Travel Blog

Batam Travel Stories

Insider guides, local tips, food recommendations, and everything you need to make the most of your Batam trip.

Tengku Fisabilillah Bridge with its two pylons over the strait, on the Trans Barelang road that leads south to Galang Island

Galang Refugee Camp: The History of the Boat People near Singapore

For 17 years, an island south of Batam was home to tens of thousands of people who had fled Vietnam by sea. What happened at the Galang camp, why it is remembered differently from other camps, and what you can still see today.

Sarah Tan · 30 October 2026 · 7 min read

Singapore downtown skyline reflected in Marina Bay waters at dusk, viewed from the waterfront

Ferry

Is Batam a Cheaper Gateway to Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Beyond?

Ferry to Batam, then fly domestic: sometimes it saves money, sometimes it costs more. An honest route-by-route comparison for Singapore travellers heading to Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Sumatra cities and Kuala Lumpur.

Sarah Tan · 29 October 2026 · 9 min read

Ferry

Singapore to Batam Ferry: Every Route, Fare and Terminal Compared

Six ferry routes, two Singapore terminals and four operators. Which crossing fits where you're staying, what a ticket really costs once the fees are added, when the last boat leaves Batam, and what to expect at immigration.

Sarah Tan · 21 September 2026 · 7 min read

Fresh seafood platter with clams, shrimp and oysters arranged on a wooden board with herbs and lemon

Culture & Heritage

The Best Seafood in Batam: A Guide to Eating Like a Local

From live lobster tanks at Harbour Bay to kelong restaurants over the water — Batam's seafood scene is one of the best reasons to make the crossing from Singapore.

Marcus Wijaya · 21 September 2026 · 8 min read