How to get to Ketambe
Last updated: February 2025
Travelling from Medan or Berastagi
Medan is a chaotic city and most travellers tend to pass through as quickly as possible. It is however, considered one of the great food meccas of Asia and worth spending a couple of days exploring restaurants, warungs and street stalls throughout Medan if you're a foodie. It also has a number of historic temples to visit and several large shopping malls if you need to pick up supplies before coming to Ketambe. 3 and 4 star hotels are relatively inexpensive and there are cheaper backpacker accommodation options too. Feel free to ask for recommendations within your budget.
While you are in Medan you should take cash out from an ATM to cover all your costs while in Aceh. Since 2020 only Sharia banks and ATMs are allowed to operate in Aceh and it's no longer possible to use international bank cards in local ATMs. Throughout Aceh most businesses prefer cash and the majority do not have card payment facilities, so it's best to take more than needed and avoid getting caught out.
Update: there are now some ATM's that accept foreign VISA and mastercards. It's still advised to take cash in rupiah if you have the option.
Kualanamu airport to Medan city
If you arrive at Medan's Kualanamu airport before 8am, it’s possible to travel to Ketambe via public transport in the same day (depending on traffic!). Take the ALS shuttle bus to Simpang Pos OR the Damri (big blue bus) to Carrefour shopping centre. Each costs 40.000rp per person. Tell the driver where you would like to get off and they will tell you when it’s your stop. From there, you need to take a becak (motorbike with passenger side cart) to “Loket BTN” for the public bus or to “Komplek Citra Garden” across the road from the share taxi office.
Bus to Ketambe
The BTN mini-buses leave from Medan when full in the morning, with the last one leaving before lunch time. If you miss that, they also have an overnight bus leaving at 10pm and 11pm - but it will not be a comfortable night’s sleep. A ticket to Kutacane will cost 80-100.000rp and the trip takes 8-10 hours.
When you arrive in Kutacane you will need to take the labi-labi (pickup truck with a roof) to Ketambe. Generally the sight of a foreigner in Kutacane will have people shouting ‘Ketambe!?” at you, and they will show you where the labi-labi is. The hour journey from here to Ketambe costs around 30-50.000rp per person. The last one leaves at 4pm, so it can be tricky to make the full journey by public transport in one day. If you get stuck in Kutacane after the labi-labi's have finished then you may be able to find someone to drive you by car or motorbike. Expect to pay around 200.000rp.
Travelling to Ketambe by bus is not for the faint of heart. With 4 changeovers the journey will take anywhere from 10-20 hours and cost around 180.000rp for one person. You'll also need to know a little Indonesian to discuss prices. If you're travelling in a group or have luggage I would definitely recommend taking a share taxi or private car. But for the adventurous solo traveller it can still be a thrilling challenge!
Share taxi to Ketambe
A share taxi is a more comfortable option and can take you all the way to Ketambe. CK Travel Wisata is across the road from Komplek Citra Garden and is the only company that goes direct to Kutacane. They leave in the mornings from Medan city about 10am, and then again at 10pm. The travel takes 9-12 hours usually, depending on how many people or packages they pick up along the way. It can be challenging to get to their office from the airport (follow steps above to get to Carrefour via Damri bus, then becak to CK Travel Wisata on Jalan Jamin Ginting). Otherwise we can arrange airport pickup and travel all the way to Ketambe village for 350.000rp per person if arranged prior to arrival. Your flight must arrive before 8.30am to make it from the airport in time. You may change cars once or twice but you only pay once.
Private car to Ketambe
Private taxis can be booked through us direct to Ketambe. This is the fastest way to get there and for groups of 3 or more is the best option. The driver can pick you up from your accommodation in Medan or directly from the airport. A private car one way to Ketambe carrying up to 6 passengers will cost 1.3-1.6 million rupiah, depending on pick up location and time. Cars booked through us are usually the Kijang Innova SUV. Comfortable for up to 4 people plus suitcases, or possible to fit 6 people with small carry on bags kept at your feet. The journey takes around 8-10 hours.
Travelling from Banda Aceh
From Banda Aceh to Ketambe is a 1-2 day journey by bus. It’s possible to take a direct 15 hour bus that passes through Takengon and Belangkejeren before Ketambe and then on to Kutacane. The bus company name is Sempati Star and they leave at 8pm from Terminal Leung Bata in Banda Aceh. Get there early to buy tickets as there's no online purchases. Most other buses will stop in Takengon overnight. Up in the mountains and a little cooler, Takengon has a gorgeous lake and excellent coffee, so not a bad place to spend a night or two. Bus trips the full distance from Banda Aceh to Ketambe will cost around 400.000rp per person, or 250.000rp from Takengon to Ketambe.
Susi Air fly one route Banda Aceh to Kutacane, twice a week. Flights from Banda Aceh can be bought online through Traveloka website/app. We can book tickets manually on your behalf from Kutacane. Only 5kg carry-on baggage allowance is included, so be prepared to pay extra at the airport. - 20.000rp per kg. Flights are often cancelled due to bad weather. If you don't have the time to wait a few days for the next flight you may need to take a 12+ hours taxi ride instead.
Schedule as of March 2026:
- Banda Aceh to Kutacane : Wednesday 10.05am and Saturday 9:50am, 690.000rp
- Kutacane to Banda Aceh : Wednesday 11:35am and Saturday 7:45am, 620.000rp
- Plus 90 minute airport pick up / drop off Kutacane to Ketambe, 400.000rp
Where to Stay in Ketambe
There are several budget guesthouses currently open in Ketambe village, and one 2km away within the national park. Each has individual rooms or bungalows ranging in price from 200.000rp to 600.000rp per night.
Each guesthouse has a restaurant or will provide set meals, and each will have guides attached that they would prefer you trek with. If you have not pre-booked a guide before arriving, expect to be offered packages from the accomodation.
We have also just opened our own ecolodge just outside of Ketambe. Get in touch for more information and to book a room for before and after your trek.
On the morning of your trek, have breakfast and pack your bag ready for adventure. You can store your remaining luggage with us where we'll keep it in a locked room in our ecolodge. We'll start your trek around 9am from Our Jungle Ecolodge if staying with us, or from your accommodation in Ketambe village.
There is no ATM in Ketambe, so to avoid a day trip to Kutacane and back it’s a good idea to bring enough rupiah with you to cover expenses. We cannot accept foreign currency for any payments. If you decide to extend your trip, add a night trek or want to give a tip, this can be paid for at the end of the trek.
You can reach us via email sumatrajungle@gmail.com or through Jenna's whatsapp +6282262772139