Batam Info / Interest / Help Thread

[H0pe1100]

Originally Posted by retirebatam

The existing unused tickets with the ticket number starting with HH can still be used but need to top up another S$40 for 2 way ferry.

Previously those who travel to Batam really have to suffer all the tiring hassle like:
1) Buy insurance for few days stay in batam.
2) Take covid tests plus tested negative in both countries
3) Stay overnight at one of the hotel assigned for quarantine
4) Download PeduliLindungi Mobile App and use it in batam frequently.

Now that all these requirement have been lifted, only need to show the hardcopy of the vaccination cert is really a breeze for visiting batam again.

Source also reported that currently the large number of visitors in batam are mainly from other parts of indonesia and sporean only constitute about 20-30% of total no. of visitors currently as compared to pre-covid times where sporean form majority of the visitors.

Bro, they waive insurance too ?

[PervMonk]

Originally Posted by H0pe1100

Bro, they waive insurance too ?

Just FYI, so far this trip which I came on Friday, no checking on the insurance, they just ask me for the pedulilingdungi app to scan the QR code at harbourbay. Not sure about batam centre though. Also for Friday, took 1st vessel from TMFT to HarbourBay and TMFT was quite crowded plus Horizon was 100% booked for both normal and business class.

[retirebatam]

Originally Posted by kbt7046

Ferry ticket price, airfare is likely to rise further, not going down. Thanks to Putin and Kim Jong Un.

Sad to know that although the frequency of ferry to batam at harbourfront increase from 3 to 8 ferry per day for Horizon Ferry, the return ticket price remain at 80 bucks.

This makes it not worth to go batam for short trip like 1 night stay or same day go & return.

[deepie]

Originally Posted by retirebatam

Sad to know that although the frequency of ferry to batam at harbourfront increase from 3 to 8 ferry per day for Horizon Ferry, the return ticket price remain at 80 bucks.

This makes it not worth to go batam for short trip like 1 night stay or same day go & return.

Stare at the $80 notes and use your five fingers

[ahboy1299]

Do i need to apply for Sg arrival card when i come back from batam?

[kbt7046]

I wonder why so many people still complaining about ferry ticket price. Airfare and ferry ticket price have rise significantly, inflation rate has speed up, don't expect overseas travel cost will come down, it won't drop to pre-covid level anytime soon, probably never happen. Overseas travel is no longer for Low Income Earners, it is for Middle Income Earners like me, low income earners can forget about going overseas for leisure.

[PervMonk]

Originally Posted by ahboy1299

Do i need to apply for Sg arrival card when i come back from batam?

It's @ must for ferry, without it can't get boarding pass for return if u t@king horizon. Not sure if same for other ferries

[retirebatam]

Originally Posted by ahboy1299

Do i need to apply for Sg arrival card when i come back from batam?

Yes all travellers travelling to singapore by air or sea will be required to submit sg arrival card regardless of nationalities.

Fot land travel JB to spore, only sporean, PR & LTVP not require.

[Ilovebatam0101]

Will be in batam for the next 4days, going to check out joints and ktvs, anyone interested to join, just let me know

[Lukedavies69]

Originally Posted by Ilovebatam0101

Will be in batam for the next 4days, going to check out joints and ktvs, anyone interested to join, just let me know

I am considering trip to Batam next weekend but wonder if any bros can send me link(s) to best spas/brothels on the island? I want to pick a hotel close to all the action. Will +rep for any info

[deepie]

Originally Posted by Lukedavies69

I am considering trip to Batam next weekend but wonder if any bros can send me link(s) to best spas/brothels on the island? I want to pick a hotel close to all the action. Will +rep for any info

Hana hotel or paragon hotel hahaa..just walkover book n fuck

[Naka_Timo]

Originally Posted by deepie

Hana hotel or paragon hotel hahaa..just walkover book n fuck

Nice share. Upped +150

Originally Posted by Lukedavies69

I am considering trip to Batam next weekend but wonder if any bros can send me link(s) to best spas/brothels on the island? I want to pick a hotel close to all the action. Will +rep for any info

LOL u have no power how to up? up already also zero.

Please read the thread on rep points update.

[yuanswang]

Bros, for the ferry just walk-in get ticket can or should advance book? Return also should book confirm date time? Or open ticket also can? Like pre COVID

[PervMonk]

Originally Posted by yuanswang

Bros, for the ferry just walk-in get ticket can or should advance book? Return also should book confirm date time? Or open ticket also can? Like pre COVID

Best is you book online first if you are getting on those peak periods, this will save you the worries of not able to grab the seats. But do note that you still need to go to counter to get boarding pass before boarding.

Also online booking will be able to book 5he return dates but walk-in can't. Walk-ins only able to get exiting Singapore if you are in Singapore now or exiting batam if you are in Batam now.

[throwawayournam]

Thanks to all the bros here for giving advice - I'll share my experience now that I'm back to give back and hopefully help somebody else!

Ferry: There are a lot of ferry companies but they all charge $80 for a two way ticket. I picked Majestic because the boat looked newer and they had the option for an open return ticket. Travel is basically as per normal (no insurance, etc.) just need to bring your vaccine cert and download the PeduliLindungi app. You'll never use it other than during Immigration. When you scan the code, it'll give an error but as long as they see the error they'll let you in.

Transport: Taxi cartels mean that you can't use Grab or Gojek from major locations like malls or the ferry terminal. Getting dropped off there is fine, though. I couldn't be bothered to walk out to get a Grab - a taxi to my hotel in Nagoya was 70k Rp. The Grab ride back was only 35k Rp so that's the markup you can expect. Getting around town I never spent more than 15k Rp on a ride.

Hotel: I stayed at Planet Holiday - the hotel itself was decent other than internet being a bit slow. I'd heard there's a disco and casino but not really my thing so I didn't go looking for it. The location's a bit further - either a Grab ride or a long walk to the Nagoya area, so I might stay somewhere nearer next time.

Chionging

Won't go into too much detail unless anybody wants more details but I tried a few places. 3scap3, H4lo K1tty, and S4kur4. I had the best experience in HK by far - they have an all-in menu of 870k Rp, I requested for a therapist who spoke good English so communication wasn't painful. One thing I'd advise bros is not to make the same mistake I did. In S4kur4 when the therapist quoted 100 I thought I so huat got extra for 100k Rp. Big head not working lah, thought maybe she like me so much or what. Ended up she meant 100 SGD (why would you even quote me prices in SGD when I'm in Batam.) Anyway, managed to bargain it down to 800k Rp afterward - still on the higher side but when the deed is done it's harder. Bo bian.