TEMPO.CO, Medan - Phuket, Thailand's largest island, is an ideal destination for tourists seeking a unique mix of stunning natural beauty, rich culture, and fun activities. This popular destination offers more than just beautiful beaches and exciting adventures.
People in North Sumatra can visit Phuket directly from Medan. Similarly, tourists from Thailand can fly straight to Medan to explore its attractions. AirAsia is expanding its international network by launching the direct Medan-Phuket route starting June 27, 2025.
Tansita Akraritpirom, the Head of Commercial Thai AirAsia, said that Phuket is an iconic island known as a paradise for tourists and a favorite destination for visitors from around the world. Since opening bookings for the Medan-Phuket route, his side has seen a lot of interest from travelers in both cities. The short travel time and convenient flight schedule make this route the perfect choice for a weekend getaway.
"Just an hour from Medan, four times a week, tourists can enjoy the various attractions that Phuket has to offer, from water sports, beaches, night markets, to delicious seafood," she stated during a media briefing in Medan on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
Tansita added that Phuket is also welcoming to Muslim travelers, making it suitable for families, couples, and solo adventurers. "We are confident that this new route will be an attractive choice for residents of Medan and its surrounding areas who want to enjoy an exciting holiday," she said.
Flights to Malaysia and Thailand
The AirAsia Group now flies from Medan to four destinations in Malaysia and Thailand: Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Bangkok Don Mueang, and Phuket. In total, they operate 94 flights each week.
The new Medan-Phuket route will run four times a week: every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Flights are scheduled at 2:50 PM, 4:20 PM, and 6:10 PM Western Indonesian Time (WIB), using Airbus A320 aircraft.
"Tickets are already available for purchase at a price of Rp 699,000 for one-way. Reservations are available until June 1 for the flying period from June 27 to October 25," Tansita said.
Ticket prices can change based on demand for each flight. Bookings can be made through the AirAsia MOVE app (which used to be AirAsia Superapp), the airasia.com website, online travel agents, and other official travel agents. For group bookings of 10 people or more, interested passengers can contact AirAsia's Group Desk by emailing [email protected].
AirAsia reminds passengers to follow the rules for cabin baggage, which allow a maximum weight of 7 kilograms (about 15 pounds) per person. If your baggage is heavier than this, it is recommended to check it in as registered baggage at the airport check-in counter. Customers are also advised to meet all current travel requirements set by the government.
"Important notice to all foreign tourists visiting Thailand. Starting May 1, 2025, all visitors are required to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online free of charge, at least three days before arrival," Tansita shared.
Attracting Foreign Tourists to Lake Toba
Dikky Anugerah, the Acting Head of the North Sumatra Provincial Office of Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, welcomes the new Thai AirAsia flights. He hopes this will boost the number of tourists visiting North Sumatra's attractions, like Lake Toba.
Furthermore, Lake Toba is currently part of the IMT-GT Geoparks Collaboration, which includes Satun in Thailand and Langkawi in Malaysia. This partnership has created a travel path connecting these three outstanding geopark destinations into one integrated "Geopark Travel Pattern" called "The IMT-GT Geopark Corridor - One Trail, Three Nations, Endless Wonders."
"This direct connectivity not only strengthens accessibility but also presents a strategic opportunity to reinforce Lake Toba's position as a world-class geopark destination in Southeast Asia," Dikky explained.
Throughout 2024, AirAsia served over 170,000 passengers on round trips between Medan and Bangkok, Thailand. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of North Sumatra reported that 250,413 foreign tourists visited, a 26.32 percent increase compared to 2023.
The total number of Thai tourists visiting Indonesia also showed a positive trend, reaching 199,664 tourists during the same period. From January to March 2025, 17,155 foreign tourists visited North Sumatra, up 15.52 percent compared to the same period in 2024.
"This figure supports the growth of the tourism sector in North Sumatra. The Medan-Phuket route is not just an additional flight route, but a cultural and economic bridge that brings together two outstanding ASEAN destinations," he added.
Dikky believed that opening this route would make it easier for foreign tourists, especially from Thailand and neighboring countries, to visit North Sumatra's famous places such as Lake Toba, Bukit Lawang, Tangkahan, and the city of Medan, known for its culture and food. He also expected it to drive the growth of the creative economy sector through collaborations with international partners in the fashion, culinary, music, and crafts industries, creating new opportunities for SMEs and the local community.
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