Getting Around Percut: An Overview
Percut (Percut Sei Tuan) is a suburban district in Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra, sitting just east of Medan. It blends agricultural villages with commuter neighborhoods, and many visitors use it as a quieter base for exploring Medan and the surrounding area. That geography shapes how you get around: Percut itself is served mainly by road-based transport, while the wider Medan metro area offers a broader mix of buses, taxis, and ride-hailing. There is no rail, metro, or tram network within Percut itself — the region's only rail link of note is the airport train, which connects Kualanamu International Airport to Medan rather than to Percut directly.
Ride-Hailing and Motorbike Taxis (Ojek)
For most visitors, ride-hailing apps are the most practical way to move around Percut and to reach Medan. Gojek and Grab both operate here, offering both motorbike taxis (ojek) and car rides.
- Motorbike taxis are the fastest option for short distances and are available around the clock. They are the cheapest way to cover a quick hop within the district.
- Car rides cost more and are subject to surge pricing at peak times, but they are the better choice with luggage or in bad weather.
- Both types are booked through the apps, so you'll need a working phone and mobile data — coverage in the area is generally reliable.
Angkot and Minibuses
Angkot (minibuses) form the backbone of local travel between suburbs, including the Medan–Deli Serdang routes that pass through Percut. They are frequent and follow fixed routes, and you pay on boarding. Expect them to be busy and sometimes crowded. Angkots run along Jalan Pancing and the highway toward Kualanamu airport, which makes them useful if you're heading in that direction. Fares are very low, in the range of a few thousand rupiah.
City Buses
The Medan metro area is served by Trans Metro Deli city buses, which run on structured corridors with low single fares of just a few thousand rupiah. DAMRI buses also operate in the region and are another inexpensive option. These buses are best thought of as a way to cover longer stretches across the metro area rather than for short local hops within Percut.
Taxis
Conventional taxis — Bluebird and local operators — are metered and generally considered safer and more comfortable for door-to-door trips. They are a good choice late at night or when you're carrying luggage. Fares vary with distance and traffic, and a cross-district trip can add up, so they're less economical than angkot or ride-hailing for everyday movement.
Walking
Walking is practical for short distances within villages and market areas, and it's a pleasant way to explore a pasar or a neighborhood on foot. Be aware that sidewalks are inconsistent and shade is limited, so plan for sun and heat. The climate is tropical rainforest year-round, with heavy afternoon downpours during the rainy season (roughly October through March) — this can make rural roads muddy and, in places, prone to flash flooding. A light rain layer and shoes you don't mind getting dirty are worthwhile.
Renting a Motorbike or Car
If you'd rather set your own schedule, motorbike and car rentals are available. This gives you the most flexibility for exploring Percut's villages and the roads toward the airport and Medan, though you'll need to be comfortable with local driving conditions and traffic.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) is the main gateway for Medan and Deli Serdang, and it's the airport most visitors will arrive at. There are three main ways to get from the airport toward Medan, and from there onward to Percut:
- Airport train (Kualanamu Airport Railink): Runs to Stasiun Medan, the main rail hub. It's a comfortable, traffic-independent option. From Stasiun Medan you'll need onward road transport — taxi, Gojek/Grab, or angkot — to reach Percut.
- DAMRI airport bus: A cheaper option that runs to Medan. It takes longer than the train and is subject to road traffic.
- Taxi or ride-hailing car: The most direct door-to-door option, with Bluebird, Grab, and Gojek all available. Travel time depends heavily on traffic, so allow extra time at peak hours.
Once you're in central Medan, reaching Percut is another road leg — by taxi, ride-hailing car, or angkot — and travel times across the metro area vary with traffic. Budget for a noticeably longer journey than the airport-to-Medan leg alone.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Costs in the area are low, so budget travelers can get by comfortably on a modest daily spend.
- Percut Sei Tuan has basic markets and warungs; for larger supermarkets, hospitals, and banks, you'll need to head into Medan.
- Mobile data is reliable and electricity is generally stable, which makes app-based transport easy to use.
- Dress modestly in villages, remove your shoes in homes and mosques, and bargain gently at the pasar. A few words of Bahasa Indonesia go a long way.
- Local food is a highlight — look for Soto Medan, mie gomak, and ikan bakar at roadside warungs, and durian at the market.
- Pack for heat and humidity year-round, and expect heavy afternoon downpours during the wetter months.