Travel Tips
Planning a 3-Day Lake Toba Holiday Budget with a Rental Car
The often-forgotten costs of a Toba holiday, how to calculate them and a simple budget sheet for families or groups of friends.
By Medan Rent Car Team
2 min read
So your Lake Toba holiday does not hold any nasty surprises, build a budget by cost item before you go. Prices for each item change with the season, so use this list as a framework.
Cost items
- Car rental (and driver) for 3 days
- Fuel for the return trip plus driving around Samosir
- Tolls Medan–Tebing Tinggi–Siantar
- Ferry Ajibata–Samosir for the car and passengers
- Accommodation for 2 nights
- Meals for 3 days for everyone
- Entry tickets and parking
- The driver's accommodation and meals if not included in the package
- Souvenirs and a contingency fund
How to calculate
- Note the latest prices from the booking page and your chosen accommodation.
- Estimate fuel from the expected distance and the vehicle's consumption.
- Add a 10–15% contingency for the unexpected.
Sample budget sheet
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Car + driver for 3 days | From the booking page |
| Fuel | From your distance calculation |
| Tolls and ferry | From the latest rates |
| Accommodation, 2 nights | From the accommodation website |
| Meals | People × days × estimate |
| Contingency 10–15% | Total × 0.1–0.15 |
Ways to cut costs
Travel outside holiday season, choose a vehicle that matches your group size, and share costs if travelling with friends.
Ready to go?
Choose your dates and vehicle on the reservation page. Before booking, read how to choose a trustworthy car rental.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs are often forgotten?
The ferry, tolls, parking, and the driver's meals and accommodation.
How much contingency is recommended?
Around 10–15% of the total budget.
