Home / Batam and Bintan: Weekend Ferry Escapes from Singapore

Batam and Bintan: Weekend Ferry Escapes from Singapore

Published on 13/10/2026

Choose Batam for restaurants, massages and shopping; opt for Bintan for beaches and a relaxing hotel break. These Indonesian islands can be reached from Singapore by ferry, but their proximity does not remove the need to prepare for border formalities, transfers on arrival and the return journey. The success of this getaway depends above all on one choice: booking a service suited to the neighbourhood or property where you will actually spend your stay.

In brief

Batam is suitable for stays combining outings, wellness treatments and seafood meals.
Bintan is better suited to a beach break, particularly in the Lagoi resort area.
Choose the arrival terminal according to your accommodation, not simply the ticket available.
Check Indonesian formalities and the conditions for returning to Singapore before paying.
Compare the full cost: sea transport, any additional fees, transfers, meals and activities.

Batam or Bintan for the weekend?

Choose the island according to the type of break you want. Batam is a good option if you like leaving your hotel to visit a shopping centre, spa or restaurant; Bintan is often more suitable when the aim is to stay close to the sea.

Batam: restaurants, spas and shopping

Batam is not only a holiday destination: its urban areas and industrial activities are an important part of the landscape. Do not therefore expect an inviting beach close to every terminal.

The Nagoya district brings together shops, wellness establishments and urban accommodation. It is a practical base for varying your outings without organising the whole stay around an isolated resort.

A seaside hotel meets a different need, but may leave you far from the restaurants and shops you had identified. Before booking, locate each activity on a map: an attractive room loses some of its appeal if it means making numerous journeys.

Bintan: beaches and a hotel stay

In Bintan, the Lagoi area has a holiday offer focused on beach breaks. A swimming pool, access to the shore, dining and on-site activities allow you to plan a stay with little travelling.

However, this type of break requires you to look at what really surrounds the property. A secluded address may offer peace and quiet while limiting your options for dining elsewhere or setting off spontaneously on an excursion.

Your priority	Preferred choice	What to check
Massages and shopping	Batam, around Nagoya	Location of the shops and treatments you want
Beaches and relaxation	Bintan, particularly Lagoi	Access to the shore and swimming conditions
A range of restaurants	Batam with an urban base	Travel between the hotel and restaurants
A stay spent mainly on site	A suitable resort on either island	Meals, transfers and activities included

To put this getaway among the possible trips from Singapore, compare the time available on the ground rather than geographical proximity alone. The best choice is the one that reduces unnecessary travel.

Aerial view of a small wooded island with a seaside hotel

Choosing your ferry from Singapore

Start by locating your accommodation, then look for the corresponding ferry service. HarbourFront and Tanah Merah are the Singapore terminals to consider, but the destinations offered depend on the company and service selected.

Terminals for Batam and Bintan

In Batam, the names Batam Centre, Harbour Bay, Sekupang and Nongsapura may appear when booking. They are not interchangeable piers: the road journey you will need to continue should form part of your comparison.

For Bintan, distinguish in particular between Bandar Bentan Telani, associated with the Lagoi tourist area, and Tanjung Pinang. Ask your hotel which port to use and how to reach the property from there.

HarbourFront is accessible by MRT, making it easy to reach from different parts of Singapore. For Tanah Merah, also plan the final journey to the terminal; our guide to transport and getting around Singapore can help organise this part of the trip.

Timetables, tickets and local time

Check current timetables directly with the official operator, such as Sindo Ferry, BatamFast, Majestic Fast Ferry, Horizon Fast Ferry or Bintan Resort Ferries, depending on your destination. Services, check-in requirements and availability must be checked for your travel date.

There is a time difference between Singapore and these islands. Check the time zone shown on each ticket and ask the company to clarify any ambiguity: do not assume that a departure from Indonesia is shown in Singapore time.

Also compare the change conditions, baggage allowance and final amount before payment. Booking the return journey at the outset avoids making the end of your stay dependent on the seats remaining.

If you are continuing to the airport, allow enough time for possible delays at sea, checks and the overland journey. A short crossing does not guarantee a tight connection.

Preparing the formalities and budget

Travelling from Singapore to Batam or Bintan is an international journey. The formalities to check concern both entry into Indonesia and the return to the city-state, depending on your nationality and residency status.

Checking entry requirements

Before making any non-refundable purchase, consult the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration for the requirements applying to your passport. Confirm the required document validity, any visa regime and the declarations to be completed.

Do not assume that a procedure offered to another traveller applies to your situation. The possibility of an exemption, an electronic visa or an arrival procedure must be checked with the official administration for your chosen point of entry.

To return to Singapore, consult the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority and, if necessary, the organisation responsible for your residence pass. A short trip abroad does not remove the need to check the conditions for readmission.

Keep booking confirmations and useful documents accessible, including offline. Also check that the names match between the tickets and the documents used for travel.

Comparing the full cost of the getaway

The ferry ticket represents only part of the budget. Add any excluded fees, transfers, accommodation, meals, treatments and activities before comparing offers.

In Bintan, a package including meals may be worthwhile if the property is far from other restaurants. In Batam, an urban hotel can make outings easier, but journeys to a resort or excursion still need to be included.

Ask providers for their final price and check updated prices with the official operators. To put this expense into perspective during your stay, use our guide to Singapore’s budget and cost of living.

Prepare a payment method that can be used in Indonesia and cash in rupiah for everyday purchases. Do not assume that Singapore dollars will always be accepted. You can also review our guide to the Singapore dollar and payments before leaving.

What to do in Batam during a getaway

In Batam, it is better to group activities by area than to criss-cross the island. Nagoya, the waterfront and the Barelang surroundings suit different interests and do not all need to be included in a packed itinerary.

Nagoya: shopping and relaxation

Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall is a useful landmark for planning a shopping trip. Compare the products, warranty terms and real value of the purchase rather than assuming that everything costs less than in Singapore.

For a massage, choose an establishment that clearly explains the treatment offered, its hygiene standards and the final price. Mention any contraindications and confirm the booking directly with the spa.

Combining shopping and wellness in the same area limits travel. However, avoid scheduling a treatment immediately before returning to the port: the relaxation loses its value if it ends in a rush.

Barelang, temple and seafood

The Barelang bridges offer an outing towards more open landscapes than those in the urban centre. Arrange your return transport before setting off, particularly if you would like to stop for lunch or photograph the coastline.

Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya offers a glimpse of another aspect of the island, connected with its religious life. Wear respectful clothing, remain discreet in prayer areas and follow the instructions regarding photography.

For seafood, Harbour Bay is one of the areas to consider. When products are sold by weight, ask for the total price including the chosen preparation before confirming your order.

Gonggong, sea snails, are among the specialities associated with the Riau Islands. Asam pedas offers another discovery, with a fish dish featuring sour and spicy flavours.

One main outing and some free time often give the stay more value than a succession of stops. This approach is particularly suitable if you are returning the same evening.

Bintan: organising a beach weekend

In Bintan, your choice of hotel largely determines the experience. Examine the shoreline, facilities and dining options as carefully as the room.

Choosing accommodation suited to relaxation

Photographs of a beach do not always reveal the swimming conditions. Ask the property how tides, the site’s exposure and the weather may affect access to the water during your stay.

Also check which activities are actually available and their booking conditions. An offer mentioned in a brochure may depend on the sea, an external provider or limited availability.

For a family getaway, the swimming pool, shaded areas and dining may matter more than a programme of excursions. For a quiet break, ask about the atmosphere of the property and planned events.

Weather, connectivity and an unhurried return

The equatorial climate means preparing for showers and high humidity, even when your plans centre on the beaches. Check the forecasts from Indonesia’s meteorological agency BMKG and the operator’s updates before departure. Our guide to the best time to visit Singapore can also help you prepare for the region’s weather.

Keep a back-up activity in mind: a wellness treatment, on-site dining or a covered area. Our page on the climate and seasons around Singapore helps you prepare clothing and rain protection.

As for your phone, check that your plan actually covers Indonesia. A regional eSIM can simplify the journey, but its coverage, tethering and any restrictions depend on the offer selected.

Save the return ticket, terminal address and transfer details offline. For other ideas for trips and stays around Singapore, use the same principle: preserve the time actually devoted to your holiday.

Confirm the return transfer with the hotel rather than improvising when it is time to leave the beach.

Is Batam or Bintan the better choice?

Batam is more suitable for restaurants, massages and shopping. Bintan is particularly suited to a beach break, provided you choose accommodation whose facilities and location match your expectations.

Can you go and return in the same day?

A day trip without an overnight stay may be possible depending on the available services. Check the timetable with the ferry company and allow for checks and transfers; then limit your programme to one area so that you retain time on the island.

Do you need a visa to visit these islands?

Requirements depend in particular on your nationality and circumstances. Check the procedures with the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration, then the return conditions with Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.

Which time should you follow for the return ferry?

Follow the time zone shown on your booking and the company’s instructions. Singapore and these islands do not have the same local time: ask for clarification if anything is unclear and check your phone’s automatic time setting.