Travel Options: Your Guide to Get to Nias by Flight or Ferry
- Petra Eggenberger
- Jul 30, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 19
Planning your trip to Nias? You can either fly via Medan or take the ferry from Sibolga or Singkil. Which route fits best depends on where you start.
Flying to Nias Travel Options to Nias
All flights to Nias go via Medan. Kualanamu International Airport (Medan) is the main gateway, with many domestic connections across Indonesia and some international routes. From Medan, continue with Wings Air to Gunungsitoli, the airport on Nias.
Booking Your Flight:
For a smooth booking experience, we recommend Traveloka.com. Payments, rescheduling, and refunds are easy there, while booking directly with the airline or reaching their call center can be frustrating.
It’s smart to book early — spontaneous bookings can be tricky, as flights are sometimes sold out for several days.
Luggage Policy
Hand luggage: 7 kg
Checked baggage: Depending on your booking, 10 kg may be included. If not, you can purchase extra online in advance or at check-in in Medan. The kilo price is around 22,000 IDR.
Surfboards: Wings Air charges 1,000,000 IDR per surfboard per flight. Boardbags cannot be pre-booked and must be paid at the airport (card accepted in Medan, cash in Gunungsitoli).
Practical Tips for Surfers
To avoid being charged for two boards instead of one, bundle two boards into one boardsock and politely say you have just one. Staff usually don’t open the bag, especially if you avoid being the very first in line. Wait until the queue is longer and staff are busier.
At Medan airport, someone may offer to “help” with your boardbag. Just say no and go directly to check-in. Even if they claim your board won’t be accepted without them, don’t worry — that’s not true.
Surfboard size - Official Rules vs. Reality
Airlines may have strict size rules on paper, but in practice they’re often flexible. If you’ve made it to Medan with a midlength or longboard, chances are good it will be accepted for the flight to Nias. The only real risk is if the baggage compartment is already full, in which case your board may be sent on the next available flight.
Transfer to the lodge
From Binaka Airport (Gunungsitoli), our driver can pick you up and bring you directly to Jamburae Lodge. The drive takes about 2.5–3 hours. Price: 600,000 IDR.
By Ferry – Laid-back travel on a budget
Taking the ferry is a relaxed and affordable way to reach Nias, especially if you enjoy overnight trips and sea views.
Ferry Details
Sibolga → Teluk Dalam: Runs Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays with the Wira Ono Niha. Departs around 9–10 pm, arriving early the next morning. Teluk Dalam is just a 20-minute drive from our lodge. Our driver can pick you up right at the harbor for 300,000 IDR.
Sibolga → Gunungsitoli: Most nights, departs 9–10 pm, arriving the next morning. From Gunungsitoli, it’s about 3.5–4 hours drive to Sorake. Our driver can meet you at the harbor for 800,000 IDR.
Singkil → Gunungsitoli: Three times weekly (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sunday), leaving at 10 am and arriving the same evening around 18.00. Pick-up at Gunungsitoli harbor with our driver can be arranged for 800,000 IDR.
Important tip when booking your stay
If you take the night ferry from Sibolga, book your stay at Jamburae Lodge starting from the day the ferry arrives in Nias, not the day it departs from Sibolga. Many guests forget this and end up paying for an extra unused night.
Ferry Tickets
Tickets can be bought online at www.wjl-line.com, but it’s often easier through local travel agents where you are. Booking early helps secure a sleeping cabin. Tickets usually go on sale 7 days before departure (sometimes only 2 days before for the Teluk Dalam route).
How to get to Jamburae Lodge from…
Bukit Lawang
Return to Medan (~4–5 hours by car). From there, either fly to Nias with Wings Air or continue overland to Sibolga and take the ferry.
Lake Toba
Three main options:
Overland + ferry: Travel to Sibolga and take the ferry to Gunungsitoli or Teluk Dalam.
Via Medan + Wings Air: Travel to Medan and fly with Wings Air to Gunungsitoli.
Susi Air flight: Susi Air operates small flights from Sibisa (Parapat, near Lake Toba) to Gunungsitoli. The schedule changes often, so check susiair.com. If it fits, this is a quick and scenic option.
Singkil / Aceh
Take the ferry from Singkil to Gunungsitoli (3 times weekly, check www.wjl-line.com). From Gunungsitoli harbor, it’s 3.5–4 hours to Sorake. Pick-up: 800,000 IDR. Alternatively, travel via Medan and fly.
Banyak Islands
Most guesthouses arrange private speedboats directly to Nias, usually to Teluk Dalam. Ask your accommodation for details. We can arrange pick-up for about 1,400,000 IDR, depending on your drop-off point.
Mentawais
Travel back to Padang, fly to Medan (via Jakarta), then continue with Wings Air to Nias. There’s no direct connection.