Medan’s Transport Tangle: How I Sang My Way Through Angkot Hell on a Shoestring Budget

i didn’t come to medan to hear my own voice echo in some air-conditioned mall-i came to play guitar on buses that smell like fried shallots and regret. here’s how to bounce between *lapo tuak joints and taman balai kota like a DIY busker who’s 50% talent, 50% sheer stubbornness.

first rule: angkot minivans are your chaotic best friends. they’re painted like clown cars (blue for Amplas, red for Polonia) and cost less than a pack of clove cigs (Rp 3,000-5,000). but here’s the drunk advice i got from a becak driver drinking kopi tarik at 2am: “jangan naik angkot line 64 after dark-it loops past the airport and you’ll wake up in Kuala Namu wondering where your dignity went.”

the grand mosque area? prime busking turf if you catch the Friday crowd. just avoid the “rajawali” buses-they’re slower than a durian vendor haggling with tourists. pro-tip: medan’s heat hits like a wet sock, so carry a ukulele. lighter, less sweat.

> _“psst-don’t tell anyone, but the 7pm angkot to Binjai? drivers let you ride free if you play dangdut covers. i once traded a rusty rendition of ‘Bimbang’ for three curry puffs.”_
- overheard at sop buntut stall near

got a death wish? try ojol bike taxis. Rp 12,000 for white-knuckle rides through back alleys where google maps goes to die. check this Reddit thread for which drivers won’t judge your off-key Sinatra covers. need a break from the chaos? lake toba’s only 4 hours away-cold enough to numb your blistered fingers.

> _“you think grabcar’s safe? my cousin’s neighbor’s boyfriend got picked up by a guy who only played Nickelback. he jumped out at a red light.”_
- whispered at kedai kopi rahayu

final tip: medan’s bus terminal’s a maze, but the sop iga bakar here is worth getting lost for. avoid labi-labi* buses unless you enjoy sharing seats with live chickens. and hey, if you see a curly-haired idiot playing Wonderwall on a pink angkot… say hi.

hungry? hit up soto kesawan. need gear? this facebook group trades guitars for nasi padang.

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