Binjai to Medan

The Sri Lelawangsa commuter train, run by KAI Bandara, links Binjai with central Medan, about 21km to the east. Some trains start a little further west at Kuala Bingai, the end of the line, and call at Binjai on the way.

The service: trains run from early morning until late evening, roughly every one to two hours, and take around 20 to 30 minutes to reach Medan. It is a basic ekonomi commuter service with a very low flat fare, busy in the morning peak with people heading into the city for work and school.

Why take it: the Binjai to Medan road is notoriously congested, so the train is often much quicker than a bus or car. If you are coming back from Bukit Lawang or elsewhere in Langkat, getting dropped at Binjai station and finishing the trip by train avoids the worst of the city traffic.

Arriving in Medan: trains terminate at Medan station in the city centre, a short walk from Merdeka Square. The same station is the starting point for the airport train to Kualanamu and for long-distance trains to Pematangsiantar, Tanjung Balai and Rantau Prapat.

Good to know: the line was briefly closed in late 2025 after floods damaged the track near Binjai, and reopened in December 2025. Check the day's departures in Access by KAI or at the station before you travel. For the outbound journey see Medan to Binjai.