Most tourists catch a ferry from the Tigaraja Harbour in the resort of Parapat , with hourly ferries during the day to Tuk Tuk (Rp1500) and Ambarita (Rp1000). The market town of Haranggaol , 40km north of Parapat, has infrequent ferries to Ambarita and Simanindo, while Tongging has just one to Tuk Tuk, via Ambarita. You can stay in Tongging at Wisma Sibayak Guesthouse (under $5), but check that it's open before you arrive by contacting the Losmen Sibayak in Berastagi (tel 0628/91122), which is run by the same family. You can also get to Samosir by bus : there are services from Sidikalang to Pangururan (2hr), useful if you're coming from the west coast of Aceh.