Batam vs Bintan: Fares, Hours and Which Island to Choose

Choose Batam for a short, cheaper trip with food, shops and more ferries. Choose Bintan for a resort holiday where you stay put. On the operators' timetables and our slowest Batam crossing figure, Batam gives you about 2 hours 25 minutes more on a day trip, and BatamFast's all-in return is S$24 less per adult than BRF's regular fare.

BatamGems covers Batam, not Bintan, so weigh our verdict with that in mind.

Batam vs Bintan at a glance

"Bintan" here means the Lagoi resort area, served by Bintan Resort Ferries (BRF). Tanjung Pinang, on the same island, is a different route. We cover it below.

Which is cheaper?

Batam, on the ferry. BatamFast's S$76 return includes the fare, surcharge and departure fees. BRF's S$100 also includes levies and fees, so the S$24 gap per adult is a fair comparison.

For two adults and two children aged 11 or under, on regular dates:

• Bintan: 2 × S$100 + 2 × S$88 = S$376
• Batam: 4 × S$76 = S$304
• Difference: S$72

Watch Bintan's peak dates. BRF's black-out dates for the rest of 2026 include 20 to 22 November and 18 to 31 December.

Hotels and meals are not in these sums, as neither island publishes a fair average to compare. Check Batam hotel options and our budget guide against the resort you want on Bintan.

Can you do either as a day trip?

Batam works well. Bintan works on paper, but the day is tighter.

Bintan. BRF's first sailing is 08:10 Singapore time and its last back is 18:35 Bintan time, which is one hour behind. With the 1 hour 10 minute crossing, you land at 08:20. That leaves 10 hours 15 minutes before the last boat. BRF's check-in cut-off is 40 minutes, but it advises checking in 1.5 hours early, which cuts your time to 8 hours 45 minutes. BRF also warns turnaround passengers to allow time for clearance, and resort transfers come out of that time too.

Batam. BatamFast's first HarbourFront sailing is 07:40, which is 06:40 in Batam. At our slowest crossing figure of 70 minutes, you land at 07:50. Its last sailing back is at 20:30, so you have 12 hours 40 minutes, or 11 hours 40 minutes if you follow its advice to arrive an hour early. Arrival immigration and your ride from the terminal come out of that time too.

For a timed plan, see the Batam day trip guide.

There is also more choice of boat. HarbourFront to Batam Centre lists 38 departure times across three operators in one direction. That is a timetable count, and not every time runs daily. BRF's Monday to Thursday table has eight times, covering both directions.

Which is better with kids?

Bintan, if you want one resort to do the work. Batam, if your children would rather have variety and you want to spend less.

Bintan's family resorts publish clear offers. Nirwana Gardens calls itself an integrated family beach resort, with a kids' club for age 4 and up and free two-way transfers from the ferry terminal. Treasure Bay's lagoon is a 6.3-hectare man-made seawater lagoon with activities for all ages.

Batam has family resorts as well. HARRIS Barelang has a kids' pool and a kids' club, HARRIS Waterfront has a baby pool, and Montigo in Nongsa has Tilo Kids Club. See our Batam resorts, Batam beaches and Batam with kids pages.

Neither operator carries infants free. BRF's child fare covers age 11 and below, infants included, while Horizon's fare to Batam is the same for children, infants and adults.

Which has better resorts?

Bintan's identity is more closely tied to its resorts. BRF counts 22 resorts and hotels in the Bintan Resorts area, while the estate's operator says 19 beach resorts and four golf courses. We found no official ranking, so that judgement is ours.

Batam's resorts are in separate areas, including Nongsa, Barelang and Waterfront. In exchange you get a city nearby. If your weekend is about seafood restaurants, Batam malls and a long massage, that matters more than a private beach. Batam also has golf courses, and things to do in Nongsa gives you a resort base on the Tanah Merah route.

What about Tanjung Pinang?

It is a separate route, and it does not suit a day trip. Sindo lists sailings from Tanah Merah at 11:00 and 17:10, with returns at 06:45 and 13:30 Tanjung Pinang time. Majestic lists 11:30 and 17:50 out, and 07:30 and 13:00 back. The latest return leaves too soon after the first boat in. Sindo's return fare is S$86 before fees, including a Rp 100,000 terminal fee for foreigners.

Entry rules are the same

MFA says Singapore passport holders can stay up to 30 days visa-free as tourists. Immigration requires an arrival card within three days before arrival. BRF says passports need about six months' validity. See our entry requirements guide for Batam.

How to decide

• One day, or a booking made this week: Batam.
• City food, shopping and spas: Batam. Start with our 3D2N itinerary.
• Two or more nights inside one resort, with young children: Bintan.
• Tight budget for a family of four: Batam, by S$72 on the ferry alone on regular dates.