2022 Guide To Travelling From Singapore To Batam & Bintan By Sea VTL – Costs & What To Prepare

Sea VTL from Singapore to Batam and Bintan

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Batam and Bintan used to be the go-tos for Singaporeans for a cheap, quick mini-break from Singapore’s bustling city-scape. There are affordable yet luxurious resorts, and lots of yummy and cheap street food. But alas, Covid put pause on all that… until now.

Good news – you’ll soon be able to resume putting Batam on your weekend to-do list. Starting 25th February 2022, sea Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) arrangements between Singapore and Batam along with Bintan bring back quarantine-free travel between the two islands.

Before you jump into your travel plans, here are all the requirements for travelling to Batam and Bintan by ferry to help you get started.

Check out some of our other VTL travel guides:

• Land VTL to JB
• VTL to Australia
• South Korea VTL guide
• Germany VTL guide

Update, 21st February 2022: The article has been amended to reflect factual corrections and regulations. 

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Before you leave on your trip

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Though ferry trips between Singapore and Batam resume on 18th February 2022, the VTL measures to both islands only kick in on 25th February 2022. Applications for this VTL (Sea) route open on 22nd February 2022. 

Note: Approvals for VTL (Air) are not interchangeable with VTL (Sea) approvals.

Image credit: BatamFast

As with all travel during the pandemic, there are lots of requirements and pre-trip preparations to tick off before you can even think about stepping onto that ferry.

Here’s what to do in order to be eligible for VTL travel to and from Batam:

• You must have stayed in Singapore for the last 14 days prior to the trip.
• If you are not a Singaporean or Indonesian citizen with Singapore PR status, you’ll need to obtain the relevant entry visa. Singaporeans can stay up to 30 days in Indonesia without a visa.
• If you are 18 and above, you must be vaccinated against Covid with at least two doses at least 14 days before the date of the trip. Children below 12 must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult.
• You must have a printed vaccination certificate, which can be retrieved from your SingPass app. It must also be verified on e-HAC International Indonesia, which is accessible via the Peduli Lindungi app.
• Your passport must be valid for at least six months.

Think of the Peduli Lindungi app as Indonesia’s version of TraceTogether
Image credit: Indonesia Travel

You’ll also need:

• To test negative on a PCR test taken within 72 hours before departing Singapore for Batam or Bintan. This can be taken at any MOH-approved provider, and costs upwards of $98 for PCR.
• Travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage of at least $30,000.
• To download the Peduli Lindungi app, which works like TraceTogether.
• A confirmed return ticket on the ferry. Your on-arrival PCR ($30) needs to be booked then.
• Booking and payment confirmation for your accommodation in Batam or Bintan for the duration of your stay.

It would be advisable to print out hard copies of all your documents, just in case you can’t access the virtual copies.

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Getting to Batam and Bintan

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There is currently one ferry a day in each direction between Singapore and Batam
Image credit: BatamFast

You can only travel via the VTL (Sea) route to Batam and from designated ferries operated by BatamFast. For a start, there is only one ferry a day between Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and Batam’s Nongsapura Ferry Terminal. 

A round trip ticket costs $80 per person and takes 50 minutes each way.

Those travelling to Bintan can only take a ferry to Bandar Bintan Telani Ferry Terminal, and travel within Lagoi. For now, 350 travellers will be allowed in each direction per week, for both islands. 

Image credit: Nongsapura Ferry Terminal

Once you get to Indonesia, you’ll have to pass temperature checks and test negative for your PCR taken at the ferry terminal. You’ll also need to ensure that your Peduli Lindungi app is active, as you’ll be using it when you visit various places in Batam and Bintan.

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During your stay

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While you’re in Bintan or Batam, try some of these things to do away from the city once they’ve opened up again. But be sure to adhere to Indonesia’s Covid-19 safety regulations such as mask-wearing, hand-washing, social distancing and using Peduli Lindungi for contact tracing.

Like Singapore, Indonesia is currently riding the Omicron wave. If at any time you feel unwell, call the hotline at 119 to find out where you can test for Covid-19. If you test positive for Covid-19, you will be isolated at a dedicated facility, and the entire cost will be borne by you.

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Returning to Singapore

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Before you leave for Singapore, you’ll need to take a pre-departure PCR and test negative within two days before your departure. Check with your resort if they can help you arrange for this.

Once you get back to Singapore via ferry, you’ll have to take a supervised ART at a Quick Test Centre or Combined Test Centre within 24 hours of your arrival, and self-isolate until your result is confirmed as negative.

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Travelling from Singapore to Batam and Bintan

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Those who love the sun, sand and sea will be glad to know that Batam and Bintan are officially back on the books for a well-deserved vacation. Not only are they ideal for a quick and convenient getaway, but they’re also more affordable options for those itching to get out of Singapore. 

Hopefully, even more Indonesian cities will open up to VTLs so that we can visit once more, and soon!

Note: Travel restrictions and regulations are subject to change during these pandemic times, so check with the Indonesian embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Singapore) for the latest protocols.

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Cover image adapted from: Nongsapura Ferry Terminal