How to travel from Lake Toba to Padang, Indonesia
The distance between Lake Toba and Padang is around 634km (394 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take a ferry, then drive and then fly which takes around 6h 50m.
6 routes found
We've found 6 different ways to get from Lake Toba to Padang by ferry, bus, car, plane, train and taxi. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Padang → Lake Toba if you're planning a return trip.
Taxi and Plane
Take a taxi to Ferdinand Lumban Tobing (FLZ) then fly from Ferdinand Lumban Tobing (FLZ) to Minangkabau (PDG).
- Duration7h 30m
- Flight time2h 35m
- Typical costIDR 2,725,990($180)
Multiple operators
2 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Ferry to Parapat, bus
Take a ferry to Parapat then take the bus to Amplas Station and then to Padang.
- Duration1 day 3h
- Departsonce daily
- Typical costIDR 389,425($26)
Multiple operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Lake Toba and Padang
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Lake Toba to Padang by ferry, bus, car, plane, train and taxi. The cheapest option is to take a ferry and then take the bus which costs around IDR 389,425 ($26) and will take around 1 day 3h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take a ferry, then drive and then fly and arrive in approximately 6h 50m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately IDR 3,280,170 ($220).
The distance between Lake Toba and Padang is around 634km (394 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 425km (264 miles)
It takes around 1 day 2h to get from Lake Toba and Padang by ferry and bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 9h 55m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Lake Toba to Padang is to take a ferry, then drive and then fly which takes around 6h 50m and will set you back approx IDR 3,280,170 ($220).
The cheapest way to travel between Lake Toba and Padang, if you exclude driving, is to take a ferry and then take the bus which will typically cost around IDR 389,425 ($26) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Lake Toba and Padang. We recommend that you take a ferry to Ajibata then drive to Silangit (DTB) then fly from Silangit (DTB) to Minangkabau (PDG). instead which will take 6h 50m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Lake Toba and Padang. We recommend that you take a ferry to Ajibata then drive to Silangit (DTB) then fly from Silangit (DTB) to Minangkabau (PDG). instead which will take 6h 50m.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Lake Toba to Padang. We recommend that you take a ferry to Ajibata then drive to Silangit (DTB) then fly from Silangit (DTB) to Minangkabau (PDG). instead which will take 6h 50m.
The closest major airport to Padang is Minangkabau International Airport (PDG) (PDG) which is approximately 18km (11 miles) from Padang. Sultan Syarif Kasim II Airport (PKU) (PKU) 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
Yes it is possible to drive from Lake Toba and Padang. The distance is around 634km (394 miles) by road and it will take around 9h 55m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Lake Toba to Padang is to take a ferry and then take the bus which takes, on average, 1 day 2h and will usually cost around IDR 449,340 ($30).
Compare travel optionsbetween Lake Toba and Padang
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Taxi and Plane + 2 similar | 7h 30m | IDR 2,725,990($180) | hourly | 1,017km (632 miles) |
| Ferry, Car and Plane | 6h 50m | IDR 3,280,170($220) | 4 times a day | 2,306km (1,433 miles) |
| Ferry, Car, Train and Plane | 8h 40m | IDR 1,422,905($95) | once daily | 765km (475 miles) |
Ferry to Parapat, bus | 1 day 3h | IDR 389,425($26) | once daily | 934km (580 miles) |
Drive + 1 similar | 9h 55m | IDR 539,205($36) | on demand | 634km (394 miles) |
| Ferry and Bus | 1 day 2h | IDR 449,340($30) | every 20 mins | 953km (592 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Lake Toba and Padang
Airlines
PT. Sriwijaya Air
Citilink Indonesia
Batik Air
Wings Air
Lion Mentari Airlines
Bus companies
A.L.S
Putra Pelangi
Ferry operators
ASDP Indonesia Ferry
Train operators
Kereta API
Airports near Padang
The following major airports near Padang offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Indonesia and internationally.
Minangkabau International Airport (PDG)
- Distance
- 18km (11 miles) from Padang
Sultan Syarif Kasim II Airport (PKU)
- Distance
- 196km (122 miles) from Padang
Ferdinand Lumban Tobing Airport (FLZ)
- Distance
- 321km (199 miles) from Padang