Medan (Indonesian pronunciation: [meˈdan]; Indonesian: Kota Medan) is the capital of North Sumatra province in Indonesia. Located on the northern coast, and with 2,097,610 inhabitants at the 2010 census. Medan is the fifth largest city in Indonesia by population after Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, and Bekasi, also the third largest city by land area (behind Jakarta and Surabaya), and the largest Indonesian city outside Java. Its built-up (or metro) area made of 18 municipalities or districts was home to 4,103,696 inhabitants at the 2010 census. The city is bordered by the Deli Serdang Regency to the east, south, and west, and the Strait of Malacca to the north, make the city located very strategically for the economy as the Strait of Malacca is one of the most important shipping lanes in the world. Medan is the gateway to the western part of Indonesia where Belawan Port and Kuala Namu International Airport which is the second largest airport in Indonesia exist. Access to the port of Belawan from Medan city center down south to industrial district of Tanjung Morawa is equipped by Belmera Toll Road, the first toll road outside of Java Island. Medan was dubbed by the Dutch Parijs van Soematra due to the city's resemblance to Paris. Lamudi, a worldwide real estate portal, recognized Medan as one among six cities in Asia to feature and preserve several colonial architectural sites, while accompanying its growth as a metropolitan city.
The new Kuala Namu International Airport is served directly by a train service between the new airport and Medan (almost 40 kilometers) with ticket fare of Rp50,000. New toll road and new arterial road are still under construction, although there are two old roads connecting the airport. Taking the train to the Kualanamu International Airport is the easiest and fastest (30 minutes) way at the moment. For up-to-date train schedules, visit train operator Railink's website. The train from Kualanamu International Airport to Medan city takes about 45 minutes. Train ticket can be paid in cash, debit/credit card of some national banks, and Visa, and can also be booked online through their website. The cheapest way to the city is "Damri" bus. They depart every 15 minutes to the airport from 05:00 to 23:00. There are two bus services serving the Airport-Medan route: Airport-Medan Fair (Rp20,000) and Airport-Amplas (Rp15,000). They can drop you near the cheap lodging near Masjid Besar. Taxi transfers will cost you about Rp150,000 per car and only special taxi with sticker can enter the airport. The official taxi companies serving the airport are Puskopau, Blue Bird, Kokapura, Express, Karsa, Matra and Nice; please be aware of taxis without the sticker, although have the same brands with the sticker taxis. Taxi and bus will take 60 to 90 minutes from Medan to the airport because there are several traffic jam locations.
Hotel recommendation around conference location:
http://www.aston-international.com/grandaston/medan
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