Singkil is a town in the southwest of Aceh province on the island of Sumatra. It is the capital of the Aceh Singkil regency, which also includes the Banyak Islands.
Understand
Get in
By plane
Singkil is served by the small Syekh Hamzah Fansyuri Airport. There are only flights from Medan, operated by Wings Air (a subsidiary of Lion Air) and Susi Air.
By car
It is also possible to take a ten-hour 4WD drive on other days, by arrangement (thus cost varies).
By long-distance taxi
- CV. Sumatra Tour and Travel operates a shuttle from Medan and Kualanamu Intl Airport to Singkil (Rp 140,000-190,000) and also can arrange a taxi from other locations. Contact Mr. Satiman (phone, text or WA :+6282294107162, e-mail: sberutu@gmail.com). He speaks English too. You also can go by Private Car Charter is Rp 900,000 for up 4 people.
By bus
| Origin | Destination | Time | Price |
|---|
| Medan | Singkil | 10.00 | Rp160,000 |
| Singkil | Banda Aceh | 11.00 | Rp260,000 |
| Banda Aceh | Singkil | 13.00 | Rp260,000 |
| Singkil | Medan | 15.00 | Rp160,000 |
Get around
See
Do
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Budget
- Losmen Mona Lisa. Don't expect much luxury but the owner is charming, his daughter (when there) can speak English and the coffee is quite good. Rp 20,000 - Rp 30,000/night
Connect
Go next
- Banyak Islands (local name: Pulau Banyak) is the obvious destination from Singkil. Sea travels in this area are quite an adventure. Don't even plan to go there if you have less than 4 days available.
- Ferry leaves every Tuesday at 10:00. It is the only dependable transportation available. Cost Rp 27,000.
- Wooden boats are available, but it is quite an adventure. Boats leave only when the weather, the tide, the waves and the captain's mood are OK. If they tell you the boat leaves at 10:00, be there at 09:00 and bring a good book as it may leave at 13:00... or not at all. The travel costs Rp 50,000.
- A much easier way is to charter a speedboat. But they will charge an outrageous Rp 1,000,000 (shared among all passengers, maximum 4) to go to Balai Island and Rp 1,500,000 to Haloban.