Medan to Kualanamu Airport

Kualanamu sits about 30km east of Medan and the rail link runs from Medan's central station directly into the airport terminal in around 40 to 45 minutes, with intermediate stops at Bandar Khalipah, Batang Kuis and Araskabu.

This was the first dedicated airport railway in Indonesia and it remains one of the better ones. The road alternative is subject to the same congestion that affects central Medan, so the train is the predictable option. Under the 2026 timetable the operator, Railink (KAI Bandara), runs 12 trains a day in each direction, from early morning until mid-evening; check the last departure against your flight time.

Onward connections: Medan station is the hub for North Sumatra's rail network, with services south to Rantau Prapat and Tanjungbalai. If you are arriving into Kualanamu and continuing by train, everything routes through here.

North Sumatra's network is entirely self-contained. There is no rail connection from here to any other part of Sumatra or to Java — those journeys require road, ferry or air. For the return journey, see Kualanamu Airport to Medan.