Showing posts with label Indonesia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indonesia. Show all posts

October 16, 2026

2 Days in Batam, Indonesia: Our Itinerary, Food, Hotel & Things to Do

After sharing our experiences in Batam, Indonesia, through several blog posts, I wanted to put everything together in one travel guide.

Batam was a quick getaway during our 9-day trip to Singapore, Indonesia, and the Disney Adventure Cruise. We traveled from Singapore to Batam on the second day of our overall trip and returned to Singapore the following day.

Although our stay was short, we managed to enjoy a hotel stay, try delicious food, explore some of Batam's popular attractions, and shop for pasalubong to bring home.

In this post, I'll share our 2-day Batam itinerary, including how we traveled from Singapore, where we stayed, what we ate, and the places we visited.


How to Get to Batam, Indonesia, from Singapore and Vice Versa

One thing that made our Batam getaway convenient was taking the ferry. Since Batam is accessible from Singapore by ferry, it's a practical option for travelers planning a short trip.

We booked our ferry tickets through Klook and used two different operators for our journey:

· Singapore to Batam: Majestic Fast Ferry
· Batam to Singapore: Sindo Ferry

Here's how our ferry experience went.

Singapore to Batam: Majestic Fast Ferry



For our journey to Batam, we took Majestic Fast Ferry. Since we planned to stay overnight, I booked a one-way ticket instead of a round-trip ticket.

Under the booking option I selected on Klook, I could book either a one-way ticket or a same-day round-trip ticket. Since we weren't returning to Singapore that day, booking a one-way ticket was the more practical choice.

Upon arrival at the ferry terminal, we claimed our tickets at the counter and paid the additional fuel surcharge.

Batam to Singapore: Sindo Ferry



For our return journey, we took Sindo Ferry from Batam to Singapore. We also booked this ticket through Klook, but the process was different.

Our booking voucher had already been confirmed by the operator, and we were informed that we only needed to present our passports for the trip. It was a pleasant surprise to find that our booking had been processed ahead of our travel date!

Using two different ferry operators worked well for our itinerary because we could arrange our departure and return trips separately.

Ferry Travel Tips: Allow Enough Time at the Terminal

Whether you're traveling from Singapore to Batam or returning to Singapore, make sure to allow enough time at the ferry terminal before departure.

You'll need to complete the required check-in procedures, clear immigration, and go through security checks before boarding. Depending on your ferry operator and booking arrangement, you may also need to claim a physical ticket.

I recommend arriving well ahead of your scheduled departure, especially during weekends, holidays, and peak travel periods. Always check your operator's instructions for the required check-in time and boarding procedures to avoid rushing or missing your ferry.

Where to Book Ferry Tickets to Batam

We booked both ferry trips through Klook, which made it convenient to arrange our transportation ahead of time.

You can also check the ferry operators' official websites or inquire at the ferry terminal about purchasing tickets, subject to availability. Compare the available schedules, fares, and booking requirements before deciding which option works best for your trip.

I recommend booking in advance if you have a preferred departure time, particularly during busy travel periods.

Our Ferry Expenses from Singapore to Batam and Back

Here's a breakdown of our ferry expenses for three people, including fuel surcharges and the additional fee we paid to transfer to an earlier ferry schedule.

Singapore to Batam via Majestic Fast Ferry

· Ferry tickets for 3 people: PHP 5,921
· Fuel surcharge: SGD 18 (SGD 6 per person), approximately PHP 864.38

Batam to Singapore via Sindo Ferry

· Ferry tickets for 3 people: PHP 5,454
· Fuel surcharge: IDR 195,000 (IDR 65,000 per person), approximately PHP 698.55
· Fee to transfer to an earlier ferry schedule: IDR 90,000 (IDR 30,000 per person), approximately PHP 322.41

Total Ferry Expenses for 3 People: PHP 13,260.34

These are the amounts we paid during our trip. The PHP equivalents of the surcharges and transfer fee are approximate conversions, so the actual amounts may vary depending on exchange rates. Ferry fares, surcharges, and schedule-change fees may also change, so check the latest rates and policies before your trip.
 
Day 1: Traveling from Singapore to Batam, Indonesia


It was our second day in Singapore, but we said goodbye to the city for now as we headed to Batam for a quick getaway!

After arriving at the Batam Ferry Terminal, we took a taxi to our hotel for IDR 70,000. (cash only) Our accommodation, Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam, also offers a shuttle service from Mega Mall, Lobby C. However, the shuttle schedule didn't match our arrival time, so taking a taxi was more convenient for us.

The hotel also offers a private car transfer for IDR 130,000 if you prefer to arrange transportation in advance. If you're planning to stay at the same hotel, I recommend checking its transportation options and schedules before your arrival.

Where We Stayed: Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam


We stayed at Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam during our short visit. It gave us a comfortable place to relax between our travel activities.

For more photos and details about our accommodation, read my full review of Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam.

Our Food Trip at Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam


Of course, no trip is complete without good food! We also enjoyed a food trip at the hotel, which was another highlight of our stay.

Day 2: Exploring Batam with a Private Tour
To explore Batam, we booked a private Batam tour through Klook, which included a car and driver. This was a convenient way to explore the city and visit several attractions during our short stay.

With our own transportation, we could travel between the different stops on our itinerary, including Barelang Bridge, the Welcome to Batam sign, Rumah Kue Wiweka Shop, Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya, and Nagoya Mall.

Since we only had a limited amount of time in Batam, booking a private tour helped us arrange our sightseeing around the places we wanted to visit.

For more photos and details about each destination, read my complete guide to the places we visited in Batam.


Pasalubong from Indonesia

Before leaving Batam, we also made time to shop for pasalubong to bring home. Shopping for souvenirs and local treats is always one of my favorite parts of traveling. It's a nice way to bring home a little piece of the destination and share something from the trip with family and friends. If you'd like to see what we bought, check out my Batam pasalubong shopping guide.

After our short getaway, it was time to return to Singapore. We took the Sindo Ferry, which we had booked through Klook.

Our two-day trip was brief, but we managed to enjoy our hotel stay, try different food, visit several attractions, and shop for souvenirs before heading back.

Traveling by ferry made it possible to add another destination to our Singapore trip without spending too much time getting there.


Final Thoughts: Is 2 Days in Batam Enough?

For us, two days in Batam were enough for a quick getaway from Singapore. Although our first day was mostly dedicated to traveling and enjoying our hotel stay, we still managed to visit several attractions and shop for pasalubong on the second day.

If you're looking for a short trip with opportunities to explore local landmarks, enjoy good food, and shop for souvenirs, Batam is worth considering. Planning your transportation and activities ahead of time can help you make the most of your stay.

Batam was a lovely addition to our Singapore trip, and I'm glad we had the chance to explore another destination just a ferry ride away.

I hope this itinerary helps you plan your own 2-day Batam adventure. Don't forget to check out the individual posts linked throughout this guide for more details about our hotel, food, attractions, and shopping experiences.
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October 14, 2026

Day 3: Batam to Singapore – City Tour, Shopping & Ferry Ride

Our third day was all about making the most of our remaining time in Batam before heading back to Singapore. After spending a night in Indonesia, we had one more day to explore a few local attractions, do some shopping, and enjoy our last moments in Batam.


We started our day with a buffet breakfast at Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam, where we stayed overnight. It was a nice way to fuel up before our private Batam city tour. After breakfast, we prepared for a day of sightseeing and shopping around the city.

We arranged a private tour to visit some of Batam's popular attractions and shopping spots. Our itinerary included the following places:

1. Barelang Bridge
2. Welcome to Batam Sign
3. Rumah Kue Wiweka Shop
4. Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya
5. Nagoya Mall


We spent most of our time at Nagoya Mall. Since we had extra time before our ferry departure, we made the most of our visit without rushing too much.

Back to the Hotel Before Our Ferry to Singapore

After our city tour and shopping at Nagoya Mall, we headed back to Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam to collect our luggage.

Since our original ferry schedule was later in the day, we ended up spending some time at the hotel, basically just waiting for our departure time. We rested for a bit while killing time before heading to Batam Ferry Terminal.

Little did we know that we could actually request to transfer to an earlier ferry schedule!

Our Ferry Experience: Batam to Singapore

I booked our ferry tickets through Klook, and this time, we claimed our tickets at the Sindo Ferry counter at Batam Ferry Terminal.

To our surprise, the staff offered us the option to transfer to an earlier ferry schedule for an additional IDR 30,000 per person. We agreed to the change and also paid IDR 195,000 for the fuel surcharge.

Looking back, if we had known earlier that changing to an earlier schedule was possible, we would have simply collected our luggage from the hotel and gone straight to the ferry terminal instead of spending time waiting at the hotel!

Nevertheless, we were happy that we could take an earlier ferry. After completing the necessary arrangements, we rushed to the boarding gate. Thankfully, there were no long queues, and we made it in time.


Travel tip: If you're booking your ferry tickets through Klook, you can ask the ferry counter staff whether an earlier departure is available, especially if you arrive at the terminal ahead of your scheduled trip. Availability and additional charges may vary, so it's best to confirm with the staff before making any changes.

Back in Singapore: Dinner at HarbourFront Ferry Terminal

By the time we arrived in Singapore, it was already evening. After getting off the ferry, we had dinner at EAT Restaurant inside HarbourFront Ferry Terminal. We ordered Pork Belly Rice for SGD 6, Chicken Chop Rice for SGD 5.50, and Fishball Noodle for SGD 4.30. The total for our three dishes was SGD 15.80, making it a convenient meal before heading back to our hotel.




We also bought some drinking water before leaving the terminal. One thing we appreciated was the convenient location of the taxi stand, which was just outside the restaurant. We didn't have to walk far with our luggage, which was a relief after a long day of sightseeing and traveling. We took a taxi to Robertson Quay Hotel, and our taxi fare was SGD 13.80.


After a full day exploring Batam, shopping at Nagoya Mall, and traveling back to Singapore, we finally returned to our hotel, ready to rest after our little Indonesian getaway.
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October 13, 2026

Pasalubong from Indonesia: What to Buy in Batam

Since it was my first time visiting Indonesia, I did a quick search for must-buy pasalubong to bring home. Based on my research, some popular choices in Batam included Kue Lapis, Luti Gendang, Otak-Otak Batam, Bingka Bakar, kerupuk (crackers), local chips, packaged snacks, and Batam-themed souvenirs.

However, Batam was not our last destination, and we still had a five-day Disney Adventure Cruise ahead of us. Because we had limited luggage space and wanted to pack light, we decided to buy only a few pasalubong that we could bring home and enjoy during our trip.

Pasalubong Shopping at Rumah Kue Wiweka

During our Private Batam Tour, we stopped by Rumah Kue Wiweka, where we bought some pasalubong, including lapis, banana puff, chips, and magnets.

One of the things I bought was lapis, a popular Indonesian layered cake. I got a few pieces, one as a thank-you gift for the hotel staff who kindly gave us a room upgrade, and the rest for us to enjoy as snacks during our hotel stay.

I really liked the taste of the lapis we bought. It was different from the Indonesian pasalubong my husband had brought home before. If Indonesia had been our last destination, I would have bought more to share with our family and friends.






Indonesian Grocery Items and Snacks to Buy

Aside from traditional cakes and souvenirs, Indonesia also has plenty of packaged snacks, chocolates, instant noodles, coffee, and local grocery products worth checking out.

Here are some items on my must-buy list based on my research:

· Instant noodles: Indomie
· Wafers and biscuits: Tango wafers and Roma Kelapa biscuits
· Chocolates: SilverQueen, Beng-Beng chocolate bars, and other local chocolate treats
· Chili seasoning: BonCabe chili seasoning
· Cooking essentials: Indonesian cooking spices, ABC sauces, and kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
· Chips and crackers: Qtela, kerupuk, and other local chips
· Snacks: Garuda peanuts and Indonesian candies
· Coffee and tea: Kapal Api coffee and Tehbotol Sosro

Of course, these were just some of the products I found during my research. I didn't get to buy everything on the list because we had to consider our luggage space and upcoming cruise.

Trying Indonesian Instant Noodles and Coffee

During our visit, I bought instant coffee and Indomie instant noodles even though I knew these products were already available in the Philippines.

I was curious to find out if they tasted any different from the ones we usually buy at home. Hehehe! Sometimes, even familiar grocery items become part of the fun of shopping in another country.




We also had to consider our breakfast budget because our Singapore hotel did not include breakfast. Having instant noodles and coffee on hand was a convenient option during our stay.

The Snacks and Chocolates We Bought

Aside from the lapis, banana puff, and chips we bought at Rumah Kue Wiweka, I also picked up some Indonesian snacks and chocolates to enjoy during our trip.

Our purchases included peanut rolls, SilverQueen chocolates, Oatmaltinez nougat with almonds and peanuts, TESME fruit chips in jackfruit, mango, and salacca flavors, and Beng-Beng chocolate bars.






I always enjoy checking out the snacks available in local supermarkets whenever we travel. It's a fun way to discover local products and try something different from the usual snacks we buy back home. Of course, I couldn't resist bringing home a few treats to enjoy during our trip and share with family.

A Batik Skirt as a Souvenir


Aside from food and snacks, we also came across a clothing store called Batik Sinten.

My husband convinced me to buy a batik skirt when he saw the store. Since batik is closely associated with Indonesian textile traditions, I thought it would be a nice souvenir to remember our trip to Batam.

It was also a good change from our usual pasalubong shopping, which mostly involved food.

Final Thoughts on Buying Pasalubong in Batam

Our pasalubong shopping in Batam was simple because we had to save space for our next adventure. We didn't get to buy everything on my original must-buy list, but we still brought home a few Indonesian treats and souvenirs to remember our visit.


If Batam had been our last stop, I would have bought more lapis, local snacks, chocolates, and other Indonesian grocery items for our family and friends.

For first-time visitors, I recommend doing a little research before your trip so you can make a list of the local specialties and souvenirs you want to try. Just remember to leave enough room in your luggage, especially if you still have another destination or cruise ahead!

For us, the best part was discovering new treats, trying familiar products from another country, and bringing home a few souvenirs from our first visit to Indonesia.
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