How to go Batam from JB? Let Me Tell You My Experience...

A few of my friends asked me how to go Batam. Now, I'm going to answer your doubt. Batam is an island belongs to Indonesia that located south of Singapore. There is a flight from Subang to Batam too which range about RM527 to RM800 for a round trip. The flight ticket is bit pricey compared with the ferry fare. To take the ferry, you have to go to Johor Bahru (4 hours road journey from KL) jetty. You can choose to board the ferry via Puteri Harbour or Stulang Laut Jetty Terminal. I heard Stulang Laut has more crowd compared with Puteri Harbour. For my first time experience, we went via Puteri Harbour Jetty Terminal.

Puteri Harbour Jetty Terminal from the ferry

The first thing you have to do when arriving at the terminal is to head over to Batam centre counter to buy your ticket and get your baggage check-in. Before baggage check-in, there is a custom counter at the side which scan your luggage and bags for security check. Once you done with it, then you are allowed to go to the counter for the ticket purchasing process. Remember to bring your passport together when you are at the ticketing counter. Like the airport counter, they will weigh your baggage before they help you to transfer it to the ferry. But as far as I know, there is no limit of the total weight to carry.

We took Dolphin Fast ferry that cost us RM99 including seaport tax in total for 2 ways.

That's my printed ticket at the counter.

Dolphine Fast Ferry only operates at Puteri Harbour Jetty Terminal, Johor Bahru with 4 timings per day starting from 8.30 in the morning until 18.30 in the evening.

Illegal items to bring to the ferry.

One can have a coffee and light breakfast at the only cafe in the terminal while waiting for departure. The terminal is just a one-storey building.

Or you could just sit on the chairs and wait for the departure.

Dolphin Fast Ferry that transferred us to Batam for the 2 hours journey.

That's my ticket issued by Dolphin Fast Ferry at Batam Center Point, Indonesia before boarding.

That's my seaport tax receipt cost IDR65,000 (approximately RM19.34), which is more expensive than Malaysia one.

On the way back, we got to know there is a free shuttle that transfers you to the Larkin (JB  bus station). The bus services serve key amenities in Iskandar Puteri, such as offices at Medini 6 / 7 / 9, Gleneagles Hospital, Mall of Medini, Legoland, Educity, residences at East Ledang and Puteri Harbour Ferry Terminal. Ask before you board as there have 3 routes IP01, IP02 and IP03 to different destinations.

P/s: Arrive early at the Batam Center Point, Indonesia perhaps an hour before boarding as the queue for the custom is extremely long especially on weekends as Singaporean also prefers to head over here for a short holiday.