Cost of Living in Medan
How much does it cost to visit Medan? Daily budgets, accommodation costs, and real price examples for 2026.
Photo: Pietro De Grandi / Unsplash
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget
Hostels, street food, free attractions
IDR 300000
per day
Weekly: IDR 2100000
Monthly: IDR 9000000
Examples
- 🏨Hotel Madani Medan (basic room)IDR 150000
- 🍽️Nasi Padang from a local warungIDR 50000
- 🚌Ride-sharing apps (Gojek/Grab) for short tripsIDR 50000
- 🎟️Explore Maimun Palace and Great Mosque of MedanIDR 50000
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, restaurants, guided tours
IDR 700000
per day
Weekly: IDR 4900000
Monthly: IDR 21000000
Examples
- 🏨Santika Premiere Dyandra Hotel & Convention Medan (standard room)IDR 350000
- 🍽️Lunch at Ucok Durian (famous durian stall) and dinner at Soto Medan Bu AtiekIDR 200000
- 🚌Private car hire for half dayIDR 100000
- 🎟️Visit the Museum of North Sumatra and browse Pasar Ikan LamaIDR 50000
Luxury
5-star hotels, fine dining, private tours
IDR 1500000
per day
Weekly: IDR 10500000
Monthly: IDR 45000000
Examples
- 🏨JW Marriott Hotel Medan (deluxe room)IDR 800000
- 🍽️Fine dining at The Traders (JW Marriott) and coffee at Kopi OeyIDR 400000
- 🚌Private car hire for full day with driverIDR 200000
- 🎟️Spa treatment at hotel and visit Rahmat International Wildlife Museum & GalleryIDR 100000
Cost by Category
accommodation
150000-500000 IDR
food
100000-250000 IDR
Transport
50000-100000 IDR
activities
50000-200000 IDR
Cost by Neighbourhood
| Neighbourhood | Budget Level | vs City Centre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medan City Center (Pusat Kota) | Mid-range | average | first-timers, culture |
| Ring Road/Gatsu | Budget | slightly cheaper | families, digital nomads |
| Jalan Asia/Thamrin | Budget | slightly cheaper | foodies, nightlife |
Money-Saving Tips for Medan
🏨 Accommodation
- Stay in budget neighbourhoods outside the tourist centre
- Book apartments for longer stays (weekly discounts)
- Travel in shoulder season for lower hotel rates
- Compare prices across multiple booking platforms
🍽️ Food & Drink
- Eat where locals eat, away from tourist hotspots
- Try street food and market stalls for cheap eats
- Buy lunch specials instead of evening meals
- Cook some meals if your accommodation has a kitchen
🚌 Transport
- Buy multi-day transit passes for unlimited travel
- Walk between nearby attractions to save fares
- Use public transport over taxis where possible
- Book airport transfers in advance for fixed prices
🎟️ Activities
- Take free walking tours (tip-based)
- Look for free museum days or discounted hours
- Book tours and activities online for lower prices
- Explore parks, markets, and neighbourhoods on foot
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FAQ: Medan Costs
How much does it cost to visit Medan?
Budget travellers can visit Medan for around IDR 300000/day (IDR 2100000/week). Mid-range travellers should budget IDR 700000/day, while luxury travel costs around IDR 1500000/day.
Is Medan expensive?
Medan is on the expensive side. Budget travellers need at least IDR 300000/day. Consider staying in budget neighbourhoods and eating at local spots to save.
How much should I budget per day in Medan?
For a comfortable mid-range experience in Medan, budget IDR 700000/day. This covers a decent hotel, meals at sit-down restaurants, public transport, and a couple of activities.
What is the cheapest way to visit Medan?
Budget travellers in Medan can get by on IDR 300000/day by staying in hostels or budget hotels, eating street food and local restaurants, using public transport, and choosing free walking tours and public attractions.