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Kepulauan Riau
BINTAN
BINTAN Bintan is an island in the Riau Islands province, where the city of Tanjungpinang serves as the administrative center. The island is located in close proximity to Singapore. As the largest island in the Riau Islands—an archipelago comprising nearly 3,000 islands—it stretches across from Singapore and Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The island extends from the Strait of Malacca toward the South China Sea. The city of Tanjungpinang is situated on the southwestern coast of Bintan.
About this destination
HOW TO GET THERE
By Air
Bintan is served by the Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport in Tanjungpinang, with flights operated by Sriwijaya Air from Jakarta and Pekanbaru. The airport is undergoing continuous expansion and upgrades to attract more airlines to establish routes to the island. Alternatively, you can fly into Hang Nadim Airport in Batam and continue your journey to Bintan by ferry.
By Ferry and Speedboat
Most travelers arriving in Bintan from Singapore or Malaysia do so by ferry. Ferries from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal arrive at either the Bandar Bentan Telani (Lagoi) Terminal or the Sri Bintan Pura Ferry Terminal in Tanjungpinang. Those traveling from Johor, Malaysia, will arrive at the Tanjung Punggur port. If you are already in Batam, you can also depart from the Tanjung Punggur port to reach the island. From there, travelers can take a speedboat to Lobam on Bintan Island—a 15-minute trip costing IDR 35,000—or opt for a ferry, which takes one hour and costs IDR 26,000.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
March is one of the best months in terms of weather on the island. If weather is a priority for your trip, March is an excellent time for a vacation—perfect for walking around the area and exploring key attractions.
LOCAL LANGUAGE
The Riau Islands are home to at least four distinct Malay dialects. These include the Natuna, Anambas, and Senayang dialects, as well as "Malay Dagang" (a common or trade Malay). Among these, Malay Dagang serves as the primary lingua franca and is the most widely spoken variety across Bintan, Karimun, Lingga, and Singkep, as well as in the Anambas, Natuna, and Senayang regions. However, Indonesian continues to be used as a unifying language or national language.
By Air
Bintan is served by the Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport in Tanjungpinang, with flights operated by Sriwijaya Air from Jakarta and Pekanbaru. The airport is undergoing continuous expansion and upgrades to attract more airlines to establish routes to the island. Alternatively, you can fly into Hang Nadim Airport in Batam and continue your journey to Bintan by ferry.
By Ferry and Speedboat
Most travelers arriving in Bintan from Singapore or Malaysia do so by ferry. Ferries from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal arrive at either the Bandar Bentan Telani (Lagoi) Terminal or the Sri Bintan Pura Ferry Terminal in Tanjungpinang. Those traveling from Johor, Malaysia, will arrive at the Tanjung Punggur port. If you are already in Batam, you can also depart from the Tanjung Punggur port to reach the island. From there, travelers can take a speedboat to Lobam on Bintan Island—a 15-minute trip costing IDR 35,000—or opt for a ferry, which takes one hour and costs IDR 26,000.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
March is one of the best months in terms of weather on the island. If weather is a priority for your trip, March is an excellent time for a vacation—perfect for walking around the area and exploring key attractions.
LOCAL LANGUAGE
The Riau Islands are home to at least four distinct Malay dialects. These include the Natuna, Anambas, and Senayang dialects, as well as "Malay Dagang" (a common or trade Malay). Among these, Malay Dagang serves as the primary lingua franca and is the most widely spoken variety across Bintan, Karimun, Lingga, and Singkep, as well as in the Anambas, Natuna, and Senayang regions. However, Indonesian continues to be used as a unifying language or national language.