Medan is primary gateway to Sumatra, served by daily direct flights from Singapore by Garuda Indonesia and Silk Air, and from Penang and Kuala Lumpur by Malaysian Airlines System (MAS) and Air Asia. Garuda Indonesia, Merpati Nusantara, Sempati Air, and Mandala fly daily from Jakarta.

Ferries ply between Penang and Port of Belawan. A fast, comfortable passenger liner sails biweekly from Jakarta to Medan.

North Sumatra has a warm tropical climate with wet and dry seasons lasting approximately six month each. The heaviest rains occur in December and January. During the wet season, overland travel in Southern Sumatra ca be subject to lengthy delay. Average humidity is 81 percent and temperatures average 27C during the day and 25C at night, with average temperatures dropping one degree for every 300 meters elevation. Evenings in mountain areas can be quite cool. The best time to visit is between May and October, though rain will still be frequent occurrence in many mountainous areas. Monthly event list available in the Garuda Indonesia in-flight magazine or regional tourist information offices.

Medan is served by daily flights from Singapore, Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. There are good road connections from Banda Aceh and Lake Toba.

Accommodation

Medan is a modern city with full facilities for travelers of every budget and preference. Three four-star properties, and several three-star and two star hotels.

Medan has metered taxis and hire cars are available through most hotels. Noisy, motorized pedicabs cruise downtown area, offering a novel, if nerve-racking way of seeing the sights.

Lake Toba / Parapat is four hours by good road from Medan. We can pick you up from the airport and straight to our hotel or  and local bus services is frequent.

Regular ferries serve communities on Tuk Tuk Samosir, carrying motorcycles as well as passenger. The ferries running every hour from Parapat to Tuk Tuk as well as Tuk Tuk to Parapat, the first ferry from Parapat at 8.30 am and the last at 7.30 pm.