TRANSPORT

Transport schedules & travel tips

NEW: Fly from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) directly to Banda Aceh (Indonesia) The Malaysian based internet-bookings airline Air Asia starts flying 3 times a week directly from Kuala Lumpur to Banda Aceh on 6 November 2007. Great offers starting at only Rp 29.999 (2,35 Euro/ 3,30 US $ without taxes and fees). www.airasia.com NOTE: Banda Aceh airport is not a Visa-on-Arrival entrypoint yet, so get your visa before at an Indonesian Embassy if you don't have visa-free entry. More about visa>

FLIGHTS FROM KUALA LUMPUR TO BANDA ACEH (KUL-BTJ) Tues, Fri, Sunday Air Asia AK921 ETD: 11:55 ETA: 12:20 FLIGHTS FROM BANDA ACEH TO KUALA LUMPUR (BTJ-KUL) Tues, Fri, Sunday Air Asia AK922 ETD: 12:45 ETA: 15:10 Good connections with the fast ferry to and from Pulau Weh!

Via Medan on Sumatra You can also enter Indonesia through Medan on Sumatra. There are a number of international flights flying in from Penang, Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Singapore. (Garuda, Malaysian Airlines, Silkair, China Air, Lion Air, Jatayu, Air Asia a.o.). From Penang (Malaysia) there is also a daily fast ferry to Medan.

Belawan Seaport and Polonia Airport in Medan are visa-on-arrival entry points. Info Indonesian visa regulations> Note: Since 19 May 2005 no more special permits are needed to visit Aceh.

From Jakarta and Medan to Banda Aceh *The transport schedules change frequently! Last updated: 10 October 2007 There are 4 airline companies offering daily flights between Jakarta, Medan and Banda Aceh: Garuda Airlines, Adam Air, Lion Air and Sriwijaya Air . FLIGHTS FROM JAKARTA TO BANDA ACEH (CGK-BTJ) daily Garuda GA178 ETD: 06:15 ETA: 09:00 daily AdamAir KI214 ETD: 06:40 ETA: 10:15 * Lion Air JT304 ETD: 07:30 ETA: 10:10 daily Sriwijaya Air SJ016 ETD: 08:40 ETA: 12:20 daily Garuda GA184 ETD: 09:25 ETA: 13:20 * Lion Air JT396 ETD: 13:25 ETA: 17:20 daily Garuda GA190 ETD: 13:00 ETA: 16:55 FLIGHTS FROM MEDAN TO BANDA ACEH (MES-BTJ) daily AdamAir KI214 ETD: 09:15 ETA: 10:15 daily Sriwijaya Air SJ 016 ETD: 11:20 ETA: 12:20 daily Garuda GA184 ETD: 12:20 ETA: 13:20 daily Garuda GA190 ETD: 15:55 ETA: 16:55 daily Lion Air JT396 ETD: 16:20 ETA: 17:20 FLIGHTS FROM BANDA ACEH TO MEDAN (BTJ-MES) daily Garuda GA187 ETD: 09:35 ETA: 10:35 daily AdamAir KI215 ETD: 10:45 ETA: 11:45 daily Lion Air JT397 ETD: 10:40 ETA: 11:40 daily Garuda GA189 ETD: 13:55 ETA: 14:55 daily Sriwijaya Air SJ017 ETD: 12:50 ETA: 13:50 daily Garuda GA197 ETD: 17:02 ETA: 18:20 FLIGHTS FROM BANDA ACEH TO JAKARTA(BTJ-CGK) * Lion Air JT304 ETD: 10:40 ETA: 11:40 daily Garuda GA187 ETD: 09:35 ETA: 13:30 daily Sriwijaya Air SJ017 ETD: 12:50 ETA: 16:30 * Lion Air JT396 ETD: 17:55 ETA: 20:35 daily Garuda GA188 ETD: 13:55 ETA: 17:50 daily Garuda GA197 ETD: 17:30 ETA: 21:25 * NOTE: The schedule of Lion Air is irregular, please check with your travel agent or on Lion Air's website. Prices for flights Medan - Banda Aceh, one way (double for return): Garuda uses 10 different price classes, from Rp 395.000 till Rp 924.400 (business class) More details on www.garuda-indonesia.com Adam Air has 5 different rates between Rp 290.000 and Rp 680.000 www.flyadamair.com Lion Air starts at Rp. 240.000 till Rp 648.000 www.lionair.co.id Sriwijaya Air starts at Rp 288.000 till Rp 668.000 www.sriwijayaair-online.com Prices for flights Jakarta - Banda Aceh, one way (double for return): Garuda around Rp 885.000 to Rp 2.735.000 Lion Air starting at Rp 649.000

From Banda Aceh to Pulau Weh From the airport of Banda Aceh, it's about a half hour drive to Ulee Lheu, close to the center of Banda Aceh, from where the ferries to Balohan (Pulau Weh's ferry harbour) are leaving. FAST PASSENGER FERRIES FROM BANDA ACEH TO PULAU WEH daily Pulo Rondo ETD: 09:30 ETA: 10:30 daily Baruna Duta ETD: 16:00 ETA: 17:00 SLOW CAR/PASSENGER FERRY FROM BANDA ACEH TO PULAU WEH Daily ETD: 14:00 ETA: 16:15 NOTE: occasionally the ferry runs 2 x a day, check in the harbour. ETD: 11:00 & 17:00 ETA: 13:15 & 19:15 FAST PASSENGER FERRIES FROM PULAU WEH TO BANDA ACEH daily Baruna Duta (fast ferry) ETD: 08:30 ETA: 09:30 daily Pulo Rondo (fast ferry) ETD: 16:00 ETA: 17:00 SLOW CAR/PASSENGER FERRY FROM PULAU WEH TO BANDA ACEH Daily ETD: 08:00 ETA: 10:15 NOTE: occasionally the ferry runs 2 x a day, check in the harbour. ETD: 08:00 & 14:00 ETA: 10:15 & 16:15

In Balohan on Pulau Weh there will be mini busses waiting for public transport to the town Sabang (around Rp 20.000), from where you can look for some local transport to the beaches. There are not enough regular schedules to the beaches though (best before noon), so expect you'll need a taxi or a chartered minibus, especially after arriving with the afternoon ferry. Taxi's on the island are fairly expensive, count on around 150.000 to 200.000 for a taxi from the harbour straight to Gapang Beach, or around Rp 50.000 per person in a minibus, for the one hour scenic trip around bays and over steep hills with prime forest and many monkeys.

Note For checking the latest updates or if you need assistance with transport arrangements, like our recommended travel agency for tickets in Medan, just call/SMS us or send a mail.

More travel tips & practicalities

International ATM The first international ATM was placed in Sabang at Bank BRI . It's now possible to withdraw cash Rupiah from international accounts. Unfortunately it only dispenses Rp 500.000 per transaction. Beware that cards with the VISA/VISA electron logo aren't working yet. At the diveshop, we accept cash Euro, US Dollar, Rupiah, or any major currency and payments by VISA & MASTERCARD creditcards and by bank tranfers.