Getting Around Batam: Grab, Gojek, Taxis and Drivers

Batam is a car island. Distances between the ferry terminals, malls and resorts are too long to walk, so most visitors use Grab or Gojek for short hops, a taxi when an app is not practical, and a car with driver for longer days out such as the Barelang bridges.

Ride-hailing: Grab and Gojek

Both major apps work in Batam:

• Grab runs rides, food and grocery delivery across the island; its Batam attractions page promotes the app for rides throughout Batam.
• Gojek lists more than 20 services in Batam, including GoRide (motorbike), GoCar, GoFood and GoBluebird, according to Gojek.

A third app, Maxim, also operates; it began serving Hang Nadim Airport in August 2024.

Tips for using the apps

• Set up the app and payment method before you leave home.
• Your Singapore or Malaysian number works if you are roaming; make sure you have data on arrival.
• Check the car plate and driver name before getting in.
• For motorbike rides, wear the helmet provided.

The ferry terminal pickup rule

This is where visitors get stuck. Local guide Seniberjalan reported in April 2026 that Grab and Gojek may not pick up passengers inside the Batam Centre ferry terminal zone. Walk out to a permitted pickup point; Mega Mall Batam Centre, linked to the terminal by bridge, is the most reliable.

Pickup arrangements differ between terminals and can change. Follow the pickup point the app suggests and any signage at the terminal.

At the airport

Hang Nadim International Airport is in Batu Besar, in the Nongsa district. Since 5 August 2024, GoCar and Maxim have operated at the airport alongside Grab and conventional taxis, with app pickups at Parking Area A, reported Riau1.

Taxis

Taxis wait outside the ferry terminals. At Batam Centre, the April 2026 Seniberjalan report described fares as negotiated rather than metered, quoting around IDR 80,000 to 120,000 to Nagoya at the time. Agree the price before you get in, and confirm whether it is per car or per person.

Buses: Trans Batam

Trans Batam runs a bus rapid transit system with nine corridors, operating since 2005. The April 2026 report quoted a flat fare of around IDR 5,000 at the time. At Batam Centre the nearest stops are by Mega Mall rather than at the terminal itself. Buses suit budget travellers with time; most weekend visitors find apps quicker.

Hiring a car with driver

For a day trip to the Barelang bridges and Galang, or a family with luggage, a car with driver is the comfortable choice. You avoid parking, and you can stop for photos where you like.

How to book:

• Ask your hotel to arrange a driver; it gives you someone accountable if anything goes wrong.
• Agree in advance on the hours, route, fuel and tolls, and whether waiting time is included.
• Confirm the price per car, not per person.
• Save the driver's WhatsApp number and share your itinerary.

Typical travel times

Traffic varies, so treat these as rough guides from published sources:

• Nongsapura terminal to Turi Beach Resort: about 5 minutes (resort's estimate)
• Nongsa (Turi Beach) to Batam Centre: about 15 minutes
• Nongsa to Nagoya: about 20 minutes
• Nongsa to Harbour Bay: about 25 minutes
• Nongsa to the airport: about 10 minutes
• Harbour Bay to Nagoya: about 10 minutes
• The full Barelang bridge chain: about 50km, roughly 50 minutes' drive end to end

Nongsa times are the resort's own estimates on the Turi Beach Resort site; the Barelang figure is from Wikipedia. Allow extra time at evening peak and on Sunday afternoons before the ferry home.

Getting your terminal right

Since everything is spread out, choose your ferry terminal by where you are staying:

• Harbour Bay for Nagoya and the downtown waterfront
• Batam Centre for the civic centre, Mega Mall and One Batam Mall
• Nongsapura for Nongsa resorts
• Sekupang for the west side

Our Singapore to Batam ferry guide matches terminals to operators.

Data on the go

Apps need data. Singtel's ReadyRoam Neighbours packs cover Indonesia (alongside Malaysia and Thailand); other telcos and eSIM providers have their own plans. Activate before you board.

Which option for which trip?

• Ferry terminal to a city hotel: ride-hailing from the permitted pickup point, or a taxi with an agreed fare.
• Short hops around Nagoya and Batam Centre: Grab or Gojek; GoRide motorbikes suit solo travellers with no luggage.
• Airport transfers: Grab, GoCar or Maxim from Parking Area A, or a conventional airport taxi.
• Barelang and Galang: a car with driver for the day.
• Nongsa resort stays: book the resort's ferry transfer, then use apps for trips into the city.
• Budget travel: Trans Batam buses, if you have time and travel light.

Planning a day route

Batam rewards grouping your stops by area rather than criss-crossing the island:

• City day: Nagoya's malls and food, then Harbour Bay for dinner.
• Batam Centre day: Mega Mall, One Batam Mall and the grand mosque.
• South day: the Barelang bridges, Galang and a seafood lunch.
• Nongsa day: resort, beach and a waterfront seafood dinner nearby.

Food and grocery delivery

If you would rather stay put, Gojek lists GoFood and GoMart in Batam, and Grab promotes food and grocery delivery on the island too. Handy for families or a lazy evening at the hotel.

Safety and comfort tips

• Keep small notes for tolls, tips and parking.
• Carry your hotel's address in Bahasa Indonesia or as a map pin.
• If a taxi driver offers a "tour", agree everything before you start.
• On Sunday evenings, leave early for the ferry. Queues and traffic build up.

Next, decide where to base yourself with where to stay in Batam.