If you are planning to go and travel to Batam, Indonesia from Singapore this year 2025, here is the detailed itinerary that I made during my visit, last 19 June 2025 until 22 June 2025.
I am living and working in Pasir Ris, so the nearest terminal is Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. Alternatively, the other terminal you can choose is Harbourfront Ferry Terminal. Because I have worked until 4:30 PM, I chose 6:00 PM ticket. Take note that you need to be at the ferry terminal at least 1 hour before your departure.
My ticket price for a round trip ferry ticket to Batam is S$56 plus S$20 for a total of S$76. Travel time takes about 30-45 minutes. It is very fast! Take note that Indonesia time is 1 hour behind Singapore; so, I arrived 5:45 PM in Batam Center.
Make it sure to have your arrival card for Indonesia immigration. Because I am Filipino, our e-Visa is free. I filled up my arrival card while we are sailing to Batam. You can see the instruction at the screen of your chosen ferry. You just need to enter all the necessary information needed. Once done, you will have your e-visa in PDF form which you can received from your email address entered and can be saved on your phone as well.
From Batam Center, I exchanged my Singapore Dollars (SGD) to Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). The nearest mall after Batam Center is Megamall Batam Center. I had my dinner first at A&W which is less expensive from Singapore. Then after that, I need to find a Type C – USB cable coz I forgot mine. There is 300K IDR, but I just asked the information counter inside the mall for a cheaper cable and I just got is for 150K IDR.
Going to my hotel/apartment accommodation, I took a Gojek alternatively there is Grab app also. Gojek is a bit cheaper than Grab but the difference is just small. When there is a less car or bike, I used Grab to navigate around the island. From my place which is Nuvasa Bay (Reotel), it takes 45 minutes to Batam Center.
My travel to Batam for me is better than when I travelled to Bintan. Foods are very convenient to order over grab which normally cost me S$6 to S$10 per meal. Moreover, because the place where I stayed is a bit far from the city center, I normally have my grocery delivered through grab, from Indomaret and Alfamart.
Before my departure from Batam I took a sip of my favourite caramel macchiato and cinnamon roll. Then I bought lapis cake for my housemate.
Here is the summary of my travel expenses from Singapore to Batam, Indonesia 2025.
| Office to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal | $ 16.80 |
| Ferry Fare (Round Trip) | $ 76.00 |
| Grab (Tour within the City) | $ 43.87 |
| Grocery | $ 32.55 |
| Food Delivery | $ 22.16 |
| Street Food | $ 16.16 |
| Lapis Cake | $ 14.50 |
| Agoda (Hotel Booking) | $ 96.00 |
| TOTAL | $ 318.04 |
Transportation around the Island: Motorbike and Car using Grab and Gojek
