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When researching on how to get to Lake Toba, it can be a bit tricky to get valid information. But you come to the right place. We gathered the information for you. Travelling to Lake Toba, a stunning volcanic lake on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, is a fascinating journey through the region’s diverse landscape. Most travellers choose the city of Medan as the starting point for their journey, which is well connected to international airports, from where there are various options for onward travel.
During the journey, you will pass picturesque villages, lush rice fields and tropical forests. On the way, you can also stop at small roadside stalls and sample local specialities. The journey usually takes several hours, depending on the route chosen and the traffic.
Whichever option you choose, travelling to Lake Toba is not just a logistical step, but also a journey through the fascinating culture and nature of Sumatra.
Read here how to get to Lake Toba from various locations:
The options mentioned below only describe the way to Parapat, where most travellers catcxh the ferry to Tuktuk on Samosir Island. If you need to go somewhere else it is best to arrange a private car with your accommodation.
Banda Aceh/Pulau Weh to Lake Toba
Local bus
If you are on Pulau Weh, first take the ferry to Banda Aceh.
From Banda Aceh, you can take an overnight bus (approx. eight hours) to Medan. You can book this locally or online at redbus.co.id.
From here, follow the steps below from Medan to Lake Toba.
Berastagi to Lake Toba
Local bus
This involves time and changing busses, but it is doable.
From Berastagi take the bus to Kabanjahe, from there change to a bus to Siantar and change again to a bus to Parapat. In Parapat you take the ferry to Tuktuk.
Tourist Bus
These shared cars and vans travel daily from Berastagi to Lake Toba and can be booked in your accommodation.
Private driver
Your accommodation in Berastagi can probably also arrange a private driver for you to Lake Toba.
Bukit Lawang to Lake Toba
Local bus
This can be a long journey as you have to travel via Medan.
You start at the bus station in Bukit Lawang and take one of the orange local buses to Pinang Baris bus station in Medan (approx. IDR 30,000, 3.5 hours).
Here you have to change bus stops.Take a becak to get to the Amplas bus station.
From here you can take the Sejatera bus or one of the minivans. Both only start when the buses are full. This means that you may have to wait 1 hour. They stop several times on the way to pick up or drop off more passengers.
The Sejatera first stops at the bus station in Parapat, then at Ajibata harbour and finally at Tiga Raja harbour, from where you take the ferry to Tuktuk.
The minivans stop outside Parapat, from where you can take an angkot (shared minibus) to Tiga Raya harbour.
Take the ferry to Tuktuk. Simply mention your accommodation on the ferry and you will be dropped off there.
Tourist Bus
A more comfortable option is to take the tourist bus to Lake Toba. These are shared cars that travel daily from Bukit Lawang to Lake Toba. The price is 270.000/person. Duration: approx. 8 hours. You can book that in your accommodation.
Private driver
We will be happy to organise a private driver for your transport from Bukit Lawang to Lake Toba. Simply contact us
Bukittinggi to Lake Toba
Local busses
There are night busses, e.g. from ALS, going from Bukittinggi to Medan, that also stop in Parapat at Lake Toba. They depart around 5pm from this bus station. It is best to check the latest schedules on site.
Private driver
We are happy to organise a private driver from Bukittinggi to Parapat harbour at Lake Toba. The drive is 2 days á 7h and costs 230 euros/car for up to 4 people. Price includes car, petrol, driver and accommodation in Padang Sidempuan. Please contact us
Dumai to Lake Toba
Local bus
There are several night busses connecting Dumai and Lake Toba, among others the NPM bus company. Departure around 6 pm from the bus station “Terminal Bus Dumai Kelakap”. Arrival at around 6:30 a.m. at the ‘Perwakilan NPM Kota Padang’ terminal. Busses are comfortable, but be prepared for freezing temperatures, loud music all night long, reckless driving and even smokers on board.
You can check https://www.redbus.id for schedules.
Private driver
Maybe you’ll find a driver in Dumai who will take you to Lake Toba, but the drive is very long.
Medan airport to Lake Toba
Medan Kuala Namu Airport is located approx. 30 kilometres outside of Medan. The journey to Lake Toba takes approx. 4-5 hours.
Local bus
After arriving at the airport, leave the building and go straight ahead into the railway station building. Exit the building on the right in front of the Indomaret. All buses depart from there. Large signs indicate the direction of travel.
The DAMRI bus goes directly to Parapat. You can download the DAMRI app to check the schedule.
Otherwise you can take a bus to Siantar, where you change to another bus to Parapat. These also only start when the buses are full. This means that you sometimes have to wait 1 hour. On the way, they stop several times to pick up or drop off more passengers.
Depending on the bus, you will either be taken to the harbour or dropped off at the main road. In the latter case, you can take an angkot (shared minivan) or becak to the harbour. But you can also ask the driver to drop you at Ajibita harbour.
From here, take the ferry to Tuktuk on the island of Samosir. Simply name your accommodation on the ferry and you will be dropped off there.
Tourist Bus
Ask your accommodation at Lake Toba if they can organise this for you.
Private driver
We will be happy to organise a private driver for you who will be waiting for you at the airport when you arrive. The cost is 75 euros/car for up to 4 people. Just contact us
Medan City to Lake Toba
Local bus
From Medan, take a Grab (like Uber) or taxi to the Amplas bus station.
From here you can take the Sejatera bus or one of the minivans. Both only start when the buses are full. This means that you may have to wait 1 hour. They stop several times on the way to pick up or drop off more passengers.
The Sejatera first stops at the bus station in Parapat, then at Ajibata harbour and finally at Tiga Raja harbour, from where you take the ferry to Tuktuk.
The minibus stops outside Parapat, from where you can take an angkot (shared minibus) or taxi to Tiga Raja harbour.
From here you then take the ferry to Tuktuk on the island of Samosir.
Tourist Bus
Ask your accommodation at Lake Toba if they can organise this for you.
Private driver
We are happy to organise a private driver from your accommodation in Medan to Lake Toba. The cost is 80 euros/car for up to 4 people. Please contact us
Padang to Lake Toba
Local busses
There are night busses, e.g. from ALS, going from Padang to Medan, that also stop in Parapat at Lake Toba. They depart around 3pm from this bus station. It is best to check the latest schedules on site.
Private driver
We are happy to organise a private driver from Padang to Parapat harbour at Lake Toba. The drive is 2 days á 8h and costs 250 euros/car for up to 4 people. Price includes car, petrol, driver and accommodation in Padang Sidempuan. Please contact us
Singkil to Lake Toba
Local bus
This is a long travel day. Expect 8-12h.
Bus from Singkil to Sidikalang
Once you’re in Singkil, go to the bus station and get a ticket to Sidikalang.
The bus may come from another city and will likely already have passengers when it arrives. Don’t worry about finding the station – the locals are helpful.Minibus from Sidikalang to Pangururan (Samosir Island)
Tell the driver in Sidikalang you want to go to Pangururan (the main town on Samosir Island, Lake Toba). He’ll likely drop you off at the right departure point.Shared car/minibus from Pangururan to Tuk Tuk
Once you’re in Pangururan, catch a local minibus heading across the island to Tuk Tuk. You’ll need to wait along the main road (left side, heading toward Tuk Tuk) for a ride.
Private driver
Your accommodation on the Banyaks or at Lake Toba might be able to arrange a private car. It takes around 8h and can cost between 100 and 150€ as the driver has to go back all the way.
Tanjung Balai to Lake Toba
Local bus
This is a long travel day. Expect 8-12h.
- First take a bus or train from Tanjung Balai to Medan. You can check the train schedules on tiket.com
- Taxi or grab to Amplas bus station.
- From here you can take the Sejatera bus or one of the minivans. Both only start when the buses are full. This means that you may have to wait 1 hour. They stop several times on the way to pick up or drop off more passengers.
The Sejatera first stops at the bus station in Parapat, then at Ajibata harbour and finally at Tiga Raja harbour, from where you take the ferry to Tuktuk.
The minibus stops outside Parapat, from where you can take an angkot (shared minibus) or taxi to Tiga Raja harbour.
From here you then take the ferry to Tuktuk on the island of Samosir.
Amplas bus station in Medan
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More InformationPinang Baris bus station in Medan
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More InformationHow to get to Lake Toba
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