Travelling from Singapore to Batam and Bintan by sea
Batam and Bintan used to be the go-tos for Singaporeans for a cheap, quick mini-break from Singapore’s bustling city-scape. There are affordable yet luxurious resorts, and lots of yummy and cheap street food. But alas, Covid put pause on all that… until now.
Good news – you’ll soon be able to resume putting Batam on your weekend to-do list. Starting 25th February 2022, sea travel arrangements between Singapore and Batam along with Bintan bring back quarantine-free travel between the two islands.
Before you jump into your travel plans, here are all the requirements for travelling to Batam and Bintan by ferry to help you get started.
Check out some of our other travel guides:
Before you leave on your trip
Ferry trips between Singapore and Batam have resumed since 18th February 2022.
Image credit: BatamFast
As with all travel during the pandemic, there are lots of requirements and pre-trip preparations to tick off before you can even think about stepping onto that ferry.
Here’s what to do in order to be eligible to travel to and from Batam:
- You must have stayed in Singapore for the last 14 days prior to the trip.
- If you are not a Singaporean or Indonesian citizen with Singapore PR status, you’ll need to obtain the relevant entry visa. Singaporeans can stay up to 30 days in Indonesia without a visa.
- If you are 18 and above, you must be vaccinated against Covid with at least 2 doses at least 14 days before the date of the trip. Children below 12 must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult.
- You must have a printed vaccination certificate, which can be retrieved from your SingPass app. It must also be verified on e-HAC International Indonesia, which is accessible via the Peduli Lindungi app.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
Think of the Peduli Lindungi app as Indonesia’s version of TraceTogether
Image credit: Indonesia Travel
You’ll also need:
- To be fully vaccinated, unless you’re below 18 years old and travelling with a fully vaccinated adult.
- Travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage of at least $30,000.
- To download the Peduli Lindungi app, which works like TraceTogether.
- A confirmed return ticket on the ferry.
- Booking and payment confirmation for your accommodation in Batam or Bintan for the duration of your stay.
And yes, as of 18th May 2022, fully-vaccinated travellers no longer need to present a negative PCR test or an ART to enter Bintan or Batam via the sea.
It would be advisable to print out hard copies of all your documents, just in case you can’t access the virtual copies.
Getting to Batam and Bintan
Batam ferry operators are back in action, and you can hop onto one from either Tanah Merah or Harbourfront ferry terminals to various harbours in Batam, such as Nongsapura and Batam Centre.
You may consider other deals such as this Batam round trip ferry tickets from S$92.
Those travelling to Bintan can take a ferry to Bandar Bintan Telani Ferry Terminal.
Image credit: Nongsapura Ferry Terminal
Once you get to Batam, you’ll no longer have to undergo and test negative on a PCR test, unless you have a body temperature above 37.5°C, are not fully vaccinated, or are travelling under the recovered traveller scheme. The PCR will cost around IDR300,000 (~S$30).
That said, you’ll need to ensure that your Peduli Lindungi app is active, as you’ll be using it when you visit various places in Batam.
During your stay
While you’re in Bintan or Batam, try some of these things to do away from the city once they’ve opened up again. But be sure to adhere to Indonesia’s Covid-19 safety regulations such as mask-wearing, hand-washing, social distancing and using Peduli Lindungi for contact tracing.
If at any time you feel unwell, call the hotline at 119 to find out where you can test for Covid-19. If you test positive for Covid-19, you will be isolated at a dedicated facility, and the entire cost will be borne by you.
Returning to Singapore
With effect from 26th April 2022, you’ll no longer be required to take any ART or PCR test before flying back to Singapore. All you need to do is complete the SG Arrival Card, and ensure TraceTogether is working on your device, which is still required to access certain events.
However, do note that pre-departure testing is still required if travellers have entered a restricted country within 7 days. At the moment, there are no restricted countries, so this is just a guide to look out for when future announcements come by.
Travelling from Singapore to Batam and Bintan
Those who love the sun, sand and sea will be glad to know that Batam and Bintan are officially back on the books for a well-deserved vacation. Not only are they ideal for a quick and convenient getaway, but they’re also more affordable options for those itching to get out of Singapore.
Note: Travel restrictions and regulations are subject to change during these pandemic times, so check with the Indonesian embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Singapore) for the latest protocols.
Cover image adapted from: Nongsapura Ferry Terminal
Originally published on 18th February 2022. Last updated on 18th May 2022 by Stephanie Long.
A portion of this content may contain referral links to products. Our opinions remain our own.
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