How to travel from Manado to Lake Toba, Indonesia
The distance between Manado and Lake Toba is around 3,571km (2,219 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly, then drive and then take a ferry which takes around 7h 50m.
2 routes found
We've found 2 different ways to get from Manado to Lake Toba by plane, car, ferry, train and taxi. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Lake Toba → Manado if you're planning a return trip.
Plane, Car and Ferry
Fly from Manado (MDC) to Silangit (DTB) then drive to Ajibata then take a ferry to Ambarita.
- Duration7h 50m
- Flight time5h 20m
- Typical costIDR 1,647,575($110)
Multiple operators
Car, Ferry, Train and Taxi
Drive to Bitung then take a ferry to Surabaya - Tanjung Perak Port then take the train to Pekalongan and then to Jakarta Kota then take a ferry to Belawan then take a taxi to Araskabu then take the train to Siantar then drive to Ajibata then take a ferry to Ambarita.
- Duration6 days 6h
- Departsonce a week
- Typical costIDR 2,066,960($140)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Manado and Lake Toba
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Manado to Lake Toba by plane, car, ferry, train and taxi. The cheapest option is to fly, then drive and then take a ferry which costs around IDR 1,647,575 ($110) and will take around 7h 50m.
The distance between Manado and Lake Toba is around 3,571km (2,219 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 2,885km (1,793 miles)
It takes around 7h 50m to get from Manado and Lake Toba by plane, car and ferry.
The quickest way to get from Manado to Lake Toba is to fly, then drive and then take a ferry which takes around 7h 50m and will set you back approx IDR 1,647,575 ($110).
The cheapest way to travel between Manado and Lake Toba is to fly, then drive and then take a ferry which will typically cost around IDR 1,647,575 ($110) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Manado and Lake Toba. We recommend that you fly from Manado (MDC) to Silangit (DTB) then drive to Ajibata then take a ferry to Ambarita. instead which will take 7h 50m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Manado and Lake Toba. We recommend that you fly from Manado (MDC) to Silangit (DTB) then drive to Ajibata then take a ferry to Ambarita. instead which will take 7h 50m.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Manado to Lake Toba. We recommend that you fly from Manado (MDC) to Silangit (DTB) then drive to Ajibata then take a ferry to Ambarita. instead which will take 7h 50m.
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 Manado to Lake Toba. We recommend that you fly from Manado (MDC) to Silangit (DTB) then drive to Ajibata then take a ferry to Ambarita. instead which will take 7h 50m.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Manado to Lake Toba is to fly, then drive and then take a ferry which takes, on average, 7h 50m and will usually cost around IDR 1,647,575 ($110).
Compare travel optionsbetween Manado and Lake Toba
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Plane, Car and Ferry | 7h 50m | IDR 1,647,575($110) | 4 times a day | 3,571km (2,219 miles) |
Car, Ferry, Train and Taxi | 6 days 6h | IDR 2,066,960($140) | once a week | 5,118km (3,180 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Manado and Lake Toba
Airlines
Citilink Indonesia
Batik Air
Train operators
Kereta API
Ferry operators
ASDP Indonesia Ferry
Pelni
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