planning a visit to batam, indonesia

[nikomesh]

I tot i just reshare this to help fellow forummers..

Just to share some tips as I just came back from my trip

1) During hari raya - or for that matter, long weekends, avoid batam centre ferry terminal at all cost.

I waited 3 hours, no joke in the queue to clear the customs. Go to harbour bay terminal instead. Reason is because less ferries go there, and less people clear customs. If your hotel is near batam centre, take a cab from harbour bay, its more worth it than waiting 3 hours in the line with your family. Some people fainted literally and they brought wheelchairs.

2) Nagoya area

The area where all the action is in my opinion. Makan, shopping, massage/spa - the good parlors are all located here. Im taking about clean ones. So it make sense to book hotel here. I booked harmoni suites, which is worth the money i paid. It is clean and have quite good breakfast.

Note: There is the harmoni hotel and the harmoni suites, I stayed at suites, so i cannot comment on how the other one fare.

The 2 malls you can check out here is Nagoya mall and BCS. Eat also the famous Ayam Penyet Rai at Nagoya mall. Very shiok.

3) Taxi / cab

If you need the hotel receptionist to book a taxi, ask them to call the taxi that is not under the hotel rate. Just say you need outside taxi, and ask them help to arrange for one. If you do not mention, they will give u the "hotel taxi" which cost more.

Hope this few tips can help in your up-coming trip.

Just to add, here is a picture of my 3 hours queue at to clear the customs.

 

[Delsamor]

lol every long weekend or festive period sure this kind of queue one. Last time went one time and I learned my lesson already.

 

[beanstalk6]

I visited Batam today. Still hard to find much to do, buy or see there. We had the de rigueur lunch at Sederhana. The Harbour Bay Mall never took off, it seems. Nagoya Hills is still the place to go.

 

[critical888]

today i took wavemaster to batam center, megamall. nothing much..

than i called up silvercab, and took a ride to nagoya hill mall , about 41,000 rupiah

walk walk a bit, hypermart buy things,

watch a movie, into the storm, 25000 rupiah per pax on top of nagoya hill mall

from nagoya hill mall back to megamall about 31,000 rupiah..

hows my taxi fare compare to yours? did i pay more.. generally i called up silvercab, pretty easy, just give your phone number, say where u waiting, at which exit, can already. they reach they will call u , than u can slowly walk out to see a silver cab, which is metered.


those who need indo sim card can rent from me: simcardman.com

 

[beanstalk6]

I think you did well with the taxis. I was charged 50000 rupiah from Harbourbay to Sederhana. Then from Nagoya Hills to Harbourbay it was also 50000. Nothing to haggle over. Just a guide.

 

[critical888]

quite reasonable, not that high as expected ..

 

[critical888]

by the way guys, i bought this ticket :

https://www.facebook.com/WaveMaster...2738113777742/795948953789988/?type=1&theater

only 25 to and fro, make sure its blue ticket, than u dont have to pay any extra fees at all, any tax or any surcharge all no need, just 25 nett..

 

[dleodleo]

I tot i just reshare this to help fellow forummers..

Just to share some tips as I just came back from my trip

1) During hari raya - or for that matter, long weekends, avoid batam centre ferry terminal at all cost.

I waited 3 hours, no joke in the queue to clear the customs. Go to harbour bay terminal instead. Reason is because less ferries go there, and less people clear customs. If your hotel is near batam centre, take a cab from harbour bay, its more worth it than waiting 3 hours in the line with your family. Some people fainted literally and they brought wheelchairs.

2) Nagoya area

The area where all the action is in my opinion. Makan, shopping, massage/spa - the good parlors are all located here. Im taking about clean ones. So it make sense to book hotel here. I booked harmoni suites, which is worth the money i paid. It is clean and have quite good breakfast.

Note: There is the harmoni hotel and the harmoni suites, I stayed at suites, so i cannot comment on how the other one fare.

The 2 malls you can check out here is Nagoya mall and BCS. Eat also the famous Ayam Penyet Rai at Nagoya mall. Very shiok.

3) Taxi / cab

If you need the hotel receptionist to book a taxi, ask them to call the taxi that is not under the hotel rate. Just say you need outside taxi, and ask them help to arrange for one. If you do not mention, they will give u the "hotel taxi" which cost more.

Hope this few tips can help in your up-coming trip.

Just to add, here is a picture of my 3 hours queue at to clear the customs.

Your picture really tells alot. Really scare me off.

I actually plan to go in during Christmas eve. After seeing your picture, I decided to go one day earlier instead. I don't want to be caught in this type of queue.

Thanks alot!

 

[bunnysutra]

Has anyone stayed at Harris Waterfront before? Any reviews?
Also, which ferry terminal is nearest to Harris Waterfront resort and how much will the taxi fare be from the terminal to the resort?

 

[ck47.me]

Has anyone stayed at Harris Waterfront before? Any reviews?
Also, which ferry terminal is nearest to Harris Waterfront resort and how much will the taxi fare be from the terminal to the resort?

nearest ferry terminal will be waterfront but the number of ferry operating is very limited.. only one daily, and additional two more on weekend (SINDO FERRY). still advisable to take sekupang ferry terminal. you can choose pacific ferry which only cost $30 for round trip.

harris resort itself, it's cheap but the location is far from town and happening area. it is okay if you plan to stay around the resort and not much going to outside. the resort have daily schedule shutter bus to nagoya hill but it's not free. it charge $10/pax if i'm not mistaken.

some photos from my previous trips

 

[bunnysutra]

nearest ferry terminal will be waterfront but the number of ferry operating is very limited.. only one daily, and additional two more on weekend still advisable to take sekupang ferry terminal. you can choose pacific ferry which only cost $30 for round trip.

harris resort itself, it's cheap but the location is far from town and happening area. it is okay if you plan to stay around the resort and not much going to outside. the resort have daily schedule shutter bus to nagoya hill but it's not free. it charge $10/pax if i'm not mistaken.

Thanks for the useful info and lovely pictures!

What's the price like for their seasports and other activities?

$10 is quite ex for the shuttle service, think it might be cheaper to hire a taxi since there'll be 4 of us?

 

[tonhz11]

Hi guys,

If you need a guide or driver for a trip in Batam, you can contact me. I can help you arrange from ferry ticket, hotel (Price better than agoda), itinerary depends on your preferences and transportation.

I will be your driver and if you want to come in a group, I can arrange a bigger car for you guys.
I'm available everyday as long as you PM me or contact me at least 2 days before you coming (For booking Hotel) or 1 day if you need a driver.

Email me jets.ttt@gmail.com
or pm me.

 

[ck47.me]

Hi,

Anyone need a guide or driver for a trip in Batam, can contact me. I can help you arrange from ferry ticket, hotel (Price better than agoda) and transportation.

I can show you many great place (like the famous bridge in Batam) & cheap eating place that won't be available in any tour agency itinerary.

Itinerary of tour depends on your preferences,
- If you prefer food, I can bring you around exploring all kind of Batam's famous food.
- If you prefer a relaxing holiday, then I can bring your for spa and message.
- If you like shopping, I can bring you to place that sell cheap stuff.
Feel free to discuss what kind of tour that you prefer. we can work on that.

I will be your driver, if you want to come in a group, I can arrange a bigger car for you guys.
I'm available everyday as long as you PM me or contact me at least 2 days before you coming (For booking Hotel) or 1 day if you need a driver.

Contact me at +628192299988 (including whatsapp, line & wechat)
Email me jets.ttt@gmail.com
or pm me.

hi there, whoever you are,, if you wanna advertise yourself, please create your own post.. do not hijack people's posting and post as your own.. don't be so pathetic and blatantly copy people's work.

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/travel-accommodation-89/private-guide-batam-4696792.html

 

[ck47.me]

Thanks for the useful info and lovely pictures!

What's the price like for their seasports and other activities?

$10 is quite ex for the shuttle service, think it might be cheaper to hire a taxi since there'll be 4 of us?

i agree it's quite expensive and it's usually crowded. it's still better to get a cab. if u approach the staff who in charge in front door, usually he/she has list of the pricing for cab service.. i manage to took snapshot last time.. here is the list.

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/travel-accommodation-89/private-guide-batam-4696792.html

 

[beanstalk6]

Obviously this is the captive passenger fare.

 

[dleodleo]

Has anyone stayed at Harris Waterfront before? Any reviews?
Also, which ferry terminal is nearest to Harris Waterfront resort and how much will the taxi fare be from the terminal to the resort?

harris resort waterfront will provide free transfer from waterfront ferry terminal.

 

[dleodleo]

Has anyone stayed at Harris Waterfront before? Any reviews?
Also, which ferry terminal is nearest to Harris Waterfront resort and how much will the taxi fare be from the terminal to the resort?

I stayed before. Big swimming pool and now have 2 wings. One new wing and one old wing. New wing no bath tub and old wing got bathtub.

got bowling, karaoke, spa and sea sports activities when i went there.

Food is a bit expensive at the coffeehouse.

If you just want to laze in the resort you can consider there. If you want shopping or in town, you can consider to stay at Nagoya area or harbourbay area.

 

[OKCATYEON]

Staying at the novotel batam December. Got a room for 2 nights at $15/night

 

[Jerroldscv]

Staying at the novotel batam December. Got a room for 2 nights at $15/night

Im gng Novetel batam on tuesday
Hows the room?
Bought a 2d1n groupon deal
Try try see look
Btw, how to escape from the city tour?

 

[ck47.me]

Im gng Novetel batam on tuesday
Hows the room?
Bought a 2d1n groupon deal
Try try see look
Btw, how to escape from the city tour?

how much u got for it? you can't escape tour unless you take cab ride straight to hotel.. if u follow the tour group at arrival gate, check-in in hotel is the last in the itinerary list..