ID · Riau Islands · 1.13°N 104.05°E

batam

Quick ferry from JB or Singapore for seafood feasts, spa days and mall runs.

Best time
Any time of year, though rain can come in any month. Weekends and public holidays get busy with day-trippers.
How long
2 days, 1 night
Getting there
Ferries from Stulang Laut in Johor Bahru take about 1.5–2 hours to Batam Centre or Harbour Bay. From Singapore, ferries take about an hour.
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ID · Riau Islandsbatam1.13°N 104.05°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Quick ferry from JB or Singapore for seafood feasts, spa days and mall runs.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingBatamID, Riau Islands
KLbatam
≈ 345 km from KL, as the crow flies
Billboard selamat datang di Kota Batam

Photo: Ivetta Inaray · CC BY 2.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

An Indonesian island just south of Singapore, built up into a busy industrial city. For Malaysians down south it's an easy weekend: ferry over, eat a lot of seafood, get a massage and do some shopping. Head south across the bridges to Rempang and Galang for a quieter side.

Makan

  1. SeafoodChilli crab, steamed fish and prawns, often at big restaurants built over the water.Map ↗
  2. Gong gongSmall sea snails boiled and eaten with a toothpick and chilli sauce, a Riau favourite.Map ↗
  3. Mie lendirNoodles in a thick, sweet peanut gravy, a local breakfast.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Barelang BridgeThe first of the bridges linking Batam to Rempang and Galang, popular at sunset.Map ↗
  2. Spa and massagePlenty of spas and reflexology places for a long session after the ferry.Map ↗
  3. NagoyaThe old shopping district, with malls, markets and money changers.Map ↗
  4. Galang refugee campThe former Vietnamese refugee camp on Galang Island, kept as a museum site.Map ↗
  5. Maha Vihara Duta MaitreyaA large Buddhist temple complex in the middle of the city.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Bring your passport and check which terminal your ferry uses. Batam has several, and they are far apart.
  • Agree on taxi fares first, or use a ride-hailing app.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.