Singapore to Bintan Ferry: A Practical Travel Guide

The ferry from Singapore to Bintan takes you from a busy city to a much quieter Indonesian island without another flight. For the northern resort area, take the route from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bandar Bentan Telani. Bintan Resort Ferries gives a crossing time of about 70 minutes; the full journey takes longer once you include transfers, check-in, and immigration.

We took this route in March 2025 and then spent three nights at Mayang Sari Beach Resort. Our crossing and arrival went smoothly, without significant problems or long waits. Below, we explain how to choose the right route and prepare for entry into both countries.

Quick answer: book Tanah Merah–Bandar Bentan Telani if that port suits your accommodation, account for the one-hour time difference, and complete arrival forms separately from your visa. For help dividing your vacation days, see combining Singapore and Bintan.

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Contents

• Which ferry should you take from Singapore to Bintan?
• Tanah Merah or HarbourFront?
• Getting to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
• Booking tickets
• How early should you arrive?
• Check-in and baggage
• Immigration and returning to Singapore
• The crossing and time difference
• Arriving at Bandar Bentan Telani
• Indonesia’s visa and arrival card
• Transportation from the port
• Terminal and ferry accessibility
• What to check when comparing ferry prices
• Connecting to a flight on your return
• Ferry trip checklist
• Our experience and top tip

Which ferry should you take from Singapore to Bintan?

Bintan Resort Ferries operates between Tanah Merah in Singapore and Bandar Bentan Telani on Bintan. The arrival port is often abbreviated to BBT and serves the northern resort area. If your ticket says Tanjungpinang, you are traveling to a different port on the island.

The right choice depends on where you are staying, rather than simply the first available departure. Ask your accommodation which terminal is most convenient. For Mayang Sari, we arrived at Bandar Bentan Telani.

Check the official Bintan Resort Ferries schedule for your date. If you book through a platform, make sure the same port names appear on both the listing and your booking confirmation.

Tanah Merah or HarbourFront?

For this route, you need Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. HarbourFront is a different ferry terminal in Singapore. Tanah Merah MRT station is also not the ferry terminal: you still need onward transportation from the station.

Use the full terminal name when booking a taxi or ride. The address is 50 Tanah Merah Ferry Road, Singapore 498833. Before leaving, check the destination in the app, especially if the search only suggests the neighborhood or MRT station.

Getting to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal

Taxi or ride-hailing service

With suitcases, a taxi or ride-hailing service is a straightforward option. If leaving from a hotel, confirm your pickup point and allow driving time in addition to your check-in buffer. You want to be inside the terminal well before departure, rather than just setting off from your hotel.

Public transportation

According to BRF’s directions, bus 35 serves the terminal, including from Bedok Bus Interchange and the stop near Tanah Merah MRT. Check the SBS Transit journey planner for the correct stop, direction, and departure time. Allow extra time for connections when traveling with luggage.

From Changi Airport

Changi Airport is relatively close, but a flight and ferry do not automatically make a good connection. Allow time to leave the aircraft, clear immigration, collect your luggage, and travel to the terminal. If your arrival is late or uncertain, spending a night in Singapore first may be more comfortable.

Do not book a connection based only on the short distance on a map. Separately booked tickets do not automatically protect you if your flight is delayed. Check in advance what happens if you miss your reserved ferry.

Booking tickets

You can book directly with BRF or check the Singapore–Bintan ferry on Klook. The linked service goes through Bandar Bentan Telani, not Batam or Tanjungpinang. Availability and conditions depend on your selected date and option.

• Departure and arrival ports: Tanah Merah and Bandar Bentan Telani.
• Passenger names: enter them exactly as shown in each passport.
• Outbound and return journeys: check both dates and local times.
• Fare: compare cabin class, baggage, surcharges, and cancellation terms.
• Voucher: check whether you need to exchange it for a boarding pass.

For a round trip, check the latest departure that works with your onward plans. A low price is less appealing if it leaves you with an impossible connection or a much longer transfer. Booking ahead is sensible around popular weekends and vacation periods.

How early should you arrive?

BRF specifies check-in 90 minutes before departure; its information says the counter closes 40 minutes before departure. Have your passport and booking reference ready. Follow any different instructions on your own ticket and allow extra time when it is busy.

Our short waits are no reason to arrive late. You are crossing an international border, and you cannot count on boarding once the counter has closed. If you are traveling with children, a mobility aid, or lots of baggage, allow extra time for each step.

Check-in and baggage

Under BRF’s baggage rules, carry-on baggage must weigh no more than 10 kg and measure no more than 55 × 40 × 20 cm. The checked baggage allowance is 20 kg per person in Economy and 30 kg in Emerald. Oversized and excess baggage have separate conditions.

Keep documents, medication, electronics, and valuables in your carry-on. Take a photo of your suitcase and keep baggage tags until you have collected everything on arrival. Do not assume your airline’s baggage rules apply: the ferry has its own limits.

If you are bringing a stroller, bicycle, or another large item, arrange this beforehand. A baggage allowance does not automatically mean every size can be carried without additional arrangements.

Immigration and returning to Singapore

When leaving, you pass Singapore’s departure immigration checks. Returning after Bintan counts as a new entry. Keep your accommodation address or onward travel details handy.

For arrival by ferry, submit the SG Arrival Card through ICA within three days before arrival, including the arrival day. Submission through ICA is free. The arrival card is not a visa and does not replace other entry requirements.

For example, if you enter Singapore on Friday, you can submit the arrival card from Wednesday. Use the new arrival date for your return from Bintan, rather than automatically reusing the details of your first arrival in Singapore.

The crossing and time difference

The scheduled crossing takes about 70 minutes. Weather, sea conditions, and port procedures can affect your journey. Clock times alone do not show how long you have been traveling: Bintan is in UTC+7 and Singapore in UTC+8.

Bintan is one hour behind Singapore. A hypothetical 10:00 a.m. departure from Singapore with a 70-minute crossing would arrive at 10:10 a.m. local time on Bintan. This is only an example to explain the time difference, not a scheduled sailing.

When arranging a transfer or driver, confirm whether you mean Singapore or Indonesian time. On the return journey, the one-hour difference is added to the clock instead.

If you are prone to seasickness, discuss suitable precautions with a pharmacist or doctor. Keep anything you need during the crossing within reach, secure loose baggage, and follow the crew’s safety instructions.

Arriving at Bandar Bentan Telani

On arrival, follow the signs for immigration and baggage collection. Then head to your agreed transfer meeting point. Send your arrival details to your accommodation beforehand and save a phone number in case you cannot immediately find your driver.

The striking ship beside the port is Doulos Phos The Ship Hotel. It is a landmark on arrival, not the passenger ferry connecting Singapore and Bintan.

Indonesia’s visa and arrival card

For Dutch passport holders, the Dutch government’s travel advice states that the passport must be valid for at least six months on arrival and a visa is required. Use Indonesia’s immigration service to check the visa appropriate to your own nationality, purpose of travel, and length of stay.

Also complete the free All Indonesia Arrival Card; the Dutch travel advice says this can be done from 72 hours before arrival. The arrival card does not replace your visa. Save the confirmation so you can access it without mobile data.

If you hold a different passport or are traveling for a purpose other than tourism, do not assume the Dutch requirements apply to you. Also check the rules for a return or onward ticket. Use the official immigration domain for visa applications; commercial intermediaries may charge extra.

Transportation from the port

From Bandar Bentan Telani, we continued to Mayang Sari Beach Resort. For a northern resort, a hotel transfer arranged in advance is often the easiest option. If you are staying elsewhere on Bintan, the drive can be considerably longer.

Some Nirwana Gardens packages include a round-trip transfer between BBT and the resort. Check your booking confirmation before purchasing an extra transfer. To compare the accommodation, see Mayang Sari Beach Resort on Expedia.

• Where will the driver wait, and what name should you look for?
• Is transportation included, shared, or private?
• What happens if the ferry is delayed?
• Is a child seat or space for a mobility aid available?

For other areas to stay and getting around the island, read our Bintan travel guide. Save your hotel’s address offline even if you have arranged a transfer.

Terminal and ferry accessibility

In its wheelchair access information, BRF explains that access at Tanah Merah extends to the pontoon and that wheelchair users need assistance. Request assistance in advance; do not assume boarding is completely step-free.

Discuss the whole journey: terminal, pontoon, vessel, arrival port, and transfer vehicle. Ask specifically about transferring out of a wheelchair, space for mobility equipment, and help with baggage. These details matter more than a general statement that a terminal is accessible.

What to check when comparing ferry prices

Use BRF’s official fare page and the total price of your chosen booking. Compare the same dates, class, and number of passengers. Check whether port fees, fuel surcharges, and booking fees are already included so you do not budget for them twice.

Beyond the ticket, allow for transportation in Singapore, any Bintan transfer not included, extra baggage, and possible change fees. The Indonesian visa is separate from your ferry ticket. A free arrival form is also different from a paid visa.

Connecting to a flight on your return

For an international connection from Changi, BRF asks passengers to choose a ferry that arrives in Singapore at least five hours before the flight. Treat this as the company’s guidance, not a guarantee that it will cover every possible delay.

With separate tickets, an expensive long-haul flight, or few alternative sailings, spending the final night in Singapore may be wiser. Avoid a long island tour immediately before your last ferry. Bintan’s distances and the two border checks call for extra room in your schedule.

Ferry trip checklist

• Correct ports and local times checked on both tickets.
• Passport, appropriate visa, and accommodation address ready.
• All Indonesia completed for arrival on Bintan.
• SG Arrival Card arranged for the return to Singapore.
• Baggage limits and check-in time reviewed.
• Transfer and any required assistance confirmed.
• Tickets, addresses, and contact numbers saved offline.
• Enough time allowed for the flight or next stage of the trip.

Our experience and top tip

For us, the ferry was a comfortable way to combine Singapore and Bintan. We had no long waits or practical problems and quickly felt welcome on Bintan. Three nights gave us time to relax and take two different excursions.

Our main tip is to plan the whole hotel-to-hotel journey, not just the crossing. With the right port, documents, and transfer arranged, you can spend more time enjoying Bintan. For ideas, see our tips for Blue Lake, the temples, and the mangroves.