Batam Travel Essentials: Currency, Plug Type, SIM & Getting Around
Everything to sort out before and on arrival — with today's rates, last ferries and taxi fares.
In short: Batam uses the Indonesian rupiah (IDR) — by law prices and payments are in rupiah, so change Singapore dollars at a licensed money changer. Sockets are type C and F at 230 V / 50 Hz (bring an adapter from Singapore). Batam is on WIB, one hour behind Singapore. QRIS codes work with OCBC and UOB apps, and locals get around by GoCar, Grab or Maxim.
At a glance
- Currency
- Indonesian rupiah (IDR)S$1 ≈ Rp. 13,997
- Plug type
- Type C & F, 230 V / 50 Hz
- Time zone
- WIB (UTC+7) — 1 hour behind Singapore
- Paying
- Rupiah cash + QRIS codes
- Getting around
- GoCar, Grab, Maxim, taxis
- Language
- Indonesian & Malay
Batam is a short ferry ride from Singapore, but it is a different country with its own currency, plugs, phone rules and time zone. This page puts the practical answers in one place and links to our full guides. The exchange rate, the last ferries back to Singapore and the airport taxi fares below are refreshed automatically from their sources.
Entry & documents
- Fill in All Indonesia (arrival card + customs declaration) on the free official site before you arrive.Source: Imigrasi RI — All Indonesia
- Visa-free or visa on arrival depends on your passport; don't overstay (fined per day).
- Heading back through Singapore? File the free SG Arrival Card on the ICA site or MyICA app.Read: Cara isi SG Arrival Card untuk WNI yang ke Singapura lewat Batam (in Indonesian)Source: ICA Singapore — SG Arrival Card
Money & paying
- The rupiah is the only legal tender and prices are quoted in rupiah. Change dollars at a licensed money changer.Read: SGD to IDR today
- QRIS codes are almost everywhere. Visitors from partner countries (including Singapore and Malaysia) can scan QRIS with their home payment app — in Singapore, OCBC and UOB among them.
- Keep small rupiah notes for parking, toilets, street stalls and the ferry fuel surcharge.Source: Batam editors (local residents)
Today's rate
| S$1 | Rp. 13,997 |
|---|---|
| RM1 | Rp. 4,388 |
| US$1 | Rp. 17,920 |
European Central Bank reference rate, 12 October 2026. Money changers in Batam (in Indonesian)
Phone, SIM & internet
- Local SIM cards are sold at Hang Nadim Airport and the ferry terminals.Read: Batam emergency guide & key contacts (in Indonesian)
- Phone from abroad with a local SIM: for stays up to 90 days, register at the operator's outlet (temporary 90-day access). Staying on roaming with your own SIM? No registration needed.Source: Bea Cukai — FAQ Registrasi IMEI
Power & plugs
- Sockets are type C and F (two round pins), 230 V 50 Hz. Coming from Singapore (type G)? Bring an adapter.
Getting around & ferries
- Locals use ride-hailing — GoCar, Grab or Maxim; airports, ferry terminals and malls have set pickup points.Read: Apakah di Batam lebih mudah naik taksi online atau angkot (in Indonesian)Source: Batam editors (local residents)
- Trans Batam buses are cashless only (QRIS, e-wallets, stored-value cards).Read: Berapa tarif bus Trans Batam untuk penumpang umum (in Indonesian)
- Prefer to drive? See the car and motorbike rental directories.
Last ferries from Batam to Singapore
| Route | Operator | Last |
|---|---|---|
| Batam Centre → HarbourFront | Majestic | 20:35 |
| Batam Centre → Tanah Merahweekdays | Majestic | 18:00 |
| Batam Centre → Tanah Merahweekends & holidays | Majestic | 19:50 |
| Batam Centre → HarbourFront | Sindo Ferry | 20:20 |
| Batam Centre → Tanah Merah | Sindo Ferry | 13:20 |
| Gold Coast Bengkong → HarbourFront | Sindo Ferry | 19:00 |
| Harbour Bay → HarbourFront | Horizon | 20:30 |
| Sekupang → HarbourFront | Majestic | 18:00 |
| Sekupang → HarbourFront | Sindo Ferry | 20:30 |
Times in Batam time (WIB). From each operator's own timetable, read 12 October 2026.
Airport taxi fares (estimate)
| To | Fare |
|---|---|
| Pelabuhan Batam Center | Rp. 100,000–110,000 |
| Pelabuhan Nongsa Pura | Rp. 105,000–115,000 |
| Pelabuhan Punggur | Rp. 110,000–120,000 |
| Pelabuhan Harbourbay | Rp. 145,000–155,000 |
| Pelabuhan Batu Ampar | Rp. 155,000–165,000 |
| Pelabuhan Sekupang | Rp. 180,000–190,000 |
| Pelabuhan Marina City | Rp. 190,000–200,000 |
| Pelabuhan Sagulung | Rp. 205,000–215,000 |
Estimated range: a private taxi operator's table plus a 2026 adjustment confirmed by our editors; table last read 12 October 2026.
More: Singapore to Batam Ferry Guide: Terminals, Fares & Routes · Changi Airport to Batam: Ferry Terminals, Steps and Baggage · Places near you (map)
Time, weather & prayer times
- Batam runs on WIB, one hour behind Singapore — check which time your ferry ticket shows.
- Hot and humid, with heavy showers often in the afternoon.
- Friday prayers run about 11:30 am–1 pm; prayer times and public holidays have their own pages.Read: Batam prayer times today (in Indonesian) · Indonesian public holidays calendar (in Indonesian)Source: Batam editors (local residents)
Health & emergencies
- Emergency numbers, hospitals and police stations are in our emergency guide (Bahasa Indonesia).Read: Batam emergency guide & key contacts (in Indonesian)
- Find the nearest hospital or pharmacy in our business directory.
- Don't drink tap water — use bottled or boiled water.Source: Batam editors (local residents)
Customs & language
- 49 small things to avoid — from fake arrival-card sites to seafood priced by the kilo — with when and where each applies.
- Teh obeng, kopi O, how to address people (Kak/Bang) and words that mean something else in Batam.Read: Kamus Batam: Teh Obeng, Kopi O & Bahasa Sehari-hari Batam (in Indonesian)
