Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) is located about 24km from Medan city. There are many ways to travel between Medan Airport and Medan City, such as taxi, airport transfer, and by train.
In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about how to travel from Kualanamu airport to Medan city by train, from route, schedule, ticket price, how to buy, what to expect at train stations and the train interior.
The airport train is called Airport Railink Train (or KA Bandara in Indonesian language). There are 2 lines and 7 stations in total, connecting Kualanamu Airport with Medan City as well as various small towns in North Sumatera province.
The duration of the train journey between Kualanamu Airport and Medan City is approximately 42 to 45 minutes. The duration is similar to that of using a car, but you’re not subjected to the risk of traffic jam.
From my experience so far, it isn’t necessary to book KNO-Medan ticket in advance because I don’t know if my flight will be delayed. However, for Medan-KNO route, I would book in advance because I don’t want to risk missing my flight if the train ticket is sold out.
KNO Airport Railink Train Route & Schedule
PS: The schedule may change from time to time, check their official website or Facebook for the latest schedule.
KNO Airport Railink Train Ticket Price
The ticket price for train journey between Kualanamu Airport and Medan City is IDR 70k one-way, per person. Children above 3 years old or taller than 90cm will need to purchase a ticket.
The below table shows the price of Kualanamu Line in Indonesian Rupiah:
| STATION | Medan | Bandar Khalipah | Batang Kuis | Araskabu | Kualanamu |
| Medan | – | 10K | 20K | 30K | 70K |
| Bandar Khalipah | 10K | – | 10K | 20K | 60K |
| Batang Kuis | 20K | 10K | – | 10K | 50K |
| Araskabu | 30K | 20K | 10K | – | 40K |
| Kualanamu | 70K | 60K | 50K | 40K | – |
The below table shows the price of Srilelawangsa Line in Indonesian Rupiah:
| STATION | Kuala Bingai | Binjai | Medan |
| Kuala Bingai | – | 2K | 7K |
| Binjai | 2K | – | 5K |
| Medan | 7K | 5K | – |
Do take note that from Kuala Bingai & Binjai (both stations are under Srilelawangsa Line), you can’t buy a through ticket to Kualanamu Airport. Instead, you need to transit at Medan. That means, you need to buy 2 separate tickets.
PS: The ticket price may change from time to time, check their official website or Facebook for the latest price.
How to Buy Train Ticket
Via Ticketing Machine
You can buy train ticket using the ticketing machine that’s available at train stations. The machine accepts local payment methods, as well as international credit/debit cards.
If you find any difficulties, you can approach the staff who will be able to guide you through the process.
For me, I had difficulty when the system asked me for my phone number. I tried to type my international phone number, but the system only allows local number. I asked the staff and they said just simply type any number. Oh well…
After making payment, the machine will print out a physical ticket with QR code and train details. You will need the QR code to enter the train and exit the train.
Important: Keep holding on to your physical ticket until you arrive at your destination, because you will need to scan one more time when exiting at your destination.
Via Mobile App
A more convenient way to purchase the airport train ticket is via Mobile App. The official app is called KA Bandara app. It can be downloaded from App Store or Google Play Store.
This KA Bandara app is developed by PT Railink, which also operates airport train in other cities, such as Jakarta and Yogyakarta. So, you can use the same KA Bandara app to purchase airport train tickets in Jakarta and Yogyakarta.
To purchase the airport train ticket, you need to create an account via this KA Bandara app. Payment can be made with international credit cards and various local payment methods.
If you don’t want to create an account, then you can consider purchasing via website which I’ll describe in the next section.
Don’t confuse this with KAI Access app (App Store/Google Play). This app is developed by PT. Kereta Api Indonesia which operates long-distance intercity trains in Indonesia. If you use this app, when you choose airport train, you will be directed to the website. So, this app is useless for purchasing airport train tickets.
Via Website
To purchase train ticket without creating an account, you can head to Railink Official website and choose your route.
You can purchase tickets one week in advance. Similar to the app, payment can be made with international credit cards and various local payment methods.
The e-ticket (which contain QR code) will be sent to your email. On the travel day, simply scan the QR code at the turnstile to enter train boarding gate.
Departing from Kualanamu Train Station
The train station at Kualanamu is located right outside arrival. It’s just 1 minute of walk from the Arrival.
From Arrival Hall, come out from the terminal building and simply cross the road and head to the Public Transportation sign as shown in the below photo.
Right at the entrance, there is a monitor that shows you the next train departure.
The Public Transportation building has 2 floors: Level 1 and Mezzanine.
Level 1 is where all the public transportations (train, bus, taxi) and retail stores (food, minimart) are located at. Meanwhile, the Mezzanine only has a prayer room.
As soon as you enter the building, you will see the ticketing machines for the airport train. You can purchase your ticket here, if you haven’t.
Walk a little further inside, and soon you will arrive at the waiting area for the train station.
There is a minimart / convenience store where you can grab some snacks or drinks.
There is also a cafe if you need to fuel up.
There are 3 platforms. Platform 1 and 3 are for arrivals, while Platform 2 is for departure.
The departure gate opens about 15 minutes before departure. You’ll need to scan your ticket’s QR code to enter.
The platforms are indoor, so it’s a challenge to take photo with the train’s exterior.
Arriving at Medan Train Station
After about 42-45 minutes, you will arrive at Medan Train Station. Here, the train platform is an elevated platform without any barriers.
To exit the platform, you can take either a lift or a narrow escalator down.
At the exit gate, you’ll need to scan your ticket’s QR code, so get your code ready.
The train station at Medan has 2 exits: Exit A and Exit B.
Exit A goes to Lapangan Merdeka (town square). Exit B goes to Jalan Jawa and Medan Centre Point.
If you’re getting a ride-hailing (such as Grab or Gojek), just choose your pick-up point accordingly.
If you’re looking to find restaurants, take Exit B and go to Centre Point. It’s a shopping mall with a supermarket, restaurants and various retail stores.
For us, we decided to head to Centre Point for a meal. On our way towards Exit B, we walked through a link bridge which allowed us a glimpse of a stationary Airport Train.
After coming out from Exit B, we had to cross the road to reach Centre Point. Nope, there are no zebra crossing. You just wait until there’s no car nearby, then you cross the road.
Departing from Medan Train Station
There are 2 buildings at Medan Train Station. The one facing Lapangan Merdeka is the building for local & intercity trains. Meanwhile, the other one facing Centre Point Mall is the building for airport train.
Both of these buildings are connected to each other via a link bridge. So, it’s okay to enter at whichever building.
When you arrive at the second floor of the airport train station building, you will see ticketing machines as well as waiting area.
The departure gate will open about 15 minutes before departure. You’ll need to scan your ticket’s QR code to enter.
After passing through the gate, you’ll need to take a lift or a narrow escalator up to the platform level.
Here’s the elevated train platform at Medan train station.
Arriving at Kualanamu Train Station
When the train arrives at Kualanamu Train Station, scan your ticket’s QR code again to exit. Then, walk out of the train station building, and you will soon arrive at Kualanamu Airport Terminal building.
Departure is located at Level 2, while Arrival is located at Level 1. If you’re heading to departure, you can take the travellator up to Level 2.
Train Exterior and Interior
The train exterior and interior are pretty sleek in my opinion.
Each car has a number attached to it. At the moment, all tickets indicate free seating. I imagine in the future if the demand picks up, they might have to assign seats, so these car numbers will come in handy.
The interior of Medan Airport Train is quite clean and bright. The seat configuration is 2-2.
There is a toilet onboard, and it’s cleanliness is acceptable. Nope, I don’t have a picture of it. Let’s say I prefer to hold my pee as much as I can.
The seats come in 2 facings. The backrest can’t be adjusted, that means you can’t change your seat’s facing.
If you are prone to motion sickness, definitely choose the seat that faces the same direction the train is traveling towards.
There are luggage racks near the door, for you to store your luggage. However, there is no overhead bag storage.
During my trip, the last car usually gets the least number of people. For a moment, it felt like we had an entire car for ourselves, until some people decided to join us.
Views along the Way
The part that I love the most on this train is the views! When departing from Kualanamu, you’ll get to enjoy greeneries and farms during the first half of the trip, followed by city views during the second half.
During our KNO-Medan route, the sky was bright blue so the photos turned out amazing. But for our Medan-KNO route, the sky was overcast, so the photos are less than colorful.
Now, I’ll just let the photos do the talking. Here are the first set of photos that I took chronologically during our KNO-Medan leg.
Here are the second set of photos that I took chronologically during our Medan-KNO leg.
Have any feedback or experience to share about Medan airport train? Comment below.
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