A Bintan weekend getaway is the closest thing Singapore has to a proper island escape without the airport queues. The Indonesian island sits barely an hour by ferry from Tanah Merah, yet the beach resorts, spas and slower pace make it feel a world away from the CBD. Here is our practical 2026 guide to the ferry, where to stay, what it costs in Singapore dollars and how to plan a smooth two-night trip.
Why Bintan for a weekend
Bintan is part of Indonesia’s Riau Islands, and its northern coast, Lagoi, is a master-planned resort enclave built with Singapore weekenders in mind. You get white-sand beaches, golf, watersports and family-friendly resorts within a compact area, so there is no long transfer once you land. It is an easy alternative to the usual land crossings to Johor, whether by the Shuttle Tebrau train or the upcoming RTS Link, and it swaps traffic jams for a sea breeze.
Getting there: the ferry from Tanah Merah
Ferries to Lagoi leave from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and dock at Bandar Bentan Telani, with the crossing taking about one hour and ten minutes. Bintan Resort Ferries (BRF) is the main operator, running roughly 60 sailings a week, with the first departure around 8.10am and the last in the late afternoon. Book ahead at brf.com.sg or through platforms such as Klook, especially for weekend and school-holiday sailings.
Ferry fares and timings
Expect a return adult fare from around S$90, rising to roughly S$100 or more on peak weekends, with child fares a little lower. One-way tickets run about S$35 to S$55. A few timing tips make the trip painless:
- Bintan runs on Western Indonesia Time, which is one hour behind Singapore, so factor the change into your return sailing.
- Check in at Tanah Merah at least 60 to 90 minutes before departure and carry your passport, not just your NRIC.
- Resorts in Lagoi run shuttle transfers timed to the ferries, so confirm your pick-up when you book.
Where to stay in Lagoi
Lagoi packs most of Bintan’s headline resorts into one stretch of coast, so you can match the trip to your budget and travel style.
- Nirwana Gardens – the reliable family pick, with 500-plus rooms, a golf course and watersports on site. Rooms typically run from about S$180 to S$400 a night.
- Angsana Bintan – a relaxed four-star beach resort with a kids’ splash zone, sharing spa and dining with neighbouring Banyan Tree. Roughly S$250 to S$550 a night.
- Banyan Tree Bintan and The Sanchaya – private pool villas for a splurge, well above S$600 a night.
- Club Med Bintan – an all-inclusive option that bundles meals and activities, handy for first-timers.
Things to do beyond the beach
Two nights is enough to do more than sunbathe. The artificial Crystal Lagoon at Treasure Bay is a big draw, with kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and an inflatable obstacle course.
Elsewhere you can try the treetop obstacle course and zip line at ANMON, tee off on a championship golf course, book a beachfront spa treatment, or take a mangrove river tour to spot fireflies after dark. Lagoi Bay’s boardwalk and Plaza Lagoi cover casual dining and a few shops when you fancy a break from the resort.
What a Bintan weekend actually costs
As a rough guide for a couple on a two-night trip, budget around S$180 to S$200 for return ferries, S$400 to S$700 for a mid-range room across two nights, and S$150 to S$250 for meals, drinks and one or two activities. All in, a comfortable Bintan weekend getaway lands at roughly S$800 to S$1,200 per couple, less if you stay at a value property and self-cater some meals.
Practical tips before you go
- Passport: Singapore passport holders enjoy visa-free tourist entry to Indonesia, but make sure your passport has at least six months’ validity.
- Money: resorts accept cards and Singapore dollars, but carry some Indonesian rupiah for tips, taxis and small stalls.
- Connectivity: pick up a local eSIM or a regional data plan, as roaming can be pricey.
- Weather: the wetter months run roughly November to March, so pack a light rain layer if you travel then.
If a ferry is not your thing, a road trip across the Causeway remains the classic Singapore escape – see our Singapore to Desaru ferry guide for another easy coastal weekend. But for pure beach-resort switch-off with minimal effort, Bintan is hard to beat.
