How Much Does it Cost to Travel in Sumatra, Indonesia?

Is Sumatra cheap to travel? Is $10 a day enough for food? How good are budget hotels in Sumatra, and can you afford you want to splash out somewhere a little fancy?

Not sure how much to save for your Sumatra travel budget? We’ve got you covered! After 10 years of travelling Sumatra and 5 years of living here full-time, we’ve got the inside scoop on how much everything costs – from snacks and drinks to 5-star hotels and everything in between.

In this blog, we’ll tell you exactly how much it costs to travel in Sumatra, Indonesia, so you can plan your trip of a lifetime.

So let’s talk rupiah!

Contents

How Much do Hotels Cost in Sumatra?

It’s true that Sumatra is ideal for backpackers, but did you know that it’s also a mid-range traveller’s treasure and a luxury traveller’s delight?

The cost of accommodation in Sumatra can be as little as Rp150,000 for a comfortable budget room and up to Rp1 million plus for 5-star luxury bliss.

Cost of Budget Accommodation in Sumatra

Rp150,000-300,000

Are there hostels in Sumatra? Very few.

Unlike Bali, Sumatra hasn’t quite caught onto the hostel style of accommodation yet. Aside from one or two places in the big cities, hostels aren’t really a thing.

But there are still some great cheap stays for budget travel to Sumatra. In most areas, you can find rooms for around Rp150,000. Even better than hostels, these will usually be private rooms.

In some, you may even score a private bathroom too!

If you’re browsing the popular booking platforms like booking.com, you may notice that there are quite a few listings for Rp100,000 or less.

A word of warning here: these places are rarely as advertised. Often, they’ll have fake reviews and photos. For less than Rp150,000, be prepared for very basic accommodation.

That might be okay for those on a very tight budget, but in general, we recommend choosing budget accommodation between Rp150,000-250,000 for a more pleasant experience.

Check out some of our favourite budget guesthouses below!

Romlan Guesthouse
Tuktuk, Lake Toba

CLICK HERE FOR PRICES

Sumatra Ethical Expeditions
Bukit Lawang

CLICK HERE FOR PRICES

Nachelle Homestay
Berastagi

CLICK HERE FOR PRICES

How Much for a Mid-Range Hotel in Sumatra, Indonesia?

Rp 300,000-500,000

Do you have a little more splash to cash for your Sumatra travel budget? There are some EXCELLENT mid-range places to stay throughout Sumatra. We’re talking lakeside, riverside, jungle views, with free WiFi and private bathrooms.

For Rp300,000 to around Rp500,000, you can get a very comfortable stay in most places.

Just look at some of these gorgeous guesthouses found all over Sumatra!

Reggae Guesthouse
Tuktuk (Lake Toba)

CLICK HERE FOR PRICES

Rumah Gadang Simarasok
Harau Valley

CLICK HERE FOR PRICES

Beu Ceubeh Cottage
Pulau Weh

CLICK HERE FOR PRICES

Price of a Fancy Hotel in Sumatra

Rp500,000-1 million

Feel like being a bit fancy with your accommodation? No problem, Sumatra has you covered here too. From around Rp500,000 to Rp1 million, you’ll get some high-quality accommodation.

Big, open rooms, usually with amazing views, comfy beds, mini-fridges, nice gardens and usually really decent restaurants attached.

Fancy spending a night in two in luxury without breaking the bank? Check out the properties below.

Casa Nemo Resort
Pulau Weh

CLICK HERE FOR PRICES

 Hotel Deli River
Medan

CLICK HERE FOR PRICES


Ricky’s Beach House

Sungai Pinang (West Sumatra)

CLICK. HERE FOR PRICES

How Much to Stay in a 5-Star Hotel in Sumatra, Indonesia?

Rp1 million +++

Why not treat yourself to a 5-star hotel while travelling Sumatra? Let’s be honest, a lot of us would struggle to afford a 5-star getaway in our own countries – but in Sumatra, it’s not quite as painful!

Rooms at these luxury resorts usually start at around Rp1 million but can get a lot higher. In these places, you’re getting excellent service, immaculate rooms, incredible views, all the extras, buffet breakfasts and VIP treatment.

We think it’s totally worth splashing out on a 5-star hotel like the ones featured here at least once during your trip, just for a bit of a treat.

Marianna Resort
Tuktuk (Lake Toba)

CLICK HERE FOR PRICES

 JW Marriott
Medan

CLICK HERE FOR PRICES

Taman Simalem Resort
Tongging (Lake Toba)

CLICK HERE FOR PRICES

Prefer to watch? Check out our companion YouTube video!

Play Video

Price of Food in Sumatra

Is it possible to eat well in Indonesia for less than USD$10 a day?

It sure is – but of course, it does depend on what you eat and where.

There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy delicious Indonesian cuisine for just a few dollars. But on the flip side, you can also find places serving dishes at 5 times that price.

Here’s a bit of a guideline to help you plan your daily Sumatra budget while still getting your money’s worth.

Cost of Streetfood or Warung Food in Sumatra

Rp15-30,000

The most affordable food you’ll find in Sumatra is either street food or meals from local warung (a warung is a small, simple eatery –  you’ll find them everywhere!)

At the warung, you can order things like nasi bungkus/nasi campur – basically, rice meals with a serving of veggies, egg, sambal (hot sauce) and sometimes meat.

You’re also likely to find some good value street food around the place – grilled tofu kebabs, little packets of bakso (meatballs) or “gorengan” – various fried goodies such as fried bananas or vegetable fritters.

These tasty snacks usually start at around Rp5000 for a serving.

It’s definitely possible to eat local food for breakfast lunch and dinner and spend below Rp100,000 a day per person.

How Much Does Food Cost at a Restaurant in Indonesia?

Rp35,000-100,000

The next level covers the slightly more expensive local dishes. We’re talking gado gado, nasi goreng, or a good curry. The cost of these famous Indonesian dishes depends entirely on the restaurant.

At a modest restaurant, you can expect to pay around Rp35-40,000. If there’s meat included, it might cost a bit more.

But the same dishes at a fancier, Western-focused restaurant can be anywhere from 50,000-to 100,000.

We have a hack that we do to save money. Because portions are usually pretty generous, we’ll order one main dish (like a curry or tofu meal) with two servings of rice. It’s usually more than enough to fill us both up.

How about Western food? Yes – Indonesian food is great, but there’s no shame in craving a pizza or burger from time to time.

Western food is available in more touristy areas or upmarket hotels. Again, prices vary. Be prepared to spend anything from Rp50-100,000 on average for a Western-style meal, unless you’re staying somewhere SUPER fancy.

Indonesian Snacks and Drinks Prices

Snacks and drinks are generally affordable too. You’ll find the cheapest prices at the small, locally-run shops, and maybe slightly more expensive items at the chain stores like Indomaret and Alfamart.

Here’s a snack and drink price guide so you can budget for those all-important snacks on long road trips!

  • Large bottle of water: 8000
  • Bottle of Coke: 6000
  • Coffee/Tea (Black): 5000
  • Bag of Chips: 10,000-20,000
  • Chocolate Bar: 10,000-30,000

Remember, if you’re buying any of these from a hotel or restaurant, expect to pay around double.

How Much For a Bintang in Sumatra, Indonesia?

Can you buy alcohol in Sumatra? It’s not as widely available as it may be in Bali, but generally, yes.

In Banda Aceh, some parts of West Sumatra and more remote areas, you probably won’t see bottles of Bintang (beer) or spirits openly for sale at the local shops.

In other areas (like Tuktuk in Lake Toba), you can find wine, beer, and liquor in the corner store.

Because it’s not so common here, alcohol tends to be one of the things that isn’t quite as affordable. However, the local beer (Bintang) is pretty reasonable.

It’s cheaper at smaller shops or budget accommodations, and considerably more expensive at nicer bars, restaurants and hotels.

  • Small Bintang: Rp25,000-40,000
  • Large Bintang: Rp39,000-65,000

If you’re keen to try some of the truly local alcohol, you can buy tuak (locally brewed palm wine) for a bargain.

Tuak and tuak bars are common throughout Sumatra. Tuak is great value – you can purchase a bottle of the potent white liquid for around Rp5000.

Transportation Costs in Sumatra

Is transportation cheap in Sumatra?

Well, sometimes it is – for example when you’re riding a local minibus called an “angkot.”

Buses can be a great way to get around on a tight budget. And rest assured, not ALL of the buses are as basic the one above – but honestly, some are, so be prepared!

Here’s a rundown of the costs of getting around Sumatra by various means.

Local Bus Journey (Less than 4 Hours)

Rp20,000-100,000

As an example, the cheapest way to go from Medan to Bukit Lawang is via a local mini-bus.

The four-hour trip should cost you around Rp50,000 (locals get cheaper prices, but 50,000 is not bad for a tourist price).

Some public transport routes have slightly fancier buses, like the ones that travel between Medan and Lake Toba. This 4-hour trip is currently about Rp60,000.

Long Distance Bus Trip

Overnight bus routes between provinces are common too, and pretty reasonably priced.

For example, the 10-ish hour journey from Medan to Aceh starts at around Rp220,000. And the 18+ hour trip from Medan to Padang starts at Rp300,000.

There are different travel classes too, so you can pay more for an executive ticket if you’d like a bit more legroom (plus aircon and an onboard toilet!)

Shared Taxi/Tourist Bus

Rp150,000-350,000

 There is a nice medium price between local transport and a private car. Shared taxis or tourist buses often operate between the main tourist areas.

You’ll pay per person to share a car with other tourists, cutting the price. The problem is, you need to wait for other tourists to join the trip, or you’ll end up paying a bit more.

How Much to Hire Private Car with Driver in Sumatra?

Around Rp700,000-800,000 for a 3-4 hour trip.

The fastest and most comfortable way to get around Sumatra is with a private car and driver. Of course, this is also one of the most expensive forms of transport.

Here are a few examples to give you an idea:

  • Medan – Bukit Lawang (3-4 hours): Rp700,000-800,000
  • Medan to Lake Toba (4-5 hours): Rp800,000-900,000 (faster route includes toll roads so may be at the higher end of the scale.
  • Bukit Lawang or Tangkahan to Lake Toba (7-8 hours): Starting at Rp1.2 million

Ferry Prices in Sumatra

Heading to one of Indonesia’s 17,000+ islands? Hop on a local ferry! Let’s look at some price guidelines for popular routes involving boats:

  • Parapat to Tuktuk (Lake Toba – 45-60 minutes): Rp25,000 pp
  • Banda Aceh to Pulau Weh: Slow ferry – Rp30,000-50,000. Fast ferry Rp100,000
  • Getting to the Mentawais: Around Rp350,000

Scooter Hire Sumatra Price

What’s our favourite way to travel? Glad you asked! We never get tired of exploring around Lake Toba via scooter.

Hiring your own will cost you 100,000-150,000 per day, depending on the kind of scooter you hire.

Domestic Flight Price in Sumatra

Lastly, if you’re limited on time but want to see as much of Indonesia as possible, there are plenty of airports scattered around!

Some of the domestic flights are pretty pricey (it’s often cheaper to fly out to KL and then back to your target destination), but have a look on our favourite flight finder Skyscanner and you might score a bargain.

At the time of researching this video, you can get a flight from Medan to Banda Aceh for $70, or direct Medan to Padang for $100.

Cost of Activities and Attractions in Sumatra

Is it your dream to see orangutans in the wild? Would you love to learn about local culture, live with the Mentawai tribes in the jungle or go snorkelling at Pulau Weh?

Whether you’re after an adventure to remember or just want to take it slow and chill, there are activities to suit every budget here.

Let’s start with the lower-budget things to do in Sumatra.

Generally, entry tickets for natural and cultural attractions are a bargain.

For example, here in the Lake Toba area you can take stunning photos from Tele Tower, visit some incredible waterfalls, and explore ancient Batak villages for less than Rp20,000 per person for each activity.

Even the luxurious Maimoon Palace in Medan City only costs 35,000 to explore!

Some places may charge for parking too, but usually it’s only around Rp5000.

Naturally, some things are more expensive – such as the bucketlist experience of jungle trekking.

The rates do change from time to time, but here are the current prices for trekking in the Gunung Leuser National Park, which are oddly set in Euros:

  • 1-Day 70 Euros PP
  • 2-Days, 1 Night 120 Euros pp
  • 3-Days, 2 Nights 170 Euros pp

These fees are set by the Indonesian Guide Association to ensure fair pay for local staff and include the park entry fee, meals, rafting, and your guides/porters.

Heading to West Sumatra to immerse yourself in  Mentawai life? Prices vary, but a 3-day/2-night tour will cost you somewhere around Rp3.8 million per person (not including the ferry).

Shopping and Souvenir Prices in Sumatra

Before Agung and I met, I was terrible at bargaining. As a solo traveller, I used to wander around markets and end up either buying overpriced things I didn’t want or leaving empty-handed.

This is because as a newbie traveller, I didn’t know what a fair price was for things like t-shirts, bags, or carvings, so my bargaining skills were non-existent. 

We can’t let that happen to you!

So here are some general prices of common souvenir items to kick-start your bargaining.

  • T-Shirts: Rp70,000-100,000
  • Mass-printed sarongs: Rp60-70,000
  • Hand-woven sarongs/ulos: Rp300,000+ depending on the intricacy
  • Bracelets: Rp5000-10,000 per piece

Daily Budget Summary for Sumatra

So what do you think? Now that you know how much it costs to travel Sumatra, is it time to start planning your trip?

Don’t forget to check out our other super helpful Trip Planning Blogs.

You can also learn more about life and travel in Sumatra over on our YouTube channel.

Happy trip planning, and see you in Sumatra!

These blogs are awesome too - have a read!

Share your thoughts with us