Batam Info / Interest / Help Thread

[lincoln3010]

Originally Posted by Black Page

EXCUSE ME??
Is there a mistake, or what happened? Stricter than on Ramadan?

It's a Muslim holiday so that's the rules for this fri till sun

[Black Page]

Originally Posted by lincoln3010

It's a Muslim holiday so that's the rules for this fri till sun

Thanks.
Is there any holiday in the week 17-23 October? I am just checking the time table of Horizon, and I am very surprised to see many return rides from HB to HF in the afternoon full in Economy on 24 October! Why? I was used to ferries fully booked on weekends. Why on the afternoon of a Monday?

Checking better the Horizon booking web site, I have discovered that Sunday 23 Oct is a normal day, all available, but Monday 24 is not: they have added several departures and 5 rides in the afternoon are already full in Economy. What is happening on 24 October? Is it a special day? I searched in Google by I could not find anything.

[miumiu6464]

Originally Posted by Black Page

Thanks.
Is there any holiday in the week 17-23 October? I am just checking the time table of Horizon, and I am very surprised to see many return rides from HB to HF in the afternoon full in Economy on 24 October! Why? I was used to ferries fully booked on weekends. Why on the afternoon of a Monday?

Checking better the Horizon booking web site, I have discovered that Sunday 23 Oct is a normal day, all available, but Monday 24 is not: they have added several departures and 5 rides in the afternoon are already full in Economy. What is happening on 24 October? Is it a special day? I searched in Google by I could not find anything.

24/10 is public holiday inn Singapore. Indians in Singapore celebrate Deepavali (or Diwali). As it's a long weekend, many are expected to go for short vacation, thus expect massive jam at woodland custom (for those going JB) and Harbourfront for those taking ferry.

[Black Page]

Originally Posted by miumiu6464

24/10 is public holiday inn Singapore. Indians in Singapore celebrate Deepavali (or Diwali). As it's a long weekend, many are expected to go for short vacation, thus expect massive jam at woodland custom (for those going JB) and Harbourfront for those taking ferry.

Thank you for taking the time to respond me. In the meanwhile, I have found what you say digging with Google, but Deepavali is reported on 24 Nov and on 24 Oct on two different web sites
I am lucky I tought to check in advance. I really could not expect to have problems in finding a seat on a Monday!!
I hope there will be not huge lines at immigration at HF. I think most people coming back from Batam will be Singaporeans, right? I will be on the line for foreigners.

[Thornhill]

Just some helpful tips

No one bothers about the Piduli app. Never ask anywhere.
No return ticket asked
They don't even spend 0.01 second glancing at your vaccination cert. Can bring your grandmother's no issues.
Don't buy local SIM won't work with your SG phone. Only tourist SIM.
All massage joints around Nagoya hill mall are strict ones. You see couples, aunties, yucks.
But girls are decent polite and strong hands, just no extras. Tried a few.
Personally instead of wasting money on useless massage just for extra, might as well enjoy proper massage then go elsewhere for proper fun 😊

[Don28]

Have not step to Batam for many years , Hope senior here can advice .

1)At batam center ferry terminal , can i buy return ticket from Harbour bay ferry terminal to Harbour Front ? How much it cost for 1 way ? (intend to buy 1 way to batam and 1 way back to SG from batam maybe cheaper?)

2) For LT joint what time they start operating or best time to pickup cewek(11 to 12pm)?

3)Island hopping - Do i need to go back to batam if i go to Balai from Batam then from balai back to Singapore.

[miumiu6464]

Originally Posted by Black Page

Thank you for taking the time to respond me. In the meanwhile, I have found what you say digging with Google, but Deepavali is reported on 24 Nov and on 24 Oct on two different web sites
I am lucky I tought to check in advance. I really could not expect to have problems in finding a seat on a Monday!!
I hope there will be not huge lines at immigration at HF. I think most people coming back from Batam will be Singaporeans, right? I will be on the line for foreigners.

https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/public-holidays

This website by our Manpower Ministry states Deepavali as falling on 24th Oct and is a gazetted Public Holiday in Singapore.

[miumiu6464]

Originally Posted by Black Page

Thank you for taking the time to respond me. In the meanwhile, I have found what you say digging with Google, but Deepavali is reported on 24 Nov and on 24 Oct on two different web sites
I am lucky I tought to check in advance. I really could not expect to have problems in finding a seat on a Monday!!
I hope there will be not huge lines at immigration at HF. I think most people coming back from Batam will be Singaporeans, right? I will be on the line for foreigners.

https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/public-holidays

This website by our Manpower Ministry states Deepavali as falling on 24th Oct and isa gazetted Public Holiday in Singapore.

Regarding roaming plan, i'm using this travel sim (AirSim) when on my travel out of the country. Still using my simpati that's registered 4 years ago in Palembang when I'm in BATAM. But, I'll be in BATAM next week and will try to use this simcard when I'm there.

According to this website, SIR HANDPHONE SHOP in Harbourfront listed as an official retailer for this simcard.

https://www.airsim.com.sg/agent_list

You can use this card worldwide by just purchasing a cheap roaming plan for the country you're visiting. For Indonesia, it's just $2 a day of unlimited usage and you can connect to Telkomsel and Indosat. Of course, Fair Usage Policy applies.

I'm just a satisfied customer and not connected to AirSim in any way.

[BFOMF5]

Not official for indonesia, but girl say some did celebrate especially hindo .
For Bali is a big event.
In batam that bali tample between Tiban and Baloi will be busy. Some singaporean did visi.

[BFOMF5]

I use SIMBA (EX TPG)
For $10/mth (old man pay$5 only)
Can get 1G data with roaming in msia,indo, phil...

[Kid1214]

Anybody tried twitter booking?
According to one samster info, I tried #availbatam and #bobatam and saw quite a few accounts like okt.
Not sure is it reliable, some ask for downpayment first.

Except price on higher range, as high as 7jt for 24 hours.
Some quoted 10jt.

[OnlyLiveOnce]

Originally Posted by Kid1214

Anybody tried twitter booking?
According to one samster info, I tried #availbatam and #bobatam and saw quite a few accounts like okt.
Not sure is it reliable, some ask for downpayment first.

Except price on higher range, as high as 7jt for 24 hours.
Some quoted 10jt.

I have been getting ceweks from DIA, TanTan, Tagged, WeChat and other social media. They always asked for sky-high prices. Recently, one DIA girl wanted LT rate of 3 to 5 Jt. These ceweks need to know that booking joints are only charging about 1 to 2 Jt for LT, not inclusive of minder fees, and they are pricing themselves above average market value. Ceweks in booking joints also need to share 50% of their fees with the joints.

[DaTan]

Hello!!

If I am planning to book my trip in the middle of the week from Tuesday to Thursday during the school holiday period, do I have to book my ferry tickets and hotel accommodation well in advance? Or I can simply book the week before my trip?

[lincoln3010]

A week before would be better

[flex0rnaut]

Originally Posted by DaTan

Hello!!

If I am planning to book my trip in the middle of the week from Tuesday to Thursday during the school holiday period, do I have to book my ferry tickets and hotel accommodation well in advance? Or I can simply book the week before my trip?

It's best to book at least 3 days in advance if you are going during peak hours.
Hotel, better to get as early as you can.