Bintan is only 1 hour by ferry from Singapore. That sounds like the perfect weekend escape. But the real question is not whether you can make the crossing — you can. The real question is what you can actually do once you get there in one day.
Here is what you need to know before you go.
The Ferry
You have one real option: Bintan Resort Ferries (BRF) departing from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT) in Singapore.
Route: Tanah Merah to Bandar Bentan Telan (BBT) Terminal, Tanjung Pinang
Journey time: 60-75 minutes
Frequency: Typically 1-2 departures in the morning, return departures in the afternoon/evening
Cost: Around $65-$100 SGD per person return, depending on the package. Children’s tickets are cheaper.
Note: There is also a faster ferry option and a slower budget ferry. BRF is the most established and most recommended for day trippers.
You need:
- Valid Singapore passport (6 months validity)
- Return ticket (they will check on immigration)
- No visa required for Singapore citizens (30-day free entry)
What Happens When You Arrive at BBT Terminal
BBT Terminal is in Tanjung Pinang, which is the main town on Bintan’s eastern side. It is not the resort area. That matters.
From BBT Terminal to the main resort areas (Lagoi Bay, Nirwana Gardens, Bintan Resorts) is another 45-90 minutes by car. If your plan is to hit a beach club or golf course, budget for that transfer time.
From BBT Terminal to Tanjung Pinang town centre is about 15-20 minutes. That is more manageable for a day trip.
What Can You Actually Do in One Day
Here is the honest breakdown.
Option 1: Tanjung Pinang Town
This is the most authentic option for a day trip. Tanjung Pinang is the old capital of the Riau Islands and it feels like it.
What you can do:
- Wet market and street food breakfast (mee Siam, nasi padang, fresh coconut)
- Vihara Ksitian Buddhist temple
- Temple of the Jade Dragon
- Sultan of Riau’s palace (Penyengerei Island — short boat ride from town)
- Cheap massage ($15-$25 SGD for 1 hour traditional massage — this alone is worth the trip for many people)
- Street shopping for battiks and local handicrafts
Realistic time needed: 3-4 hours
Best for: People who want local food, culture, and a break from the Singapore pace
Downside: It is not a beach destination. You are in a town.
Option 2: Lagoi Bay Beach Clubs
Lagoi Bay is on the north-west side of Bintan, in the resort belt. This is where the beach clubs, Nirwana Gardens, and Club Med Bintan are located.
What you can do:
- Day pass at Nirwana Gardens (includes pool, beach access, lunch buffet)
- Beach club at Lagoi Bay
- Golf at one of the many courses (Ria Bintan, Lucky Bali)
- Bintan Spa and massage (more expensive than town but still cheaper than Singapore)
Transfer time from BBT Terminal: 60-90 minutes
Realistic time at the beach club: 3-4 hours if you leave at the right time
Downside: Half your day is spent in transit. A 3-hour beach club visit becomes a 10-hour day very quickly.
Option 3: TreasureBay Bintan
This is a large Recreation and Sporting Centre on the eastern side of Bintan, closer to BBT Terminal than the Lagoi Bay resort area.
What you can do:
- Bintan Aquarium
- Water sports
- ATV rides
- Giant sea pool
- Glamping options
Transfer time from BBT Terminal: 20-30 minutes
This is probably the most convenient option for a day trip since it is closest to the ferry terminal. But it is essentially a tourist activity centre, not a cultural or beach experience.
The Timing Reality
Let me lay out a realistic Bintan day trip schedule.
8:00 AM — Depart Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
9:00 AM — Arrive BBT Terminal, clear Indonesian immigration
9:30 AM — Exit terminal, start activity
12:00 PM — Lunch (Tanjung Pinang town or resort)
2:00 PM — Continue activity
4:00 PM — Head back to BBT Terminal
5:00 PM — Depart Bintan
6:00 PM — Arrive Singapore, clear immigration
That gives you about 4.5 hours on the island. For a beach club or resort, that is enough to eat, swim, and sit by the pool. For Tanjung Pinang, that is enough to cover the town, eat well, and get a massage.
It is not enough to do both the town and a resort in one day.
Cost Breakdown (Per Person, SGD)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Return ferry (BRF package) | $65-$100 |
| Lunch (local food) | $10-$20 |
| Massage (1 hour, town) | $15-$25 |
| Local transport on Bintan | $15-$30 |
| Snacks/drinks | $5-$10 |
| Total estimate | $110-$185 |
This is significantly cheaper than a Bali weekend.
Who Should Actually Do a Bintan Day Trip
Do it if:
- You want a quick break without using leave (a Friday afternoon or Saturday works)
- You want a massage and good local food without the Bali flight
- You are okay with a relaxed pace and not trying to see everything
- You have never been to the Riau Islands and want a taste of it
Do not bother if:
- You want a beach day with actual ocean swimming. The beaches at Lagoi Bay are decent but not spectacular. Bali or even Sentosa is better.
- You hate being on a schedule. A Bintan day trip is a long day with immigration lines both ways.
- You are expecting resort luxury. Bintan resort areas are designed for golf groups and spa weekends, not standalone beach tourists.
What I Would Do
If I were to do a Bintan day trip, I would go for the Tanjung Pinang food and massage route. Here is the plan:
- Take the morning ferry (depart 8am)
- Arrive 9am, take a taxi into Tanjung Pinang town ($15-$20 for the whole car if you share)
- Eat breakfast at the wet market (bring mosquito repellent if you go at dawn)
- Walk to the Temple of the Jade Dragon
- Get a traditional massage ($15-$25 for 1 hour)
- Have lunch at a local nasi padang spot
- Shop for battik cloth or dried seafood as souvenirs
- Leave for the terminal by 3pm to catch the 4-5pm ferry back
That is a full, honest day. And you spend less than $150 SGD total.
The Honest Verdict
Bintan is 1 hour away. That sounds like it should make it the perfect weekend escape. But Bintan is a large island and the resort areas are far from the ferry terminal. A day trip is feasible but it is not effortless.
The people who enjoy Bintan day trips the most are those who go in with clear expectations: a massage, some good food, and a relaxed pace. Not people who want to pack 4 activities into 5 hours.
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