City in North Sumatra, Indonesia
Medan for solo travelers
Is Medan good for solo travel?
Sumatra's largest city, useful mainly as a gateway to Lake Toba and Bukit Lawang. Good food and Chinese, Batak and Malay history, but heavy traffic, heat and uneven sidewalks make it a stopover rather than a base.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Manageable for solo women with care. Expect stares and some catcalling; dress modestly, avoid empty streets at night and use app taxis. |
How to meet people in Medan
Couchsurfing and student meetups, food tours on Jalan Selat Panjang, and shared tours to Toba or Bukit Lawang; most solo travelers meet at hostels and on the road.
Good things to do alone
- Tour Tjong A Fie Mansion
- Visit the Maimun Palace and Great Mosque
- Eat durian, soto Medan and Batak food on Jalan Selat Panjang
- Sample Chinese Malay dishes at Kesawan Square
- Day trip to Berastagi's volcanoes and markets
Where to stay in Medan
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Kesawan and the old center | Colonial buildings, Tjong A Fie Mansion, central hotels |
| Polonia and Sei Rengas | Quiet residential streets near the old airport; mid-range hotels |
| Medan Baru and Dr. Mansur | Students, cafés and cheaper long-stay rooms |
| Merdeka Walk and Sun Plaza area | Malls, restaurants, modern hotels |
Solo travel across Indonesia
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Bali | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ubud | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Canggu | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Seminyak | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Uluwatu | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Yogyakarta | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Gili Islands | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lombok | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Labuan Bajo | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sanur | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Mount Bromo | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nusa Lembongan | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lake Toba | 4/5 | Limited |
| Kuta Lombok | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Amed | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Malang | 4/5 | Limited |
| Bukit Lawang | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Manado | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Tana Toraja | 4/5 | Limited |
| Jakarta | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Nusa Penida | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Kuta | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Nusa Dua | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Raja Ampat | 3/5 | Limited |
| Bandung | 3/5 | Limited |
| Batam | 3/5 | Limited |
| Bintan | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Medan | 3/5 | Limited |
| Surabaya | 3/5 | Limited |
| Jimbaran | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
Quick answers
Is Medan good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). Sumatra's largest city, useful mainly as a gateway to Lake Toba and Bukit Lawang.
How do you meet people in Medan?
Couchsurfing and student meetups, food tours on Jalan Selat Panjang, and shared tours to Toba or Bukit Lawang; most solo travelers meet at hostels and on the road. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Medan?
Limited.
Is Medan safe for solo female travelers?
Manageable for solo women with care. Expect stares and some catcalling; dress modestly, avoid empty streets at night and use app taxis.
More about Medan
Going to Medan solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Medan meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.