Weekend in Batam from Singapore: 2-Day Itinerary and Guide

Most weekenders take the ferry from HarbourFront to Batam Centre. Three operators share the route, with sailings from 07:40 to 21:50 Singapore time and a crossing of about an hour. Since July 2026 the HarbourFront ferries leave from the new Singapore Cruise Centre at 5 HarbourFront Avenue, a short covered walk from HarbourFront MRT.

If you're heading straight to a Nongsa resort, take Tanah Merah to Nongsa instead. It lands at Nongsapura on the Nongsa peninsula, a short transfer from the resorts, so you skip the drive across the island.

Friday evening and Saturday morning sailings sell out, so book those two to three days ahead. Our guide to every Singapore–Batam ferry route compares all six crossings, what the tickets really cost and when the last boats leave. Only have a single day? The Batam day trip guide runs the honest math on how much time that leaves you.

Where you stay decides what kind of weekend you have, because Batam's areas are far apart.

Nongsa, for a resort weekend. The resort strip on the north-east coast faces Singapore across the strait. The Turi Beach Resort and Montigo Resorts Nongsa are the luxury picks; Batam View Beach Resort is the mid-range option with its own private beach. Nagoya is a long drive away, so this is a weekend of pool, beach and spa rather than malls.

Nagoya, for food, shopping and spas. The island's commercial centre puts malls, massage places and food streets on your doorstep. Planet Holiday Hotel & Resort is the mid-range choice, with pools and two spas in the building. BCC Hotel is the budget pick, a short walk from BCS Mall.

Waterfront City, for families. On the west coast, Harris Resort Waterfront and Holiday Inn Resort Batam both run kids clubs and big pools. Take the ferry to Sekupang, but note that the last boats back from there leave early, around 18:00.

This plan assumes a Nagoya or Batam Centre base and a Saturday morning ferry. Swap pieces around to suit where you stay.

Day 1: Arrive, Unwind, Eat Well

Morning. Take a morning ferry to Batam Centre. Batam runs one hour behind Singapore, so you gain an hour on arrival. Drop your bags at the hotel.

Afternoon. Book the full-day spa and wellness package in Nagoya: four hours of massage, body scrub and facial from SGD 60 per person, a fraction of the Singapore price. If spas aren't your thing, visit the Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple instead, free to enter, and spend the rest of the afternoon in the Nagoya malls.

Evening. Seafood dinner. The waterfront restaurants at Harbour Bay are the classic choice — our seafood guide explains how ordering by weight works. Or join the Nagoya night market food walk with a local guide, from SGD 38.

Day 2: Bridges or Mangroves, Then Home

Morning. Hire a private driver (SGD 70–100 for the day) for the Barelang bridges, the chain of six bridges south of Batam, with a stop for photos at the first one. Grab is patchy out there, which is why a driver makes sense. If you're staying in Nongsa, the mangrove kayak tour (three hours, from SGD 45) is the closer alternative. Golfers can swap either for a round — see our golf in Batam guide.

Afternoon. Lunch on the way back, then head to the terminal. Sunday afternoon and evening are the busiest times for the return, so book your ferry in advance. The last sailings from Batam Centre to HarbourFront leave at around 20:30 local time.

Leaving after work on Friday instead? The last sailings from HarbourFront leave shortly before 22:00 Singapore time and arrive before 22:00 Batam time, which buys you a full Saturday on the island.

Seafood is the reason many Singaporeans make the trip. Harbour Bay's waterfront restaurants are the easiest place to start; Harbour Bay Seafood Restaurant runs at about IDR 200,000 per person for a full spread. Live seafood is priced by weight, so confirm the weight and price before it goes to the kitchen. For local dishes, hawker centres and halal options, see our Batam food guide.

The ferry is the one fixed cost: from SGD 28 one-way plus fees with Sindo, or about SGD 43 all-in with BatamFast and Majestic. The hotel is the biggest variable, from budget rooms in Nagoya to villas in Nongsa. Our Batam weekend budget guide adds up real ferry, hotel, food and transport prices into three budget levels, with a worked example for two people.