thanks again!
Br.
Dan -
The airport bus from Pematang Siantar is probably “leave when full”. You can easily check the day before because the buses leave from the office on the main street (Jalan Sutomo), not the bus terminal. Tickets are Rp60 000 each.
The buses look like this:
The office looks like this:
There is also an economy class train (tickets: Rp20 000) from Pematang Siantar (07:55), but it arrives in Medan too late (11:21) for a 13:15 flight. The next train to the airport departs at 12:10, arriving at 12:47.
Maybe you could let us know later whether the Pematang Siantar airport bus has a departure schedule or is “leave when full”.
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bill says:
I have a surfboard bag, 7 ft long.
1. Is there left luggage at KNO?
2. Can I take the bag on the train into the city?
3. If no for the train, do the taxis charge extra for the bag?
Tx -
Hi Bill,
1. Indonesian airports (except Bali) don’t have left luggage offices. This is mostly for security reasons, i.e. to stop people depositing bags with bombs.
2. Yes, you can take surfboards on the Medan Airport rail-link. Carriages have baggage racks.
3. I haven’t heard of an excess baggage fee for surfboards for taxis, only for flights. Most Indonesian taxis aren’t big enough to take surfboards in the boot, so you would need to fold down part/all of the back seat.
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AZEMAN says:
hai, saya akan ke Medan pada 10 June akan datang. Berapa kos teksi dari KNO ke Kasawan Hotel? TQ
Hi, I will travel to Medan on 10 June. How much will the taxi cost from KNO (Medan Airport) to Kawasan Hotel? Thanks
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Hi Azeman,
These days, Medan Airport taxis use meters, not a voucher system; the exact price will depend on traffic.
Here is a Google Map with directions:
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Hai, Saya akan menggunakan perkhidmatan bas DAMRI dari KNO ke Bandar Medan. Stesen bas mana yang perlu saya pilih? TERMINAL AMPALAS atau PLAZA MEDAN FAIR? Saya akan ke Medan 2 orang selama 4D3N TQ
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Amplas, but Medan Railway Station is closer and it would be faster to travel on the Medan Airport Rail-link.
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girard josiane says:
bonjour
pouvez vous me confirmer que je peux obtenir mon visa a l arrive du nouvel aeroport merci beaucoupPS mon agence me dit que non ! !
Hello there
can you confirm that I can get my visa on arrival at the new airport thank you very muchPS my agency told me no!
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Miss Azieda Damiana says:
Hi Chris:
I been read through all comments and it really useful for me and u did very well to answers all the questions patiently.. But still have a few question im not really clear.. hope u can answers me..
I’m travelling with my Mom and 1 of my sis on this coming August 21st ’14 n flight arrives late in the evening about 2100 (Indonesian Time) – and im staying at Alpha Inn which is at Jalan Gatot Subroto, near Plaza Medan Fair. My question is:
1. is this still have available train from KNO airport to Medan. if yes how to get the train and from train station how we can get to hotel.? as what i knew preferred is train more safe and faster.
2. if no available do we have to take taxi, how much the cost and do u prefer the good taxi should we take.
3. or should we take Bus from KNO airport to Plaza Medan ,is this safe for us if we take bus and walk until reach hotel as it already late.Many Thank and Advice.
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Hi Azieda Damiana,
1. The train timetable is here. The last trains to the city depart the airport at 21:15 and 23:30. You would then take a taxi to the hotel.
2. I don’t know exactly. If Bluebird taxi is available, take that one.
3. The bus might not be operating then, I don’t know. If it is, the bus would be more suitable.
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Chris says:
Hi Chris,
Can you advice me to what to do in the following situation:
I arrive at medan airport at 19.20 coming from singapore.
The next day i want to go to lake toba. I know that the buses/shared taxi’s to parapat goes from amplas terminal.Is best to take a hotel near amplas terminal, which means after landing at KNO still some hours travelling, before to get some sleep. Or can i also stay near the airport, go to bed early en travelling the next day from KNO to parapat?
looking forward to hear from you
Christiaan
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Hi Christiaan,
Yes, it is best to stay at a hotel near Amplas terminal. There is an airport bus from the airport to Amplas.
There are no hotels near the airport. The area used to be palm oil plantations.
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Nina says:
After at KNO airport Medan we paid airport tax price rp 75.000 then we will paid what?
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After paying airport tax, you will receive a sticker on your boarding pass which is scanned at the gate.
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Mau tanya tourist Taiwan main ke Medan selama satu bulan. Selain bayar airport tax harus bayar apa lagi ? Kena biaya berapa? Apa harus bayar dengan Us dollar? Terimakasih atas jawabannya.
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Hi Nina,
Airport tax is for departure (keberangkatan).
For international arrival, the tourist has to pay $US35 for visa on arrival.
For international departure, passengers at Medan Airport pay Rp200 000.
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Pak Hashim says:
Salam and Regards from Singapore.
I was in Medan recently for about 3 days. I saw your new airport,Kuala Namu Int. Airport. Very nice and more organised. Congtrats. I saw also a train service.
My request :
If I were to go for a holiday in Medan at the end of the yesr this is my plan :
Once I reach Kuala Namu I’ll board the train. Where will the train bring me to? Will there be hotels near the stations where the train stiopped. How much is the price and where to buy it. Thank you. -
Hi Pak Hashim,
We review the Medan Airport Rail-link here, but to answer your questions:
1. The train will terminate at Medan Railway Station, in the centre of Medan.
2. There are many hotels walking distance from this station. Below is a list of hotels near Medan Station, the closest first:
Hotels Near Medan Train Station
I have stayed at and reviewed two of them:
– Hotel Aryaduta
– Grand Aston City Hall Hotel3. Tickets are Rp80 000 one way, purchased at the station. (You DON’T want to pre-purchase on the website because if your flight is delayed or rescheduled, you can’t use the ticket).
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Anke Cruse says:
I read all your comments on this site and I am really impressed how useful they are.
Nobody seems to have the same problem as I. Here is my situation:I will arrive at 7:20pm at KNO International Airport Medan. From there I have to go to Bukit Lawang. Do you have any recommendations how to do this best. I am female and travelling alone, so I am also concerned about safety.
Thank you, Anke
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Hi Anke,
I recommend you:
1. Take the Rail-link to Medan.
2. Stay one night at a hotel near Medan Station. For example, Grand Aston City Hall Medan is walking distance from the train station; you can see it from the train station exit, across a public park.
3. Take a taxi from the hotel to Pinang Baris Bus Terminal, then a bus to Bukit Lawang.
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alvin says:
Hi Chris,
What time is the Almasar last bus from kuala namu airport to kabanjahe at night. My flight will reached kuala namu around 9.00pm and I intend to go to kabanjahe.
Also the frequency of the bus. In kabanjahe is there any hotel nearby the bus station.
Thx,
alvin -
Hi Alvin,
I am 99% sure there won’t be an airport bus to Kabanjahe that late in the evening.
I would:
1. Take the last train on the rail-link at 21:30. If you arrive late, take a taxi to the city or the airport bus to Amplas bus terminal.
2. Stay one night at a hotel in Medan.
3. Continue the journey to Kabanjahe the next day. Please note that buses to Kabanjahe depart from Pinang Baris bus terminal, not Amplas.
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fazli says:
hai chris..i will go to medan and will arrive at kuala namu airport..so what is the best way to go to hotel aryaduta medan and which one is cheaper..by train or by taxi or call the hotel aryaduta to pick up me at airport..i will go with my wife and my 2 years baby..thanks…
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Hi Fazli,
We discuss the rail-link here, but here is some general guidance:
1. PRICE
Depending on traffic, taxi and train are about the same. For the baby, you will get a reduced price.2. TRAVEL TIME
Depends on when you’re arriving relative to the train schedule. See the link above. Train would be quicker if you’re not waiting a long time for the train to depart. Hotel Aryaduta is walking distance from the train station. -
lim says:
Hi Chris,
We are a couple flying into KNIA on 21Nov arriving about noon. Hope to get to Parapat direct from airport.
After reading so much, I must admit I am confused. Can you please explain how to get from KNIA to Parapat. Should be quite hassle free and at reasonable cost.Really appreciate your assistance. You are very kind. TQVM, Chris.
Gratefully,
Lim -
Dear Lim,
You have two choices:
1. The airport bus to Medan’s Amplas bus terminal (Rp10 000 each) operated by DAMRI, then a bus to Parapat from there (price varies). Please note: for many buses, Parapat isn’t the final destination; it is Sibolga or Padang.
2. You can take an airport bus to Parapat, via Pematang Siantar (Rp60 000 each). It is operated by PARADEP. See above for bus pictures – my comment written on 30 May 2014.
Option #2 would be faster, but the bus would depart less frequently than Option #1; if you can’t see the PARADEP bus at the airport bus stop, I would choose Option #1.
More information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kualanamu_International_Airport#Bus
Comment on “New Airport in Medan”.
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Hi Chris,
Thanks for the quick response!
My wife and I are here looking at all the options and now we have come up with another idea but not sure if this is viable either…..
1st Ferry from Tuk Tuk to Parapat at 7am. 7.45 am leave Parapat via Taxi to Kuala Namu airport.
Flight depart KNO 1.15pm to Dempasar.
So if the taxi journey takes 4 hours we will arrive at KNO at about 12pm giving us one hour and a bit to check in.
Is this pushing it?
Br.
Dan