Getting Around Pematangsiantar
Pematangsiantar is a transit city for travellers heading to Lake Toba and Central Tapanuli Regency, and its compact, flat, densely built centre makes it fairly easy to navigate once you know which vehicles to look for. There is no metro or tram system here, and regular passenger rail service is limited, so most movement happens on the road. Fares are low, but schedules are loose, so plan for flexibility rather than precision.
Becak: The Signature Ride
The most distinctive way to get around is the becak (pronounced "bey-chak"), a motorised trishaw built around old English-made Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) motorcycles. These 1950s-model machines are unique to Siantar, recognisable by their loud sound and individually modified looks, and a ride in one is worth doing for the experience alone.
- Expect to pay roughly Rp20,000 for a trip of about 3 km.
- Each becak is unique, so no two rides feel quite the same.
- They are best suited to short hops around the city centre.
Angkot and Minibuses
The cheapest way to cover ground is by angkot — brightly coloured microbuses running on fixed routes. They are very cheap, but there are no fixed schedules, and movement can feel chaotic, especially when traffic jams build up on the main thoroughfares. A minibus trip over roughly the same distance as a becak ride costs only around Rp5,000, but without local help you may struggle to work out which route goes where.
- Fares are paid in cash; carry small rupiah notes.
- There are no published timetables — ask at your guesthouse which angkot to take.
- Intercity buses and microbuses also link Pematangsiantar with provincial towns, running from early morning until late evening.
Taxis, Ojek and Ride-Hailing
For comfort and speed, motorcycle taxis (ojek) and ride-hailing apps such as Grab are the better options for visitors. Grab in particular offers fixed prices, which spares you the haggling that can come with conventional taxis.
- Download the app and set up payment before you arrive; a local SIM (Telkomsel is a common choice) helps with navigation and a stable connection.
- Cards are generally accepted only at large shopping centres and hotels, so keep cash on hand for everyday transport.
- English is understood in tourist spots and hotels, but not universally among drivers.
Walking and Two Wheels
The city sits on predominantly flat terrain with dense building development, which makes walking plausible in the centre, though heat, humidity and heavy traffic work against long strolls. Bicycles and car rentals are uncommon for the same reasons. Some experienced travellers rent scooters for trips into the surrounding area; a 150cc classic Vespa can be rented at the Siantar Guesthouse for about Rp60,000 per day, and motorbikes are available there too.
- Rain is possible year-round, so carry a light rain layer.
- The city is generally safe, but avoid deserted outskirts and industrial zones after dark.
Rail
Regular passenger rail service to Pematangsiantar is limited, and most lines serving the area are industrial rather than public. A train from Medan is nonetheless an option worth considering: it costs around Rp22,000 and takes roughly four hours — slightly longer than the road journey — but is regarded as an experience in itself. Trains depart Medan daily in the afternoon and leave Siantar railway station early in the morning.
Getting There from the Airport
Pematangsiantar has no direct air service. The nearest major airport is Kualanamu, near Medan, which receives daily flights from neighbouring countries including Malaysia (Penang and Kuala Lumpur) and Singapore, as well as many flights from Jakarta and other major Indonesian cities. From Medan, the most popular way to complete the journey is by private car or scheduled minivan.
- Shared taxi: around Rp40,000–50,000 per person, with a journey of roughly two hours.
- Bus: from Amplas bus terminal in Medan, about Rp18,000–22,000.
- Train: about Rp22,000, taking around four hours.
- By road from Medan, allow three to four hours in practice, since congestion on Jalan Raya Medan can slow the trip considerably.
Practical Tips
- Carry cash in Indonesian rupiah for becak, angkot and ojek fares.
- Indonesian is the main language; English works in hotels and tourist-oriented spots.
- Expect temperatures of roughly 25–32°C with high humidity, and rain in any month — wettest in autumn, driest from February to March.
- Because angkot routes and schedules are not signposted for visitors, ask your accommodation to point you to the right vehicle before setting out.