How to Take Ferry to Batam from Singapore
Batam is a favourite getaway for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Singapore. Just an hour away, this Indonesian island offers a perfect retreat for a relaxing weekend.
Whether you’re indulging in a culinary adventure, enjoying a traditional Indonesian massage, or simply unwinding at a resort, Batam has something for everyone.
If this is your first time planning a trip to Batam, I’ve got you covered! With countless visits under my belt, I’ve crafted the ultimate guide to help you travel from Singapore to Batam with ease.
In this article, I will cover:
- How to take ferry to Batam from Singapore?
- Where to take ferry from Singapore to Batam?
- Which ferry terminal to arrive at in Batam?
- Which ferry to take to Batam?
- How long is the ferry from Singapore to Batam?
- Singapore to Batam ferry price
- Singapore to Batam ferry schedule
- How to book ferry to Batam?
- Book online in advance
- Book directly at the ferry terminal
- What to do at Harbourfront ferry terminal?
- Head to Singapore Cruise Centre
- Check-in
- Bag scan and immigration
- Waiting at departure gate
- Boarding
How to take ferry to Batam from Singapore
In a nutshell, here’s the step-by-step on how to take ferry to Batam from Singapore:
- Decide which terminal you want to depart from and arrive at.
- Find out which ferry serves your intended route, as well as their schedule and price.
- Decide which ferry company you want to travel with.
- Book your ferry ticket (either online or offline).
- Arrive at ferry terminal at least 60 mins before departure.
- Check-in at the ferry company counter to get your boarding pass (if required).
- Enter departure area, clear bag scan and immigration.
- Wait at the departure gate for boarding.
- Board your ferry.
- Upon arrival, go through immigration and bag scan.
- Head to your destination.
Where to take ferry from Singapore to Batam?
There are 2 ferry terminals in Singapore where you can take the ferry from Singapore to Batam:
1. Harbourfront Ferry Terminal
Harbourfront is the more popular ferry terminal compared to Tanah Merah because it is the first ferry terminal, and it is more accessible from the city center of Singapore.
Harbourfront Ferry Terminal is located inside Harbourfront Centre. The easiest way to get to Harbourfront Ferry Terminal is by taking MRT to Harbourfront MRT Station.
The terminal is just next to VivoCity, so there are lots of food options before your departure or after your return.
Address: 1 Maritime Square, Singapore 099253 (location on Google Map)
Ferry companies: Batam Fast, Sindo Ferry, Majestic Fast Ferry, Horizon Fast Ferry
Destinations: Batam Center, Sekupang, Waterfront, Harbour Bay
2. Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal is a better option for people who stay in the east, as well as people who come directly from Changi Airport.
To get to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, take bus 35 or 35M from Bedok Interchange, Bedok MRT Station or Tanah Merah MRT Station.
Address: 50 Tanah Merah Ferry Road, Singapore 498833 (location on Google Map)
Ferry companies: Batam Fast, Sindo Ferry, Majestic Fast Ferry
Destinations: Batam Center, Nongsapura
Which ferry terminal to arrive at in Batam?
The best ferry terminal in Batam would be the terminal closest to your destination.
There are 5 ferry terminals in Batam. Here’s an overview of each terminal and what they’re near to.
1. Batam Center
Batam Center is the most popular ferry terminal in Batam. From Batam Center, you can just walk to Mega Mall Batam Centre via an elevated bridge. The nearest hotels would be Harris Hotel and Hotel Santika.
Interesting attractions near Batam Center are: Welcome to Batam Monument, Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Monastery, Batam Zoo Paradise, Batam Wakepark and Mega Wisata Ocarina Batam.
Address: Jl. Engku Putri Utara, Tlk. Tering, Kec. Batam Kota, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29401, Indonesia (location on Google Map)
Ferry companies that depart from/to Singapore: Batam Fast, Sindo Ferry, Majestic Fast Ferry
2. Sekupang
Located at the western side of Batam, Sekupang is mostly known for its domestic ferry routes towards other Riau islands and Sumatera. It is not as busy as Batam Center, making it a great alternative during festive season when Batam Center ferry tickets are sold out.
Several local attractions (that few foreigners visit) near Sekupang are Taman Rusa Sekupang, Sekupang Ponds Park, and Tangga Seribu. Recommended hotels near Sekupang are KTM Resort and Tempat Senang.
Address: Jl. RE Martadinata, Tj. Pinggir, Kec. Sekupang, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29425, Indonesia (location on Google Map)
Ferry companies that depart from/to Singapore: Batam Fast, Sindo Ferry, Majestic Fast Ferry
3. Waterfront
Also located at the western side of Batam is the Waterfront Ferry Terminal. It was supposed to be Waterfront City, a major tourist hub in Batam. However, it never took off.
As of now, there are not much things nearby. You will need to drive (or take a taxi) for 10km or above to visit Sekupang or Waterpark Top 100 Batu Aji.
If you just want to relax in a hotel, there are 2 big hotels near Waterfront, they are HARRIS Resort Waterfront Batam and Holiday Inn Resort Batam.
Address: Tj. Riau, Marina City, Kec. Sekupang, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia (location on Google Map)
Ferry companies that depart from/to Singapore: Sindo Ferry
4. Harbour Bay
Harbour Bay Ferry Terminal is the terminal nearest to Nagoya, the main district in Batam city. As such, there are plenty of shopping malls and restaurants around Harbour Bay.
The most popular malls are Grand Batam Mall, Nagoya Hill, and Bayfront Mall. Vihara Budhi Bakti (Tua Pek Kong Temple) is just 4km ride from Harbour Bay Ferry Terminal.
There are tons of hotels at Harbour Bay and Nagoya. The popular ones are Batam Marriott Hotel Harbour Bay, Swiss-Belhotel Harbour Bay, and YELLO Hotel Harbour Bay.
Address: Jl. Duyung, Sungai Jodoh, Kec. Batu Ampar, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29453, Indonesia (location on Google Map)
Ferry companies that depart from/to Singapore: Horizon Fast Ferry
5. Nongsapura
Nongsapura Ferry Terminal is located at the northeastern side of Batam. Nongsa is popular for its coastline.
There are many resorts lining up the popular Nongsa Beach, some of the popular ones are Turi Beach Resort, Nongsa Point Marina & Resort, Taman Nongsa Indah Village and Montigo Resorts.
Address: Jl. Hang Lekiu, Sambau, batam, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29465, Indonesia (location on Google Map)
Ferry companies that depart from/to Singapore: Batam Fast
Which ferry to take to Batam?
To decide which ferry to take to Batam, the first step is to find out their routes. Here are all the Singapore-Batam routes served by the ferry companies:
| Ferry Company | Singapore to Batam Routes |
|---|---|
| Batam Fast | • Harbourfront – Batam Center • Harbourfront – Sekupang • Tanah Merah – Batam Center • Tanah Merah – Nongsapura |
| Sindo Ferry | • Harbourfront – Batam Center • Harbourfront – Sekupang • Harbourfront – Waterfront |
| Majestic Fast Ferry | • Harbourfront – Batam Center • Harbourfront – Sekupang • Tanah Merah – Batam Center |
| Horizon Fast Ferry | • Harbourfront – Harbour Bay |
For the not-so-popular routes such as Nongsapura, Waterfront and Harbour Bay, it’s pretty easy to choose because there’s only 1 ferry serving those destinations.
However, for popular routes such Harbourfront to Batam Center, as well as Harbourfront to Sekupang, it might be tough to choose which ferry to take.
To decide which company to take, I would usually compare their schedule, price and fleet. Here are the highlights of each ferry company.
- Batam Fast
- The only ferry that goes to Nongsapura
- Highest number of trips to Sekupang
- Sindo Ferry
- The only ferry that goes to Waterfront
- Majestic Fast Ferry
- Some routes served by big vessels (hence less bumpy)
- Highest number of trips to Batam Center
- Horizon Fast Ferry
- The only ferry that goes to Harbour Bay, and plenty of trips in a day
How long is the ferry from Singapore to Batam?
Typically, the ferry travel duration between Singapore and Batam is approximately 45 minutes to 75 minutes.
The actual duration of the ferry journey depends on the distance, the weather, and the sea conditions.
Singapore to Batam ferry price
At the time of writing, the ferry return ticket for Singapore – Batam – Singapore is SGD 76. This price is the same for all ferry companies and all routes.
⛴️ My Recommendation
Personally, I prefer Majestic Fast Ferry because they use big vessels for certain routes so it’s less bumpy and more comfortable. Since the price is the same as smaller ferries, why not go for the big one, right?
Singapore to Batam ferry schedule
Here are all Batam ferry schedules as at time of writing.
How to book ferry to Batam?
You can book your ferry ticket online or purchase directly at the ferry terminal.
Option 1: Book ferry ticket online in advance
The pros of booking ferry ticket online:
- You don’t have to travel all the way to ferry terminal before your departure date
- Some ferry companies immediately issue boarding pass to you when you book online so you don’t even need to check-in at the counter before departure.
The con of booking ferry ticket online:
- Your departure date and time is fixed, if you need to change you may be charged admin fee.
Option 2: Book ferry ticket directly at the ferry terminal
The pros of booking ferry ticket directly at the ferry terminal:
- It’s more flexible, you can buy the ticket last-minute and don’t have to commit to a date/time in advance
The cons of booking ferry ticket directly at the ferry terminal:
- If it’s busy period, the next available departure might be a few hours away, so you will waste some time waiting at the terminal
- During peak/festive period, most tickets are sold-out early, so you risk not being able to travel even though you’ve brought your luggage to the terminal
- If you’re purchasing in advance at the terminal, you will be traveling to the terminal twice, once to book the ticket and once for departure
Pro-Tip: If you’re booking directly at ferry terminal, the ticket counters are located at Level 2 and 3 of Singapore Cruise Centre, not Harbourfront Centre. Both buildings are combined, with SCC located further inside nearer to the sea, while Harbourfront Centre is located right next to MRT.
Book online vs book directly at terminal: My recommendation
During peak/festive period, such as long weekends and public holidays, I highly recommend that you book your ferry ticket online in advance, because tickets get sold-out really early.
During normal period, it’s okay to go either way.
Personally, I don’t like uncertainty. I don’t like risking not being able to get the next available departure if I book the ticket on the day of departure. Therefore, I prefer to book online in advance.
What to do at Harbourfront ferry terminal?
Head to Singapore Cruise Centre
What most first-timers don’t know is that Harbourfront Ferry Terminal is located at Singapore Cruise Centre, which is a section further inside Harbourfront Centre (nearer to the sea), while Harbourfront Centre is located in front (nearer to MRT).
To get to Singapore Cruise Centre, simply make your way to Harbourfront Centre, then walk further inside until you see Singapore Cruise Centre Sign.
There are 3 levels at Singapore Cruise Centre:
- Level 1 is for arrival
- Level 2 is for departure, as well as where Batam Fast is located at
- Level 3 is where Majestic Fast Ferry, Sindo Ferry and Horizon Fast Ferry are located at
Check-in
If your booking requires you to check-in, then make your way to the ferry company counter, which is located at either Level 2 (Batam Fast) or Level 3 (Majestic, Sindo, Horizon).
After check-in, you will receive your boarding pass. Use the boarding pass to check-in your baggage at baggage counter (if any) and to enter the departure area.
Check-in cut off time: Check-in closes 30 mins before departure. I recommend that you check-in about 1 hour before departure, so that you’ll have enough time for baggage check-in and immigration.
Hand carry baggage: Each passenger is allowed to bring 1 hand carry baggage with size not exceeding 55cm X 40cm X 20cm and weight not exceeding 10kg/bag.
Check-in baggage: Each passenger is allowed 20kg free check-in baggage. Each passenger can bring up to 40kg check-in baggage in total (20kg free, and 20kg chargeable). The maximum weight per item is 30kg.
Excess baggage, up to a maximum of 20kg, will be charged SGD1 per kg. Odd-size baggage will be subjected to additional fees of SGD10 per item. (Source)
Check-in of baggage is done at the baggage counter, not at the ferry company’s counter. Baggage counter opens 60 mins before departure, and closes 20 mins before departure.
Bag scan and immigration
After completing the check-in formalities, it’s now time for bag scan and immigration at the departure area. Do note that departure gate closes 20 mins before departure.
Pro-Tip: Before entering departure area, ask yourself if you have obtained Indonesian currency, or if you have Singapore Dollar cash with you. That’s because there is no ATM once you enter the departure area.
If you don’t have SGD cash, go withdraw some at the ATM at Harbourfront Centre. If you need Indonesian currency, there are money changers at Level 1 of Harbourfront Centre.
I once made the mistake of rushing to enter departure gate. Once I’m inside, I realised that I didn’t have any cash with me! And it was not possible to go out and come back in again. So, throughout my trip in Batam, I could only eat at places that accept credit cards.
Waiting at departure gate
The departure area at Harbourfront Ferry Terminal has duty free shops, food stall and rows of seat which often get fully occupied during busy period.
Boarding
Boarding usually starts about 20 mins (more or less) before departure. Prepare your boarding pass because you will need it to board.
Because most ferry seating is based on first come, first served basis, people usually starts queueing when it’s near the time for boarding in order to get their desired seats.
If you’re bringing big hand-carry baggage, once onboard you will be asked to place your baggage at the baggage area.
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So, that’s it! Enjoy your trip to Batam! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions!
what time does the ferry open? and is there a money exchange or atm machine there as well?
Ferry operations start around 8am, but you need to check-in around 7am. Yes there are.
what time does the ferry open? can we wait there hours before our boarding?
Ferry operations start around 8am. Yes you can do so during the day, not at midnight.