How to travel from Lake Toba to Manado, Indonesia
The distance between Lake Toba and Manado is around 3,569km (2,218 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take a ferry, then drive and then fly which takes around 8h 5m.
3 routes found
We've found 3 different ways to get from Lake Toba to Manado by ferry, car, plane, train and bus. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Manado → Lake Toba if you're planning a return trip.
Ferry, Car and Plane
Take a ferry to Ajibata then drive to Silangit (DTB) then fly from Silangit (DTB) to Manado (MDC).
- Duration8h 5m
- Flight time5h 40m
- Typical costIDR 2,171,805($145)
Multiple operators
Ferry and Bus
Take a ferry to Parapat then take the bus to Amplas Station then take a ferry to Port of Tanjung Priok then Surabaya - Tanjung Perak Port and then to Bitung.
- Duration7 days 4h
- Departsonce a week
- Typical costIDR 1,962,110($130)
Multiple operators
Ferry, Car, Train and Bus
Take a ferry to Ajibata then drive to Siantar then take the train to Medan then take the bus to Bandar Lampung then take a ferry to Gambir Station then take the train to Surabaya Pasar Turi then take a ferry to Bitung then drive to Manado.
- Duration5 days 15h
- Departsonce a week
- Typical costIDR 2,126,870($140)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Lake Toba and Manado
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Lake Toba to Manado by ferry, car, plane, train and bus. The cheapest option is to take a ferry and then take the bus which costs around IDR 1,962,110 ($130) and will take around 7 days 4h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take a ferry, then drive and then fly and arrive in approximately 8h 5m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately IDR 2,171,805 ($145).
The distance between Lake Toba and Manado is around 3,569km (2,218 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 2,885km (1,793 miles)
It takes around 8h 5m to get from Lake Toba and Manado by ferry, car and plane.
The quickest way to get from Lake Toba to Manado is to take a ferry, then drive and then fly which takes around 8h 5m and will set you back approx IDR 2,171,805 ($145).
The cheapest way to travel between Lake Toba and Manado is to take a ferry and then take the bus which will typically cost around IDR 1,962,110 ($130) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Lake Toba and Manado. We recommend that you take a ferry to Ajibata then drive to Silangit (DTB) then fly from Silangit (DTB) to Manado (MDC). instead which will take 8h 5m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Lake Toba and Manado. We recommend that you take a ferry to Ajibata then drive to Silangit (DTB) then fly from Silangit (DTB) to Manado (MDC). instead which will take 8h 5m.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Lake Toba to Manado. We recommend that you take a ferry to Ajibata then drive to Silangit (DTB) then fly from Silangit (DTB) to Manado (MDC). instead which will take 8h 5m.
The closest major airport to Manado is Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC) (MDC) which is approximately 11km (7 miles) from Manado. Tolotio Airport (GTO) (GTO) and Naha Airport (NAH) (NAH) 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 Lake Toba to Manado. We recommend that you take a ferry to Ajibata then drive to Silangit (DTB) then fly from Silangit (DTB) to Manado (MDC). instead which will take 8h 5m.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Lake Toba to Manado is to take a ferry, then drive and then fly which takes, on average, 8h 5m and will usually cost around IDR 2,171,805 ($145).
Compare travel optionsbetween Lake Toba and Manado
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ferry, Car and Plane | 8h 5m | IDR 2,171,805($145) | 4 times a day | 3,569km (2,218 miles) |
Ferry and Bus | 7 days 4h | IDR 1,962,110($130) | once a week | 5,026km (3,123 miles) |
Ferry, Car, Train and Bus | 5 days 15h | IDR 2,126,870($140) | once a week | 5,242km (3,257 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Lake Toba and Manado
Ferry operators
ASDP Indonesia Ferry
Damri
Pelni
Train operators
Kereta API
Airlines
Batik Air
Citilink Indonesia
PT. Sriwijaya Air
Bus companies
Putra Pelangi
Airports near Manado
The following major airports near Manado offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Indonesia and internationally.
Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC)
- Distance
- 11km (7 miles) from Manado
Tolotio Airport (GTO)
- Distance
- 241km (150 miles) from Manado
Naha Airport (NAH)
- Distance
- 254km (158 miles) from Manado