Planning a Quick Island Escape? Here’s the Smart Way to Hop Between Singapore and Bintan
If you’re craving a swift break from city life, hopping across to an island near Singapore is a brilliant idea. In just a few hours you can be swapping skyscrapers for palm trees, noise for sea breeze and schedules for sunsets. And if you’re weighing your options wisely, it helps to know how to plan the hop between Singapore and nearby islands — especially when you compare routes, time and cost. In particular, let’s zero in on the ferry route from Singapore to Bintan and how it stacks up against the popular Singapore-to-Batam alternative.
In this guide you’ll discover travel durations, distance & ferry timing charts, operator choices, cost and comfort comparisons, when to visit each island, and smart booking tips — all tailored to help you pull off a smooth island escape.
Compare Bintan vs. Batam Travel Duration
When you’re pressed for time, choosing the fastest route matters. The slice of travel time and ease of terminal access can make or break your mini-getaway.
Bintan
The route from Singapore to Bintan typically departs from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (Singapore time, GMT+8) and arrives at Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal (Bintan time, GMT+7). Singapore to batam ferry time is around 1 hour to 1 h 20 m for the fast ferry. For instance, the operator Bintan Resort Ferries lists sailings such as 08:10 departure from Tanah Merah and 08:35 arrival at Bandar Bentan Telani (Bintan time) i.e., roughly ~1 h 25 m accounting for the one-hour time difference. According to listing data, one schedule shows travel time indicated as “0 hrs 43 mins” though that seems optimistic and likely depends on route/terminal.
Batam
Though our primary focus is Bintan, the Singapore-to-Batam route gives a useful benchmark. For example, one guide notes ferries from Singapore to Batam typically cost SGD 25 to SGD 45 for a one-way (economy class) and depart quite frequently; duration is shorter than many think.
In short: if you’re comparing the ferry from Singapore to Bintan vs Singapore to Batam, the Batam route may offer slightly shorter or similarly short travel times depending on departure terminal, but Bintan is still very fast (around ~1 h) and offers a slightly different island experience.
Distance & Ferry Timing Chart
Here’s a data-rich table summarising typical travel durations, departure times and cost brackets (via the online platform redBus) for the Singapore→Bintan route.
| Route | Typical Duration* | Earliest / Latest Departure (approx) | Notes |
| Tanah Merah (SG) → Bandar Bentan Telani (Bintan) | ~1 h to 1 h 20 m (≈ 1 h 10 m) | 08:10 AM departure, arrival ~08:35 (Bintan time) | Time zone: Bintan time is 1 hr behind Singapore |
| Tanah Merah (SG) → Tanjung Pinang (Bintan) | Up to ~2 h in less direct ferry listings | Multiple sailings daily | Terminal Tanjung Pinang further from resort zone |
*Actual time may vary by operator, tide/sea conditions, terminal used and whether the ferry stops en-route.
Operator Options & Cost + Comfort Comparisons
Operators
On the Singapore–Bintan route you’ll find major operators listed on redBus:
• Bintan Resort Ferries — economy and a premium “Emerald Class” option.
• Sindo Ferry — listed for the Tanjung Pinang route.
Cost & class breakdown
From the data:
• For Bintan Resort Ferries: Economy adult one-way from SGD 57 (or from SGD 58 in some listings) and round trip around SGD 102 adult regular days. Emerald class (premium) one-way adult around SGD 85.
• For the variant listings: Tanah Merah to Bintan one-way cheapest at SGD 53 via redBus.
• For Batam route: one return adult ticket between SGD 71-76 in one sample listing.
Comfort comparison
• Economy class: Standard seating, air-conditioning, basic services. Good value for quick island hop.
• Premium/Emerald class: On Bintan Resort Ferries this gives you priority boarding/disembarkation, lounge access, better seats and reduced immigration wait.
• The more resort-oriented the terminal on Bintan (e.g., Bandar Bentan Telani), the quicker you’ll be at your stay; that adds to comfort.
• Terminal locations, boarding process ease (immigration, customs) and how the ferry handles seas matter: It’s worth picking what fits your timetable and budget.
When to Visit Each Island
Bintan
• Ideal for short luxury or resort-style escape given quick ferry access from Singapore (≈ 1 h).
• Best seasons: Dry months (roughly April–October) offer clearer skies and calmer seas — easier transfer and resort check-in.
• For minimal travel time and a more relaxed resort vibe it’s a strong pick.
Batam
• Slightly more budget oriented (depending on ferry/terminal) and great for a different kind of island break (perhaps more local flavour).
• More frequent liaison with Singapore; might offer marginally shorter travel or more departure slots depending on terminal and operator.
• If you want a more active or varied trip (town, markets plus beach), this could be your route.
If your priority is minimising travel time and heading straight into a resort-style stay, Bintan wins. If you’re more budget conscious or want more departures and flexibility, Batam is worthy of a look.
Conclude with Booking Tips
• Book your ticket via redBus ahead of time — you’ll get confirmed schedule, preferred seat class and often better pricing than at the counter.
• Choose your ferry time carefully: early departures give you a full day on the island; late returns let you maximize stay but check that last ferry availability.
• Arrive at the terminal at least 45–60 minutes before departure to clear immigration and board calmly (especially for Bintan-bound ferries).
• Consider premium class if you value comfort, lounge access, priority services and faster resort transfer — the cost premium can be worth it for a short trip.
• Double-check terminal destinations on the island (e.g., Bandar Bentan Telani vs Tanjung Pinang) since the closer to resorts you disembark, the quicker you’ll be relaxing.
• Mind any surcharges or terminal fees not included in the online fare — sometimes these are payable at check-in.
• For peak holiday weekends or public holidays, expect fares to rise; booking early through redBus helps lock in lower rates.
