Singapore and Bintan Itinerary: Our Route and Travel Tips

Singapore is modern, lively, and sometimes almost futuristic. Less than a day later, Bintan can feel like a different world. After exploring Singapore, we took the ferry to Indonesia and arrived on a green, remarkably quiet island.

We spent three nights at Mayang Sari Beach Resort on Bintan. We saw very few other travelers during our stay. At times it felt like a private island, even though services and excursions were mostly operating as usual. That contrast made this combination particularly memorable for us.

This guide explains how to combine Singapore and Bintan, how much time to allow, and what to arrange before you go. We also share what pleasantly surprised us and what you should not expect.

At a glance: Singapore and Bintan work well together if you want to follow a busy city break with nature, culture, and a slower pace. The ferry runs from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bandar Bentan Telani on Bintan. Three nights gave us time to relax, take an island tour, and explore the mangroves.

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Contents

• Why combine Singapore and Bintan?
• Our trip at a glance
• How many days do you need?
• Taking the ferry from Singapore to Bintan
• Arriving at Bandar Bentan Telani
• Three nights at Mayang Sari Beach Resort
• What we did during our stay on Bintan
• How Singapore and Bintan differ
• What does a Singapore and Bintan trip cost?
• Visas, passports, and border formalities
• Who is this trip best suited to?
• What would we keep or change?
• Our overall impression

Why combine Singapore and Bintan?

Singapore has enough sights to fill several days. But a trip to this region does not have to revolve entirely around skyscrapers, attractions, and shopping malls. Several Indonesian islands, including Bintan and Batam, are just a short journey away.

Bintan belongs to Indonesia’s Riau Islands province, across the Singapore Strait. You can reach it by ferry, so there is no need to book another flight. You do cross an international border, which means immigration checks, passport control, and potentially a visa.

The contrast between city and island brings real variety to the trip. On Bintan, we drove through green landscapes, spotted monkeys beside the road, and visited temples, fishing areas, and mangroves. The change felt much bigger than the short distance suggested.

Advantages of this combination

• Visit two countries without taking another flight.
• The ferry crossing is relatively short.
• Bintan offers a peaceful finish after several busy days in Singapore.
• Add beaches, nature, and culture to a city break.
• Three nights allow time to relax and take two excursions.
• The route also works well when flying through Changi Airport.

That does not make Bintan simply an extension of Singapore. It is an Indonesian island with its own culture, history, and everyday life. Allow time to explore beyond your resort.

Our trip at a glance

We traveled from Singapore to Bintan in March 2025. From Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, we sailed to Bandar Bentan Telani, the arrival port for the northern resort area. We stayed at Mayang Sari Beach Resort for three nights.

During our stay, we hired a driver and guide for an island tour taking in Gurun Pasir, Blue Lake, and temples. We also took a separate mangrove tour. This gave us a mix of relaxation, scenery, culture, and everyday life outside the resort.

• Transportation: ferry from Singapore and a transfer to the resort.
• Accommodation: three nights at Mayang Sari Beach Resort.
• Excursions: a guided island tour and a separate mangrove trip.
• Atmosphere: especially quiet during our visit, with friendly, helpful people.

Looking mainly for information about the island itself? Our Bintan travel guide compares places to stay and covers transportation, beaches, and practical planning.

How many days do you need for Singapore and Bintan?

The total depends largely on what you want to see in Singapore. For Bintan, three nights worked well for us. Two nights are possible, but the schedule becomes tighter if you want both an island tour and a mangrove trip.

An eight-day itinerary idea

This is a suggested plan for eight calendar days, rather than a diary of our entire trip. Factor in arrival and departure times: a travel day is not necessarily a full day of sightseeing.

• Day 1: arrive in Singapore and keep the rest of the day relaxed.
• Days 2 and 3: explore Singapore, leaving room for breaks and your own interests.
• Day 4: another day in Singapore, so you do not have to squeeze everything into your final morning.
• Day 5: ferry to Bintan, transfer, and check-in at your accommodation.
• Day 6: a tour with a driver to see the sand dunes and temples.
• Day 7: mangrove tour and time at the beach or resort.
• Day 8: leave Bintan, returning to Singapore if that fits your onward journey.

This gives you four nights in Singapore and three on Bintan. You can swap the two excursion days on the island. If you add a final night in Singapore before your flight, the trip becomes nine days long.

With only seven days, we would remove a day from Singapore rather than cram both excursions into one short afternoon. With more time, an extra day to unwind on Bintan is a welcome addition.

Can you visit Bintan on a day trip?

A day trip is technically possible, but we would allow at least two nights. Getting to the terminal, checking in, clearing immigration, and crossing by ferry all take time. Attractions are also spread across the island. In a single day, you will mainly see the ferry terminal and a limited part of Bintan.

Taking the ferry from Singapore to Bintan

For the northern resort area, travel from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bandar Bentan Telani. Bintan Resort Ferries gives a crossing time of about 70 minutes. Allow additional time for reaching the terminal, check-in, immigration, and your transfer on Bintan.

Bintan is one hour behind Singapore. Departures and arrivals use local time, so the crossing may look shorter on your ticket than it really is. Choose your port based on your accommodation: Tanjungpinang is in a different part of the island.

You can book directly with the ferry company or compare the Tanah Merah–Bandar Bentan Telani route on Klook. For a round trip, check the conditions for both sailings.

Practical points to remember

• Allow extra time around weekends and holiday periods.
• Keep your passport, ticket, and accommodation address handy.
• Check baggage allowances and surcharges before paying.
• Avoid a tight connection between your ferry and flight.

Our Singapore to Bintan ferry guide walks you through terminal choices, check-in times, and arrival forms.

Arriving at Bandar Bentan Telani

Bandar Bentan Telani is in Bintan’s northern resort area. On arrival, you first go through Indonesian immigration. Afterward, continue to your accommodation by hotel transfer, taxi, or other prearranged transportation.

Ask your hotel or resort about the transfer before you leave. Transportation from the port is often easy to arrange in the resort area, but do not assume it is included in your booking.

Our arrival was calm, setting the tone for the stay. When we needed transportation within the resort, staff called for a pickup and it usually arrived within seconds or a few minutes. They were quick to help whenever we wanted to arrange something.

Three nights at Mayang Sari Beach Resort

We stayed at Mayang Sari Beach Resort in northern Bintan. Its beachfront grounds felt green and peaceful. For us, it was a convenient base for combining downtime with excursions.

Both the island and resort were unusually quiet during our visit. Other travelers were certainly there, but we barely saw them. At times it felt as though we were sharing the island mainly with its local residents.

Yet Bintan did not feel deserted. With a few exceptions, places were open and we could do our planned activities as usual. That distinction matters: quiet does not automatically mean there is nothing to do.

View Mayang Sari Beach Resort on Expedia to compare room types and booking conditions. Look beyond the room rate and check breakfast, cancellation terms, and transportation from the port.

Do not expect Caribbean-style beaches

Bintan lies beside the Singapore Strait. You will not find the brilliant blue, crystal-clear water of places such as Aruba or Bonaire everywhere. Debris can also wash up on some beaches.

For us, that did little to diminish the island’s appeal. The peaceful setting, large rocks, trees, and natural surroundings gave the coast its own character. Travelers coming only for flawless turquoise water may be disappointed. Those looking for beaches, culture, and nature will find plenty of variety.

What we did during our three nights on Bintan

Three nights gave us enough time for two different excursions and relaxed moments at the resort.

Mangrove tour

Our mangrove tour took us by boat between the trees. It was a lovely way to experience Bintan’s natural surroundings. Snakes among the branches, monkeys beside the road, and geckos around our accommodation showed just how close wildlife can be here.

We also saw abandoned buildings along the water. Our guide explained how the pandemic had affected resorts and other businesses. It added another perspective: people on a vacation island depend partly on visitors for their livelihoods. This was our guide’s account; not every empty building has the same story.

To plan a similar boat trip, take a look at a daytime mangrove tour. A daytime excursion and an evening firefly trip offer different experiences; here we are describing our mangrove boat ride.

Island tour with a private driver and guide

Hiring a driver and guide made exploring Bintan straightforward. The distances between the resort area, Blue Lake, and the temples can be greater than they appear on a map. A driver saves you from arranging each journey separately, while a guide helps you understand what you are seeing.

We visited Gurun Pasir Bintan and the strikingly colored Blue Lake, then continued to Vihara Avalokitesvara Graha and the 500 Lohan Temple, officially called Vihara Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Along the way, we saw villages, natural scenery, and the island’s fishing culture.

Along the coast and around harbors, wooden structures and stilt houses stood above the water. Traditional fishing platforms in this region are often called kelongs. Not every building over the water is a kelong, though: some are homes, restaurants, or other facilities.

Our guide to things to do on Bintan covers each stop and helps you plan the day. You can also compare a private tour with a driver; confirm your preferred temples and pickup location in advance.

How Singapore and Bintan differ

Singapore and Bintan are close geographically, but feel very different.

Singapore	Bintan
Large, modern city	Green island with a much quieter atmosphere
Extensive public transportation	Transfers, taxis, or a driver are more practical
Many attractions close together	Sights are spread across the island
Busy urban setting	Slower pace of travel
International food and large shopping malls	Local culture, resorts, and fishing communities

The biggest difference was not just the scenery, but the pace. On Bintan, it felt as though someone could always help us find a practical solution. People were friendly and helpful, and we felt welcome in Indonesia from the start.

That does not mean every part of Bintan is alike. The northern resort area clearly caters to visitors from Singapore. An island tour gives you a broader view and a closer look at local life.

What does a Singapore and Bintan trip cost?

Accommodation, ferries, and excursions are the main expenses. Compare the total for your travel party and check which items are already included in a package.

Include the following in your budget:

• Round-trip ferry tickets;
• Any baggage or booking fees;
• A visa or e-VOA, if required;
• Transfers between the port and your accommodation;
• Hotel or resort accommodation;
• Food and drinks;
• A mangrove tour;
• A private driver or guide;
• Admission fees or donations at sights;
• Travel insurance and an eSIM.

Singapore is generally the more expensive part of the trip. On Bintan, resort-area prices can be higher than those in local neighborhoods. Compare what is included in your stay, not just the nightly rate.

Visas, passports, and border formalities

You are visiting two countries. A hotel reservation or ferry ticket does not take care of your border formalities. A visa authorizes a particular stay; an arrival declaration serves a different purpose.

• Indonesian visa: choose the appropriate option for your nationality, purpose, and length of stay. Dutch passport holders need a visa for tourism; travelers with other passports should check their own eligibility and exemptions.
• All Indonesia Arrival Card: Indonesia’s free arrival declaration is separate from your visa.
• SG Arrival Card: remember that taking the ferry back from Bintan means entering Singapore again.

The Dutch government’s Indonesia travel advice explains passport and arrival-registration requirements for Dutch travelers. Check the rules that apply to your own passport as well. Use official government websites for immigration paperwork, rather than paid intermediaries designed to look official.

Staying connected in both countries

An eSIM for Singapore alone will not necessarily work in Indonesia. When comparing a regional Asia eSIM, check that both countries are covered, how much data is included, and when validity starts. Your phone also needs to support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked. Keep tickets and addresses available offline too.

Who is this trip best suited to?

Singapore and Bintan work especially well for:

• Travelers who want to mix a city break with nature and beaches;
• Couples looking for a few quiet days after Singapore;
• Travelers who want a taste of Indonesia without another flight;
• Families combining resort facilities with excursions;
• People who value culture and nature over perfectly blue water alone.

It may be less suitable if you:

• Have only one free day outside Singapore;
• Are mainly looking for lively nightlife;
• Want to reach every attraction independently by public transportation;
• Are traveling solely for Caribbean-clear beaches;
• Do not want to deal with another immigration process.

What would we keep or change?

Three nights left room for an island tour, a mangrove trip, and relaxation. Hiring a guide worked well: we did not have to keep arranging transportation and learned more about the island along the way.

For a similar trip, our main advice is to avoid filling every day. Choose one island drive and one nature activity, then leave time for the beach, a meal, or a walk. That way, Bintan brings something different from the city portion of your vacation.

An extra night can help if you are traveling with young children, are prone to seasickness, or simply want more downtime. If you have an important flight out of Singapore, consider spending your last night there. It gives you more flexibility if the ferry or border crossing is delayed.

Our overall impression

Combining Singapore and Bintan gives you two very different travel experiences without another flight. Singapore offers modern architecture, city energy, and a huge range of sights. Bintan adds nature, beaches, temples, and a much slower pace.

Because we visited during a quiet period, our three nights on Bintan sometimes felt like a private-island stay. Yet excursions were still running, and exploring outside the resort gave us a fuller picture. The welcoming people, roadside wildlife, and distinctive temples stayed with us most.

Do not expect a polished tropical destination where every beach is spotless and every stretch of water is brilliant blue. Bintan’s mix of beauty, local culture, and visible challenges is part of what makes it interesting. For us, it was a rewarding and surprising addition to Singapore.

Read our complete Bintan travel guide
Explore things to do on Bintan
Plan your ferry journey from Singapore to Bintan