Batam Info / Interest / Help Thread

[kbt7046]

Originally Posted by Sipapi

there is a lax in requirements, now there is no need to do PCR when u reach Batam, but still need the 48hr pre departure PCR test before going. and also need to show hotel confirmation.

May i know that the hotel confirmation can be any hotel or must be one of the listed quarantine hotel ? I'm planning to stay in either Harmoni Suite or Planet Holiday.

[Dazza4]

It is confirmed... no more on arrival PCR tests from today when you enter Batam. See article below.
https://mainlymiles.com/2022/04/06/i...ean-nationals/
Article also states the following:
This will also remove concerns some travellers may have about testing positive on arrival, which typically means being moved to an isolation hotel.
I believe this means you are free to stay in hotel of your choice.
Take a temperature screening and if you are below 37.5 degrees, you're free to go.

[sohbuckkong]

[QUOTE=Dazza4;21199455]It is confirmed... no more on arrival PCR tests from today when you enter Batam. See article below.
https://mainlymiles.com/2022/04/06/i...ean-nationals/
Artic.
...

[PrcLust]

Let’s hope for further relaxation on the pre departure pcr test.
Horizon fast ferry do provide trip to harbour bay from Tanah Merah too if not comfortable going through Batam center. Both same rate return @$80

[Dazza4]

Does anyone know when ferry tickets will open up?
Doesn't seem to be available for mid May and all.

[H0pe1100]

1. PCR Test SG for entry to batam ~ S$100
2. Compulsory Insurance to Batam ~ S$ 31 (min) for 1 day trip, S$ 40 (min) for 5 days, etc. (AIG from BatamFast site)
3. Ferry Trip (return) ~ S$80 (Batam Fast)
4. PCR Test (Batam) for entry to SG ~ S$40 (heard from a sg tourist in batam from youtube)
----------------------------------------
Total Trip cost (with return) ~ S$250

4. Hotel ~ $50/night

Seems a basic 1 day trip (with return) already costs ~ S$300/night (Min.)

It's more worth it for longer stays. 5 days works out to be ~ S$100/night (Min.)

The cost excl. meals and other expenses.

Personally, I think going to Johor is more worth it for the moment.

[kbt7046]

There may be significant drop in cost for travelling to Batam from May onwards. Ferry capacity may increase, Indonesia government may accept supervise ART test result as pre-departure Covid test requirement. Ferry service to Tg Balai may also resume and villa reopen. NTUC Income has the annual plan for Travel Insurance, cost around $300 but cover unlimited trips and multi destinations, maybe more worthwhile than single trip plan.
Better to wait until May, after Hari Raya to make the plan. Many restrictions in Indonesia except Bali during Fasting Month, not ideal to go there now.

[maddog_mlvn]

Originally Posted by H0pe1100

4. PCR Test (Batam) for entry to SG ~ S$40 (heard from a sg tourist in batam from youtube)

PDT test is ART test not PCR, and cost ard $8.50, remember to tell them to print out in English.
There is no more 24 hrs quarantine requirement.
PS: ALL regular to Btm holding Indo sim, if u buy a new hp in Sg during CB till now, u can't use the new hp with Indo sim card. Indo gov block all new ime fm Sg using Indo line. U can pay to unblock it but costly and have to wait 2.5days to get for the unblock to be effective.

If u have plan to visit Btm, make sure to print out hard copy of ur PDT PCR result, Vaccination Certificate and Insurance Certificate which u r Covid-19 was covered.

[Dazza4]

At this stage, it is still PCR to enter Batam.
PDT = Pre Departure Test
This is according to the travel advice website from where I'm from at least.
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/des...asia/indonesia
I have not been able to find any information so far that says we can take ART to get into Batam.
Indonesia does accept RT-PCR but it is just another form of PCR testing and still costs about the same amount.
Let's hope they soon downgrade it to ART at least if they're not going to drop PDT altogether.

And to come back to Sg, it looks like you can do a tele supervised ART test from any country you're coming back from.
https://mainlymiles.com/2022/03/28/c...-to-singapore/

[Black Page]

Originally Posted by maddog_mlvn

PS: ALL regular to Btm holding Indo sim, if u buy a new hp in Sg during CB till now, u can't use the new hp with Indo sim card. Indo gov block all new ime fm Sg using Indo line. U can pay to unblock it but costly and have to wait 2.5days to get for the unblock to be effective.

I wonder if my Indo SIM is still working... After 2 years, it should be expired and dead.
I hope there will be no problem with my old mobile Wifi device, which was regularly working every time with a new Indo SIM at any trip. I had to register it.
Two years are a long time... and more time has still to pass.

[Reezabcd]

Hi guys

Any malaysian here?

Waiting 2 years to cheong back to batam

Will be going there after puasa

[nono1973]

Originally Posted by maddog_mlvn

PS: ALL regular to Btm holding Indo sim, if u buy a new hp in Sg during CB till now, u can't use the new hp with Indo sim card. Indo gov block all new ime fm Sg using Indo line. U can pay to unblock it but costly and have to wait 2.5days to get for the unblock to be effective.

Hi bro,i read what you mentioned above in the news before. Hmm...actually i just bought a new Vivo HP during Singapore Covid time (in 2021) to replace my (very old) Sony Erricson phone with telkomsel sim card. It works pretty well.

I think it has something to do with the 3G/4G thing that is affecting the sim card & phone connection (for my case). I chose a phone that is able to support both 3G as well as 4G.

However having said that, my other Telkomsel sim card number whereby most who knew me in this forum has it when switch to my Samsung J2 which i bought from Batam 2-3 years before 2019 December (the month when covid officially starts), i have intermittent connection issue when i use it to make a phone call my Vivo's number (sometime works,sometime it just doesn't). But my new Vivo phone has no problem calling my J2 phone.

I still maintained my Indo line to date tho. Just too bad i don't use multi media apps like whatsapp, wechat, facebook, etc.

Originally Posted by maddog_mlvn

If u have plan to visit Btm, make sure to print out hard copy of ur PDT PCR result, Vaccination Certificate and Insurance Certificate which u r Covid-19 was covered.

Thank you for sharing this, well noted on this one.

My 1st step now is to get a new passport (old one expires already).

Originally Posted by Black Page

I wonder if my Indo SIM is still working... After 2 years, it should be expired and dead.

Here's a small joke to share, in order to maintain my 2 Telkomsel phone line (for more than 2 years by now), i have already chalk up more than 1 juta pulsa over the last 2 years to prevent it from "expiring".

I looked forward to go Batam too. This time it'll be be via Tanah Merah to Harbour Bay. I will have to get in touch with my favorite hotel's manager to see if it has reboot its operation first tho.

Followed by "bringing" my favorite girls back to Batam from other parts of Indonesia. Very sad to know few of them actually passes on (couldn't get vaccinated on time).

[Black Page]

Originally Posted by nono1973

Here's a small joke to share, in order to maintain my 2 Telkomsel phone line (for more than 2 years by now), i have already chalk up more than 1 juta pulsa over the last 2 years to prevent it from "expiring".

Knowing how penny-wise you are, how detailed were your guidelines and travel tips in order to not pay full price and save 10k here and here, I think that burning 1 juta on that must have costed more on your heart than on your personal finances!

Originally Posted by nono1973

I will have to get in touch with my favorite hotel's manager to see if it has reboot its operation first tho.

Are you planning to refound Formosa and take it to its old glory?
If you succeed to give us back Formosa, you will deserve a monument at Harbour Bay. In case, do not forget to try to have back Sinta, besides all others.

[Sipapi]

i am jus back from Batam. Quite simple document checking procedures at Batam Center Ferry Terminal. Just ensure u have all the documents ready. Also please have 2 copies of ur PCR PDT result as they will take 1. In case any where u go they want to see.
If you want to go please go in the morning becos not so much people. When I was returning I saw the queue to batam customs at 5pm it was quite bad.

[Hurricane88]

@tits

mod removed your post for trying to do business without been a sponsor...

pls pm @GreenTea if you keen to be sponsor...