Your stay — Medan Hostel
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The Property — Medan Hostel
Medan Hostel keeps things straightforward in a converted shophouse near Merdeka Square. The open-plan lobby has concrete floors, a rattan sofa, and a noticeboard with local bus timetables — functional and clean rather than stylish. It suits solo travellers and backpackers who want a cheap, central bed with decent wifi, not atmosphere or frills. The main draw is the price and location, not the property itself.
Chronicles of Medan
Medan grew from a small kampung into a plantation boomtown under Dutch colonial rule in the late 19th century, when tobacco, rubber and palm oil made it Sumatra's commercial capital. Its architecture still reflects that era: the art deco Tjong A Fie Mansion and the old City Hall date from the 1900s. After independence, the city swelled with migrants, especially from North Sumatra's Batak, Malay and Chinese communities, creating a dense, chaotic urban centre. Today, Medan is Indonesia's fourth-largest city and a gateway to Lake Toba, but its own charms lie in its merciless traffic, street food alleys and fading colonial buildings.
Best Time to Visit
Full Medan guide →Best months
June and July offer the driest weather, with afternoon showers possible but far less daily rain than the wet season. Crowds are moderate as domestic tourists visit Lake Toba; the city itself never feels overrun.
Peak / festival surge
Idul Fitri (likely March/April 2026) is the busiest period, when Jakarta-based families return to Medan en masse; hotel prices can double and rooms book out weeks ahead. The Medan Fair, held June–July each year at the Jalan Pancing grounds, also draws local crowds but doesn't spike accommodation rates much.
Budget shoulder season
May and September are excellent shoulder months: still relatively dry, cheaper rooms, and fewer domestic tourists than the June–August school holidays. September sees the start of a secondary rain spike but generally still manageable.
Weather & packing
Medan is hot and humid year-round, but July afternoons often bring a short, heavy downpour around 3–4pm. Pack a compact umbrella and quick-dry clothing; leave jeans at home — cotton shorts and a light long-sleeved shirt work better.
Live City Briefing — Medan
- The Maimun Palace area is undergoing street repairs until late 2026; access to the palace is still open but expect traffic delays and some diversion signs.
- A new direct bus route from Kualanamu Airport to Merdeka Square launched in early 2026, running every 30 minutes until 10pm; it stops two blocks from the hostel.
- Several coffee shops around Jalan Hindu District have extended opening hours to 11pm during Ramadan (late February–March 2026), but in July they operate normally.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Medan Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 facing the rear of the building (away from Jalan Setia Luhur). These floors are high enough to avoid ground-level street noise, and the rear aspect reduces traffic rumble.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 (ground level) due to direct street noise and foot traffic from the lobby. Also avoid rooms facing Jalan Setia Luhur on any floor, as this is a secondary road but still carries local motorbike and car noise, especially during morning and evening rush hours.
Best views
Rooms on the rear side of upper floors (3 or 4) look over Medan's low-rise residential and small commercial area — a cityscape of rooftops and greenery, not spectacular but calm. Street-facing rooms see Jalan Setia Luhur and its passing traffic.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest, as they sit above the main street-level din but below any roof-level facilities. Floor 2 is acceptable but may pick up some lobby noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Jalan Setia Luhur is a secondary local road, not a major highway, but expect motorbike noise from 7am to 9pm. The hostel's entrance on this street means check-in and taxi drop-offs create short bursts of noise. Any nearby mosque speakers may carry call to prayer, audible on all floors (common in Medan).
Insider tips
1. Check in early afternoon (2-4pm) to secure a rear-facing room — the desk may assign a street-facing one if you arrive late. 2. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs for the call to prayer regardless of room choice; the sound carries city-wide.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Medan Hostel
Free WiFi throughout, speeds around 10 Mbps down / 3 Mbps up, no login or time limit (works well for messaging and browsing, not for streaming).
No lift. The hostel is a converted two-storey shophouse with stairs only to the upper floor.
No digital newsstand. A single physical copy of Kompas is available in the common area, but often goes missing by midday.
Check-in is from 14:00. Free early bag drop is available from 09:00 if your room is not ready. Late check-out until 12:00 costs IDR 100,000; after 12:00 you pay for an extra night.
Free for check-in day; after checkout you can store bags for IDR 25,000 per bag for up to 6 hours.
Step-free entry through the main door with a small ramp; however the stairs to the upper floor are narrow and steep. There is no wheelchair-accessible bathroom on the ground floor.
No on-site parking. The nearest public car park is at Jalan Setia Budi Parking Lot, about 300 m walk, IDR 15,000 per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None; local government does not impose a separate tourist tax for hostels.
Deposit & card hold: A 50% advance deposit is required to confirm the booking; a IDR 200,000 incidental hold on a credit card is taken at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Masjid Imanurrahman (644 m · ~8 min walk)
- Mosque: Masjid At-Taqwa (696 m · ~9 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Vihara Padma Karuna (768 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: GBKP Runggun Luhur (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Millennium Plaza — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
ATM Mandiri — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
Apotek Kimia Farma — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Helvetia — 318 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indonesian Rupiah, IDR
Use authorised money changers in the city centre, not airports or tourist bureaux that give poor rates. Avoid street changers.
Cards accepted in larger shops, hotels and mid-range restaurants; many local eateries and markets cash only.
Not expected but rounding up taxis or leaving 5-10% at nicer restaurants is appreciated. Hotel porters: 10,000-20,000 IDR.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local kopi tubruk or iced coffee from a street stall, around 5,000-8,000 IDR.
Nasi padang or a bowl of mie ayam at a warung, 15,000-25,000 IDR.
Main dish of grilled fish or ayam penyet at a simple restaurant, 20,000-40,000 IDR.
Jalan Semarang and area around Lapangan Merdeka have cheap stalls and night market vendors.
Hypermart and Transmart are common budget supermarket chains in this area.
Pasar Petisah or Pasar Ramai for affordable clothing and local brands.
Angkot (minibus) at about 5,000 IDR per ride; from airport take the Damri bus (around 25,000 IDR) or share a Grab.
Eat at warung or street food rather than sit-down restaurants. Use GrabBike instead of taxis for short trips. Always agree on fare or use metered taxis.
Good to know — Medan
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ IDR 18090.75 · IDR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Medan, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Medan Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · ATM Mandiri — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk — pharmacy · Apotek Kimia Farma — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) → Medan Station (Stasiun Medan)
💡 This is the fastest option from the airport. From Medan Station, the Grand Sakura Hotel is a 5-minute taxi ride (about 30,000 IDR). Don’t take the slow local economy bus from the station—spring for a metered taxi.
Grand Sakura Hotel, Medan → Local destinations (e.g. Merdeka Square, Kesawan)
💡 Use motorcycle taxis (ojek) for short hops between 2–5 km—they’ll slip through traffic. For longer evening trips or if it’s raining, book a car. Always type the hotel name exactly: 'Grand Sakura Medan'.
Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) → Grand Sakura Hotel, Medan
💡 Buy a fixed-price coupon from the official taxi counter inside the arrivals hall. Avoid unmarked drivers offering rides right outside the terminal—they can charge double.
Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) → Grand Sakura Hotel, Medan (alight at Jalan Sisingamangaraja bus stop, then 10-min walk or ojek)
💡 Get off at the Sisingamangaraja stop—it’s the closest to the hotel. You’ll need to walk or grab a scooter taxi (ojek) for the last 800 metres. Keep small bills ready for the fare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Medan Hostel?
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 facing the rear of the building (away from Jalan Setia Luhur). These floors are high enough to avoid ground-level street noise, and the rear aspect reduces traffic rumble.
Which rooms should I avoid at Medan Hostel?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 (ground level) due to direct street noise and foot traffic from the lobby. Also avoid rooms facing Jalan Setia Luhur on any floor, as this is a secondary road but still carries local motorbike and car noise, especially during morning and evening rush hours.
Is Medan Hostel noisy?
Jalan Setia Luhur is a secondary local road, not a major highway, but expect motorbike noise from 7am to 9pm. The hostel's entrance on this street means check-in and taxi drop-offs create short bursts of noise. Any nearby mosque speakers may carry call to prayer, audible on all floors (common in Medan).
Which rooms have the best views at Medan Hostel?
Rooms on the rear side of upper floors (3 or 4) look over Medan's low-rise residential and small commercial area — a cityscape of rooftops and greenery, not spectacular but calm. Street-facing rooms see Jalan Setia Luhur and its passing traffic.
What are insider tips for staying at Medan Hostel?
1. Check in early afternoon (2-4pm) to secure a rear-facing room — the desk may assign a street-facing one if you arrive late. 2. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs for the call to prayer regardless of room choice; the sound carries city-wide.
What time is check-in at Medan Hostel?
Check-in at Medan Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Medan Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout, speeds around 10 Mbps down / 3 Mbps up, no login or time limit (works well for messaging and browsing, not for streaming).
Is there a city or tourist tax at Medan Hostel?
None; local government does not impose a separate tourist tax for hostels.
Where can I eat cheaply near Medan Hostel?
Nasi padang or a bowl of mie ayam at a warung, 15,000-25,000 IDR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Medan Hostel?
Angkot (minibus) at about 5,000 IDR per ride; from airport take the Damri bus (around 25,000 IDR) or share a Grab.
When is the best time to visit Medan?
June and July offer the driest weather, with afternoon showers possible but far less daily rain than the wet season. Crowds are moderate as domestic tourists visit Lake Toba; the city itself never feels overrun.
Top Attractions in Medan
💡 Best at dusk when the food stalls open. Try the local martabak (stuffed pancake) from a stall near the fountain – about 15,000 IDR.
💡 Non-Muslim visitors welcome outside prayer times. Remove shoes and cover shoulders; robes are provided. Combine with Maimun Palace as they are 10 minutes apart on foot.
💡 Free to enter the grounds and main hall, but donations accepted. Wear long trousers or a sarong; they lend them at the entrance.
💡 Entry is 35,000 IDR (about £2). Go early to avoid crowds and check the upstairs balcony for quiet views.
💡 Entry 5,000 IDR (about 30p). The keris (ceremonial dagger) collection on the upper floor is the highlight. Allow 1 hour.