Are you planning to visit North Sumatra? Then, you’re lucky with Medan Airport! Strategically located, it serves as the main hub for most flights from neighboring towns, domestic flights from other Indonesian cities, and some international routes. This convenient location ensures you won’t get lost and can start your journey smoothly.
Here is a comprehensive guide to Medan Airport, designed to provide you with all the essential information. It includes a detailed history, terminal and facility descriptions, nearby hotel options, various airport transportation modes, and a list of tourist attractions in Medan. With this guide, you’ll be well-prepared for your trip!
About Medan Airport
You may wonder how many airports there are in Medan. The answer is only one. So, when talking about Medan Airport, you refer to Kualanamu International Airport. Kualanamu Airport code is KNO.
Kualanamu Airport is located on Bandara Kuala Namu Street, Pasar Enam Kuala Namu, Beringin District, Deli Serdang Regency. It is approximately 26–27 km from downtown Medan, requiring about a 50-minute to 1-hour drive by car or motorcycle.
Historically, North Sumatra’s government started constructing Kualanamu to replace Polonia International Airport, which is now inactive. However, the plan to relocate the airport was already proclaimed in 1992.
Azwar Anas, the then-Minister of Transportation, stated that an airport too close to residential areas is risky. That’s why they plan to relocate it to Deli Serdang. Kualanamu officially opened on July 25, 2013, coinciding with Polonia Airport’s closure.
As the largest airport in North Sumatra, KNO has become the main gateway to the province. KNO serves both domestic and international flights. Jakarta (CGK) and Batam (BTH) are the most popular domestic routes, while international flights mainly come from Penang (PEN) and Kuala Lumpur (KUL).
Multiple airlines operate at Kualanamu, such as:
- Batik Air
- Citilink
- Garuda Indonesia
- Lion Air
- Pelita Air
- Super Air Jet
- Wings Air
- Air Asia
- Malaysia Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- Susi Air
- Saudia
- Oman Air
- Qatar Airways
- Batik Air Malaysia
- Firefly
- Etihad Airways
- Swiss
- Lufthansa
- Jetstar
- Jetstar Asia
- Qantas
- Air India
- Emirates
- China Airlines
The airlines serve two Kualanamu Airport Terminal. You can find more information about it below here!
Medan Airport Terminal
Kualanamu Airport has a Departure Terminal and Arrival Terminal, each serving both international and domestic flights. The Departure Terminal handles outbound flights from Medan to other cities and countries, while the Arrival Terminal is the entry point for flights arriving in Medan from various locations.
Both Medan Airport Terminals have the same connecting airports for both domestic and international flights. For domestic ones, you can fly to numerous airports in Indonesia, including:
- Jakarta (CGK and HLP)
- Palembang (PLM)
- Batam (BTH)
- Sinabang (LKI)
- Gunung Sitoli (GNS)
- Pekanbaru (PKU)
- Banda Aceh (BTJ)
- Yogyakarta (YIA)
- Padang (PDG)
- Lhokseumawe (LSW)
- Jambi (DJB)
- Surabaya (SUB)
- Denpasar (DPS)
- Bandar Lampung (TKG)
- Ujung Pandang (UPG)
- Solo (SOC)
- Semarang (SRG)
For the international one, you can fly to 7 airports from 5 different countries, such as:
- Jeddah (JED)
- Madinah (MED)
- Bangkok (DMK)
- Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
- Penang (PEN)
- Singapore (SIN)
- Duluth Lakeside Usaf (LKI)
After learning about the terminals, you need information about the facilities at Medan Airport. Here’s the explanation!
Medan Airport Facilities
According to data from Statistics Indonesia, the airport in Medan ranks as the fourth largest in the country, with the capacity to handle over three million passengers in 2024. That’s why Kualanamu Airport facilities offers nearly complete facilities to support all the operational activities.
You can meet all your needs before leaving or after landing in Medan, such as:
- Immigration
- Baggage Claim
- Wi-Fi
- Lost and Found
- Nursing Station
- Foods and Drinks
- Currency Exchange
- Information Desks
- ATMs
- Lounges
- Smoking Area
Several hotels are also located near the airport, making them perfect for your stay in Medan. If you are just looking for a place to rest while waiting for transit, these accommodations are perfect for you as well. You can learn more about them in the next section.
Medan Airport Hotels
Searching for hotels near Medan Airport? There are multiple options for you. You can even reach some of them by walking, so waiting for the transit overnight in a pleasant and comfortable space is possible here. The distance to downtown is not that far, so you can pick these hotels during your stay.
Here are some recommendations for you!
- Anara Sky Kualanamu Hotel is a 3-star hotel located just a 2-minute walk (110 meters) from the airport. Rates start at IDR 550,000 (USD 33.74).
- Horison Sky Kualanamu, another 3-star hotel, also a 2-minute walk (110 meters) from the airport, near Anara Sky Kualanamu Hotel. Rates start at IDR 550,000 (USD 33.74).
- Thongs Inn Kualanamu, a 3-star hotel. You can drive to the accommodation for 15 – 20 minutes (9,4 km). The rate starts at IDR 300,000 (USD 18.33).
There are various transportation options available to the hotel and downtown. The information is in the next section!
Medan Airport Transportations
Have you ever wondered how to get downtown from Medan Airport? If so, there are at least five transportation modes that you can choose. Here are the options!
- Train, the most convenient one, as it takes you right to the city center (fare: IDR 40,000/USD 2.45).
- Taxi, are convenient but generally more expensive (fare: IDR 80,000 – 150,000/USD 4.89 – 9.20).
- Bus, is one of the cheapest options (fare: IDR 15,000 – 50,000/USD 0.92 – 3.05).
- Hotel Shuttle, available for some 3-star hotel above.
- Rideshare Services, are cheaper than taxi but you have to install the mobile apps (fare: IDR 1,800/USD0.11 per km)
You can use one or more transportation options to visit Medan’s most-seek tourist attractions. The lists are in the next section!
Medan Attractions
Medan has a lot of charm. You can visit historical and iconic landmarks, engage in activities, etc.
Here are some Medan attractions that you need to know!
- Ride a kayak, jet ski, speed boat, and other watersports while enjoying the beauty of Lake Toba.
- Learn about the Batak Toba Tribe’s culture by visiting Bolon House.
- Admire the architecture of Masjid Raya Medan.
- Witness the oldest Hindu Temple in Medan, the centuries-old Shri Mariamman Temple.
- Explore the history of the Sultanate of Deli in the iconic Maimun Palace.
After learning more about Medan Airport, you are ready to visit. So, let’s start packing our bags and flying to Kualanamu! Make sure to reserve a hotel as well to make your stay better. You can book both flights and hotels through Airpaz to grab the best deal!
