Batam Island (Pulau Batam in Indonesian) is a small island just south of Singapore. It forms part of the Riau Archipelago. It is a stepping-stone for onward travel by boat to other parts of Indonesia.
Where to Stay
Hotel Grand Palace
The cheapest ‘standard’ rooms go for 120,000Rp during the week and 140,000Rp at the weekend. If you require breakfast add 15,000Rp to these rates. Weekly rates of 770,000Rp may be available.
Only the more expensive rooms have windows, but all rooms have air-con and cable TV and are ensuite.
Shopping
The Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall is a good place to head in order to buy clothes, electrical goods and food. However, the proximity to Singapore has clearly had a significant upward effect on prices when compared to other areas of Indonesia.
Getting Around
From Batam Central you will find plenty of taxis waiting outside. The standard rate seems to be 50,000Rp, but it may be possible to negotiate a price of 30,000Rp according to a local. The information desk here is of little, if any use.
A better option is to go up to the second level of the ferry port building and walk across the bridge to the shopping mall opposite. The staff at the information counter here, just inside the front entrance are extremely helpful and pretty knowledgeable.
From outside the shopping mall a taxi should be slightly cheaper – perhaps 45,000Rp, or if you are feeling adventurous, wait for the next public minibus to pass and flag it down. The price to Nagoya should be about 3,000 to 5,000Rp.
How to Get There From Singapore
Penguin ferry company has tickets to either Batam Central or Sekupang for S$22 one way, which includes the S$8 port tax.
The trip should take about 45 minutes to Sekupang or an hour to Batam Central. The lower seating level of the boat is air-conditioned. The upper deck is undercover but one can slide open the windows and allow some fresh air inside. Smoking is also permitted on the upper deck.
Don’t bother checking in your luggage. It is free to check in your bags in Singapore, but not free to collect it at the Indonesian end! You will be charged between 5,000Rp and 20,000Rp per bag, depending upon the weight. This is bordering on being a scam.
Onward Travel to Jakarta by Ship
‘Batam Island to Tanjung Priok, Jakarta by the Pelni Ship KM Kelud’ gives more details.
Exchange Rate
At the time of writing US$1 is worth approximately 9,000Rp or S$1.3.
Richard Milnes - Richard was born in London, England, but has since spent much of his life travelling the world and has visited nearly 50 ...
