Getting Around Lhokseumawe
Lhokseumawe is a compact coastal city on Sumatra's northeast coast, sitting between Banda Aceh and Medan, and it serves as a regional hub for trade and transport in Aceh. For visitors, getting around is mostly a matter of short hops within town, and the good news is that you no longer need any kind of travel permit to move around Lhokseumawe. What follows is a practical overview of the options.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Lhokseumawe has no metro or tram system, and there is no passenger rail network for visitors to use. The city's history does include a railway built during the Dutch colonial period, when the small island that formed the early core of Lhokseumawe was filled with government, military and railway buildings, but that legacy does not translate into a rail service you can ride today. Plan your movements around road-based transport instead.
Becak: The Local Way to Move
The most distinctive form of transport in Lhokseumawe is the motorized rickshaw, known as becak motor or becak mesin. These are one of the city's unique features and can be found almost everywhere. Fares are relatively cheap, and it is normal to negotiate the price with the driver before you set off. Rental becak are also available if you want a vehicle at your disposal rather than hailing one each time.
Minibuses and Other Public Transport
Beyond the becak, Lhokseumawe has a good amount of public transport. The main form is the minibus, known locally as labi labi or angkutan kota (often shortened to angkot). You will find these easily on medium to highly congested roads, and the fare is very cheap. Because they run along busy routes, they are a straightforward way to cover longer stretches within the city. For arrivals by road, the city's land transport hub is the Terpadu Terminal.
Taxis, Ride-Hailing and Vehicle Rental
Rental cars and motorcycles are available in Lhokseumawe, which gives you flexibility if you want to explore at your own pace or reach the beaches and other attractions outside the immediate centre. If you prefer not to drive yourself, the becak fills much of the role that taxis or ride-hailing would elsewhere: they are plentiful, cheap, and the fare is agreed in advance. The source material does not describe a distinct metered taxi or app-based ride-hailing sector, so treat the becak and rented vehicles as your practical choices.
Walkability
Lhokseumawe is an urban area and the city's core districts are close together, so walking works well for short trips between nearby points, particularly around the centre. That said, the city spreads across a land area of roughly 181 square kilometres and is divided into four districts, so distances grow quickly once you move away from the middle of town. For anything beyond a short stroll, expect to use a becak, a labi labi, or a rented vehicle. The tropical rainforest climate means moderate to heavy rainfall occurs year-round, so it is worth having a backup plan for getting around on wet days.
Getting In From the Airport
Lhokseumawe's main airport is Malikus Saleh Airport (airport code LSW). It has regular scheduled flights to Medan, operated by Wings Air and Garuda Indonesia, which makes it the practical arrival point for most visitors flying in.
The city has a second airport, Lhok Sukon Airport, but it is operated by the oil company ExxonMobil and is not used for scheduled flights, so you cannot plan a trip through it.
Once you land at Malikus Saleh, the same local options described above apply for the onward trip into the city: becak are found almost everywhere and fares are negotiated beforehand, labi labi minibuses run on the busier roads at very cheap fares, and rental cars and motorcycles are available if you would rather drive yourself.
Arriving by Bus or Boat
If you are coming overland, the road connections from both Medan and Banda Aceh are now reasonable. Express night buses from Medan are a particularly good deal, while local day and night buses are cheaper but take longer. Buses arrive at the Terpadu Terminal, from which you can continue into the city by becak, labi labi, or a rented vehicle.
There is also a sea route: a ferry from Penang to Langsa, with a capacity of 138 passengers, has been in operation. The city's seaport is Kruengeukeuh Seaport.
Practical Tips
- Agree the becak fare before you ride — this is the normal practice and keeps things simple.
- Keep small change handy for labi labi minibuses, since fares are very cheap.
- Flag down labi labi on the busier roads, where they are easiest to find.
- Consider renting a car or motorcycle if you plan to visit the beaches and other attractions around the city.
- You do not need a travel permit to travel around Lhokseumawe.
- Carry rain protection — the city sees moderate to heavy rainfall throughout the year.