How to Get to Bukit Lawang from Medan & Kualanamu Airport (Complete Guide)

Bukit Lawang is a small riverside village in North Sumatra and the most popular gateway to Gunung Leuser National Park — one of the best places on Earth to see Sumatran orangutans in the wild. Getting there is easier than many travellers expect: it is roughly 3–4 hours by road from Medan or Kualanamu International Airport (KNO).

Step 1: Fly into Kualanamu International Airport (KNO)

Kualanamu is North Sumatra's main airport, with domestic flights from Jakarta, Bali and other Indonesian cities, and international connections — most commonly via Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The airport sits outside Medan, so you do not need to go into the city first if you are heading straight to the jungle.

Option 1: Private transfer from the airport (easiest)

A private car picks you up at the arrivals exit and drives you directly to Bukit Lawang — about 110 km, roughly 3.5 hours. No changing buses, no haggling, and your driver can wait if your flight is delayed.

• Economy MPV (up to 4 passengers): from IDR 700,000 per car (about US$44)
• Premium MPV (up to 5 passengers): from IDR 850,000 per car
• Van / minibus (up to 12 passengers): from IDR 1,600,000 per car

Prices are per vehicle, one way (as of October 2026). See the latest prices and book on our Kualanamu Airport to Bukit Lawang transfer page.

Option 2: From Medan city by car

From central Medan it is about 90 km. Drivers usually head west towards Binjai and then north to the Bohorok district. Expect around 3 hours, depending on traffic leaving Medan. The last stretch runs through palm oil and rubber plantations on narrower roads, so it is best to travel in daylight.

Option 3: Public bus (cheapest)

Local buses and minibuses to Bukit Lawang leave from Pinang Baris bus terminal in Medan. They are very cheap but slower, often crowded, and not ideal with large luggage. From the airport you would first need to get into Medan and across to the terminal, so for most visitors a private transfer saves several hours.

Shared tourist shuttles also run between Bukit Lawang and other North Sumatra highlights such as Berastagi and Lake Toba — handy if you are travelling around the region.

Option 4: A tour with transport included

If you would rather not organise anything, choose a trek that includes transport. Our 3-day orangutan trek with Medan transfers includes a private air-conditioned car from Medan and back, a riverside guesthouse night, a jungle camp, all meals on the trek, a certified guide and national park permits.

Arriving in Bukit Lawang

Cars stop at the village parking area. Most guesthouses line the Bohorok River and are reached on foot along riverside paths and small bridges — pack in a backpack or a light suitcase if you can.

Practical tips

• Bring some cash. Card payments are not accepted everywhere in the village.
• Book a licensed guide. Trekking inside Gunung Leuser National Park must be done with a licensed guide.
• Share your flight number when booking an airport transfer so the driver can track delays.
• Arrive by early afternoon so you can settle in and enjoy the river before dark.

Want to go straight from the airport to the jungle? Book your Kualanamu – Bukit Lawang transfer →

Photo: VanuitVoorburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.