Travel advisory · IndonesiaSome governments advise against travel to parts of Indonesia.The warnings cover only these areas: Central Papua, Highland Papua, Indonesian Papua, Papua province, South Papua province, West Papua province.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Central Papua · avoid all travel · Germany, New Zealand, US
- Highland Papua · avoid all travel · Germany, New Zealand, US
- Indonesian Papua · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, Italy
- Papua province · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, New Zealand
- South Papua province · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, New Zealand
- West Papua province · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Spain, New Zealand
Also named by one government: Border with Malaysia (France), Border with Philippines (France), Border with Singapore (Strait of Malacca) (France), Inland waters (Banda, Java and Celebes seas) (France), Jayawijaya (France), Mount Ibu (7 km around crater) (Italy), Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki (7 km around crater) (Italy), Mount Marapi (3 km around crater) (Italy), Mount Ruang (7 km around crater) (Italy), Mount Semeru (5 km around crater) (Italy), Mount Sinabung (5 km around crater) (Italy), Paniai (France), Poso regency (New Zealand), Puncak Jaya (France), Timika (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution | Jul 7, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | Oct 15, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution in Indonesia (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | High Degree of Caution | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Medan
Sumatra's largest city and a common starting point for Lake Toba and the orangutans of Bukit Lawang, with a Malay palace, a mosque and Batak highland food.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Medan is the largest city on Sumatra, the big Indonesian island west of Malaysia, and the capital of North Sumatra province. The historic center holds most of the main sights. Maimun Palace was built in the late 19th century as the residence of the Malay sultanate of Deli. The Great Mosque stands nearby, and the Tjong A Fie Mansion, home of a Chinese-Indonesian merchant and community leader, shows the city's trading past.
Medan's food is the other draw. The dishes range from Batak highland cooking to Chinese-Indonesian and Malay-style meals, and most of them are bold and spiced. Medan is also a common starting point for Lake Toba, a large volcanic lake several hours away by road, and for Bukit Lawang, where you can see orangutans in the jungle of Gunung Leuser National Park. Expect hot, humid weather whenever you visit.
Medan in five
- Take the airport train from KualanamuKualanamu International Airport (KNO) is about 40 km from the city, and a rail link runs to Medan station. It beats a taxi in traffic, but check the timetable if you land late.Getting around Indonesia
- Give the city a half dayMaimun Palace, the Great Mosque and the Tjong A Fie mansion sit close together in the old center. Dress modestly at the mosque, and visit in the morning before the heat.
- Plan the road to Lake Toba and Bukit LawangThe road to Parapat, the main Toba gateway, takes about four to five hours. Bukit Lawang takes three to four hours. Roads slow in rain, so book a driver or a shared minibus ahead.Danau Toba
- Eat durian, soto and Batak foodMedan is known for its food, from Chinese-Indonesian noodles to Batak grilled meats. Stick to busy stalls, and try durian only from a seller you trust.
- Sleep near the old center or the airportA hotel near Merdeka Walk or the Maimun Palace area puts you close to restaurants. An airport hotel at Kualanamu suits an early flight.
Need to know
- Airport
- Kualanamu (KNO), about 40 km; rail link to Medan station
- Getting there
- Flights from Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and regional hubs
- Getting around
- Ride-hailing, taxis, becak rickshaws and a hired driver
- Best base
- Old center near Maimun Palace, or Kualanamu for early flights
- Time needed
- 1 day or one night as a gateway
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Drier, showersJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 369 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, showers
- FebruaryRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°DrierFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 258 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- MarchRain27 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°ShowersMarchRain
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 279 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- AprilRain29 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Warm, showersAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 357 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, showers
- MayRain29 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°ShowersMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 419 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- JuneRain26 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low23°DrierJuneRain
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 310 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Drier
- JulyRain25 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Drier, clearJulyRain
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 265 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, clear
- AugustRain27 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Drier, showersAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 377 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, showers
- SeptemberRain29 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°RainySeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 423 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°RainyOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 491 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- NovemberRain30 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Very rainyNovemberRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 523 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very rainy
- DecemberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°RainyDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 465 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
Average daily high and low in Medan, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Medan
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
23
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 97%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Medan
03:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°23°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed31°23°94%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Thu29°23°93%Thursday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Fri30°23°86%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Sat30°23°96%Saturday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Sun30°23°97%Sunday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Mon30°23°98%Monday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 98%.
Updated 12:26 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18,144 IDR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Bukit Lawangabout 3–4 hours by roadThe riverside gateway for orangutan treks in the national park.Read the guide
- Danau Tobaabout 4–5 hours by road to ParapatA vast volcanic lake with Batak culture and a lakeside island, best as an overnight.Read the guide
- North Sumatra highlandsabout 2 hours by roadCooler air, volcano walks and fruit markets around Berastagi.Read the guide
Before you go to Medan
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Medan, checked
- Visa rules depend on your passport. Check your entry requirement on the Directorate General of Immigration site (imigrasi.go.id) before you fly to Medan.
- Indonesia enforces strict drug laws. Carry medicines in their original packaging, with a prescription where needed, and check customs rules on the Directorate General of Customs site (beacukai.go.id).
- Cover your shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes before entering a mosque. Dress the same way at Maimun Palace.
Plan around Medan
The great crater lake and Batak culture
Read the guideBukit LawangOrangutan trekking gateway
Read the guideGunung Leuser National ParkRainforest and wild orangutans
Read the guideNorth SumatraHighlands, lakes and volcanoes
Read the guideSumatraThe whole island, jungle to surf
Read the guideAll of IndonesiaEntry, money and where to go next
Read the guideMedan FAQ
Is Medan worth visiting?
For a night or a half day, yes: the palace, mosque and food are good, and it is the practical gateway to Lake Toba and Bukit Lawang. It is not a destination for several days.
How many days do you need in Medan?
One day covers the main sights. If you land late or have an early flight, add a night. Most trips use Medan as a base for Toba or Bukit Lawang.
How far is Lake Toba from Medan?
About four to five hours by road to Parapat, longer in traffic or rain. A driver or a shared minibus are the usual options, and many visitors overnight on the lake.
How far is Bukit Lawang from Medan?
About three to four hours by road. Lodges can arrange transfers, which is easier than finding the right minibus.
Is the airport train worth it?
Yes, usually. It avoids traffic between Kualanamu and the city center, but check the timetable for late arrivals and plan a taxi or ride-hailing for the last stretch.