The Ultimate Sumatra Travel Guide: Planning Your Trip!

Last Updated: February 7 2024

When we travel, we love to visit more off-the-beaten-path destinations. Sumatra was exactly that, a tropical island in Indonesia that doesn’t usually make it onto an Asia backpacking route!

Home to towering volcanoes, lush tropical rainforests, and crystal-clear coastlines, Sumatra is one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever visited. Not to mention, you can really embrace the culture here as it’s not touristy (especially compared to the likes of Bali).

This Sumatra travel guide will cover everything you need to know about this incredible place. That includes how to get around, where to visit, and where to stay. Let’s dive in!

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Where is Sumatra?

Sumatra is a beautiful island in Western Indonesia (one of over 17,000 islands in the country). It’s one of the world’s largest islands and makes up part of the Greater Sunda Islands, an archipelago which also includes Borneo, Java, and Sulawesi.

This island group is part of the much larger Malay Archipelago, yet is separated from mainland Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. To the South, Sumatra is separated from Java by the Sunda Strait. Of course, as an island, it’s also surrounded by the Indian Ocean.

Due to Sumatra’s location, the equator also crosses through the island at its centre (in the West Sumatra and Riau provinces).

What to Know about Sumatra, Indonesia

To ensure you have the best time in this awesome place, we’re going to cover a lot in this Sumatra travel guide. However, first, we’re going to take a quick look at the key things you need to know!

• Size: 470,000 sq km (181,468 sq miles)

• Language: Over 50 languages are spoken in Sumatra, although Indonesian is the official language.

• Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

• Population: Over 50 million people

• Traditional Foods: Rendang, Gulai ayam, Pempek, Sate Padang, and Mie Celor

Helpful Information for Visiting Sumatra

How to get to Sumatra

As Sumatra is an island, there are only two ways to get here; by plane or by ferry. By air is the most popular, with Sumatra having several airports.

Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) is the island’s main flight hub. It’s located around 35 km (21 miles) from the capital of Medan. Most flights arrive from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, or Singapore, as you’ll need to make a changeover in Asia first before flying to Sumatra.

Your other option is to catch the ferry. From Java (Merak Port), ferries run to the port of Bakauheni which is located in Lampung, Sumatra. The journey takes around two hours but ferries can be cancelled due to the weather and rough seas.

Ferries also depart from Malaysia and other parts of Indonesia. However, the journeys are much longer (sometimes 22+ hours). As such, we’d recommend flying to Medan which is what we did!

How to get around Sumatra

Sumatra is a huge island, but luckily there are plenty of ways to get around. Below we’ll take you through the most popular options to get around:

• Local bus: We used the local minibuses a few times while in Sumatra and it was quite the adventure. Tickets were extremely cheap, but there were no timetables to follow so just keep that in mind.

• Tourist bus: Although more expensive, tourist buses offer more comfort. They tend to offer exact departure times and you can usually book a seat through your accommodation.

• Private driver: If you’re travelling as a group then a private driver is a very cost-effective option. You’ll have more flexibility, yet you won’t have to drive yourself. You’ll also benefit from air conditioning!

• By air: There are several airports in Sumatra so you can travel between destinations. Other destinations include Padang, Banda Aceh, Sibolga, and Meulaboh.

• Train: There’s only a small train line network on the island, with routes from Medan to other destinations. There are rumours of the island expanding these routes though.

• Ferry: The ferries will take you to Sumatra’s offshore islands. Popular locations include the Mentawai Islands, Pulau Weh, the Banyak Islands, and Pulau Nias.

The best time to visit Sumatra

Sumatra boasts a tropical climate all year round thanks to its location on the equator, so there’s no bad time to visit in our opinion. Throughout the year, it’s humid and average temperatures fall between 27°C – 28°C (80°F – 82°F).

However, many people choose to tie in their visit with the dry season; which typically falls from April to October (this may differ between North and South Sumatra).

In the dry season, there’s less rainfall which makes it a popular time for hikers. At this time of year, the waves are much calmer too (if you’re heading to the islands). For those who visit in the wet season, you’ve got a chance of encountering monsoons.

We headed to North Sumatra in February and had no problems. Throughout our trip, we had no major problems with the weather and had no issues booking accommodation either.

The best places to visit in Sumatra

1. Berastagi

When travelling in Sumatra, the town of Berastagi is a must-visit. Just a 2-hour drive from Medan, you’ll find this town within the Barisan Mountains.

The first thing you’ll notice is that Berastagi is surrounded by two active volcanoes; Gunung Sinabung and Gunung Sibayak. You can actually hike up the latter, which is one of the most popular things to do in this area. After, why not head to some of the local hot springs?

There are also ample day trip opportunities from Berastagi, so we’d recommend spending at least 2-3 days here. This gives you enough time to explore, without having to rush around.

2. Gunung Leuser National Park

No Sumatra travel guide would be complete without mentioning Gunung Leuser National Park. Covering around 1 million hectares, it’s the island’s second-largest national park.

Gunung Leuser is home to one of the richest tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia. In total, around 10,000 plant species and around 750 different animal species call this national park home. This includes the Sumatran orangutan, elephants, rhinos, tigers, sun bears, and gibbons.

There are two main access points for Mount Leuser National Park; Ketambe and Bukit Lawang. We stayed in Bukit Lawang, and we’ll dive into this in a minute! Just be aware that you need a guide to legally enter the national park.

3. Lake Toba (Samosir Island)

While travelling Sumatra, you have to visit the beautiful Lake Toba. Boasting an area of 1,145 square kilometres (442 square miles) and a depth of 450 meters (1,476 feet), it’s one of Southeast Asia’s largest lakes.

Interestingly, Lake Toba is also the largest volcanic lake in the world as it’s the crater of a supervolcano. In fact, one of the world’s largest volcanic eruptions took place here around 74,000 years ago!

To make the most of your visit, we recommend staying on Samosir Island. Found in the middle of the lake, this island is nearly the size of Singapore and it’s a great place to base yourself.

4. Bukit Lawang

For those planning to visit Gunung Leuser National Park, we’d suggest basing yourself in Bukit Lawang. From this small village, you can head out on a jungle trek to explore the national park.

Thanks to Bukit Lawang’s location on the edge of the park, you can spot a variety of wildlife in this area. There are also plenty of things to do in Bukit Lawang, ranging from hiking to tubing down the river. Not to mention, this village is a great place to relax after trekking through the jungle.

Accommodation in Bukit Lawang is extremely cheap and there are some great cafes where you can try the local dishes.

5. Medan

If you’re flying to Sumatra, then your first stop will likely be Medan. This is the capital city and although many people skip out on Medan, this chaotic destination is the third-largest city in Indonesia.

There’s no denying that Medan has issues with both traffic and pollution but it does have a lot to offer. First of all, The State Museum of North Sumatra is a great spot to learn about the area’s culture.

Other highlights include Graha Bunda Maria Annai Velangkanni, Maimoon Palace, and Tjong A Fie Mansion. Just keep in mind that you won’t need more than a day or two in Medan.

6. Sipiso-Piso Waterfall

Another place we just had to include on this Sumatra travel guide is Sipiso-Piso Waterfall. With a height of 120 metres (393 feet), it’s one of Indonesia’s tallest waterfalls.

Upon visiting Sipiso-Piso Waterfall, you can either admire the views from the platform or hike down to the bottom. For the best experience, we’d recommend doing both! You’ll also get spectacular views of Lake Toba from this location, and there are some small places where you can grab something to eat.

We visited Sipiso-Piso on a day trip from Beratagi by using the local minibuses. Your other option is to hire a scooter as rentals are very cheap.

7. Nias Island

When planning a Sumatra backpacking route, Nias Island is a popular option. Found off the West Coast, Nias is famous for its clear waters, beautiful beaches, and large swells (perfect for surfers).

Snorkelling is also popular here, as there’s plenty of marine life to see. Not to mention, there are some fantastic hiking opportunities. You’ll also get to visit traditional villages. Although found off the beaten track, Nias has something for everyone.

To get to this island, you can either fly from Medan or take a ferry from Sibolga and Sinki. The ferries take between 7-10 hours so it’s quite the journey.

8. The Mentawai Islands

The Mentawai Islands are another popular spot for surfing. These jungle-covered islands are found in West Sumatra, just 150 km (93 miles) off the coast. To get here, you’ll need to take a ferry (which usually departs at 7 am) or speedboat from Padang.

The swells in this part of Indonesia are incredible and can be found all year round. As such, it’s no wonder that Mentawai is one of the best surfing destinations in the world.

Although one of Indonesia’s most isolated destinations, the Mentawai Islands are a great place to appreciate Sumatra’s culture too, as hunter-gatherer tribes reside here. You’ll also find endemic flora and fauna on these islands.

9. Kerinci Seblat National Park

Sumatra is home to 11 national parks, with Gunung Leseur being the most popular as it’s very accessible. However, Kerinci Seblat is the island’s largest national park, covering nearly 14,000 square kilometres (5,405 square miles). This makes it one of the biggest in all of Indonesia!

Here, you’ll find striking peaks (including Mount Kerinci), lush tropical rainforests, and a wide variety of wildlife. Kerinci Seblat is one of the most important tiger reserves in the world but is also home to elephants, clouded leopards, gibbons, tapirs, and sun bears among others.

You’ll also find the biggest flower on Earth in this national park, the Rafflesia.

10. Banda Aceh

Lastly, we have Banda Aceh. It’s the capital city of the Aceh Province and is known for its cultural significance, spirituality, and relaxed atmosphere.

While in Banda Aceh, the Tsunami Museum is a must-visit. Not only does it honour the people who lost their lives (or those still missing), but you’ll learn all about this disastrous event (the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami disaster).

Other things to do in Banda Aceh include visiting Masjid Raya Baiturrahman, Museum PLTD Apung, and Ulee Lheue Beach. You could easily spend one or two days exploring here, so this city had to make it onto our Sumatra travel guide.

Planning Your Sumatra Itinerary

Putting together a Sumatra travel itinerary can feel overwhelming as there are so many amazing places to visit. To give you an idea of where to go, we’re going to put together an example itinerary based on our own experiences!

Below, we’ve put together a quick itinerary for 10 days. This prioritises North Sumatra as you won’t have time to explore the whole island in this time.

Days 1-2: Medan

Days 3-5: Berastagi

Days 6-7: Lake Toba

Days 8-10: Gunung Leuser National Park

Just allow an extra day to fly out of Sumatra, as you don’t want to rush your time any more than this.

Where to stay in Sumatra

Accommodation in Sumatra is extremely cheap, making this island the perfect option for budget backpackers. However, there are some more mid-range options available too, although you won’t find many luxury hotels in this part of Indonesia (apart from in Medan).

In this Sumatra travel guide, we’ll take you through some of our accommodation recommendations:

Medan

• Budget: RedDoorz Hostel @ Capsule Inn Medan
• Mid-range: Grand Mercure Medan Angkasa
• Luxury: JW Marriott Hotel Medan

Berastagi

• Budget: Kaesa Homestay
• Mid-range: Alloyna Country Cottage Berastagi

Samosir Island (Lake Toba)

• Budget: Leokap Homestay
• Mid-range: Juma Cottages

Bukit Lawang (Gunung Leuser National Park)

• Budget: Fun Family Guest House
• Mid-range: Garden Inn

Tips for visiting Sumatra

This island is an amazing destination but there are some things you should know for a more relaxing trip. In this Sumatra travel guide, we’re going to offer some of our top travel tips.

• Unlike Bali, there can be a real language barrier in parts of Sumatra as a lot of locals don’t speak very good English. However, we didn’t find this to be much of an issue!

• As many areas of Sumatra are quite remote we’d recommend picking up a sim card. You can either pick one up in Medan or see if an e-sim is an option (depending on your phone model).

• Getting around Sumatra is slow, as you’ll likely be travelling around in rickety minibuses. Our advice is to just be patient and go with the flow. Don’t get frustrated if a journey is taking longer than anticipated.

• Some smaller destinations in Sumatra may have fewer accommodation options. Because of this, we’d recommend you book in advance to avoid disappointment.

• The dress code here is relatively conservative so it’s best not to flash too much skin. Although this isn’t a necessity, you’ll fit in better with the locals and you’ll respect their culture.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Sumatra

How many days do you need in Sumatra?

For the best experience, we recommend spending at least 10 days in Sumatra. However, if you can, try to allow two weeks so you aren’t rushing around. Honestly, you could spend even longer here.

Sumatra is a huge island so you won’t be able to explore it all at once. We’d suggest limiting your itinerary to one side, so either the North or South. Then you can plan to come back in the future and do the rest!

What is a good budget for Sumatra?

This differs for everyone but we suggest a daily budget of £25-£35 per person. This will be enough for accommodation, food (if you’re eating local), and an attraction or two.

Of course, if you’re planning to hike in Gunung Leuser National Park or go scuba diving, then your expenses will be much higher. As such, it’s best to plan out your activities in advance.

Is it easy to travel around Sumatra?

Although Sumatra is one of the world’s largest islands, we found it relatively easy to travel around. Local buses, tourist buses, and taxis were our primary modes of transport.

If you’re heading further afield in Sumatra, then you may want to travel by air. Overland journeys can be very long and public transport timetables don’t seem to be very reliable in some areas!

Is Sumatra cheaper than Bali?

As Sumatra is much less touristy than Bali, it’s also much cheaper. It’s the perfect destination for budget travellers, offering cheap accommodation, inexpensive transport, and plenty of free activities.

Compared to European or American standards, Bali is still very affordable. However, you’ll find that the lesser-frequented places in Indonesia tend to be much cheaper.

Final Thoughts on This Sumatra Travel Guide

If you’re backpacking Sumatra then you’re in for a fantastic time. This amazing part of Indonesia truly offers a wild adventure. Whether you’re looking to explore national parks or embrace the culture, Sumatra has something for every kind of traveller.

For the best experience, don’t limit your time here (like we did). We booked our flights out too early and definitely regretted that decision. However, that’s just an excuse to go back one day!

If you have any questions about this Sumatra travel guide, please contact us via Facebook, Instagram, or in the comments!

Here are some other Asia travel guides you may find useful:

• Going On A Kinabatangan River Cruise In Borneo
• The Ultimate Borneo Itinerary
• The Best Things To Do In Kuching, Borneo

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