Understand
[edit]A fairly big city with about 100,000 inhabitants built next to the main road going through the north Sumatra. It is a place where people, roads and transportation meets.
The ATM in Kutacane does not serve foreign cards as of 1 April, 2024, regardless of what you might have heard elsewhere. Bring enough cash with you!
Get in
[edit]By bus: All buses depart from the market. At the market there are several different bus companies. Ask around to get the best price.
- From the south: There are several buses leaving from Medan every day, taking about 6-9 hours depending on weather and traffic. There are also buses from Lake Toba and various different locations east and south from Kutacane.
- From the north: There is one main road leading north passing Ketambe, Blankenjeren and Takengon. However there few if any buses going further than Blankenjeren. The buses to Blankenjeren leave daily between 9-10 o'clock and take about 4-5 hours. There are many minivans going to Ketambe and different other villages leaving about twice an hour. It takes about an hour to get to Ketambe.
By plane: Ketambe has a small airport which serves two destinations (Banda Aceh and Medan several times a week for a cost of about 300 000 - 500 000. In late December 2011 there was a plane crash with the same or a similar company on northern Sumatra though.
Get around
[edit]By foot or taxi. You can find small taxis everywhere.
See
[edit]The market is basically the only thing worth seeing. It is quite impressive.
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]Eat and drink
[edit]Go to small restaurants, enjoy some coffee and typical Indonesian food. There are no western cafés.
Sleep
[edit]There are several hotels for travelers looking for a place to stay for the night. The standard is bad lacking proper toilets and showers. A room is about Rp60,000-100,000. Stay here only if you have to.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]- Ketambe: A small and charming village well worth a visit.
- Takengon: Kutancane is basically just a stop on the road to Ketambe and Takengon.