How to Get Around Bintan: A Complete Transport Guide
Getting around Bintan depends on where you want to go, how many places you plan to visit, and how much flexibility you need.
The main options are Grab Car, hotel shuttle, hotel taxi, Private Charter & Driver, and Bintan Custom Trip With Private Driver.
We regularly help travellers get around Bintan based on what they want to see and do during their stay, including planning routes for different areas of the island.
If you have several places or activities in mind, you can request a custom trip based on what you'd like to see and do.
Private transport and a driver are included, so you can plan your day around your own itinerary.
Learn MoreGrab Car Services
Grab Car is available in some areas of Bintan, mainly around the Bintan Resorts area and Tanjung Pinang city.
It can be a convenient option for shorter trips within areas where Grab coverage is available.
However, Grab coverage does not extend evenly across the island. It may be difficult to find a car when travelling to more remote areas, particularly in North Bintan, East Bintan, and some areas around Trikora.
Grab can be suitable for:
- Short trips around Bintan Resorts
- Trips within Tanjung Pinang
- Travelling between nearby hotels and attractions where Grab is available
For destinations outside the main coverage areas, Grab availability may be limited or unavailable.
If you plan to visit several places around Bintan, you can request a custom trip based on your itinerary.
Private transport and a driver are included, so you can visit different areas without relying on Grab availability.
Learn MoreHotel Shuttles
Many hotels in the Bintan Resorts area provide shuttle services for their guests.
Hotel shuttles are commonly used for transfers between Bandar Bentan Telani (BBT) Ferry Terminal and the hotel.
Some hotels may also provide shuttle services to selected destinations or areas around the resort, depending on their own schedule and service.
If you are staying at a hotel in the Bintan Resorts area, check with your hotel about its available shuttle services before planning transportation around the island.
Hotel Taxi Services
Hotels and resorts in Bintan generally have taxi or transportation services available for their guests.
This can be a practical option when you need a vehicle for a specific journey or want to visit a nearby destination.
Hotel taxi services can also be useful for guests who prefer to arrange transportation directly through their hotel.
However, prices and service coverage can vary between hotels and destinations.
If you plan to visit several places across Bintan, check the estimated travel time and total transportation cost before making your arrangements.
Private Charter & Driver
A private charter gives you a private vehicle and driver for a set period, such as several hours or a full day.
This can be useful if you already have your own itinerary and want the flexibility of having a vehicle available throughout the booked period.
However, do not look only at the charter price and number of hours when choosing this option.
Bintan is a large island, and destinations are spread across different areas, including:
- Bintan Resorts / Lagoi
- North Bintan
- Tanjung Pinang city
- East Bintan
- Trikora and surrounding areas
Before booking, make sure the duration you choose is enough for the places you want to visit.
For example, an itinerary covering several destinations in different parts of Bintan can require considerably more travel time than visiting places within the same area.
It is also worth checking what is included in the charter, such as:
- Vehicle and driver
- Fuel
- Driver waiting time
- Parking fees
- Areas or destinations covered within the booked duration
A charter based only on the number of hours may not be suitable if your planned destinations are spread across different parts of Bintan.
If you already know which places or activities you want to visit, you can request a custom trip based on your plans.
Your itinerary can include private transport and a driver for the day, with the route planned around the places you want to see.
Learn MoreBintan Custom Trip With Private Driver
A Bintan Custom Trip With Private Driver is different from a standard private charter.
With a private charter, you mainly book a vehicle and driver for a certain number of hours and decide how to use that time.
With a custom trip, the itinerary is personalized around the places you want to see and things you want to do.
This can be useful if you want to combine several destinations or activities in one day and need the route and timing to work together.
Your itinerary can include different types of places and activities, such as:
- Nature and wildlife
- Beaches
- Local attractions
- Outdoor activities
- Food stops
- Shopping
- Destinations in different areas of Bintan
The main difference is that a custom trip focuses on your itinerary, rather than simply booking a vehicle for a fixed number of hours.
If you already know what you want to see and do, you can share your preferred places and activities and have the trip planned around them.
Which Transportation Option Should You Choose?
- Grab Car can work well for shorter trips in areas where Grab is available.
- Hotel shuttles are useful for hotel transfers and selected hotel routes, particularly around the Bintan Resorts area.
- Hotel taxi services can be suitable for individual journeys arranged through your hotel.
- Private Charter & Driver is suitable if you already have your own itinerary and mainly need a private vehicle and driver for a set number of hours.
- Bintan Custom Trip With Private Driver is suitable if you want a more personalized itinerary based on the places you want to see and things you want to do.
When choosing between the options, consider not only the price but also where you want to go, how far apart the destinations are, and how much time you need for the entire itinerary.
Written by
Sigit Supriadi
Founder & Travel Specialist, Bintan Travel Guide (BTG)
With over 13 years in hospitality across Bintan, from luxury resorts to private villas and islands, and now running Bintan Travel Guide (BTG) since 2023.
I share practical travel information and local insights to help travelers plan with confidence. Every guide reflects local knowledge and up-to-date information on Bintan’s destinations, attractions, and travel logistics