Batam Centre

Batam Centre is a town in Batam developed by the government to become the centre to business and commerce, but up till now it consists mainly of government and office buildings. Most of the business and commerce is located in Nagoya.

Get in

By ferry

• 1 Batam Centre Ferry Terminal. Batam's busiest international ferry terminal with frequent connections from Singapore (Harbourfront, Tanah Merah) and Malaysia (Johor Bahru, Pasir Gudang, Tanjung Pengelih). So, if you say Batam Centre, people will normally refer to this ferry terminal. The ferry ride is around 1 hour from Singapore to Batam. (updated May 2020)

By taxi

You can take taxi from Airport to Batam Centre. Official taxi costs about Rp80,000, but if you go out of airport you can get taxi for only Rp30,000. Just haggle & agree on price before go on board.

Get around

By walking

See

• 1 Masjid Raya (Grand Mosque) (across PEMDA Building & Mega Mall). This mosque has a beautiful 'pyramid' architecture. Quite good but already looks a bit old. (updated Jun 2009)
• Otorita Batam Building (Batam Development Board Building). It has an interesting architecture with the "terrace" roof. (updated Jun 2009)
• 2 PEMDA Building (Local Government Building). This building embrace the local architecture. (updated Jun 2009)

Outside of the city

• 3 Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya (Take a taxi for about Rp.20,000, or take "Metro Trans" going to Bengkong, in front of Mega Mall for Rp3,000), ☏ +62 778462901. A big Buddhist Temple Located in Sungai Panas, on the way to Nagoya. It also has a vegetarian restaurant and Buddhist school. (updated Nov 2022)

Do

• 1 Batam Centre Park, Jl. Engku Putri. The park is used by locals for jogging. (updated May 2020)
• 2 Mega Wisata Ocarina Batam (Kawasan Wisata Ocarina), Coastarina, near Batam Center Ferry Terminal, ☏ +62-778-7880660. This is a newly developed family-friendly theme park for fun and entertainment. You can also see Shio sculptures along the way. It is about 15 minutes from Batam Centre harbour. They have a beach, mini theme park, and a new water park. The large ferris wheel and other carnival attractions are fun, there is a water park and 3D movie theater inside, along with several food-court style restaurants. The entrance is quite a walk from the attractions, but there is a shuttle bus or you can take your car inside. This whole complex has an unfinished air to it and is a work in progress. Perhaps it will be a place to spend some time in the future but disappointing, and only locals would be happy with the facilities and services. (updated May 2020)

Buy

There is only one big shopping mall: Mega Mall - Batam.

• 1 Mega Mall - Batam, Jl. Engku Putri No. 1 (linked to Batam Center ferry terminal with a bridge), ☏ +62 778 470100. This mall is quite a good mall like in Jakarta. (updated Jun 2009)

Eat

Many great coffee shops in Mega Mall with free WIFI and good speeds.

JC Donuts and Bread talk outlets for a western snack fix.

Sleep

• 1 Harmoni One Hotel, Jalan Engku Putri, ☏ +62 778 464-111. Best rates on official website start at S$78. 
• 2 Harris Hotel Batam Center, Jl. Engku Putri, ☏ +62 778 749 8888, fax: +62 778 749 9999, sales-harris-batamcenter@tauzia.com. From Rp550,000. (updated May 2020)

Go next

• Nagoya
• Singapore