Comments on: How to travel by ferry from Malaysia to Indonesia (Sumatra)

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 07:18:43 +0000

In reply to Fri. You're welcome, happy it helped! Enjoy Sumatra:)

By: Fri

Fri — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 04:06:35 +0000

Thanks a lot for this detailed description of your journey. We arrived by Ferry in Tanjung Balai, Sumatra yesterday and it was super helpful to have your info 🙂 all is still as you described!

By: Dmitry

Dmitry — Sat, 24 May 2025 08:54:35 +0000

Thanks for the update, Sarah!

I had an idea (for reasons that appeared already in May) to go from Malaysia to Medan, but my 30 day stamp was ending on May 18th (many times have been in Malaysia, but first time till the last day), And I was in Langkawi for the week before that, but flights from Penang to Medan (mere 40 minutes and not even by a turboprop plane) were more expensive than Medan to Bangkok! While as I know, the ferry from Penang hasn’t been running for a long time “due to airlines competition”, and the said airlines are now jacking up the prices.

So since my final destination was Hua Hin, I just decided “next time”, and left by ferry + Grab + 2 trains to Hat Yai for a couple of days (direct train from Padang Besar would be not that great, unlike if traveling to Bkk, as it arrives to Hua Hin 5:12am). But if the “next time” will be from Kuala Lumpur/Malacca (or in the opposite direction) – sounds like a great trip if there is a ferry to Tanjung Balai, not just to Dumai as I thought before.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 03 May 2025 14:40:33 +0000

In reply to helen. Oyv wasn't planning on grabbing anyone, so probably ok.

By: helen

helen — Sat, 03 May 2025 10:05:26 +0000

When it says ladies waiting area it means for women only

By: Leilane Ribeiro

Leilane Ribeiro — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 09:01:56 +0000

Thank you for this very useful information, Sarah!
🤗