How to travel from Padang to Lake Toba, Indonesia
The distance between Padang and Lake Toba is around 634km (394 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly, then drive and then take a ferry which takes around 6h 50m.
5 routes found
We've found 5 different ways to get from Padang to Lake Toba by bus, ferry, car, plane, 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 → Padang if you're planning a return trip.
Plane and Taxi
Fly from Minangkabau (PDG) to Ferdinand Lumban Tobing (FLZ) then take a taxi to Lake Toba.
- 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.
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Padang and Lake Toba
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Padang to Lake Toba by bus, ferry, car, plane, taxi and train. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then take a ferry which costs around IDR 449,340 ($30) and will take around 1 day 2h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly, then drive and then take a ferry and arrive in approximately 6h 50m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately IDR 1,782,375 ($120).
The distance between Padang and Lake Toba 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 Padang and Lake Toba by bus and ferry. If you are travelling by car it will take around 9h 55m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Padang to Lake Toba is to fly, then drive and then take a ferry which takes around 6h 50m and will set you back approx IDR 1,782,375 ($120).
The cheapest way to travel between Padang and Lake Toba, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus and then take a ferry which will typically cost around IDR 449,340 ($30) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Padang and Lake Toba. We recommend that you fly from Minangkabau (PDG) to Silangit (DTB) then drive to Ajibata then take a ferry to Ambarita. instead which will take 6h 50m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Padang and Lake Toba. We recommend that you fly from Minangkabau (PDG) to Silangit (DTB) then drive to Ajibata then take a ferry to Ambarita. instead which will take 6h 50m.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Padang to Lake Toba. We recommend that you fly from Minangkabau (PDG) to Silangit (DTB) then drive to Ajibata then take a ferry to Ambarita. instead which will take 6h 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
Yes it is possible to drive from Padang and Lake Toba. 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 Padang to Lake Toba is to take the bus and then take a ferry which takes, on average, 1 day 2h and will usually cost around IDR 449,340 ($30).
Compare travel optionsbetween Padang and Lake Toba
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Plane and Taxi + 2 similar | 7h 30m | IDR 2,725,990($180) | hourly | 1,020km (634 miles) |
| Plane, Car and Ferry | 6h 50m | IDR 1,782,375($120) | 4 times a day | 2,310km (1,435 miles) |
| Plane, Train, Car and Ferry | 8h 25m | IDR 1,348,015($90) | once daily | 768km (477 miles) |
Drive + 1 similar | 9h 55m | IDR 539,205($36) | on demand | 634km (394 miles) |
| Bus and Ferry | 1 day 2h | IDR 449,340($30) | every 20 mins | 951km (591 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Padang and Lake Toba
Airlines
Batik Air
Lion Mentari Airlines
Citilink Indonesia
Garuda Indonesia
Wings Air
Bus companies
A.L.S
Ferry operators
ASDP Indonesia Ferry
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