3D2N Batam Itinerary from Singapore: Hotel, Cafes, Shopping & Ferry Tips
- Mario Ng
- Aug 28, 2025
- 18 min read
Booking a Last-Minute Batam Getaway
Taking advantage of the May 2025 long weekend and Singapore GE timing
Batam is a short ferry ride away from Singapore and is a popular weekend getaway for many Singaporeans. Most of the time, locals like to take advantage of a long weekend to travel to Batam for a relaxing couple of days. Like most Singaporeans, we thought exactly the same thing and hence booked a 3-day, 2-night trip to Batam in May 2025.
1 May 2025 was on a Thursday, and we needed to only take a day’s leave to enjoy a super long weekend. We discovered afterwards that the Singapore General Elections would be held on 3 May 2025, and hence we timed our trip to end on the same day, so that we had sufficient time to head back home to vote.
Choosing Our Stay at Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam
Why we picked Radisson over pricier options like Batam Marriott
Batam offers a variety of accommodation options, with many affordable hotels scattered throughout the city. One of the pricier options is the Batam Marriott Hotel Harbour Bay. As it was quite an impromptu trip, the price for the Batam Marriott Hotel Harbour Bay had risen considerably. We scanned through Agoda and found a great option at the Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam. It is priced very affordably and is located at a great location, with just a 10-minute Grab ride to Grand Batam Mall. We decided to act quickly and made a booking for two nights, costing a total of S$199.73 (IDR 2,441,370.01).
Check out our review of Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam here!
Securing Our Ferry with Horizon Fast Ferry
Avoiding congestion by departing via Harbour Bay Terminal
We also booked our ferry tickets, opting for Horizon Fast Ferry, with 2 return-trip tickets costing a total of S$152.00. Horizon Fast Ferry uses the ferry terminal at Harbour Bay. With this ferry company being the only one operating at the terminal, we thought it would help alleviate any potential congestion, as we had previously read horror stories about the packed situation at other terminals. Hence, it was a no-brainer to choose this ferry terminal.
Ferry ticket details:
Departure: 1 May 2025 @ 1315hrs
Return: 3 May 2025 @ 1400hrs
Day 1: From Singapore to Batam — Ferry Ride, Hotel Check-In, and Evening Eats
Smooth Departure from HarbourFront Centre
Taxi ride, Starbucks brunch, and last-minute essentials
11.50 am: We arrived at HarbourFront Centre via taxi on 1 May 2025, and took a grand total of 10 minutes walking to the ferry company booth to check in and collect our tickets.
Taxi cost: S$31.10
12.00 pm: Thereafter, we headed back to VivoCity for a quick meal at Starbucks, as we had not eaten anything that day yet. Paying close notice to the boarding time, we (I) basically gobbled down the food and flooded our stomachs with the hot coffee before I headed to NTUC Fairprice next door to buy some essentials. Of course, these included toothbrush kits and a Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa Convenient Pack, which is particularly important when travelling. We eat lots of unhealthy and heaty food, and the cough syrup helps to ward off any potential sore throat.
Starbucks cost: S$28.10
Fairprice purchase: S$14.90
12.40 pm: After arriving back at HarbourFront Centre, we made a last-minute stop at the convenience store to buy some bottled water, a newspaper, and snacks for our 1-hour journey to Batam. We then arrived at the departure gate.
Cost: S$9.90
One-Hour Ferry Ride to Batam
A surprisingly quick journey with early arrival at Harbour Bay
12.45 pm: The process was extremely smooth, especially considering that it was a public holiday. In 5 minutes, we were already waiting at the transit area to board the ferry.
1.00 pm: Having waited for less than 15 minutes, our ferry was announced, and off we went to board the ferry.
1.08 pm: The ferry left the terminal ahead of schedule, speeding away towards Batam!
1.08 pm (Batam time): Exactly one hour later, the ferry reached Harbour Bay Ferry Terminal. To be frank, the time flew b,y and we had not even noticed the time passing. I was reading the newspaper while she was busy editing some pictures and videos. And just like that, we are in Batam!
1.20 pm: Twelve minutes later, we cleared immigration, and we are officially in Indonesia!
First Grab Ride to Radisson
A mix-up at Bayfront Mall and the reality of taxi cartels in Batam
1.35 pm: We had previously read stories about how Grab was frowned upon in Batam and that travellers had to make their way to areas outside of major shopping malls to book one successfully. This was due to taxi cartels existing in the city, as well as the fact that many Grab drivers were unable to pick up passengers at shopping malls. I, however, noticed in a previous trip that there was no such issue booking a Grab at both Nagoya and Grand Batam Mall. As we wandered around Bayfront Mall, we could not locate the taxi stand to book our Grab. I thought that perhaps the cartels are still operating in this area, and we decided to make our way to an open area to book a Grab. It soon arrived, and we were then on our way to Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam to check in!
Funnily enough, it was only when we returned to Bayfront Mall on 3 May 2025 that we realised booking a Grab is no longer an issue. We wandered around the mall on 1 May 2025, looking for the taxi stand, but we were on the other side of the mall. That explained why we could not find the taxi stand at all. When we arrived on 3 May 2025 to head back to Singapore, there were plenty of travellers waiting for their Grab to pick them up. Another lesson learnt!
Grab cost: S$4.60 (IDR56,700)
First Impressions of Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam
Spacious rooms, golf course views, and adding breakfast for the last day
2.00 pm: After a quick 25-minute ride, we arrived at the beautiful Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam. It is a sprawling complex containing 239 rooms. In addition to spacious rooms, the hotel complex features a fantastic golf course that is well-loved by golf enthusiasts. During our stay at the hotel, we saw many people on the golf course practising their moves. Although we do not play golf, we enjoyed the relaxing view from our balcony.
2.10 pm: Check-in took ten minutes, and we spontaneously decided to add breakfast for our final morning before heading back to Singapore. We wanted to try their breakfast buffet at least once and thought that the final morning would allow us to relax and chill without needing to rush to and from the shopping malls.
After entering our room and doing the necessary room tour with lots of pictures and videos taken, we were exhausted. And so, we drew the blackout curtains, changed our clothes, and headed to bed for a well-deserved nap.
5.50 pm: Rise and shine! After an almost 3-hour nap, it was time to explore the city. We took a shower, changed into new clothes, and booked a Grab to grab a bite!
Grab cost: S$3.35 (IDR41,200)
Evening Coffee and Snacks at Common Space Coffee & Bar
Cassava fries, chicken skin, and a brownie–cheesecake hybrid
6.10 pm: We arrived at Common Space Coffee & Bar, which is located near Nagoya Hill. A popular cafe we discovered via Google, we ordered some snacks to fill up our tummies as we wanted to have a proper dinner later on that night. We know! It was already 6 pm, but tourists operate on a different time zone!
We had our respective coffee choices and got the fried chicken skin, fried cassava fries, and a slice of their unique Basque Burnt Cheesecake/Brownie. According to them, it is a combination of a brownie and a Basque burnt cheesecake. It was definitely unique, and we definitely had to try it.
The cassava fries were our favourite. Coated with an unknown powder that we assume is a mixture of salted egg yolk with other ingredients, it was delicious. It was piping hot when served, and we loved every bite. The internet states that cassava fries are healthier than other types of fries, so we can only assume we have done our part to eat a little healthier that day! The chicken skin ruined our plans, though. With each bite of the cassava fries, we balanced it out with another bite of the chicken skin. It was a bowl of oily goodness, perfect as a mid-day snack.
After filling our tummies with oil, we have the slice of cake. It was pretty good and went well with our coffee. It was quite funny how we were enjoying both a cheesecake and a brownie at the same time, but it worked. It was a nice dessert to have.
Common Space Coffee and Bar also serves mains, but we did not have the chance to try them. As we arrived so late, we decided to have snacks only. However, the other food options look great and based on the Instagram reviews, this cafe would be a great option for brunch. We will definitely be back here to have a proper brunch one day!
Common Space Coffee & Bar: S$13.75 (IDR169,4000) (cashless payment only)
7.20 pm: After such a sumptuous evening tea break, we had to burn some calories off. We booked a Grab to take us to Grand Batam Mall to do some shopping.
Grab cost: S$1.67 (IDR20,600)
Shopping at Grand Batam Mall
Stocking up on water, toiletries, and local finds
7.30 pm: After arriving at the shopping mall, we made our way down to the basement to do some shopping at the supermarket. We bought some water and toiletries for our 2-night trip. After which, we had to spend some time at the local stores and Guardian, buying even more stuff. In the end, our hands were full of plastic bags full of purchases.
Cost: S$39.27 (IDR483,800)
Late Japanese Dinner at Sushi Tei
Sashimi platter, squid, sushi, and udon to end the day
9.00 pm: After some 1.5 hours of shopping, we were getting hungry. It was getting late, and we thought it would be better to eat soon while the restaurants and eateries were still open. We made our way to Sushi Tei to grab a Japanese dinner.
We decided to order a mixture of food to share, and ended up having a sashimi platter, squid, sushi, and a bowl of udon. We shared everything, as we were admittedly still a little full from the earlier evening tea break. The food was delicious, though, and we finished everything.
Cost: S$44.16 (IDR543,950)
10.00 pm: By the time we finished our dinner, we were the last customers remaining at the restaurant. After paying, we decided to head back to the hotel to rest!
Grab cost: S$3.77 (IDR46,400)
2.30 am: As always on holidays, we ended up relaxing, using our phones and watching television, before actually sleeping. Hence, even though we reached the hotel before 10.30 pm, we only slept around 2.30 am. Oof!
Day 2: Cafe Hopping, Massages, and a Seafood Dinner
A Late Morning Start in Batam
Sleeping in and planning a cafe-filled day ahead
11.00 am: Because of the late night, we woke up at 11.00 am, which we thought was pretty admirable. Of course, waking up on a holiday meant lazing around and relaxing in bed before actually getting up to shower and start the day.
12.45 pm: After a long while, we managed to get the day started and booked a Grab to leave the hotel! Where to? We are headed for our first cafe of the day, De'Sands Cafe and Restaurant. It is a popular destination, as indicated by social media sentiment. We saw lots of pictures and videos about this cafe, and how many travellers head here to take plenty of photos. And so, we had to check it out!
Grab cost: S$4.19 (IDR51,500)
Brunch at De’Sands Cafe & Restaurant
Instagram-worthy interiors and authentic Indonesian flavours
1.05 pm: We arrived at the cafe after a 20-minute Grab ride. For the unaware, the cafe charges an entrance fee (IDR25,000 per person, payable in cash). We figured that it could be due to the many people flocking here to take pictures, but not dining at the cafe. Having said that, the entrance ticket can be exchanged for a small bottle of water.
We immediately headed to the café for lunch, as we were famished. To start, we ordered the Chicken Pop because we did not have enough chicken skin from the previous night. We then chose the local options, ordering the Indomie noodles and the Ayam Bakar. The cafe was quite beautiful, with its layout making it feel spacious and inviting. The food was pretty good, and it had an authentic Indonesian flavour. As we wanted to try more food during our time in Batam, we deliberately limited our food intake at each cafe.
While waiting for the food to arrive, we took the opportunity to explore the place, and I helped my partner take plenty of photos. I managed to take a picture of a wandering cat in the meantime. During our time at the cafe, there were plenty of travellers taking photos. We saw at least one group spending an hour taking pictures. We saw them taking photos before we had our lunch, and they were still there when we left the cafe. Talk about maximising the entrance fee!
Entrance fee: IDR50,000 (approximately S$3.93)
Food cost: S$9.85 (IDR121,000)
2.20 pm: After a light brunch at De'Sands Cafe and Restaurant, we decided to head to the next cafe for some coffee. We booked a Grab to take us back towards the city centre.
Grab cost: S$3.10 (IDR38,100)
Discovering Gazoz Café by Chance
Triple cheese truffle toasties, fresh potato chips, and the Coconut Agogo dessert
2.40 pm: We arrived at Itusomo, only to discover that there was a long queue. Not gonna lie, we were quite disappointed as we saw great things on social media and wanted to try it out. However, with a loss always comes another opportunity. We were contemplating booking a Grab to another cafe when we realised that there was a cafe just nearby. We saw Gazoz, and the cafe looked great. We wandered towards the cafe, and before we knew it, we stepped into its premises. Greeted by enthusiastic servers, we were immediately sold.
We were led to the second floor as the first floor was packed. Once we were seated, we were warmly greeted, and the server proceeded to share with us the café’s various food options. Among the many choices was the cafe’s signature dessert, the Coconut Agogo, a must-try. We looked around and saw that most tables ordered this signature dessert. Needless to say, we had to try it too. We scanned through the different menus and saw a small ‘Chef’s Special’ menu, where we came upon the Triple Cheese and Truffle Toasties. We had to try this as well. Finally, we got the simple-sounding Potato Chips to complete our trio of food items.
First up were the Triple Cheese and Truffle Toasties. It was simply delicious. They were served warm and perfectly slightly soggy from the cheese and sauces within the toast. It was a great first bite. Next, we dipped the sourdough toast into the freshly made tomato sauce. Another homerun. The sweetness of the sauce perfectly complemented the saltiness of the toast. The salad added yet another dimension. With the fresh sour taste of the pickled vegetables, it whetted our appetites for more of the cheese toast. Even though we just had brunch at De'Sands Cafe and Restaurant, we found ourselves finishing the toasties in no time.
The potato chips turned out to be freshly made and coated with mayonnaise. Think of it as a healthier version of your store-bought potato chips, but with none of the artificial ingredients. It was delicious, and we snacked away as we relaxed and enjoyed the cafe.
Finally, we had the star of the cafe, the signature dessert, the Coconut Agogo. We loved every aspect of it. In fact, because of our seating location, we could see the chef in action each time someone ordered this signature dessert. There, we could see her prepare the multiple orders of the dessert to be served. We were already wowed by how the dessert was created. Now, we had to try it. Comprising coconut mousse, passionfruit curd, ginger oat crumbs, and of course, coconut sago, it was a very complex-looking dessert with simple, clean ingredients. We first tried each ingredient on its own before mixing all the ingredients together and having a single bite. We were only following instructions, and it tasted great. Easily, this was the star of the menu and of the cafe. We loved every dish served in this cafe.
Our drinks, a hot cup of Americano and an iced hojicha, were excellent. They were pretty standard, so we had no complaints. Besides what we ate, though, there were plenty of other options that we did not have a chance to try. As an Australian-style cafe serving brunch, it offers a range of Aussie-inspired items, including a breakfast board, bagels, croissants, and pasta. We will definitely be back one day to have a proper brunch at Gazoz!
The service of the staff at Gazoz must be highlighted. Every staff member we encountered was very friendly, and we felt extremely welcome here. We were warmly greeted, introduced to the menu, and offered suggestions and recommendations. We were also warmly greeted when making payment at the cashier. It is not often that we encounter such top-notch service, and we had the best time in Batam at Gazoz. Kudos to the staff here!
Cost: S$35.18 (IDR432,000)
3.45 pm: After our second meal of the day, it was time to get a massage. We booked a Grab to bring us to Nagoya Hill!
Grab cost: S$1.85 (IDR22,700)
Massage at Spa Central, Nagoya Hill
Returning to a favourite spot for a relaxing afternoon
3.55 pm: After ten minutes, we arrived at this famous mall in Batam. I had been here recently, so I immediately knew where to head for a massage. There are plenty of massage places here, so you can take your time to choose the one you prefer. For me, I like to go back to the one I enjoy and see no reason to change, especially if I had such a great experience previously. And so, we headed to Spa Central for a well-needed pampering!
Cost: S$78.17 (IDR960,000)
6.10 pm: After our massage session, we were naturally relaxed and did not think much but to book a Grab to Grand Batam Mall. Why? We had no idea yet, but we will probably figure it out afterwards.
Grab cost: S$2.34 (IDR28,800)
Shopping at Grand Batam Mall (Again!)
Quick clothing haul before dinner
6.20 pm: After arriving at Grand Batam Mall, we decided to shop. We headed to Uniqlo to buy some clothes and left satisfied.
Uniqlo purchases: S$19.38 (IDR238,000)
Seafood Dinner at Wey Wey Seafood
Steamed prawns, scallops, fish, and why it didn’t meet expectations
6.45 pm: Feeling hungry, it was time to grab dinner! We knew we wanted to enjoy a seafood dinner in Batam, but we had no idea where to go. The internet showed conflicting suggestions, and we were none the wiser after researching. In the end, we tried our luck at Wey Wey Seafood. Off we went by Grab!
Grab cost: S$2.68 (IDR33,000)
6.55 pm: A short 10-minute Grab ride brought us back to Harbour Bay. Even though it was a Friday night, there were not too many people at the restaurant. We were ushered to an empty table by the sea, and we quickly placed our orders. For dinner, we decided on the following: steamed prawns, scallops, a steamed fish, tom yum soup, and stir-fried vegetables.
Well, to be perfectly honest, we thought that the food was not great. It could be due to our taste buds or simply a difference in our taste and preferences. The prawns did not taste fresh, and the meat was rather mushy. It was challenging to peel the shells, and we felt it was not fresh. The scallops were decent, while I enjoyed the fish. It tasted the freshest out of all the food we had, but my partner thought otherwise. We did manage to finish the fish, though. The tom yum soup was not good. While extremely spicy, the soup tasted as though it had been made from a powder mix. We ended up not finishing the soup. I enjoyed the vegetables, but my partner mentioned that they tasted a little funny. We did try to finish as much as we could, and in the end, still had a complete dinner.
We are unlikely to return to this restaurant, given the availability of many seafood restaurants in Batam. We have seen reviews of other restaurants, and we will be sure to try them the next time we are in Batam.
Cost: S$58.57 (IDR719,400)
8.00 pm: After an underwhelming dinner, my partner decided she needed something sweet to salvage the night. Of course, this meant another ride back to Grand Batam Mall!
Grab cost: S$3.27 (IDR40,200)
Ending the Night with Bubble Tea and Sweet Treats
A final stop at Koi and some light supermarket shopping
8.10 pm: After arriving at Grand Batam Mall, we headed to the supermarket first to buy some essentials.
Cost: S$8.92 (IDR109,500)
Next, we headed to the first floor to Koi, where my partner enjoyed a bubble tea!
Cost: S$2.68 (IDR33,000)
8.50 pm: Shopping completed and sweet treat purchased, it was time to head back to our hotel!
Grab cost: S$4.03 (IDR49,400)
2.30 am: As it was our final night, we spent a lot more time relaxing and chatting in the hotel room, watching television and surfing on the different social media channels. Of course, this meant another late night, sleeping only at 2:30 am. At least we were consistent!
Day 3: Breakfast Buffet, Coffee, and the Ferry Home
Early Start for the Radisson Breakfast Buffet
Impressive service and variety right until closing time
9.15 am: If you follow our travels, you will know that it is not often we wake up so early. Of course, this usually only happens when we need to eat breakfast during breakfast hours. And so, we took 15 minutes to wash up before heading down for the hotel’s breakfast buffet.
9.30 am: Still feeling a little groggy, we nevertheless managed to make our way to the restaurant, grab a table and head to the buffet! The buffet officially closes at 10 am, but we saw the staff replenishing the food even at 9.45 am. We have seen other hotel buffets that stop refilling the food as the closing time approaches. Over at Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam, it was the opposite. It was commendable that the staff ensured hotel guests could continue to enjoy their breakfast until the end of breakfast hours. In fact, we noticed that at 10.10 am, even though the breakfast buffet was already officially closed, the staff did not chase the hotel guests who were still eating; however, the food was still available for guests to take. Very commendable indeed!
The breakfast buffet was quite a spread, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves that morning.
Check out our review of Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam here!
Exploring the Hotel’s Facilities
Rooftop sheltered swimming pool with panoramic views of Batam
10.15 am: After over-indulging in breakfast, we took a stroll around the hotel, checking out the swimming pool and the rest of the facilities it offers to hotel guests. Those unaware should be pleased to discover that a sheltered swimming pool is located on the top floor. Those who are afraid of sunlight can consider using the pool on the top floor instead. It also offers a great vantage point to view the surrounding area of the hotel. Batam looks really beautiful from that height.
After some time, we headed back to our room for a rest. Before long, it was time to check out, and we wanted to relax for a little while longer before taking a shower.
Final Coffee Break at Liminal Coffee + Bites
Starbucks coffee and cake before departure
12.00 pm: Alas, the time has come! We checked out right on time, made payment for the breakfast we enjoyed that morning, and headed to the hotel’s cafe, Liminal Coffee + Bites, for a final coffee break before heading to the ferry terminal.
Liminal Coffee + Bites serves Starbucks coffee, ensuring a great cup of joe whenever you need a caffeine boost. We ordered a cup of hot Americano and an iced Latte before ordering a slice of cake to end our stay sweetly at the Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam. The cake was good, and so was the coffee. Identical in taste to all Starbucks coffee served at Starbucks outlets, our final cafe assured us of a smile.
Breakfast cost: S$37.78 (IDR460,000)
Liminal Coffee + Bites: S$12.73 (IDR155,000)
1.00 pm: After relaxing for about an hour, it was time to head to the ferry terminal. We could delay no longer!
Grab cost: S$3.98 (IDR48,400)
Heading Back to Harbour Bay Ferry Terminal
Queues, last-minute shopping, and a packed ferry ride
1.15 pm: We arrived at the ferry terminal and headed to the ferry company kiosk to collect our tickets. There was a queue that day, and we figured it was due to Singaporeans heading back to vote. The 2 pm ferry was full, and our guess is everyone had the same idea, that is, to head back in the afternoon, right on time to vote.
1.30 pm: After collecting our tickets, we made a last-minute dash to Guardian to buy some toiletries. There is still time!
Guardian purchase: S$14.54 (IDR177,000)
1.35 pm: We joined the queue to board the ferry, and it was packed! Nevertheless, we counted multiple Singaporeans boarding the same ferry.
1.50 pm: The queue cleared, and we have boarded the ferry!
2.05 pm: The ferry made its way out of Harbour Bay Terminal and moved towards Singapore.
Back in Singapore and Final Meal at VivoCity
Mala tang, tea, and home in time to vote
4.05 pm (local time): The ferry has arrived at HarbourFront Centre. It will take some time before we clear immigration and enter Singapore proper.
4.20 pm: After 15 minutes, we have cleared immigration. Obviously, after only one meal that day, we started to feel hungry. Who wouldn’t? Now, what should we eat?
4.45 pm: We made our way to VivoCity’s food court, massively popular with tourists, and planted ourselves there. We ordered a huge bowl of mala tang to share, as our final meal before heading back home.
Cost: S$25.35
5.20 pm: Is it time to head back yet? Not quite. We had to wash down the food with some tea. And so we headed next door to Toast Box for a cup of tea!
Cost: S$5.90
5.45 pm: After such a long delay, albeit a happy one, we were finally ready to head home. The voting booths close at 8 pm, and we are about right on time!
7.05 pm: Home Sweet Home! And now, time to vote and prepare for a long night!
Trip Costs and Takeaways
Full 3D2N Batam Trip Cost Breakdown
From accommodation and ferry to food, shopping, and activities
Accommodation: S$199.73
Ferry tickets: S$152.00
Taxi (Singapore): S$31.10
Grab transport (Batam): S$38.83
Food (Singapore): S$59.35
Food (Batam): S$176.92
Entrance fee to cafe: IDR50,000 (approximately S$3.93)
Hotel breakfast buffet: S$37.78
Shopping (Singapore): S$24.80
Shopping (Batam): S$82.11
Massage: S$78.17
Total: S$884.72
Why Cashless Travel Works in Batam
How credit cards made payments hassle-free
Except for the entrance fee that we paid in cash, we made the rest of our purchases via credit card. There was virtually no need to exchange money when travelling to Batam. We love this newfound freedom, and this makes travelling to Batam so much more convenient and easy!
What would you do differently?
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