I rebooked my ticket to Indonesia so many times I started to think my calendar and the airline were in a toxic relationship. But when the visa finally came through (after two weeks of eyebrow-tapping nerves) I hopped a 50-minute AirAsia flight from Penang and landed in a country that smiled at me at immigration literally.
As a Ugandan passport-toting digital nomad and professional backpacker, that smooth welcome at Kualanamu International Airport felt like a warm neon sign: “Adventure this way”.
Arriving in Medan: The airport + first steps.
You’ll fly into Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) modern, efficient, and about a 30–60 minute ride to central Medan depending on traffic and whether you take the train, shuttle bus, taxi or Grab. There’s a rail link (airport train), DAMRI buses and plenty of taxis/transfers waiting. Pro tip: the airport is slicker than you expect use it to start the trip calm, not sweaty.
How I came in: AirAsia from Penang clocked in around 50 minutes (exact times vary by routing). If your passport needs a visa (for example Ugandan nationals generally need a visa/eVisa for Indonesia), get it sorted in advance I nearly had a heart attack waiting for mine. Check Indonesia’s official e-Visa portal before you travel.
Getting from Kualanamu: Medan city (and to Dazhong Hostel)
Transport options from the airport:
- Airport train (Railink): predictable, comfortable, ~35–45 minutes to Medan Station. Great if you’re light and want to avoid traffic.
- DAMRI bus (cheap): airport shuttle to city terminals; very budget friendly.
- Grab / Taxi / Prebooked transfer: easiest if you have luggage. Grab operates in Medan and you can often get drivers at the airport (or prebook).
If you’re heading straight to Dazhong Backpacker’s Hostel, tell the driver Jl. Muara Takus No.28 (Medan Polonia) this hostel is centrally located and can help arrange Bukit Lawang trips for you. Yes, am a free spirited backpacker who enjoys going with the flow but I found the owner’s communication excellent when I messaged, cancelled and rebooked twice , and still got a warm welcome on arrival.
Dazhong Backpacker’s Hostel: vibe, location, real talk
- Vibe: Not a boutique Instagram palace but cosy, clean dorms, friendly energy and a hands-on owner who knows the area and runs tours. If you want perfect marble floors, go elsewhere. If you want useful jungle advice, travel buddies and someone who’ll actually help book your Bukit Lawang trek this is the place. Reviews and listings show travelers praising the owner’s help arranging orangutan treks.
Address & proximity: Jalan Muara Takus No.28, Medan Polonia, a short walk to Sun Plaza shopping center and the Little India area, which makes it a very convenient base for wandering, caffeine hunts and street food. (Sun Plaza is one of Medan’s major malls.)
The neighborhood: cafes, malls, and food that will make you sigh (in a good way)
Think: backpacker mecca meets local hustle. Within a short stroll you’ll find Sun Plaza (big mall, AC, western food if you need a break), then a dozen smaller coffee shops and warungs where a kopi hit or plate of spicy mie goreng will set you right.
For cafes and local hangouts, there are coffee shops for every vibe: people typing on laptops, others sipping cardamom-scented tea, vegans hunting for tofu rice bowls Medan serves both convenience and character. (If your heart belongs to third-wave coffee, scope out the independent cafés around the city center.)
Things to do in Medan (a cute system for backpacker brains)
The 3-M rule: Mall / Mosque / Munchies
- Mall (Sun Plaza): cool to escape heat, get a SIM card, buy snacks or a powerbank. Great first stop. Lippo Malls
- Mosque & history: Maimun Palace and the Great Mosque add colonial + cultural flavor (perfect for postcards and slow exploring).
- Munchies (street food) : try local snacks, sate padang, and warm fried bananas. Walk, sniff, and pick the busiest stall the rule of thumb for safe, tasty street food.
(Backpacker mindset: prioritize experiences over polish. Get lost for an hour the best stories start with a wrong turn.)
Bukit Lawang — why you should go (and what to expect)
What Bukit Lawang is: the gateway village to the Bohorok Orangutan sanctuary and Gunung Leuser National Park one of the last remaining habitats for Sumatran orangutans. Treks range from gentle day hikes to multi-day jungle stays and yes, the wildlife and jungle vibes are the real deal. You need a licensed guide and park permits to enter the national park area.
How long from Medan to Bukit Lawang: plan for about 3–5 hours by road (private car is fastest, shared buses can take longer depending on schedules and traffic). Many tour operators advertise 3–4 hour transfers from the airport/Medan; always leave early to avoid weekend traffic.
Booking the trek through Dazhong: my honest experience
I found out the hostel owner runs tours. He explained options plainly, didn’t upsell, and let me choose 1, 2 or 3-day treks. Bookings through the hostel commonly include transport and can include accommodation in Bukit Lawang — sometimes free accommodation is offered as part of the package (reviews mention hosts arranging comfy local homestays for trekkers). That said: expect variation sometimes packages include both transport and stays, sometimes not. Ask for a written list of what’s included before you pay. HostelworldBooking.com
Typical trek options you’ll see:
- 1-day trek: Short jungle hike to see orangutans + return the same day (good if you’re tight on time).
- 2-day / 1-night: More time in the jungle, better wildlife chances and a jungle camp feel.
- 3-day / 2-night: Deep-dive into the rainforest more walking, more wildlife, better photos and stories.
What happens on a trek: you walk with a licensed local guide, follow jungle trails, often see wild orangutans at feeding spots, learn about conservation, and sometimes end with a river raft or tubing ride back. It’s muddy, humid, and unforgettable.
Practical tips (so you don’t ruin the jungle vibe)
- Cash: Bring enough rupiah. Small vendors and homestays prefer cash.
- Backpack: Daypack + waterproof cover. Expect mud.
- Shoes: Sturdy shoes or hiking sandals with grip.
- Insect repellent & quick-dry clothes.
- Respect rules: Keep distance from animals; follow guide instructions. Entry to Gunung Leuser requires permits and licensed guides.
Safety, health & etiquette
- Respect local culture — modest dress in religious sites.
- Carry copies of passport and visa.
- Ask your hostel to recommend a guide and confirm they’re licensed. Dazhong’s owner has a reputation for honesty and helpfulness — which matters more than glossy marketing. Hostelworld
Final honest backpacker note (UGA → IDN)
As a Ugandan traveling nomad, the warm welcomes, the hostel energy at Dazhong, and the honest, local guidance I got before the Bukit Lawang trek were the kinds of travel moments you keep in your suitcase forever. If you’re planning a trip: sort visa details early (Indonesia’s e-visa portal is the authority), book a trustworthy hostel like Dazhong for local tours, and pack for heat + mud. Oh — and check Blakfly if you like using platforms to double-check visa rules and costs (that’s where I checked things before flying).
