Medan Airport Passenger Reviews and Medan Airport Traveller Reports

I and my wife travelled via Medan Polonia Airport twice in December 2012. I lived in Medan for over 10 years in the past and have relatives still living there. I'm trying to review this with appropriate comparisons against other airports I've visited by taking into account their relative sizes and passenger movements. I think Polonia airport was still terrible. As soon as we stepped outside the arrival terminal, taxi drivers approached us making us feeling uncomfortable. The taxi was unmetered. We were charged IDR50k for a short travel. On the departure, we arrived earlier (3 hrs before flight) and had to wait until the Garuda check-in counter was opened. There was absolutely no single seat or chair anywhere from the entrance up to the check-in area. We were forced to sit on the trolley and on the floor. The check-in process was messy. Some people stood in between 2 queuing lines. Some people blocked the queue although they did not intend to check-in. When I compared Polonia's today with Polonia 10 years ago, I absolutely saw almost no improvement except for a renovation that followed a fire disaster a few years ago.

I have used Polonia six times in the last four year, both international and domestic arrival and departure. No problems with taxis overcharging, just, as for any airport do your research. Be affirmative, informed and polite.

The state of Indonesian airports is sad. This hub is dank and dirty. Wait until you're on the plane to use the restroom. If you're just arriving, you will be besieged by porters who will grab your bags without asking, then hustle to the exit. Just say no with a smile and that should do the trick. The airport uses a taxi voucher system, which will charge you a flat (tho grossly inflated) fee depending on your hotel. Expect to pay IDR55000, easily double what you would pay on a meter. Not the best introduction to Indonesia if this is your first port of call.

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