Mini bus from Medan to Parapat

Hi all,

Please help me started. I want to take a mini bus from Medan to Parapat in the morning. From where in Medan do these mini buses leave? How often do they leave? Do I have to buy tickets in advance or do I just show up?

I would like to take the route through Berastagi because of the scenery. Do these mini buses take this route?

Thank you for your advice.

Mini bus from Medan to Parapat

Hi

Just board and pay, no advance booking required

goto this site for more onfo

dharssi.org.uk/travel/indonesia/lake_toba_sa…

Mini bus from Medan to Parapat

Leopang,

That is a very old website you have provided the link for. The author mentions prices relating to 2004, it is now 2009.

Whatsinaname,

Have a look at this set of posts from Indahnesia.com with a website link from a young Indonesian man with a strong link to Lake Toba.

…indahnesia.com/topic/6017/0/visit_samosir_i…

You could email Henrik for more details.

Years ago ( 2004) one could catch a mini bus from outside some of the guesthouses in the main street of

Medan, but I am not sure if you can do that now.

There is a big bus terminal AMPLAS but it is quite a distance out of town.

The most direct bus route to Parapat is the one that does not go via Brestagi.

From my understanding you will need to change buses if you chose the Brestagi route and the buses take a long time to fill making it a very very long trip time wise.

Here is a map showing the two different trips to Parapat.

Suggest you print off and take with you on your trip.

Indonesians are amazingly kind people and I am sure you will find someone who will know exactly how to get there.

Pamela

Sorry,

Here is the link to the map.

…blogger.com/_TVv07qluFKY/…peta.jpg

Pamela

Thank you for your responses, Leo and Pam. I have read that Tobali Tour %26amp; Travel (Jalan Sisingamangaraja 79C) has mini buses from Medan to Parapat. I hope that information is still up to date, because it seems that are not al lot of tourist in Sumatra anymore. There’s nothing said about the route they take. I guess I just have to find out when I am in Medan.

Hi,

I believe you will find that they travel from Medan direct to Parapat not via Brestagi.

Suggest you take this route and then see if you can go back to Medan via the other route on the map I mentioned.

I am sure there are places they pick up passengers in the main drag of Medan, to save you heading all the way out to AMPLAS bus terminal, but I do not know where.

I am sure you will be able to find out in Medan.

Everyone says Medan is a horrible place, but I actually like it and have spent a bit of time there from time to time as I have moved around North Sumatra.

Have a great time and let us know on this forum how you went.

When are you going to be in Medan?

I am planning on being back in Jakarta in late May or early June this year for hopefully 60 days- can%26#39;t wait.

Pamela.

Hi Pam,

Thanks for all the advice. I will be arriving in Medan (from Kuala Lumpur) at the 2nd of February and will be leaving Medan (to Penang) at the 8th of Februar. I have decided to book a hotel in Medan for the first and last night. Maybe people at the reception of the hotel can arrange mini bus tickets for me or at least give me the information how to get them. And otherwise I just have to get to the Amplas terminal in the morning.

Once I am at Samosir I will have more time to arrange transport back. If there isn%26#39;t a mini bus I might just take local buses to Berastagi and then Medan.

I have another question. Are there any ATM-machines at the international airport of Medan?

I have just returned from my trip to Sumatra.

Mini buses from Medan to Parapat can be booked at Tobali Tour, Jalan SM Raja 79C, opposit from the Mesjid Raya. Telphone: 061- 7324471/7324472/77558600. It is a better option than the public bus. They leave several times a day (first one at 9.00 am) and cost is 80.000 rupiah per person. They will pick you up from your hotel. The mini bus will have 7 passengers + driver. Try to avoid the back bench, because it is just to crampy for big western people. The trip will take about 4 and a half hour and they will drop you at the pier for the boat to Samosir.

Mini buses from Parapat to Medan leave from the pier as well and they will drop you off at your hotel in Medan or at the airport.

I hope this will help anyone.

Hi Whatsinaname,

Thank you so much for this update- very valuable information.

I would love to read a report of your trip and maybe see some photos- any chance- got my fingers and toes crossed.

Cheers,

Pamela.

PS. Not going back to Indonesia this year so need to hear other people%26#39;s adventures went.

Hi Pam,

im a regular reader of this sumatera forum, and i know you have extensive knowledge of travelling in this region.

im just (pleasantly)surprised once i open your link to the map of different route to perapat from medan. Its my map!! (like i can ever forget that lousy arrow i draw)

never know there are other ppl (other than my few friends) that read my blog.

anyway, just wanna say that :p

cheers

Hi Artemiofranchi,

Oh, really- the internet is an amazing place.

Actually I did not read your blog, someone else put up this link a few months ago and I thought it was just great so put the link in my favourites and now send it onto others.

Would you mind putting up the link for your blog?

I do not have any link to the blog just the map and would be interested to see it.

Pamela

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villa kipa or le jardin?

hi all i am having difficulty in deciding between the two? any suggestions? we are travelling with two young children so would like to be close to the beach and restaurants. We are going in peak season do you think given the GFC we would get either cheaper then $370US? Can anyone suggest any internet sites? thanks!

villa kipa or le jardin?

Both these villas are close to the beach - Villa Kipas is probably closer but then again further away from shops and restaurants. The only thing that spring to mind is that there are possibly more staff on-hand ll the time at Le Jardin who may be able to help you with your two children. This is just a thought as it is more of a complex than Kipas I believe.

Did you know that during this GFC there are 3 destinations that are selling well Fiji, Phuket and Bali?? I don%26#39;t know that you will be able to bargain accommodation rates to a great extent as it seem that Bali is still busy. Have you tried booking directly with the villas concerned?

villa kipa or le jardin?

Hi

We stay at Villa Kipas, and you will find if you contact the Villa Owners through their website they can offer you a better deal most times. The owners are Australian and are always happy to answer questions, recommend activities for you and your children to do. Give them an email.

villakipas.com/Text/1162207757131-8383/Rates

We are taking our children with us in the September School holidays as I find the Villa Children Friendly.

Hope this hopes

I have just confirmed that Villa Kipas are individual, stand- alone villas whereas Le Jardin is more resort-style accommodation. The villas are individual ones but you have a reception area. lounge, spa and gym. This would definitely appeal to me if I were to go with 2 young kids as I believe there would be plenty of staff around to help with the kids.

I am not sure what age your children are, however I would choose Villa Kipas over Le Jardin as it is much larger, with a bigger outdoor area. It is also a stand alone villa so you would have no concerns that you kids may be disturbing the adjoining villa.

I have stayed at Villa Kipas a couple of times, and on my second stay did an inspection through Le Jardin, yet still I go back to Kipas each time. Perhaps it has a more comfortable and luxurious feel to it.

thanks all for your suggestions. I have emailed direct and I can villa kipa for 375+US. Given our low exchange rate it is a little higher then we are wanting to pay. Any ideas?

I have stayed at both properties, and they both have good attributes.

However, Villa Kipas would have to be the no-brainer purely on the basis of space, given children.

I am not sure you are going to get a much better price - August is Peak Season and USD 375 is less than I paid at Kipas last August (admittedly for less than seven nights). I would also be really surprised if Le Jardin is any less expensive.

Good luck.

thanks for your input. I think I may go ahead an book it

cheers

anyone used asiareservations.net?

they have some good prices

anyone used asiareservations.net?

You may be interested in this posting from the Bangkok forums about asiareservations:

tripadvisor.in/ShowTopic-g293916-i3687-k1338鈥?/a>

anyone used asiareservations.net?

Yes - i have used them before as have my friends. No problems, quick %26amp; professional service.

Using Currency In Bintan

I%26#39;m going to Bintan in April, would like to ask if anyone knows Banyan Tree Hotel or Nirwana Resort Hotel use Rupiah or SGD to buy things? Like food, drinks.....

Using Currency In Bintan

Yes, the Banyan accepts SGD.

Using Currency In Bintan

Yes I am sure they accept SGD like most places over there but Banyan Tree and many of the other resorts in the north charge in USD.

You can use both SGD and Rupiah in Nirwana. Resorts like Banyan Tree and Bintan Lagoon accept USD. Unless you wanna go out of the Bintan Resort area in Lagoi to other part of the island like Tanjung Pinang, if you plan to stay at the resort area, almost all of the places accept SGD, even at the Pasar Oleh Oleh.

By the way, I%26#39;m going on the 02-04/04/09. Will I encounter monsoon season?

Monsoon season is supposedly over by April. But being a tropical country, occasional rain is expected sometimes. No worries though, even if it rains, it is usually over within an hour or so.

Cool! Thanks for your help.

So, is it mean bintan lagoon resort accept sgd %26amp; rupiah instead of usd?

Is Bintan lagoon resort nice to stay? is there any recommend??

So is it mean Bintan Lagoon Resort accept SGD or RUPIAH instead of USD??

Is Bintan Lagoon worth to stay? any recommend?

multiple tables

Place to stay in Bandung

Hi, Can someone tell me what is the hotel ( budget )to stay in Bandung ? We will visiting in April

Place to stay in Bandung

The Cassadua is the most popular budget place at the moment. It is a little far off from the main shopping and eating places though. You will find a selection at www.itravelindonesia.com/bandungHotels.html

they have a fair selection of budget laces. You can also check out the Serena Hotel.

Place to stay in Bandung

Hi Buena! Progo Hotel is quite reasonable, clean and only within 5 minutes walking distance to the Factory Outles along Jalan Riau - Heritage, Summit, Cascade, Terminal Tas, to name a few.

hi actually cassadua is not so far from outlets or pasar baru.. but yes it;s not located in crowded area such as cihampelas or riau which is bad traffic and noisy..

cassadua is located in central bandung at luxury housing accross airport jl pasteur , BTC (BANDUNG TRADE Center ) only 500 meters.

from cassadua to pasar baru only 15 minutes by taxi,,

to airport only 400 meters as bandung husein airport is located in central bandung, just accross the toll pasteur.. to dago , riau and rumah mode by taxi rp 20,000 per fare..

and they provide car rental with driver / bandung package tour / pick up service.

I%26#39;ve stayed there for several times..

rate are cheap.. and relax with friendly staffs . so like at home.

hi actually cassadua is not so far from outlets or pasar baru.. but yes it;s not located in crowded area such as cihampelas or riau which is bad traffic and noisy..

cassadua is located in central bandung at luxury housing accross airport jl pasteur , BTC (BANDUNG TRADE Center ) only 500 meters.

from cassadua to pasar baru only 15 minutes by taxi,,

to airport only 400 meters as bandung husein airport is located in central bandung, just accross the toll pasteur.. to dago , riau and rumah mode by taxi rp 20,000 per fare..

and they provide car rental with driver / bandung package tour / pick up service.

I%26#39;ve stayed there for several times..

rate are cheap.. and relax with friendly staffs . so feel like at home.and they provide internet connection for their guest.. with PC..

Going to Bali by myself, can you help me plan my trip?

Hi, I%26#39;m planning to go to Bali from Apr 8-13, by myself.

Here are a few preferences:

a. Women!!

b. A great beach in my hotel.

c. Women!!

And one question.. How%26#39;s the weather in April?

Thank you in advance!

Cheers,

LL

Going to Bali by myself, can you help me plan my trip?

Weather in April is at the end of the rainy season, so it%26#39;ll be humid and expect some rain, but some nice days.

If you Google ';Bali Escorts';, I%26#39;m sure your preferences can be met.

Going to Bali by myself, can you help me plan my trip?

Not looking for escorts :)

Thanks tho.

Oh and I don%26#39;t mind a nice, expensive hotel (hyatt/conrad types) if it meets my preferences, thanks!

Oh and I don%26#39;t mind a nice, expensive hotel (hyatt/conrad types) if it meets my preferences, thanks!

Ah, so you%26#39;re looking for a solid long term relationship? Excellent.

What resort are you thinking of?

Not looking for escorts but for women...

hmmm...

what do you mean exaclty by %26#39;women%26#39;?

Sorry if I may misunderstood, guess I wasn%26#39;t clear enough.

I don%26#39;t want a long term relationship, nor do I want escorts.

I just mean women, vacationing women, local women, women with women, you know what I mean, I%26#39;m 25 :)

Ive decided to head out by myself as well.... be sure to post how it went!

CB

Victoria CA

I have spotted the occasional woman in Bali, so you should be able to see them if you%26#39;re lucky. However, if you start telling them your preferences, especially the women with women one, you may find yourself very lonely, regardless of your age.

If you%26#39;re looking for something like the bar scene in Manila, you will be disappointed. However, if you%26#39;re looking for culture, spirituality, and a beautiful natural landscape, you%26#39;ll love Bali.

Booking excursions with drivers

Hi

Am looking at booking a driver for a day, which looks great and will enable us to see lots of Bali%26#39;s places and experiences. The list of approved drivers on TA has really helped too. Have noticed though that many of the drivers offer really good (almost too good?) prices for activities such as white water rafting or elephant park etc...

Is this too good to be true? They are offering prices that are WAY cheaper than those offered by established tour companies. Maybe I am just being too suspicious and should take it at face value!

Any thoughts?

Booking excursions with drivers

Any of the drivers on the TA list have proved themselves to be honest and reliable and good at their jobs.

If you have a query, my suggestion would be to email or contact that driver direct and ask them about the pricing (some of them may be out of date).

Booking excursions with drivers

Where is your plan to stay?

If you stay in Ubud, it%26#39;s better take the program at the hotel either excursion or another activities. I think this is would be easy.

i%26#39;ve organised tours with drivers and found that most are fine. about four wanted to reneg on the deal by wanting to take me to shops, talked excessively about money/good deals/etc, wanted more money half way there, demanded a tip. the vast majority were fine and i had a good time.

i think it is wise to be cautious as it saves getting dissappointed.

RT were they drivers on the list or just drivers you haggled with on the street?

Our experience of driver%26#39;s off the street, sounds similar to yours, although the majority have been good, you do get a few ';bad apples';. Anyone we hire like that who is good, I write his name and number in my little black book for future reference.

Don%26#39;t know what I am going to do soon as the LBB is getting almost chockers and I need a new one. Lots of hours sifting and transfering info then, I think.

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