Practical Batam
Batam essentials, all in one place.
The things you actually need on a trip — a pharmacy, an ATM, a SIM card, a mosque, a clean toilet — mapped across Batam, with the nearest ones to every ferry terminal.
Hospitals & clinics
94 mapped
In an emergency call 112. Bring your passport and travel insurance details; private hospitals usually ask for a deposit or card.
Pharmacies
34 mapped
Bring the generic name of any medicine you need — brand names differ from Singapore and Malaysia.
ATMs & banks
114 mapped
Use ATMs inside malls, banks or ferry terminals, and choose to be charged in rupiah, not your home currency.
Money changers
15 mapped
Count your notes at the counter and compare the rate with one other changer before swapping a large amount.
Convenience stores
130 mapped
Most minimarts sell bottled water, phone credit and basic medicine; many open late.
Supermarkets & department stores
48 mapped
Supermarkets in the big malls are the easiest place to stock up on snacks and Batam souvenirs.
Mosques & prayer places
525 mapped
Malls and ferry terminals also have prayer rooms (musholla). Dress modestly when visiting a mosque.
Police stations
25 mapped
For any emergency call 112 (or 110 for police). Report lost passports to the police first, then your embassy or consulate.
Petrol stations
47 mapped
Most stations are run by Pertamina; pay in rupiah and confirm the fuel type with the attendant.
Laundry
3 mapped
Many hotels offer same-day laundry; small laundries usually charge by the kilo.
Public toilets
10 mapped
Carry tissues — some toilets have a small attendant fee and a water spray instead of paper.
Phone & SIM card shops
9 mapped
Bring your passport to buy a SIM. An eSIM or roaming pack bought before the ferry is often the simplest option.
Car rental & drivers
4 mapped
Agree the hours, fuel and parking costs before you set off.
Good to know before you go
Emergencies
- Batam's integrated emergency line is 112: free to call, no area code needed, and staffed 24 hours (Batam Siaga 112). source
- The UK government lists Indonesia's emergency numbers as police 110 and ambulance 118, and gives 112 for fire. source
- Indonesia's Ministry of Health runs 119 as a free medical-emergency number reachable from mobiles and landlines. source
- Batam's fire and rescue service has posts across the island, e.g. Sei Panas (0778) 427366, Batu Ampar (0778) 412324, Sekupang (0778) 322233 and Nongsa (0778) 7763580. source
Health
- Batam has several hospitals with 24-hour, 7-day emergency departments registered with Indonesia's Ministry of Health, including Awal Bros, Santa Elisabeth, RSBP Batam and RSUD Embung Fatimah. source
- Mayapada Healthcare has started building the Mayapada Apollo Batam International Hospital in the Batam health SEZ in Sekupang; it is still a development project, not an open hospital. source
Money
- By Bank Indonesia rules, every transaction inside Indonesia must be made in rupiah (IDR), cash or non-cash, whether you are a resident or not. source
- Since November 2023, customers of participating Singapore banks can pay at Indonesian merchants by scanning QRIS codes with their existing mobile banking app. source
- Money changers are available at Harbour Bay Ferry Terminal and in Batam's major malls. source
- When paying by card or withdrawing from an ATM, choose to be charged in rupiah rather than your home currency for a fairer rate. source
SIM cards & data
- Foreign tourists can use an Indonesian SIM card in their own phone for up to 90 days by registering at a mobile operator outlet, without IMEI registration at customs. source
- Visitors who keep using their home SIM on roaming do not need to register their phone's IMEI in Indonesia. source
- Local SIM cards are sold at booths just outside the arrival hall of Harbour Bay Ferry Terminal. source
Getting around
Prayer
Power plugs
- Indonesia uses Type C and Type F plugs at 230 V, 50 Hz, so Singapore's Type G plugs need an adapter. source
Tipping
- Tipping in Batam is not required, though it is appreciated. source
Drinking water
- Tap water in Batam is not safe to drink; drink bottled or boiled water. source
Customs
- Back in Singapore, the liquor duty-free concession applies only if you are 18 or older, spent at least 48 hours outside Singapore and are not arriving from Malaysia, so most short Batam day trips do not qualify. source
- Singapore Customs lists GST import relief of up to S$100 for trips under 48 hours and up to S$500 for 48 hours or more. source
- Singapore gives no duty-free concession or GST relief for cigarettes and tobacco; all of it is taxed on entry. source
- Entering Indonesia, personal goods up to USD 500 per person per arrival are duty-free, plus up to 1 litre of alcohol (age 21+) and 200 cigarettes (age 18+). source
Facts checked 2026-10-06. Rules and prices change — confirm anything important before you travel.