Parapat Getting there & around

Getting there & away

Land

Bus

The bus terminal (Trans-Sumatran Hwy) is about 2km east of town on the way to Bukittinggi, but is not frequently used (so say the travel agents). Prices are highly negotiable, so shop around at the different ticket agents.

Buses to Medan (30, 000Rp, five hours) are frequent, although services taper off in the afternoon. There are also minibuses (50, 000Rp) that deliver passengers to Jl SM Raya in Medan. Other destinations include Sibolga (60, 000Rp, six hours), Bukittinggi (economy/super-executive 160, 000/200, 000Rp, 15 hours) and Padang (economy/super-executive 170, 000/200, 000Rp, 17 hours).

If you’re heading south to Bukittinggi, you get to experience the hazing ritual of travelling the Trans-Sumatran Hwy. The highway is more like a back road and the trip akin to the spin cycle. Now you know how your socks feel.

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