Getting here
Getting to Pulau Weh can be quite an effort but rest assured it’s definitely worth it. The route in a nut shell in simply Medan or Kuala Lupur – Banda Aceh – Pulau Weh!
From Kuala Lumpur to Banda Aceh
Air Asiafly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Banda Aceh. From March 27th 2011 the flights will leave KL on Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun at 12.15, arriving here at 12.40 local time.
If flying before March you will need to stay one night in Banda Aceh.
Prices are around 150 RM. If you book a little in advance you can take advantage of the promo fares for as little as 50 RM!
From Medan to Banda Aceh
By Plane: Four airlines fly between Medan and Banda Aceh. Besides Garuda Indonesia there are three Low Cost Carriers: Lion Air, Sriwijaya Air and Adam Air. One way ticket is Rp 240.000 and up.
By Bus: the non-stop night buses between Medan and Banda Aceh are comfortable. The major bus companies are PMTOH, Pelangi, Kurnia, Pusaka and Anugerah. In Medan they all have ticket offices on Jl. Gajah Mada. All becak and taxi drivers know the place. From there the bus companies have free transfers to their respective bus depot. The journey takes 9-10 hours.
From Banda Aceh to Pulau Weh
From the airport of Banda Aceh to Ulee Lheu Harbour ask for “labi-labi” or taxi, or you can also go to the center of Banda Aceh before you go on to Pulau Weh.
Pulau weh can be reached by fast boat or slower ferry. The fast boat takes 45-60 minutes and leaves from Ulee Lheue in the morning at 09.00 and afternoon at 16.00. One way is Rp 55.000 – Rp 80.000 depending on class. The slow ferry takes 1.5-2 hours and departs from Ulee Lheue at 13.00 – 14.00. On Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 11.00 and 16.00. Price is Rp 18.000 one way.
On the afternoon crossing, you can watch the sunset and often see dolphins as you approach Pulau Weh. Once at the Balohan (Pulau Weh), there is some local transport to Sabang Town and to Iboih Beach; a minibus (Rp50,000 per. person/Rp 150,000 charter) or Taxis (Rp 200,000 charter). If travelling alone there are also some taxi bikes available for a negotiable price.