Planning a trip to Banda Aceh by bus? This ground transportation mode is a favorite choice for many passengers. They seek comfort, affordability, and easy access to the northernmost area of Sumatra Island. With the improving Trans-Sumatra road infrastructure, traveling to Banda Aceh is now more efficient, whether it's for business, religious tourism, or family visits. Traveloka is here to offer the best solutions for booking bus tickets to Banda Aceh, ensuring every journey is easier and safer.
The bus route to Banda Aceh is mainly dominated by travels from major cities in Sumatra Island, particularly from Medan as the main transit hub. The Medan – Banda Aceh route is the most popular. This route is facilitated by various bus operators offering different classes ranging from economy, executive, to sleeper. The trip from Medan to Banda Aceh covers about 439 km, with a duration of 10–14 hours, depending on the bus class and travel conditions.
Popular departure cities for buses to Banda Aceh include:
Famous bus operators serving direct or transit routes to Banda Aceh include:
The main route taken by buses to Banda Aceh usually follows the Trans-Sumatra, passing Lhokseumawe and several cities in Aceh before arriving at the main terminal in Banda Aceh.
Departure schedules for buses to Banda Aceh mostly start in the afternoon until nighttime. This allows passengers to arrive in the morning to maximize their visit time. For the Medan – Banda Aceh route, some operators offer departures almost every 1–2 hours.
Popular bus schedules from Medan to Banda Aceh include:
Ticket prices vary, ranging from IDR 220,000 to IDR 280,000 per passenger. Be sure to check the latest schedule and seat availability on Traveloka.
It's important to know the availability of direct routes when planning a trip to Banda Aceh. Currently, direct bus routes are only available from Medan to Banda Aceh. If you're from other cities such as Padang, Pekanbaru, Palembang, Jakarta, or Bandung, you can first travel to Medan using a bus, travel, or other transportation, then continue the trip to Banda Aceh by bus from Medan. All ticket options can be checked in real time on Traveloka.
Putra Pelangi is known as a pioneer in inter-city inter-provincial buses in Sumatra, including the Medan – Banda Aceh route. This operator offers executive full AC buses, reclining seats, spacious legroom, and some of the latest sleeper configurations. Ticket prices range from IDR 220,000 – IDR 280,000 depending on class and departure time, with a trip of about 11-13 hours.
Departure schedules vary, starting from morning (06.00 WIB) to evening (last departure at 22.30 WIB). For passengers from outside Medan, Traveloka recommends transiting in Medan before continuing to Banda Aceh using Putra Pelangi. Pillow, blanket, phone charger, and onboard toilet facilities are available on some of the latest fleets.
Sempati Star is one of the largest operators on the Medan – Banda Aceh line, famous for its executive fleet and quality service. Ticket fares are around IDR 200,000 – IDR 250,000 per person, with main schedules from 17.30 to nighttime.
Daily schedules are usually in the afternoon and evening, suitable for nighttime travel. Key features include spacious seats, central AC, reading lights, and some fleets support sleeper seat systems.
For passengers from other cities, Traveloka suggests transiting in Medan before continuing to Banda Aceh using Sempati Star. Sempati Star is actively renewing its fleet to provide a more optimal travel experience.
Kurnia is an alternative operator also serving Medan – Banda Aceh, with main nighttime schedules and ticket prices starting from IDR 220,000. Kurnia bus fleet offers comfort and punctuality.
Passengers from outside Sumatra or southern Sumatra regions can take the Kurnia bus from Medan after transiting with an AKAP bus to Medan. Facilities include recliner seats, AC, onboard entertainment, and meal and snack service on certain schedules. Check seat availability and choose departure times through the Traveloka app.
Aero Bus is one of the newly popular operators on the Medan – Banda Aceh route. This operator offers modern fleets and sleeper seat facilities. Aero Bus can travel about 10 – 11 hours thanks to express routes and the use of premium buses.
Aero Bus fares start from IDR 250,000 – IDR 300,000 per person, adjusting to the service class. Sleeper seat facilities, entertainment, and free WiFi are available on some fleets. Check Aero Bus schedules on Traveloka for departure time information and availability.
For passengers from outside Medan, Traveloka still recommends transiting in Medan before continuing to Banda Aceh with Aero Bus.
Sleeper buses offer high-class comfort with reclining seats that allow you to sleep soundly throughout the journey. For the Medan – Banda Aceh route, some operators like Aero Bus and Putra Pelangi offer sleeper bus fleets with limited time slots and capacity.
Available sleeper bus operators to Banda Aceh include:
Check sleeper seat availability directly on the Traveloka app as not all schedules offer this seat type. If your route doesn't have a sleeper bus, choose an executive or VIP type as a comfortable alternative.
Currently, double-decker bus services in Sumatra are still minimal, including the Medan – Banda Aceh route. There are no double-decker bus operators serving direct trips to Banda Aceh yet.
If you want a double-decker bus experience, it's recommended to choose another route outside Medan – Banda Aceh or wait for the latest information on Traveloka. To Banda Aceh, opt for executive or sleeper-type buses offering equivalent comfort.
The executive bus type is a favorite for long-distance travel. Seats are more spacious, there’s AC, onboard entertainment, and even snacks or dinner on some schedules. Executive bus operators serving this route include:
The executive class is recommended for passengers prioritizing comfort and time efficiency without paying as much as for a sleeper. Booking executive buses can be done directly through Traveloka with departure time adjustments.
If you're traveling in a group and want to charter a tour bus to Banda Aceh, operators like ALS, PMTOH, or other local POs are available. You can contact these operators directly for rates, facilities, and schedules as needed. Tour bus charter services are not yet available on Traveloka.
Batoh Terminal is the main terminal in Banda Aceh for AKAP buses and inter-city buses within the province. Most large buses from Medan and other areas end at this terminal.
Although located in Pidie Regency, Beureunuen Terminal is often a transit point for buses heading to Banda Aceh, especially for the Pidie area and surroundings.
Lhoksukon Terminal is frequently used by buses transiting from Eastern Aceh before heading to Banda Aceh, especially for passengers from and to Lhokseumawe, North Aceh.
Besides main terminals, passenger drop-offs in Banda Aceh can be done at several points such as Jl. Gagak Hitam, Keude Kuta Binjai, and several leading bus operator pools.
No hassle required when you want to travel to Banda Aceh. Traveloka is the best solution for searching, comparing, and booking bus tickets from various cities in Indonesia. With complete route search features, real-time schedule information, seat options, and secure and practical payments, Traveloka provides an easy, fast, and reliable booking experience.
With just one click, you can see if there are direct routes to Banda Aceh or if you need to transit. All updated route, schedule, price, and bus recommendations can be found only on Traveloka. Enjoy the comfort of traveling to Banda Aceh with the best bus fleets, only through Traveloka.