Padang to Minangkabau Airport

The airport train starts at Pulau Aie, near Padang's old harbour quarter, and calls at Padang (Simpang Haru), Alai, Air Tawar, Tabing and Duku before terminating at a station beside the terminal at Minangkabau International Airport (BIM). The full run of roughly 27km takes around 50 minutes to an hour.

Plan around the timetable. There are around six trains a day towards the airport, roughly every two and a half to three hours from early morning to evening. The first leaves soon after 6am, so it will not get you to a dawn flight, and a missed train means a long wait. Check the current times in the app, work back from your check-in time and leave a margin; if nothing fits, take a taxi or ride-hail instead.

The train. The Minangkabau Ekspres opened in May 2018 and uses modern four-car diesel multiple units built by INKA. It is single-class and air-conditioned, with room for luggage, and the airport station has the upswept rumah gadang roof of Minangkabau architecture.

Tickets. This is a local service, so book it in the KA Lokal section of the Access by KAI app, or buy at the station on the day. There is a single flat fare.

Getting to the train. If you are staying near the beachfront or the old town, Pulau Aie is the closer boarding point; Padang station at Simpang Haru suits the eastern side of the city and is also where the Pariaman Express leaves. For arrivals, see Minangkabau Airport to Padang.