Medan

From Halal Explorer

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Medan is a city on the north coast of the island of Sumatra in Indonesia, and the capital of North Sumatra province.

Medan Halal Explorer

Medan20101024

Medan is the fourth-largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta, Surabaya and Bandung. With a population of about 2 million people, it is the largest city outside of Java. No ethnic group forms a majority; the largest ethnic groups are the Chinese, (Javanese), Toba-Batak, Minangkabau, Mandailing Batak, Karo Batak, Southern Indians, and Northern Indians, and there are many more ethnic minorities.

It's interesting to contrast the old, Dutch style green areas, with parks, lawns, and huge old Dutch houses (now turned into government offices or commercial business) and the hundreds and hundreds of newer, shoddy shophouses sprawled together by the hundreds in the commercial areas along with a few modern style malls.

Look out for the motor becaks! A sort of motorized rickshaw and they are a common sight throughout Medan, spewing black smoke everywhere.

Medan isn't a tourist destination, but it's a convenient stepping stone to other places like the 'weekend getaway' Berastagi and the island of Penang, Malaysia, and the popular, beautiful crater lake, Lake Toba.

Travel to Medan

Medan's Kualanamu International Airport and Belawan sea port are visa-free and visa-on-arrival points.

For more visa information, see the Indonesia#get in|Indonesia page.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Medan

Medan's international airport, Kualanamu International Airport GPS 3.6422,98.8852 (IATA Flight Code: KNO) and is located in Deli Serdang, about 45 minutes from the city. It handles domestic and regional international flights.

After arrival, ATMs are quite easy to find in the interior of the airport. An information desk is also available.

International

There are direct international Flights to/from Penang (for around US$70 return) and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Singapore, and Bangkok.

Popular routes are Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Domestic

For destinations within Indonesia and there are some regional airlines and LCC that serve Medan to other cities, mostly around Sumatra island.

Public transportation in Medan

Train service is provided by Railink, a joint venture between Angkasa Pura II and Indonesian Railway. It is the first integrated airport rail link in Indonesia, city check-in and electronic tickets are also available for passengers' convenience.

The airport train runs up to 21 trips (including one facultative trip) a day in each direction with the first trip from Medan Main Train Station GPS 3.5908,98.6797 besides the Merdeka Plaza on Balai Kota street at 04:00 and the last trip from the airport at 22:00. It is the quickest way to get from the airport to central Medan, taking 31-41 minutes. Ticket can be purchased either from the ticket vending machine or from the ticket counters or by online only from D-30 to D-1. A one-way ticket costs up to Rp300,000. A promotional ticket can be purchased for Rp75,000 with limited seats through online, travel agents and external channels only (not from vending machines and ticket counters), no schedule change allowed and not refundable.

Buses operated by state-owned bus company DAMRI connect the airport to two destinations in Medan, Jl. Gatot Subroto next to Plaza Medan Fair and Amplas bus terminal. The bus takes 60-90 minutes to reach the airport and the bus ticket is a lot cheaper than the airport train.

Service Destination Fare
Kualanamu Airport Bus
Damri Amplas Bus Terminal Medan Rp20,000
Damri Plaza Medan Fair Medan Rp25,000
ALS Binjai Super Mall Binjai Rp35,000

Taxis are Rp430,000-650,000 for the ride to the downtown, but will leave immediately, arrive quicker and be more comfortable than the bus. There is a Rp30,000 extra charge to all fares for airport pickup on top of the metered rate.

Do not use online transport services like Grab or GO-JEK; both are banned from entering airport. Even if you try to book one, chances are no one will accept your booking.|}

Travel on a Bus in Medan

The central station for all larger buses in Medan isAmplas Bus Station|alt_name=Terminal Terpadu Amplas GPS 3.5400,98.7192 (not located in the center of the city though). This is where a lot of the smaller minivans go, and where travelers need to go to make connecting buses to further cities. Many of the large air-conditioned buses perform overnight routes.

Larger, non air-conditioned buses and large luxury buses (often Mercedes) that are air-conditioned (some have toilets on board, though they are squatting toilets that are difficult to use when the buses are moving, given driving habits and road conditions throughout Sumatra).

  • Trans Mebidang. A bus rapid transit system operated by the state-owned transport company Damri that serves various places around Medan, Binjai, and Deli Serdang. There are two lines that stops at various designated bus stops. Operating hours are 6AM Monday - 10PM. Fixed price:
  • Medan - Lubuk Pakam line: Rp8,000
  • Medan - Binjai line: Rp6,000
  • Makmur/Halmahera, Jl. Sisingamangaraja Km 6,7. Large buses (AC or non-AC), runs daily (usually overnight) to major cities in Riau province.
  • ALS (Antar Lintas Sumatera), Jl. Sisingamangaraja Km 6,5. Large buses (AC or non-AC), with route to southern part of North Sumatra, Padang, Bukit Tinggi, Pekanbaru, Palembang, Kerinci, and major cities in Java island (Jakarta, Malang, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Bandung).
  • Sempati Star, Jl. Asrama. Luxury double-decker bus with toilet, entertainment screen on board, pillow & blanket, serves several cities in Aceh province. As per 2017, price range from Rp380,000 (Patas Executive) - Rp630,000 (First Class).

By car

The Trans-Sumatran Highway that connects the whole island crosses Medan's downtown. Toll roads exist but only as far as Binjai to the north west and Tebing Tinggi to south east.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Medan

Medan is not located by the sea but nearby Belawan is a major port. The passenger terminal is called Bandar Deli GPS 3.7779,98.6809

To/from other parts of Indonesia: Domestic routes are served by Pelni, it links Belawan with various ports in Sumatra and other Indonesian islands.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Medan

Medan is connected by rail to other conurbations on the eastern coast of Sumatra, such as Tanjung Balai, Rantau Prapat, Pematang Siantar and Binjai. Executive, business and economy class trains are available, but if your budget allows, take the better class trains, which are faster and more comfortable. Tickets cost between Rp7,000 (economy) to Rp320,000 (executive).

How to get around in Medan

Medan city is swamped by becaks and taxis (the preferable choice to get around). There is also a form of public transport known as the angkot (small minivan).

By becak

Also known as trishaws or pedicabs. You have to be a good negotiator if you want to ride on becaks, with price ranging between Rp7,000-20,000 depending on the destination (near or far). Too far, and the driver may refuse to take you.

Best way to travel in Medan by a Taxi

Try to pick taxi from a reliable place such in front of malls, shopping centers or airport. Many taxi drivers will resist the use of a meter and want to bargain. Taxis with meters may put them on, but then say there is a minimum charge.

Try to avoid the use of taxis other than Bluebird or Express and always use the meter as they are the two most reliable taxi companies in Medan, this is a general rule that applies throughout the regions of Indonesia where either of these two taxi companies are available.

Express Taxi ☎ +62 61 455 2211. White taxis (usually Toyota Vios) and they can usually be found around Medan, especially around central city and mostly use meter. Call in advance and they will come in time too (minimum fee by call is Rp45,000). Blue Bird Taxi ☎ +62 61 846 1234. Blue color taxis and the newest taxi company to start operate in Medan. Friendly drivers and always use meter. Minimum fee by call is Rp40,000.

Grab The most popular choice and has the largest operated fleets.

GO-JEK Famous for its bike fleets, but also start offering vehicle services.

There have been cases of online transport cars being attacked in a few places like the airport and train station when picking up passengers. Consult your driver for pick-up point to avoid trouble.

Travel on a Bus in Medan

Public transport is not reliable, though they have fixed price from one destination to other destinations.

Small minivans (called sudako or angkot by local residents) have painted numbers (1 to 267 in Medan) that signify their routes, which even local residents don't have memorized. If you speak (Indonesian), just ask where people are standing by the roadsides which "bus" number corresponds to your location and what the price is in advance. When a van with the appropriate number approaches, flag them down as they don't make scheduled stops (just drive along a given route and drop off passengers when told or pick up new passengers when flagged).

If you are a westerner, be sure to confirm the price before getting in. This type of transportation should only be braved by those with a point-to-point knowledge of Medan and a working knowledge of Indonesian so they know where to tell the driver to stop, unless you have a local friend who can take you around. Standard fee (per 2023) is Rp 7,000/trip. One easy route is Minibus #3 from the great mosque (at the side of Yuki Simpang Raya mall) to the Medan Mall.

Local Language in Medan

All local residents will be able to speak Indonesian. However and the ethnic Chinese can often be heard speaking a localised variant of Hokkien known as Medan Hokkien, which is almost identical to Penang Hokkien spoken across the Strait of Malacca.

Medan has a very high level of education and many younger people speak English very well. Those over 50 or 60 also tend to speak English and some even Dutch. If you find yourself stuck just tell the person you need someone who speaks English to help and there will be someone there in a matter of minutes. Speaking English well is a highly regarded skill by the local residents so anyone who does so is well known and can be found quickly.

The local residents will really appreciate your efforts to learn (Indonesian), and please not be offended if they will laugh loudly with you too. It is not a mocking expression.

What to see in Medan

Mosque Dome and Minaret in Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia

Primate Taxidermy, Rahmat International Wildlife Museum and Gallery - A tiny random portion of the many impressive rooms of taxidermy at the Rahmat International Wildlife Museum and Gallery.

View Toward Main Hall, Vihara Gunung Timur, Medan, Sumatra - View toward the main hall with incense burner at left. Chinese Daoist temple of Vihara Gunung Timur.

Perhimpunan Shri Mariamman (Mariamman Hindu Temple), Medan

Many tourists choose to use Medan as a quick through-point to travel elsewhere in Sumatra, but the city offers a glimpse of a large Indonesian city still unfrequented by Muslim tourists, and shouldn't be quickly dismissed. However, Medan is more chaotic and has a bit more litter than Jakarta or Denpasar and open sewers abound. Furthermore, not as many people speak English in Medan as in other large Indonesian cities, but even a short list of useful expressions goes a long way, and Sumatrans are still unjaded by westerners.

Medan_Montage

Medan hosts a great lot of very nice Art Déco buildings from the Dutch colonial era, like the Old City Hall and the Post office and the Great Mosque and many business buildings in and around Jl. Ahmad Yani. Some of them are in horrible shape, but most of them maintain their old splendour.

Other attractions include:

Great mosque in Medan.JPG

  • Great Mosque of Medan - Masjid Raya Medan or Masjid Raya Al Mashun | Built on 1906 and completed on 1909 and the mosque was designed by a Dutch architect mixing Morrocan, European, Middle Eastern and (Malay) styles. One week prior to Idul Fitri and the whole Jalan Masjid Raya is closed to hold a night market where food and merchandise are sold. Women can visit, too, but they have to enter the central hall through a separate door and stay behind a provisory wall that separates the hall in two. Around the mosque is a graveyard for the broad sultan's family.
  • Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni - Catholic Shrine with Tamil Hindu-style architecture, devoted to Our Lady of Good Health.
  • Maha Vihara Maitreya - One of the biggest Buddhist temple complex in Medan and the temple is decorated with various statues of mythical Chinese creatures like dragon, kirin and phoenix. To the left wing is a pond housing koi fish, while in the right wing houses a playground, souvenir shop, a Vegetarian canteen and a coffeehouse. The main hall houses statues of Buddha Sakyamuni, Bodhisattva and the Bodhisattva Satyakalama Avolokitesvara. As this is a holy site, always obey the regulations stated by the temple.
  • Maimoon Palace - Istana Maimun |A royal palace of Sultanate of Deli, built by Sultan Makmun Al Rasyid Perkasa Alamsyah in years 1887–1891 and the palace covers 2,772 m² and has 30 rooms. It has unique interior design, mixing elements of (Malay) cultural legacy, Islam, (Spanish), Indian and Italian style. Only a small number of rooms can be visited, with a history of the sultan family and a few artefacts, portraits and photographs. Quite busy and popular place with local residents and tourists.
  • Rahmat International Wildlife Museum & Gallery - Opened in 1999 and is chiefly the most incredible global taxidermy collection you could imagine. This place has to be seen to be believed - it's the sort of thing that could only happen in Asia! A veritable treasure-chest, it features numerous critters of sea, land and sky as well as the collected flotsam of the eccentric founding Afghan's life hunting big game, fishing, hob-nobbing and generally getting around the world. An obvious labour of love by Doctor Rahmat himself, who has since been installed as the chairman of the Indonesian Museum Association, this place is a small stay against the sea of Sumatran rainforests being destroyed and poached every year. Worth supporting against ill-contrived zoos otherwise found throughout the region.
  • Sri Mariamman Temple - Kuil Shri Mariamman | A Tamil Hindu temple. Beware: there are two of these! This one's the one on the junction not so far from town. The other one is down a long alley and is closed up. Featuring many brighty coloured statues of all the major gods from the Tamil Hindu pantheon and a few naga stones, this temple is testament to the reach of the ancient Tamil maritime empire and the age of the Tamil community in Sumatra. Events regularly take place at this temple.
  • Sikh Temple - Located in the old Chinese school 50m to the right of the Shri Mariamman Tamil Hindu Temple, opposite the maternity hospital. After you walk in to the impressive grounds, turn to the left and walk behind the stairway. The humble temple hall is located to your left. Note: Do not enter without both permission and proper attire! There is supposed to be a larger one elsewhere in the city.
  • Tjong A Fie Mansion - Rumah Tjong A Fie - The former mansion of the leader of the local Chinese community of Medan (then Deli) who succeeded in ingratiating himself with both the Indonesian Muslims and the Dutch colonial authorities. No mention is made of his relations with the local Indian community. He became very rich on the profits of his hard-working countrymen, importing them as labour for Dutch plantations and shipping them off when they became destitute or impoverished through overwork, old age or opium. This colourful and ornately decorated building tells his story and that of his descendants, as well as filling in some details about the city's past.
  • Tirtanadi Water Tower - Menara Air Tirtanadi | One of Medan's icon and the water tower was built by Dutch government on 1908 with height of 42 meters. Currently it's state owned by PDAM Tirtanadi.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Medan

Muslim Friendly Theme Parks in Medan

  • Pantai Cermin Theme Park & Resort - The only water theme park in North Sumatra, located in Cermin Beach, Serdang Bedagai. The theme park is organized by a Malaysian investor and the local government. Swimming, sun bathing and kayaking. To go there, take a rental car, private vehicle or mini bus (sudako) at Jalan. MT. Haryono (in front of Medan Mall) and stop at Perbaungan city. Then take a machine trishaw to the beach. The whole journey may take about 1-2 hours.

Spa

Although Sumatra does not have the same international reputation as Bali or Thailand for massage, it still forms a significant part of local culture. In rural areas and there will usually be a masseuse available for low cost, if you ask around, while Medan itself offers true 'spa' facilities, which are highly recommended for anyone seeking a spa experience away from the hustle and bustle of the city at a fraction of the cost elsewhere in the world.

Mostly hotels also have their own spa. You can contact your receptionist for further info.

  • Quan Spa -Located on the 17th floor of the JW Marriott has full 5-star hotel spa facilities, with a one hour massage from Rp450,000 for 1-hour massage, more for more elaborate rituals. This is of course a expensive fee in Indonesia.
  • Zengarden - Located in the heart of Medan. Skillful, clean and very affordable by local standards. Reservations are recommended.
  • Eucalyptus Spa - There are two branches of Eucalyptus Spa in the city, one at the Travellers Suite hotel. Prices there are lower, from Rp320,000 for 1 hour.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Medan

Though Medan doesn't have many super malls like Jakarta or Surabaya, it does have plenty of medium-sized malls. Many new malls have been built, with more under construction.

  • Cambridge City Plaza - Cambridge City Plaza consists of office spaces, a mall, condominium and the Grand Swiss-Belhotel International linked together. The mall is less than a quarter of the size of Sunday Plaza, but houses some Halal restaurants and cafes like Nelayan Jala-jala (dim sum restaurant), and Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) Coffee, Grand Duck King (Chinese restaurant famous for their duck cuisine), Es Teler 77 (Indonesian street food), Pepper Lunch (teppanyaki restaurant), Haagen-Dazs, and Jittlada (Thai cuisine). A small supermarket, Berastagi Supermarket with selected Halal food and is located in LG floor. There are also several boutiques which sell knock-off "branded" items.
  • Centre Point - Largest upscale-mall after Sunday Plaza, Centre Point aims to combine mall, apartment, hotel and office into one big integrated complex. As of 2022 and the apartment were still under construction. Has Lotte Mart (hypermarket), Cinema XXI (movie theater) & food court in top floor, Parkson (department store), and many more retailers of brand-name items. If you take a train from airport, after exiting train station, you can cross the street into the mall.
  • Grand Palladium Mall - Mediocre mall adjacent to Hotel Aryaduta in the downtown. Has Matahari (department store) and some good restaurants. Be sure to try Tiong Sim Noodles & Hong Kong BBQ (open until 2AM daily!): Their roasted Beef and Noodles is very famous locally. No international brands for clothing, shoes and accessories. Sunday Plaza is be a better destination - it's about a 10min drive from here.
  • Medan Mall - A must-go place for shoppers where you can find almost everything from fine jewelery, clothing and food to groceries. The adjacent Olympia Mall is a wholesale market. There is also a wet market located just behind the Central Pasar that operates only in the morning and a dry market that operates only in the evening.
  • Plaza Medan Fair - One of the major malls in Medan renowned for selling electronics and gadgets. Has Transmart Carrefour (hypermarket), Matahari (local department store), Ayam Kalasan (Indonesian restaurant famous for its roast chicken), etc. Slightly cheaper than Sunday Plaza. On the top floor, you will find almost all outlets selling gadgets or PCs and accessories.
  • Sunday Plaza - Located downtown in the Central Business District area, just at the border of kampung keling (Little India), surrounded by major international banks. It is one of the largest high-end shopping mall in Medan. Plenty of food choices from western to eastern. There is a hypermarket chain, Hypermart, on the top floor, which stocks almost anything. Has more luxurious goods than other malls in town; however, many of them are knock-off branded products. The products can range from C to AAA grades. It is highly advisable to bargain. Some good buys include Mont Blanc pens which can be purchased for just IDR 100,000 to 200,000 apiece, complete with gift box and warranty card. Also has Cinemaxx (movie theater), Sogo (department store), Gramedia (largest book store chain in Indonesia), Ace Hardware, etc. Very crowded especially on weekends or public holidays.
  • Thamrin Plaza - One of the oldest mall with large Matahari (department store), Timezone arcade, top-floor food court and limited international brand stores. Located near the Chinatown. There's a wholesale market beside Thamrin Plaza called Pasar Rame that opens from 9AM Monday - 5PM daily. Look around for dried fruit with sugar.
  • Yuki Simpang Raya Shopping mall - a small old mall that sells mostly local brands clothing with a large arcade and playground in the top floor, small supermarket in the lower ground, and a bowling avenue at 3rd floor.
  • Masindo Jewellery - In the center of the city. Various jewellery including necklaces, bangles, bracelets, earrings, men's and women's rings, pendants in 24K Gold which are structured by pearls, and a diversity of gemstones. Designed by an expert designer. A branch known as D'On Jewellery specializes in diamonds.
  • Pasar Petisah - Central market, sells vast array of Meat, fish, fruit and vegetables
  • Tondi Gallery - Contemporary art by local, national and international artists.

Halal Restaurants in Medan

With diverse ethnic races, Medan truly is a heaven of culinary. You can find a combination of Chinese food, International food, Indonesian food, etc all around the city. Common sights are mie pangsit (a variant of wonton noodles, sometimes without wonton - commonly Beef, but beef and Chicken version exist), nasi padang or nasi minang, kwetiau/bihun/mie/nasi goreng (fried noodle/kway teow/vermicelli/rice), bakso (meatball soup served with/without noodle) and sate padang (satay with spicy yellow Sauces origin from West Sumatra).

  • Bollywood Food Centre - This is nice place for real, homely Indian food.
  • Cahaya Baru Indian Restaurant - The North-Indian restaurant is one of Medan's best kept secrets, which recently has been featured in Kompas newspaper as the only restaurant in Medan which serves a wide range of authentic North-Indian cuisine. Visit the restaurant for its endless choices of delicious Vegetarian and Curries dish!
  • RM Garuda - Never forget to visit the famous local Padang restaurant. Well known for its rendang (Padang-style beef dish cooked slowly in coconut gravy and chili) and ayam pop (Padang-style Chicken dish cooked in coconut gravy), Garuda also maintains its status as one of the first local restaurant who expands itself by franchising. Has many branches including RM Berjaya
  • Pagaruyung Alley - Located at Medan's "little India" or referred as kampung keling by local residents. They offer, of course, Indian and Indonesian cuisine. Begin their business when the sun sets till 2AM. They are well known for satay (chicken, lamb, liver, intestine, etc.), fried Rice and martabak telur (egg pancake topped with diced potatoes, and onions, often served with curry).
  • Koki Sunda - As the name implies, serves tasty (Sundanese) food and beverages such as Nasi Liwet and Es Delima. Located at the heart of the city at the junction of S.Parman and Hasanuddin makes it a place hard to miss if you travel around the city. Its reasonably priced and wide array selection of delicious food is well known to the local residents and visitors. Koki Sunda now opens in Tanjung Morawa and Pekan Baru.
  • Merdeka Walk - A complex of restaurants and food stalls with a variety of Asian and international food. It is a landmark of Medan and quite a happening place at night.

Others

Durian is one of the most famous fruits of both Medan and North Sumatra. Get the best price and taste when the season comes, which on July and December. North Sumatra has a lot of durian fields like; Sibolangit, Brastagi, Langkat, Sidikalang, Siborong-borong, Tarutung, Sibolga, Nias, Padang Sidempuan, Lima Puluh and Perbaungan. Get Medan durian at Jalan Sumatera, Jalan Semarang, Jalan Adam Malik, Ucok Durian, and more. Rp7,000-50,000 each depending on size and season.

The whole Jalan Majapahit on Petisah area (across Cambridge City Plaza) got lot of stores selling home made cakes and juices where you can shop selectively. Most stores also allow sampling before buying. Try the local specialty bika ambon (spongy-texture cake with pandan flavor) or marquisa (passion fruit) juice.

Muslim Friendly hotels in Medan


Medical Issues in Medan

Medical services are easily obtained in Medan. Pharmacies litters around and generally open from Monday to Saturday (usually 9 AM till 9 PM, some may open until 5 PM) and the same with clinics. On Sunday, most pharmacies and clinics are close, but there are several 24/7 pharmacies called K-24.

Most hospitals open 24/7 and have Emergency Department and ICU. Hospital fees range from medium to expensive. Not all hospitals accept insurance - check before admitting.

  • RS Columbia Asia Medan - One of the best and well-equipped hospital in Medan, though price are expensive.
  • RS Methodist - One of the oldest hospital in Medan but still quite reliable and price not so expensive.
  • RS Murni Teguh Memorial
  • RS Siloam Dhirga Surya - +6261 8888 1911 (24-hours emergency line)
  • RSIA Stella Maris - Specialized in children and mother health care.

Travel Next from Medan

  • Berastagi - a beautiful mountain resort, about 1.5 hours' drive from Medan; popular among Medan people for weekend getaways. When it is deemed safe, you can hike the two nearby volcanoes, Sinabung and Sibayak. Check with the local authorities before hiking, as the volcano recently erupted and is considered to be still dangerous.
  • Bukit Lawang - A 3 hour journey from Medan and the latter half of the journey being a rather bumpy and pot-holed ride. A little village on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park that was once home to an Orangutan rehabilitation center, which is now closed. However, regular feeding sessions take places at the feeding platforms. Jungle treks can be arranged or you can just relax by the river.
  • Lake Toba - one of biggest fresh water lakes in the world. Formed by volcanic eruption. Has a large island, Samosir, in the middle. It is an absolute must see, a really magnificent place full of Batak culture on the shores of a mesmerizing lake. The food is wonderful, accommodation is affordable and the climate is perfect, it seems to be 25°C all the time. Rent a scooter to explore Samosir.
  • Pulau Weh - Garuda Indonesia operates three weekly Flights to Sabang (Indonesia) on Pulau Weh, where some of Indonesia's finest diving can be found.

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