Medan, the biggest city in Sumatera, is not usually considered a tourist destination but more of a stepping stone to the nearby Lake Toba and Bukit Lawang. With fewer tourists crowding the city. Medan offers its visitors a more authentic feel of Indonesia.

Airports in Medan

1. Ninoy Aquino International Airport

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA is one of two international airports serving the Metro Manila Area. Located along the border of Pasay City and Paranaque City in Manilla, NAIA is about 7 km south of Manilla and southwest of Makati City. There are four terminals in NAIA with terminal 1 hosting only international flights. Terminal 2 and 3 host international and domestic flights while terminal 4, the oldest terminal only hosts flights from local and regional carriers. NAIA is also the hub for AirAsia Philippines, Cebgo, Cebu Pacific, PAL Express and Philippine Airlines.

2. Kualanamu International Airport (KNO)

Located 26 km east of downtown Medan, Kualanamu International Airport is the third busiest airport in Indonesia after the Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta airport and the Bandung Kertajati Airport. Recently getting to the airport has gotten much easier with the PT Railink which connects Kualanamu Airport to the city in just 30 minutes. A one-way ticket in the Railink will cost around PHP413. The airport also provides metered taxi services. Alternatively, travelers can take the local Damri bus which is the cheapest mode of transportation between Medan city and Kualanamu airport.

How to Get Cheap Flights to Medan?

Traveloka is a travel search engine that makes it easy for travellers to find the cheapest flights to Medan. All you need to do is by key in the information in the search box, and the application will recommend the best trip according to your budget. It compares flight prices across some trusted airlines to help you to get the best possible deal. Use Traveloka’s price alert feature to be notified of flights in your desired price range to get the best flight price to Medan.

When is the Best Time to Fly to Medan?

Medan can be visited all year round. However, May to September are the driest months and will make it easier to travel around town during this period. Travelers looking to avoid the rainy seasons should avoid September to December. However, the rains in Medan comes and leaves quickly. Rarely will visitors have to face a whole day of rainfall, making it easy for travelers to move their schedules around the rain.

What are the Top 3 Things to Do in Medan?

1. Tjong A Fie Mansion – Tjong A Fie Mansion is a two-story mansion in Medan, also called the "historical Jewel of Medan". The 35 room mansion was completed in 1900 on with an area of 8000 sq. meter. It's a great place to see how people used to live in the 1900s.

2. Masjid Raya Al Mashun – Better known to the locals as Masjid Raya, this mosque is Medan’s main mosque and is said to be one of the prettiest. The mosque was built with imported building materials such as Italian marble. The mosques are also known for its beautiful stained glass and emerald green tiles.

3. Istana Maimun – Istana Maimun is the name of a royal palace in Medan that was once owned by the Sultanate of Deli. Parts of the palace have been turned into a museum and opened to the public. A popular activity with tourists is to dress up in traditional period garb and take photos in the throne room, and on the palace grounds.