Sumatra: Getting there & around

Most travellers arrive and depart through Medan by air. You can fly from Jakarta to a number of places in Sumatra, and from Singapore, Penang and Kuala Lumpur to Medan. International flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur touch down in Padang.

There are ferries between Penang and Medan; Melaka and Dumai; and Singapore and Pekanbaru via the Indonesian island of Bintam.

Indonesia has a variety of airlines servicing domestic routes, including Garuda, Mandala and Merpati. Budget airlines include Adam Air, Sriwijaya and Lion Air. Each airline publishes a nationwide timetable which can be obtained from their respective head offices in Jakarta. On more popular routes, book well in advance, especially in the peak tourist season around July and August. Airport tax on domestic flights is usually between US$2.00 and US$4.00 .

Sumatra's main roads are pot-holed backroads if judged by international standards. Bus is the most common form of transport, and in many cases is the only form of intercity travel. Sumatra has only one useful rail line: between Bandarlampung and Palembang. You can rent cars, motorbikes and bicycles in the main cities and tourist centres, and there are regular ferries from Sumatra to surrounding islands.