1

You could try contacting Langkawi Ferry Services.

2

as Westwood suggests, contact Langkawi Ferry Services

The good old service between Penang and Belawan (the port for Medan) ceased about 5 years ago however a new service between Penang and Langsa (maybe 200km north of Medan) was reported to be commencing 21st February.

The Star reports...
"GEORGE TOWN: A new ferry service between Swettenham Pier here and Langsa in Acheh, Indonesia, will commence on Feb 21 to boost education and medical tourism in Penang..The service operated by Langkawi Ferry Services will begin with one trip each on Mondays and Wednesdays from Penang to Langsa, and single trips from Langsa to Penang on Tuesdays and Thursdays.... The 150km journey takes about seven-and-a-half hours, and can accommodate up to 138 passengers per trip,.....Tickets for a return trip from Penang to Langsa are available at Langkawi Ferry Services in Penang Street at RM180 per adult and RM120 per child."

Kuala Langsa is not approved to issue Visas on Arrival so if you need a visa you will have to get a two month one in advance in Penang before leaving.

It's easier and cheaper to fly.... but not so romantic.... I guess

Om

3

Airasia fly Penang to Medan for about US$45 all-in......(140RM)

4

No more ferry service from Penang to Sumatra! I travelled to Penang and thought the ferry service was on but it no longer operates due to not making enough profit. I booked a flight with Firefly (Penang-Medan) just one day before the flight and it was only 25USD.

Edited by: matyldasays

5

Dear Says, as your trip was in 2012 and the ferry service I reported above was supposed to have commenced Feb this year.........

Yeh, my post was a little on the long side... can't read everything can one!

warm regards Omp

6

Or take ferry from Melaka , Malaysia to Dumai , from Dumai its an overnite bus trip to Medan , road is reasonably good and flat most of the way.

7

#5 You are right, my trip was in November 2012. I checked Langkawi Services website and they even had a ferry timetable- even though the ferries were not operating back then.And that's the only reason I travelled to Penang fom KL and ended up flying.I missed your info about commencing the service on 21st Feb. All I can say is-don't trust the website, give them a call.
I would still consider flying in to Medan though, sometimes you can get great deals and it would save you a lot of hassle.

Edited by: matyldasays

8

Unfortunately websites are not always very good source of info - the ferry timetable for Penang to Belawan is still on website even though it stopped. Information on websites in general whether it be for transport or immigration/visa matters has to be taken with grain of salt.

9

Thanks everyone for taking the time to share info. $25US sounds more than reasonable. If one can fly at this low price I can see why the ferry is not making money...everyone is flying...

10

Pretty much,yes.

Though if there is really this new service,it suggests some people are willing to use it...companies/traders and locals with large amounts of luggage maybe?

11

Well its not always going to be 25 $ , airlines can't give away $25 seats all the time like leaves on a tree otherwise they go broke and from time to time budget airlines prices can be expensive.
In the past some people prefered to go via ferry rather than fly into Medan to avoid being hassled about onward tickets . I'm not suggesting this is still a problem today but years ago sometimes staff at Medan airport would try to extract bribes from people without onward tickets - arriving by ferry its not generally a problem.