Batam

Batam is a small but busy island in the Riau Islands in Indonesia of 45 km x 25 km and nearly a million people, hundreds of factories owned by multinationals, towns, Shopping Centres. It is a gateway to the other Riau Islands.

Districts

Nagoya
Batam's busiest business and commercial area

Harbour Bay
Newly developed housing,entertainment and commercial area

Nongsapura
The majority of Batam's resorts are here

Waterfront City
Another resort area

Sekupang
Batam's main domestic port is located here

Telaga Punggur
Another domestic port to meet the transportation needs between Batam and Bintan island

More Destinations

Rempang Island - rural island dotted with coastal villages on stilts
Galang Island - location of former Vietnamese refugee camp

Batam Halal Travel Guide

Located only 20 km from Singapore and 25 km from Johor in Malaysia, Batam is Indonesia's equivalent to China's SEZs (Special Economic Zones) - a place where the nation's economic planners test new economic policies and ideas. The island is an industrial hub with electronics factories, a large and growing ship repair industry and an even larger oil service sector. Quite a few expats head there for work and pubs and golf courses have sprung up to serve them.

Most tourists, on the other hand, come from nearby Singapore. While there is a smattering of family resorts, Bintan is more popular for this.

Local Language in Batam

Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) is modeled on the version of (Malay) which originates from Riau on the Sumatra mainland and the Riau Islands. In fact, Riau (Malay) is regarded as quite similar to the (Malay) language and visitors from Malaysia will find the Indonesian spoken here very similar to Bahasa Malaysia, which is the version of (Malay) spoken back home.

Batam also has a large population of ethnic Chinese Indonesians, who also can speak Hokkien (Fujian), Teochew and Mandarin. There are also many Indonesians from various parts of Indonesia who speak many different Indonesian languages.

Travel to Batam

All Batam ports, namely Harbour Bay (Jodoh), Batam Centre, Nongsapura, Sekupang and Waterfront City (Teluk Senimba) are visa-free and visa-on-arrival ports of entry. For detailed information on visas, please refer to the Indonesia page.

Fly to Batam

Hang Nadim International Airport IATA Flight Code: BTH It is served mainly by domestic flights and direct connections are available to CGK|Jakarta and a wide range of other large city's on the islands of Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Bali. Indonesian carriers Garuda Indonesia, CitiLink, Lion Air and a host of others provide the links. Smaller regional and local airlines provide connections to the remote Natuna Islands and smaller towns in Northeastern Sumatra.

As often in Indonesia there is a first security check for entering the terminal, which implies some queuing.

In addition to the domestic flights, Malindo Air operates international Flights from Subang Airport near Kuala Lumpur.

For most foreign visitors though the most practical way of getting to Batam will be to fly into Singapore (IATA Flight Code: SIN) and catch a ferry from there. If you want to catch Flights from Singapore's Changi Airport, you must be on a ferry to Singapore at least three hours before departure time. Regular shuttle buses connect Changi Airport Terminals 2 and 4 with Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, where you can catch ferries to Nongsapura or Batam Centre. See "By boat" section below for details.

Travel by boat to Batam

Remain silent - In August 2022, signs showing a picture of a raised finger over a pair of lips have been installed at the Batam Centre International Ferry Terminal. This indicates you should be silent while queing for immigration so as to clearly hear the immigration officers. Some visitors have been sent back to Singapore for not complying. The signs are also displayed at other ferry terminals, but the rule is not strictly enforced.

The main ports on Batam are Harbour Bay Batam Center, Sekupang, Waterfront City, Nongsapura and Telaga Punggur. The main city of Nagoya is now served by Harbour Bay (Jodoh), replacing the old Batu Ampar ferry terminal.

Harbour Bay terminal has the fastest voyage time, 45 minutes away from Singapore HarbourFront Centre and Nagoya Downtown is only 10 minutes drive away. It also serves domestic ferry service to Riau island and Stulang Laut and Puteri Harbour Malaysia Johor.

Batam Centre Ferry Terminal has ferry connections from Singapore and Johor Bahru. Sekupang, with ferries from Singapore is best used for those catching domestic connections to the Sumatra mainland and the Karimun Islands. Waterfront City and Nongsapura mostly serve adjacent resorts while Telaga Punggur is the main ferry terminal for boats to and from Bintan.

From Singapore: Ferries departing from the Harbourfront Ferry Terminal go to Harbour Bay Terminal Sekupang, Batam Centre and Waterfront City (Teluk Senimba) while ferries from the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal serve Batam Centre and Nongsapura.
From Harbourfront: Ferry operators include:
Horizon Fast Ferry ( +65 6276 6711 in HarbourFront Centre, +62 778 741 5100 in Harbour Bay Terminal)
Dino/Batam Fast (+62-778-467793/464666 in Batam Centre; +62-778-325085/6 in Sekupang; +62-778-381150 in Waterfront City; +65-62700311 in Harbourfront). Also hourly ferries to Batam Centre, fewer ferries to Sekupang and Waterfront City )
Sindo Ferry (in Harbourfront).
From Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal: Ferries operated by:
Dino/Batam Fast (+62-778-761071 in Nongsapura, +65-65426310 in Tanah Merah FT). Several ferries daily from Nongsapura.
To/From Malaysia: Ferries link Johor Bahru with Harbour Bay Terminal and Batam Centre. There are virtually hourly departures between 07:50 and 18:40 from JB to Batam and between 07:50 and 1:720 from Batam to JB.
From Bintan:
The main port for ferries between the national capital of Riau Islands

Tanjung Pinang at the island Bintan and Batam is Telaga Punggur at the southeastern end of Batam:
Baruna (+62-778-479162 in Telaga Punggur; +62-771-28578 in Tanjung Pinang) and Sentosa operate speedboats between Telaga Punggur and Bintan's main town Tanjung Pinang virtually every 15 minutes during daylight hours. Tickets cost Rp.25,000 - Rp60,000 excluding port taxes (Rp.5,000).
Frequent speedboats also run between Telaga Punggur and Tanjung Uban on the Western part of Bintan.
Getting there/away: Official taxis from Batam Centre to Telaga Punggur cost Rp65.000. On the reverse way, it's Rp. 60.000. You can try and bargain for a lower rate with taxis outside the port area (Batam centre to Telaga Punggur may cost Rp.50.000). Passenger vans or mikrolet (known as Metro Trans by the local residents) run between Telaga Punggur and Jodoh/Nagoya. They will go back & forth to wait until their van is full before they really depart.
Boats from Tanjung Pinang also call at Sekupang at the northeastern part of Batam when going to or coming from the Sumatra mainland such as to Dumai and Pekanbaru, as well as Karimun Island. These are however not as frequent as those leaving from Telaga Punggur. To get to Sekupang, please see following section.
From Sumatra mainland, other Riau Islands: Batam's main domestic port is Sekupang, where you can ferries to/from the Sumatra mainland and other Riau Islands west of Batam. You can also use Sekupang for ferries from Bintan but the bulk of ferries to that island leave from Telaga Punggur (see "From Bintan" section above). Getting there/away: Numerous taxis make the run between Sekupang and Nagoya. There is also a public shuttle van service between Sekupang and Batam Center as well as Nagoya.
From Karimun Island: Regular ferries operate between Tanjung Balai on Karimun and Sekupang. Some of the ferries originate from the Sumatra mainland or Kundur Island. Boats also stop at Tanjung Balai when going from Sekupang to Sumatra or Kundur.
From Dumai: Several companies, including Dumai Express operates several ferries daily to/from Sekupang. Most of these ferries originate from Tanjung Pinang and the main town on Bintan and also make a stop at Tanjung Balai on Karimun Island after making a stop at Sekupang.
From Kundur Island: Several ferry companies run daily between Sekupang and Tanjung Batu on Kundur. These ferries also make a stop at Tanjung Balai on Karimun en route.
Other ferry destinations include Pekanbaru, Selat Panjang, Bengkalis and Tanjung Buton in Riau and Kuala Tungkal in Jambi province.
From other parts of Indonesia: Pelni ships which serve various ports throughout Indonesia call at Sekupang.

Get Around in Batam

Best way to travel in Batam by a Taxi

There are plenty of taxis in Batam, but there are no standard color schemes: however, licensed taxis have yellow license plates, while unlicensed ones do not (and are best avoided). As there are no meters, you will need to bargain with the drivers; the first price quoted is often silly, but if there are other taxis around, you can easily bargain them down. Sample fares for reference:

Telaga Punggur to Batam Centre (Rp. 112,000, 25 min). As of July 2015, this was a fixed fare. No haggling was undertaken
Nagoya to Harbour Bay ferry terminal at Batu Ampar (Rp. 30,000 fix price, 8 min)
Sekupang to Batam Centre (Rp. 50,000)
Hang Nadim airport to Nagoya/Jodoh (Rp. 75,000 - fixed price)
Batam Centre ferry hub to Hang Nadim airport: Rp. 90,000 (fixed price as of 2022)
Full-day hire of a taxi Rp. 500,000 (around S$70)

If you feel more comfortable with metered taxis and there are a few of these taxis attached with it, but please ensure that you asked the driver to operate the meter before getting into the taxi, otherwise they will not operate it and may charge you more than the amount that you are supposed to pay.

By Minibus (Metro Trans)

Fixed route plies between Jodoh and Telaga Punggur (Rp. 3,000-4,000). Sample fares for other destinations are as follows:

Jodoh to Sembulang via Sukajadi Rp. 9,500
Jodoh to Galang Baru via Sukajadi Rp. 12,000
Dapur 12 to Mukakuning Rp. 3,000
Dapur 12 to Jodoh via Sukajadi Rp. 4,000

Travel by Bus

Recently, Batam local government (known as pemerintah) started a bus service known as "Bus Pilot Project". The blue colour bus plies between Batam Center and Batu Aji for Rp. 4,000 and Batam Center to Sekupang Rp. 4,000. Buy your ticket via eHalal Travel Group from the personnel before boarding.

Most hotels run shuttle buses during the day to the ferry ports and to the main shopping mall. It seems that none run a shuttle to airport.

You can hop into a free shuttle bus (yellow in colour) from Megamall Batam Center to the major hotels in Nagoya (Batam) | Nagoya or Jodoh.

How to travel to Batam by car

The Kijang, which is generally everywhere in Indonesia, is strangely absent in Batam. Your hotel may be able to arrange a vehicle and driver for you, but be prepared to pay Rp 200,000 or more, which is almost double the rate in Jakarta.

Muslim Travel Tips

The Waterfront City area of Batam is on the Western side of the island. There are several attractions & activities available in this area, such as water & sea sports activities, a fishing pond, go-kart racing track, a football field, as well as a beach for swimming or playing with the kids. There is also a cable ski park, Jet Ski, para sailing and banana boats for the adventurous.

Down at the Barelang Islands, connected to Batam by a series of 6 bridges and there are many good beaches, as well as an old Vietnamese refugee camp, that was occupied for 20 years by Vietnamese boat people and has now been restored as a tourism attraction. The site is quite overgrown in places by the jungle and takes around 1hour to drive to from Batam Centre. However, on entering the site there are several colonies of macaque monkeys by the road side. Thit is also a favorite route for cyclists.

Ocarina Park - Kawasan Wisata Ocarina | Thit is a muslim-friendly place for fun and entertainment. The large ferris wheel and other carnival attractions are fun and there is a water park and 3D movie theater inside, along with several food-court style restaurants. The entrance is quite a walk from the attractions, but there is a shuttle bus or you can take your vehicle inside. This whole complex has an unfinished air to it and is a work in progress. Perhaps it will be a place to spend some time in the future but disappointing and only local residents would be happy with the facilities and services.

Batam Golf - Golf stay and play packages | Batam is a golfers paradise. Batam Island is blessed with 7 great golf courses providing top class championship golf and great hospitality.

Shopping in Batam

The Indonesian rupiah may be legal tender, but the Singapore dollar (S$) is Batam's unofficial second currency. Tourist-oriented hotels, restaurants and retail outlets quote prices in S$ and they will be accepted by nearly anybody in a pinch. However, if you decide to pay by credit card, by law your bill must be converted to rupiah first—and the exchange rate is unlikely to be in your favor.

There are many malls in Batam offering a variety of stores and restaurants. Nagoya Hill Mall, in Nagoya, has a Matahari department store, Hypermart supermarket with selected Halal food, ACE Hardware and a Cinema 21. Restaurants include J.Co, KFC, A&W, BFC, Pizzas Hut, Ayam Goreng Fatmawati, Solaria, Grandduck Chinese restaurant & newtown coffee at the top of the mall.

BCS Mall in Baloi has a Golden Truly department store, a Gramedia and a bowling alley.

If you would like to bring Indonesian delicacy back for your family, opt for the LAYERS Batam Layer Cake, which is available in most of the shopping malls and ferry terminals. They are handmade and have become the iconic takeaway delicacy from Batam.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Batam

To be updated

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Batam

Batam - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Batam, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Batam. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Batam and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Batam. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Batam. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Batam: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Batam.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Batam: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Batam, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Batam.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Batam, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Batam, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Batam and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Batam, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Batam, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Batam without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Batam is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Batam.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Batam is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Batam, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Batam Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Batam

eHalal Group Batam is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Batam. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Batam.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Batam ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Batam. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Batam, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Batam are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Ramadan Celebrations in Batam

Ramadan 2025 in Batam

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Much of Batam's lodging is in Nagoya.

Upon arrival in the ferry terminal (Harbour Bay or Batam Centre) you can go to the Hotel Reservation Counter and they will have numerous options for the 3+ star hotels in on the island. These may give you a slightly better value than booking directly with the hotel itself so it is not a scam. In addition, however and there are budget options available such as family apartments.

Swiss-Belhotel-Harbour Bay, Harbour Bay, ☎ +62 778 741 5888 | Walking distance from Harbour Bay Terminal
Zest Hotel , Harbour Bay, Reservation: (62) 822 1881 8828 | Main: (62-778) 408 9900 | Cheapest 3 star hotel starting from $15. Walking distance from Harbour Bay Terminal

Batamholiday Apartment | Probably the cheapest lodging in Batam

Golden View Hotel | Rooms in this 4 star hotel are spacious, clean, equipped with air conditioning, cable TV and safe. Also on premises: Bar, water slide swimming pool, gym, private secluded sauna, jacuzzi, private massage center. Buffet style breakfast is included. Billiard is also available at S$4/hr. There are a lot of leisure places around the hotel, such as kart, fishing farm, flying fox, obstacle adventure, high rope, Replica Cheng Ho Ship, miniature custom Indonesia houses, food courts. There is also performance of swallowing burning coal, chewing bulbs, etc. The Golden Prawn Seafood Restaurant is a 2-minutes walk from the hotel. This large restaurant is erected over the water. It resembles several open air marquees which is affordable and cheerful in the furnishings. The staff are warm and welcoming.

89 Hotel | Offers rooms equipped with air-conditioning, internet connection, Minibar with alcohol removed and cable TV. Some of its facilities and services are the L'amour Restaurant, Viva 89 Spa & Fitness Centre, 89 Massage, Meeting rooms and business centre.

Nongsa Point Marina & Resort | Rooms, suites and chalets, all equipped with air conditioning, Private toilet and bath and balcony/ deck. Facilities and services are airport transfers, watersports and an outdoor pool.

Nongsa Village | The hotel offers two-bedroom wooden villas measuring about 1,700 square feet, cable television, coffee- and tea-making facilities, phone and ironing board. It also has a swimming pool, gym, beach access and a spa by the pool.

Harmoni One Hotel Best rates on official website start from S$78
Harris Resort Batam

Panorama Regency Hotel

Stay safe in Batam

The roads around Batam are OK, but not maintained to the highest standard. The taxi drivers in particular delight in driving as fast as they can and they really like to overtake on a curve or bend. If you feel at all uncomfortable ask the driver to slow down, tell him you are not in a hurry, they are OK, although we did have to yell at one in Indonesian a few times to get him to drive safely.

News & References

Go Next

Batam, with its good ferry connections, is an excellent springboard to the other Riau Islands such as the Tanjung Uban and Kijang Bintan Island and the Sumatra mainland. Good flight connections also make Batam a good place to get affordable air tickets to Jakarta and other parts of Indonesia.

Telecommunications

The country code for Indonesia is 62. The area code for Batam is 778. To call Singapore from Wartel phone shop, please dial 007-65 followed by the phone no.
The General Post office (known as kantor pos in Bahasa Indonesia) is at Batam Center, not far from the ferry terminal