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Sumatera Barat
PADANG
PADANG The city of Padang is the largest city on the west coast of the island of Sumatra and serves as the capital of the province of West Sumatra, Indonesia. It acts as Indonesia’s western gateway from the Indian Ocean. The history of Padang is inseparable from its role as part of the Minangkabau *rantau* (outlying territory); it began as a fishing village at the mouth of the Batang Arau River and later developed into a bustling port city following the arrival of the Dutch.
About this destination
HOW TO GET THERE
By Air
Minangkabau International Airport is located in Ketapang, Padang Pariaman. This new airport replaced the former Tabing Airport, which previously served as a military base. Both domestic and international flights operate out of a single terminal building.
Several airlines serve Padang: AirAsia (to Kuala Lumpur), Garuda Indonesia (to Jakarta), Batavia Air (to Jakarta), Lion Air (to Jakarta and Batam), and Sriwijaya Air (to Jakarta and Medan). Tigerair Mandala currently offers direct flights from Jakarta and Singapore.
By Sea
Teluk Bayur is a major port primarily used for cargo shipping, while also serving commercial vessels traveling to various destinations within Indonesia and abroad. The Teluk Bayur area offers beautiful sea views and lush green forests along the coastline. It takes approximately half an hour to reach Teluk Bayur from the city of Padang.
From Muara Port, you can travel to islands such as Sikuai, Cubadak, and Pagang, as well as the Mentawai Islands. Most travelers visit these islands in large groups, allowing them to charter an entire boat. ASIMI provides trips to the Mentawai Islands; the journey takes about 12 hours, with departures typically scheduled for 8:00 PM, though this may vary depending on tidal conditions.
By Train
A railway network connects Padang to Pariaman in the north, Padangpanjang to the northeast, and Solok and Sawahlunto to the east. The largest railway hub is Padang Station, commonly known as Simpang Haru Station. The *Sibinuang* and *Dang Tuanku* trains provide service between Padang (Simpang Haru) and Pariaman in both directions. Cars and *Angkot* (Public Minibuses)
If you are arriving from Bukittinggi, ask the locals how to catch an *angkot* (public minibus) to Jambu Air; the fare should be around IDR 2,000 – IDR 3,000. From Jambu Air, you can transfer to a van heading to Padang. The fare is between IDR 20,000 and IDR 3,000, and the journey takes 2–3 hours. These vans typically depart once they have enough passengers—often waiting until they are completely full. Women are advised to wear long trousers and long-sleeved tops when entering the city area.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit the city is between July and August, as many festivals take place during these months.
LOCAL LANGUAGE
The language spoken in Padang is Minangkabau (*baso Minang*), a language within the Malay family. It serves as the mother tongue for the Minangkabau people, particularly in the province of West Sumatra.
The Minangkabau language features numerous dialects; even neighboring villages separated by a river may have distinct dialects. Notable differences can be found between the dialect spoken in the South Coast (*Pesisir Selatan*) region of West Sumatra and the dialect spoken in Mukomuko, Bengkulu.
By Air
Minangkabau International Airport is located in Ketapang, Padang Pariaman. This new airport replaced the former Tabing Airport, which previously served as a military base. Both domestic and international flights operate out of a single terminal building.
Several airlines serve Padang: AirAsia (to Kuala Lumpur), Garuda Indonesia (to Jakarta), Batavia Air (to Jakarta), Lion Air (to Jakarta and Batam), and Sriwijaya Air (to Jakarta and Medan). Tigerair Mandala currently offers direct flights from Jakarta and Singapore.
By Sea
Teluk Bayur is a major port primarily used for cargo shipping, while also serving commercial vessels traveling to various destinations within Indonesia and abroad. The Teluk Bayur area offers beautiful sea views and lush green forests along the coastline. It takes approximately half an hour to reach Teluk Bayur from the city of Padang.
From Muara Port, you can travel to islands such as Sikuai, Cubadak, and Pagang, as well as the Mentawai Islands. Most travelers visit these islands in large groups, allowing them to charter an entire boat. ASIMI provides trips to the Mentawai Islands; the journey takes about 12 hours, with departures typically scheduled for 8:00 PM, though this may vary depending on tidal conditions.
By Train
A railway network connects Padang to Pariaman in the north, Padangpanjang to the northeast, and Solok and Sawahlunto to the east. The largest railway hub is Padang Station, commonly known as Simpang Haru Station. The *Sibinuang* and *Dang Tuanku* trains provide service between Padang (Simpang Haru) and Pariaman in both directions. Cars and *Angkot* (Public Minibuses)
If you are arriving from Bukittinggi, ask the locals how to catch an *angkot* (public minibus) to Jambu Air; the fare should be around IDR 2,000 – IDR 3,000. From Jambu Air, you can transfer to a van heading to Padang. The fare is between IDR 20,000 and IDR 3,000, and the journey takes 2–3 hours. These vans typically depart once they have enough passengers—often waiting until they are completely full. Women are advised to wear long trousers and long-sleeved tops when entering the city area.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit the city is between July and August, as many festivals take place during these months.
LOCAL LANGUAGE
The language spoken in Padang is Minangkabau (*baso Minang*), a language within the Malay family. It serves as the mother tongue for the Minangkabau people, particularly in the province of West Sumatra.
The Minangkabau language features numerous dialects; even neighboring villages separated by a river may have distinct dialects. Notable differences can be found between the dialect spoken in the South Coast (*Pesisir Selatan*) region of West Sumatra and the dialect spoken in Mukomuko, Bengkulu.