Singapore to Bintan

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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Bintan is the closest Indonesian island to Singapore, and for many visitors it is a straightforward beach add-on to a city stopover: a fast passenger ferry across the Singapore Strait, no flight required. Here is how the crossing works, which port to use, and what you need to know about entering Indonesia at the other end.

The only realistic way: the fast ferry

There is no bridge and no meaningful land route between Singapore and Bintan — this is an island-to-island hop, and the ferry is effectively the only practical option for visitors. Several operators run high-speed catamaran ferries across the Singapore Strait, covering the crossing in around 50–70 minutes depending on the exact route and sea conditions. It is a short, comfortable ride on an air-conditioned passenger ferry, nothing like a car ferry or overnight crossing.

Ferries run multiple times a day, though frequency is noticeably higher on weekends and around Singapore public holidays, when the island's resorts see the most visitors. Booking ahead is sensible in peak periods, particularly if you want a specific departure time to match a resort transfer or flight connection.

Departure point: Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal

Almost all Bintan-bound ferries leave from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on Singapore's east coast, a purpose-built terminal specifically for Batam and Bintan services (it is separate from the main cruise terminals and from Changi Airport, though it is on the same side of the island). Tanah Merah is reachable by taxi, ride-hailing app, or a combination of MRT to Bedok or Tanah Merah station followed by a shuttle bus or taxi — there is no direct MRT line to the terminal itself, so budget extra time for the connection.

Arrive with a comfortable margin before departure: immigration and ferry check-in at Tanah Merah can take longer than the crossing itself, especially when several boats are loading around the same time.

Arrival: Bandar Bentan Telani and the resort transfer

Ferries dock at Bandar Bentan Telani (BBT), a terminal built specifically to serve the Bintan Resorts area on the island's north coast — the zone that includes most of the international beach resorts. Indonesian immigration and customs are processed on arrival at BBT. From there, resorts typically run their own shuttle transfers, and taxis are available for other destinations, including onward travel to Bintan's main town, Tanjung Pinang, further south.

If your destination is inside the Bintan Resorts zone, the whole journey from Singapore door to resort door — ferry crossing, immigration, and shuttle — usually comes in comfortably under three hours, which is one reason the island works so well as a short break from Singapore.

Entering Indonesia

Bintan is part of Indonesia, so standard Indonesian entry rules apply even though the crossing feels more like a short domestic hop than an international one. Many nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Bintan's ferry terminals, valid for a short stay and extendable once inside the country; others may be eligible for visa-free entry depending on nationality, and requirements do change, so check the current rules for your passport well before travelling. Your passport should have the validity typically required for Indonesia (commonly at least six months beyond your arrival date), and it is worth carrying proof of onward travel, since immigration officers can ask for it.

Because Bintan sits close to Singapore and is popular for short breaks, some travellers assume entry formalities will be lighter than at a major airport — in practice, the same passport, visa and entry-card requirements apply, and processing at the small ferry terminal can occasionally take longer than at a big international airport with more counters open. For the wider regional picture on entry rules, see our Southeast Asia entry requirements guide, or check the current Indonesia-specific position at Indonesia and Bali entry requirements.

Booking the ferry

Tickets can be bought online in advance through the ferry operators' own websites or through Singapore travel agents, or in person at the Tanah Merah terminal counters, though walk-up availability is not guaranteed at busy times. Fares vary by class — economy and business-class seating are usually both available, with business offering a quieter cabin and sometimes a lounge on the Singapore side. Combined ferry-and-resort packages are common and can work out cheaper than booking each leg separately if you already know which resort you are staying at.

Luggage allowances on the fast ferries are more generous than budget airlines but still limited compared with a full-service flight — check your operator's baggage policy if you are travelling with golf clubs or diving gear, both common reasons for a Bintan trip. If you are combining Bintan with a wider Indonesia trip, our guide to Indonesia by train covers onward travel once you reach the mainland.

Which should you choose?

There is really only one sensible way to get from Singapore to Bintan: the fast ferry from Tanah Merah to Bandar Bentan Telani. The main decisions are which sailing time suits your schedule, whether to pay extra for a business-class seat, and whether to book a combined ferry-and-resort package. For a beach escape from Singapore measured in hours rather than a full travel day, it is hard to beat.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the ferry from Singapore to Bintan?

The crossing itself takes about 50–70 minutes on a high-speed catamaran ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bandar Bentan Telani. Allow extra time either side for check-in, immigration and terminal transfers.

Which Singapore terminal do I leave from?

Almost all Bintan ferries depart from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on Singapore's east coast, a dedicated terminal for Batam and Bintan services rather than the main cruise terminals.

Do I need a visa to visit Bintan?

Bintan is part of Indonesia, so standard Indonesian entry rules apply, including visa-on-arrival or visa-free options depending on your nationality. Check the current requirements for your passport before travelling, since policies change.

Can I fly to Bintan instead of taking the ferry?

There is a small airport on Bintan, but flight connections are limited compared with the frequent ferry service, and most visitors — especially those headed to the Bintan Resorts area near Bandar Bentan Telani — find the ferry from Singapore faster and simpler overall.