How to travel from Bali to Lake Toba, Indonesia
The distance between Bali and Lake Toba is around 2,302km (1,431 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly, then drive and then take a ferry which takes around 6h 15m.
4 routes found
We've found 4 different ways to get from Bali to Lake Toba by plane, car, ferry, bus, taxi and train. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Lake Toba → Bali if you're planning a return trip.
Plane, Car and Ferry
Fly from Ngurah Rai (DPS) to Silangit (DTB) then drive to Ajibata then take a ferry to Ambarita.
- Duration6h 15m
- Flight time3h 55m
- Typical costIDR 3,954,180($265)
Multiple operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus and Ferry
Take the bus to Banyuwangi then Pulo Gebang Terminal and then to Enggano then take a ferry to Belawan then take the bus to Parapat then take a ferry to Ambarita.
- Duration3 days 10h
- Departsonce a week
- Typical costIDR 1,407,930($95)
Multiple operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Bali and Lake Toba
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Bali to Lake Toba by plane, car, ferry, bus, taxi and train. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then take a ferry which costs around IDR 1,407,930 ($95) and will take around 3 days 10h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly, then drive and then take a ferry and arrive in approximately 6h 15m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately IDR 3,954,180 ($265).
The distance between Bali and Lake Toba is around 2,302km (1,431 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 2,168km (1,347 miles)
It takes around 6h 15m to get from Bali and Lake Toba by plane, car and ferry.
The quickest way to get from Bali to Lake Toba is to fly, then drive and then take a ferry which takes around 6h 15m and will set you back approx IDR 3,954,180 ($265).
The cheapest way to travel between Bali and Lake Toba is to take the bus and then take a ferry which will typically cost around IDR 1,407,930 ($95) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Bali and Lake Toba. We recommend that you fly from Ngurah Rai (DPS) to Silangit (DTB) then drive to Ajibata then take a ferry to Ambarita. instead which will take 6h 15m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Bali and Lake Toba. We recommend that you fly from Ngurah Rai (DPS) to Silangit (DTB) then drive to Ajibata then take a ferry to Ambarita. instead which will take 6h 15m.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Bali to Lake Toba. We recommend that you fly from Ngurah Rai (DPS) to Silangit (DTB) then drive to Ajibata then take a ferry to Ambarita. instead which will take 6h 15m.
The closest major airport to Lake Toba is Silangit Airport (DTB) (DTB) which is approximately 40km (25 miles) from Lake Toba. Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) (KNO) and Ferdinand Lumban Tobing Airport (FLZ) (FLZ) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Drive yourself
No, its not really possible or feasible to drive from Bali to Lake Toba. We recommend that you fly from Ngurah Rai (DPS) to Silangit (DTB) then drive to Ajibata then take a ferry to Ambarita. instead which will take 6h 15m.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Bali to Lake Toba is to fly, then drive and then take a ferry which takes, on average, 6h 15m and will usually cost around IDR 3,954,180 ($265).
Compare travel optionsbetween Bali and Lake Toba
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Plane, Car and Ferry + 1 similar | 6h 15m | IDR 3,954,180($265) | 4 times a day | 2,344km (1,457 miles) |
| Ferry, Plane and Car | 7h 45m | IDR 3,025,545($200) | 4 times a day | 2,302km (1,431 miles) |
Bus and Ferry + 1 similar | 3 days 10h | IDR 1,407,930($95) | once a week | 3,242km (2,015 miles) |
| Bus, Ferry, Taxi, Train and Car | 4 days 5h | IDR 1,662,555($110) | once a week | 3,152km (1,958 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Bali and Lake Toba
Airlines
Batik Air
Citilink Indonesia
Lion Mentari Airlines
Ferry operators
ASDP Indonesia Ferry
Pelni
Bus companies
Damri
Pahala Kencana
Gunung Harta
Train operators
Kereta API
Airports near Lake Toba
The following major airports near Lake Toba offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Indonesia and internationally.
Silangit Airport (DTB)
- Distance
- 40km (25 miles) from Lake Toba
Kualanamu International Airport (KNO)
- Distance
- 114km (71 miles) from Lake Toba
Ferdinand Lumban Tobing Airport (FLZ)
- Distance
- 117km (73 miles) from Lake Toba