How to Get to Nirwana Resort Bintan : Transport Guide
Getting to Nirwana Resort Bintan is more straightforward than most first-time visitors expect.
We’ve helped many travelers make the journey from Singapore to Bintan, including guests staying at Nirwana Resort Bintan for Bintan tours, private arrangements, and other travel experiences
And we’ve been doing this since 2023. Because of that, we’re very familiar with this route and the questions visitors often have before they arrive.
Most of those questions aren’t really about the ferry itself.
They’re about what happens when you land: where the shuttle picks you up, what the terminal looks like, and what to do if the direct ferry is fully booked.
This guide covers all of it.
Whether you’re coming from Singapore, Malaysia, arriving by flight into Tanjungpinang, or connecting via Batam, here’s exactly how to get there.
How to Get to Nirwana Resort Bintan from Singapore
To get to Nirwana Resort Bintan from Singapore, take a ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal in Bintan, a journey of about 70 minutes.
From the ferry terminal, a land transfer of around 15 minutes will take you to the resort.
If the ferry is fully booked, there’s an alternative route from Singapore via Tanjungpinang, which we’ll cover in detail below
Here’s the step-by-step guide you need to know:
Direct Ferry: Tanah Merah to Bandar Bentan Telani (Recommended)
The direct ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore to Bandar Bentan Telani (BBT) Ferry Terminal in Bintan is by far the most convenient way to reach Nirwana Resort Bintan.
The crossing takes approximately 70 minutes and is operated by Bintan Resort Ferries. The first departure from Singapore is at 08:10, and the last ferry typically leaves at 17:00.
From Our Team
Check-in time at Nirwana Resort Bintan is 15:00. If you’d rather not wait too long before your room is ready, the 11:10 or 14:00 ferry from Singapore tends to work well for most of our guests.
If you take the 11:10 ferry, you’ll arrive in Bintan at around 11:20 local time. The hotel transfer takes about 15 minutes, so you’ll reach Nirwana Resort Bintan well before check-in time.
The 14:00 ferry is often the best timing.
You’ll arrive in Bintan at around 14:10 and with the 15 minute shuttle, you’ll reach Nirwana Resort Bintan right around 15:00, perfectly in line with check-in time
Step-by-Step: Booking Your Ferry Ticket
The easiest way to secure your seat is by booking online before you travel. The process only takes a few minutes and can be completed directly through the ferry operator’s website.
Before you book, make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from your travel date, this is one of Bintan’s entry requirements
- Visit the Bintan Resort Ferries website.
- Select your preferred travel date and review the available sailing times.
- Choose the departure that best suits your schedule and select your ticket type.
Enter each passenger’s details exactly as shown on their passport. Having your passport information ready beforehand will make the process quicker. - Complete payment using one of the available payment methods.
- Once your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive your ferry ticket by email. Save a copy on your phone or print it for reference.
From Our Team
Can you purchase tickets at the terminal?
Yes, but availability isn’t guaranteed, especially during weekends and public holidays. To avoid missing your preferred sailing, we always recommend securing your tickets online before you travel.
Departing from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, Singapore
The terminal is compact and easy to navigate.
- Arrive around 90 minutes before your ferry departure.
- Look for the Bintan Resort Ferries check-in counter and present your booking confirmation along with your passport
- Staff will issue your boarding pass.
- If you have luggage to check in, do this before proceeding to immigration and customs clearance.
- Once cleared, head to the departure hall and wait for boarding announcements.
From Our Team
Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal serves more than just Bintan, ferries to Batam and several other regional destinations depart from the same terminal.
This means it can get busy during peak travel periods, so arriving early is always a good idea.
The 70-Minute Crossing
The crossing takes approximately 70 minutes. Keep in mind that Bintan follows Western Indonesia Time (WIB), which is one hour behind Singapore, so a ferry departing Singapore at 08:10 arrives in Bintan at around 08:20 local time.
Seating depends on your ticket type. Economy Class is free-seating, while Emerald Class comes with pre-assigned seats and access to the open deck.
The sea between Singapore and Bintan is calm for most of the year, though conditions can vary with the season and the weather on the day
Arriving at Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal
Arriving at Bandar Bentan Telani is often where first-time visitors feel a brief moment of uncertainty. The good news: the terminal is clean, well-organised, and much smaller than Tanah Merah, making it easy to navigate.
Once you leave the ferry,
- Clear Indonesian immigration with your passport and return ferry ticket ready
- Scan the barcode for your digital arrival card
- Collect your luggage and do custom clearance
- Look out for Nirwana Resort Bintan staff waiting at the arrival hall
From Our Team
Economy and Emerald Class passengers follow slightly different procedures at Bandar Bentan Telani.
Emerald Class passengers are directed to the Emerald Lounge, where terminal staff assist with the arrival process, while Economy Class passengers proceed through the regular arrival area.
Getting from the Terminal to Nirwana Resort Bintan
Nirwana Resort Bintan provides a shuttle service from Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal, and hotel staff are on standby in the arrival hall for every ferry arrival from Singapore.
Look out for the Nirwana Resort Bintan signage once you clear customs.
The transfer to the resort takes approximately 15 minutes, one of the shortest hotel transfers in the entire Bintan Resorts area
From Our Team
Arranging the hotel shuttle is straightforward. Simply contact Nirwana Resort Bintan before your travel date and share your ferry arrival details.
For a full walkthrough of how shuttle arrangements work at Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal, see our guide on how to arrange shuttle bus services.
If you’re having trouble contacting the hotel or haven’t received a response before your trip, there’s usually no need to worry.
For every ferry arrival from Singapore, Nirwana Resort Bintan staff are typically waiting in the arrival hall. After clearing immigration and customs, just look for the Nirwana Resort Bintan signboard near the exit.
Many first-time visitors worry about finding their transfer, but it’s usually one of the easiest parts of the journey.
For extra peace of mind, there are also several other transportation options available at the terminal, which we’ll cover below.
Other Transport Options at Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal
The shuttle is the easiest option, but it’s not the only one. Based on what we see most guests ask for, here are a few alternatives worth knowing about.
- Grab Car services
Grab is available in Bintan, although coverage only around the Bintan Resorts area.Fortunately, the route between Bandar Bentan Telani and Nirwana Resort Bintan falls well within that zone.
Once you’ve cleared immigration and customs, simply open the app and book your ride. Learn more about using Grab in Bintan.
- Taxi Services
If you’d rather sort out transport on arrival, there’s also a taxi counter in the arrival hall.Let staff know you’re heading to Nirwana Resort Bintan and they’ll arrange a transfer. If you plan to pay in cash, note that an ATM is available in the arrival area.
- Combine Your Arrival with a Tour
Based on our daily experiences, some travelers prefer to make the most of their arrival day by exploring a little of Bintan before heading to the hotel, especially useful if you’re arriving on an earlier ferry and don’t want to wait around for your room to be ready.
Here are the popular tours we frequently arrange for our guests at Nirwana Resort Bintan:
- Blue Lake Bintan & Sand Dunes Visit
- Mangrove, Blue Lake Bintan & Sand Dunes
- ATV Adventure, Blue Lake Bintan & Sand Dunes
- Bintan Mangrove & Fireflies Tour
- Bintan Snorkeling Tour (located in East Bintan)
- Full Day Tour (Explore Bintan in One Day)
Singapore to Tanjungpinang: The Alternative Route
If the direct ferry to Bandar Bentan Telani is fully booked, which can happen during weekends, public holidays, or peak travel periods, Tanjungpinang is a practical alternative.
As the main city on Bintan Island, it has regular ferry connections from Singapore and is a route many travelers use throughout the year.
- From: Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, Singapore
- To: Sri Bintan Pura Ferry Terminal, Tanjungpinang
- Operators: Majestic Fast Ferry, Sindo Ferry
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours
- Onward transfer to Nirwana Resort Bintan: Approximately 1 hour 25 minutes by private transfer or taxi.
Unlike the Bandar Bentan Telani route, Nirwana Resort Bintan does not provide a shuttle service from Tanjungpinang, so you’ll need to arrange a private transfer or take a taxi for the onward journey.
From Our Team
If you’re arriving via Tanjungpinang, our team can arrange a private transfer directly to Nirwana Resort Bintan.
It’s a good option if you’d rather have a driver waiting after a longer ferry crossing instead of relying on the taxi counter at the terminal
You can learn more about our Private Arrival & Departure Transfer Services
Getting to Nirwana Resort Bintan from Indonesia
For travelers already in Indonesia, there are two common ways to reach Nirwana Resort Bintan: flying into Tanjungpinang or taking a speed from Batam.
By Air via Tanjungpinang (Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport)
This option works well for travelers coming from Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Pekanbaru, and other Indonesian cities. But you need to transit first at Jakarta
The arrival airport is Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport (TNJ), and the drive to Nirwana Resort Bintan takes approximately one hour by road.
From Our Team
One thing worth knowing before you travel: ride-hailing services such as Grab, Gojek, and Maxim are not permitted to pick up passengers directly from the airport arrival terminal.
For that reason, many travelers choose to arrange their transfer in advance, so they can head straight to the resort without needing to figure out a ride after landing.
By Speedboat from Batam
Batam and Bintan are neighbouring islands within Indonesia’s Riau Islands Province, which makes travel between the two relatively quick and convenient.
The departure terminal is Telaga Punggur Ferry Terminal in Batam, with arrivals at Tanjung Uban Port in North Bintan. The crossing takes around 15 minutes, and the drive from Tanjung Uban to Nirwana Resort Bintan is approximately 40 minutes by road.
This option is commonly used by travelers who are already in Batam or arriving via one of Batam’s domestic flight connections.
For a detailed overview of schedules, terminals, and ticket information, see our guide on getting from Batam to Bintan.
From Our Team
One question we often hear from our guest day trip to Bintan from Batam is whether speedboat tickets from Batam can be booked online.
At this time, tickets are purchased directly at the terminal, as online booking options remain limited.
The good news is that services run frequently throughout the day, departures operate roughly every 30 minutes between 08:00 to 17:00 from Telaga Punggur Ferry Terminal.
Getting to Nirwana Resort Bintan from Malaysia
For travelers visiting from Malaysia, the most direct route is by ferry from Johor Bahru to Tanjungpinang. If ferry schedules don’t suit your travel plans, Batam can also serve as an alternative gateway to Bintan.
From Johor Bahru to Tanjungpinang
- Departure terminal: Stulang Laut Ferry Terminal, Johor Bahru
- Arrival terminal: Sri Bintan Pura Ferry Terminal, Tanjungpinang
- Ferry journey: Approximately 2 hours 10–15 minutes
- Transfer to Nirwana Resort Bintan: Around 1 hour 25 minutes by road
If possible, arrange your onward transportation before you travel.
Taxis are available at Sri Bintan Pura Ferry Terminal, though availability can be limited during quieter periods or if you’re arriving in the evening.
From Our Team
One question we often receive from Malaysian travelers is where to book ferry tickets for this route.
In most cases, tickets can be purchased online through Easybook website, which is one of the platforms commonly used by visitors travelling between Johor Bahru and Tanjungpinang.
Services run up to two times per day, though schedules can vary depending on the operator and travel date.
We frequently assist Malaysian families with full travel packages, and most of them typically prefer afternoon departures from Johor Bahru.
Bintan Entry, Visa & Travel Requirements-
This is one of those things travelers often leave until the last minute, so it’s worth checking well before your departure date to stay at Nirwana Resort Bintan
Valid passport
Your passport should have at least six months of validity remaining from your date of travel.
Visa requirements
Singaporean and Malaysian passport holders can enter Indonesia without a visa, along with citizens of several other countries. For the latest information, check the Bintan Visa on Arrival guide.
Digital Arrival Card
Travelers arriving in Bintan from Singapore are required to complete the online arrival card within 72 hours before arrival. You can find the explanation in our Bintan Arrival Card guide
From Our Team
For guests travelling with us, whether on a tour package, private transfer, or a custom itinerary with ferry terminal pickup, we send a reminder a few days before departure with the information needed to complete the Digital Arrival Card.
It’s a quick process, but one that’s easy to overlook.
Having it done before you travel can make your arrival and immigration clearance noticeably smoother.
Frequently Asked Questions
The direct ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal takes approximately 70 minutes to Bandar Bentan Telani. Add around 15 minutes for the hotel shuttle, plus your time at both immigration counters. Most guests find the door-to-door journey from central Singapore runs between 2.5 and 3 hours, depending on where they start.
Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal is the correct departure point for the direct ferry to Bintan Resorts. It's conveniently located near Changi Airport.
Bandar Bentan Telani (BBT) Ferry Terminal is the closest arrival point, approximately 15 minutes by road from the hotel. Sri Bintan Pura Terminal in Tanjungpinang is further away, around 1 hour 25 minutes by car.
Yes. Nirwana Resort Bintan operates a shuttle service from Bandar Bentan Telani, and staff are typically stationed at the terminal for each ferry arrival from Singapore. Confirm your shuttle reservation directly with the hotel before you travel and let them know which ferry you'll be on.
Yes. If you're arriving at Sri Bintan Pura Terminal or flying into Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport, a private car transfer to Nirwana Resort Bintan takes approximately 1 hour 25 minutes. As a travel agent based on Bintan Island, we arrange private transfers for guests regularly, contact us before your travel date to lock in your booking.
There is no direct ferry from Batam to the Lagoi resort area. The typical Batam route is a speedboat from Telaga Punggur Terminal to Tanjung Uban Port (15 minutes), followed by a private car transfer to Nirwana Resort Bintan (approximately 40 minutes). Speedboats run throughout the day and are reliable.
The direct ferry from Tanah Merah to Bandar Bentan Telani, followed by the hotel shuttle, is the fastest option and the route we recommend to all our guests.
Written by Sigit Supriadi
Founder & Travel Specialist, Bintan Travel Guide (BTG)
Sigit is based in Tanjungpinang, Bintan Island
Has been arranging tours and travel itineraries for visitors to Bintan since 2023,
including Bintan tours, private transfers, and hotel stays.
He works hands-on with travelers daily, and is frequently mentioned by name in guest reviews on TripAdvisor and Google Business Profile for his local knowledge and on-the-ground assistance.
The guidance in this article comes directly from that experience
Written by Sigit Supriadi
Founder & Travel Specialist, Bintan Travel Guide (BTG)
Sigit is based in Tanjungpinang, Bintan Island
Has been arranging tours and travel itineraries for visitors to Bintan since 2023,
including Bintan tours, private transfers, and hotel stays.
He works hands-on with travelers daily, and is frequently mentioned by name in guest reviews on TripAdvisor and Google Business Profile for his local knowledge and on-the-ground assistance.
The guidance in this article comes directly from that experience
