A Bintan weekend getaway is about as easy as an overseas escape gets for Singapore-based travellers: board a ferry at Tanah Merah, and a little over an hour later you are on a palm-fringed beach in Indonesia’s Riau Islands. With resorts strung along the Lagoi coast, calm swimming bays and prices that stretch the Singapore dollar further than most short-haul options, Bintan remains one of the region’s most reliable two-day breaks. Here is our updated 2026 guide, with ferry details, visa rules, where to stay and what to do.
Why choose a Bintan weekend getaway
Nicknamed “Singapore’s backyard garden”, Bintan is closer than you might think. The northern Lagoi strip, known as Bintan Resorts, was purpose-built for short breaks: integrated resorts, a golf-course belt, a walkable town square and a single ferry terminal that most hotels shuttle you to and from. You can go completely car-free for the whole trip. If you have already ticked off a Batam ferry run or a Desaru Coast drive, Bintan is the natural next weekend option.
Getting there: ferries from Tanah Merah
Bintan Resort Ferries (BRF) runs the most direct service, sailing from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bandar Bentan Telani (BBT) Ferry Terminal in the Lagoi resort area. The crossing takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes, and there are several sailings a day. Economy round-trip fares generally sit around S$92 to S$102 per adult depending on the date, with peak and blackout dates at the upper end; Emerald (premium) class costs a little more.
A few practical notes. Check-in opens 90 minutes before departure and the counter closes 40 minutes before, so leave buffer time. Bintan runs one hour behind Singapore, so factor that into your return connection. Book ahead for weekends and school holidays, when popular sailings sell out. If you prefer a longer sea adventure instead, our roundup of cruises from Singapore is worth a look.
Visa and entry rules in 2026
Entry is straightforward for most Singapore-based travellers. Singapore citizens enter Indonesia visa-free as ASEAN nationals for up to 30 days. Singapore Permanent Residents (blue NRIC holders) have enjoyed a dedicated visa-free scheme for Bintan and Batam since 8 October 2024, allowing stays of up to four days. Other nationalities can buy a Visa on Arrival, and the Riau Islands introduced a 7-day VOA priced at IDR 250,000 (about S$21) from December 2024. Always carry a passport valid for at least six months and confirm the latest rules with your ferry operator before you sail.
Where to stay
The Lagoi strip covers most tastes and budgets. Families gravitate to Club Med Bintan, an all-inclusive resort where meals, kids’ activities, flying trapeze, kayaking and beach yoga are bundled into one rate. For a quieter, design-led stay, Banyan Tree Bintan and its sister property Angsana Bintan deliver villas and spa treatments on a hillside bay, while The Sanchaya is the boutique splurge. Value seekers can look at Cassia Bintan and Four Points by Sheraton Bintan. For a taste of Singapore-side alternatives, see our guide to new hotels for staycations.
Things to do on a Bintan weekend getaway
Beyond the beach loungers, there is plenty to fill two days. Treasure Bay Bintan is home to Chill Cove and one of Southeast Asia’s largest crystal-clear seawater lagoons for kayaking and paddleboarding, plus the ANMON glamping domes if you fancy sleeping under canvas. Golfers have their pick of the Ria Bintan and Laguna Bintan courses. For something gentler, join a mangrove and firefly tour along the Sebung River at dusk, or simply spend an evening at Plaza Lagoi, the town square lined with casual dining and souvenir shops.
Practical tips and best time to visit
The driest, calmest months run roughly from March to October, when swimming conditions are most reliable; November to February can bring monsoon showers, though resort stays are still pleasant and often cheaper. Bring Indonesian rupiah for small purchases, tours and tips, as not every stall takes cards, and pack reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent and a light rain layer. Most resorts levy a shuttle or resort fee that is not always shown in the ferry price, so budget an extra S$20 to S$40 per person for transfers and taxes.
Is a Bintan weekend getaway worth it?
For a low-effort reset without the cost or jet lag of a flight, few options beat it. With an all-in ferry, one night’s stay and meals, a couple can plan a comfortable Bintan weekend getaway from around S$400 to S$700, or considerably more if you opt for a luxury villa. Book the ferry early, keep an eye on resort packages that bundle transfers, and you have a beach weekend that starts less than 90 minutes from home.
Prices and schedules are indicative and were accurate at the time of writing on 11 August 2026. Always confirm fares, sailings and entry requirements with Bintan Resort Ferries and your resort before booking.
