Bali vs Bintan: Which is Better for Honeymoon?
Bali vs Bintan: Which is Better for Honeymoon?
For a short, fuss-free romantic break from Singapore choose Bintan; for a longer, culturally rich and varied honeymoon with world-class dining, villas and island-hopping choose Bali. Bali vs Bintan: Which is Better for Honeymoon? — it depends on how much travel time you want, the type of resort experience you prefer, and your honeymoon budget.
Bali vs Bintan: Which is Better for Honeymoon? Quick answer (2-sentence extract)
Bintan is best for a 1–3 night romantic escape with minimal travel time and private-resort vibes. Bali is better for a 4+ night honeymoon with diverse landscapes, culture, fine dining and more activities.
At-a-glance comparison (fast decisions)
- Travel time from Singapore: Bintan — ~1 hour by fast ferry (Tanah Merah ↔ Bandar Bentan Telani). Bali — ~2.5–3 hours by direct flight (Singapore → Denpasar).
- Entry & paperwork: Singapore passport holders: visa-exempt for up to 30 days for Indonesia; new "All Indonesia" digital arrival card is mandatory at major entry points (fill ≤72 hours before arrival).
- Best for: Bintan — short and simple resort honeymoon; Bali — longer, varied honeymoon (beaches, rice terraces, cultural tours, private villas).
- Typical honeymoon length: Bintan 1–3 nights; Bali 4–10+ nights.
- Rough budget (couple from Singapore): Bintan 2D1N S$200–S$700 (resort dependent); Bali 3D2N+ S$600–S$2,500 (flight + 4★/5★ resort or villa). (Estimates — see sample breakdowns below.)
How travel works: ferry, flight, transfers (step-by-step)
Getting to Bintan (fast-ferry steps)
- Book Bintan Resort Ferries (BRF) from Tanah Merah (Singapore) to Bandar Bentan Telani (Bintan). Check specific sailing times and choose one that matches your hotel transfer — ferries run multiple times daily.
- Arrive at Tanah Merah ferry terminal ~45–60 minutes before departure for check-in and immigration.
- On arrival at Bandar Bentan Telani, your resort transfer (if pre-booked) will meet you. Many resorts include land transfer in the package.
- Complete Indonesia arrival requirements (All Indonesia card where active) before travel if required at the seaport.
Getting to Bali (flight steps)
- Book direct flights from Singapore (Changi) to Denpasar (Ngurah Rai). Flight duration is about 2.5–3 hours.
- Arrive at Denpasar; complete the All Indonesia arrival card and the immigration/visa process (visa-exempt up to 30 days or VOA where applicable).
- Pre-book airport transfers or villa pick-up (many luxury villas offer private drivers and meet-and-greet services).
What to expect for honeymoon experiences
Bintan — short, private, resort-focussed
- Resort beaches, private pools, spa couples’ treatments and quiet dinners by the sea.
- Great for couples who want privacy, quick travel (no flights) and minimal planning.
- Popular romantic resorts: Banyan Tree Bintan, Nirwana Resort Hotel, Cassia Resort. (Book ferry + hotel combos when possible.)
- Couple activities: sunset cruise, mangrove or firefly tour, Lagoi Bay snorkeling. See sample package: Lagoi Bay Snorkeling Trip.
Bali — longer, diverse, cultural + luxe villas
- Varied landscapes: beaches (Seminyak, Nusa Dua), rice terraces (Ubud), cliffs (Uluwatu), nearby islands (Nusa Penida).
- More dining variety, boutique villas, world-class spas and activities (balinese cooking classes, temple visits, rice-field dinners).
- Good for couples who want exploration, photography, island hopping and a mix of relaxation + adventure.
- Bali hotel pick: for easy access and value check offers like PrimeBiz Kuta + Airport Transfer for budget-conscious plans, or upgrade to private villas in Seminyak/Ubud for a full honeymoon vibe.
Sample honeymoon itineraries (choose your pace)
Relaxed Bintan 2D1N (ideal for newlyweds with little time)
- Day 1: Morning ferry from Tanah Merah → check in to resort → couple spa + beach sunset dinner.
- Day 2: Leisure morning (private pool) → quick sightseeing / mangrove or firefly tour → return ferry late afternoon.
- Why it works: minimal travel time, high relaxation, good value.
Balanced Bali 5D4N (explore + relax)
- Day 1: Fly Singapore → Denpasar, transfer to Seminyak, sunset beach dinner.
- Day 2: Private driver to Ubud (rice terraces + spa), candlelit dinner at an Ubud restaurant.
- Day 3: Day trip to Nusa Penida or snorkel at neighboring islands (book in advance).
- Day 4: Leisure — private villa pool or cultural workshop; watch a Kecak dance at Uluwatu at sunset.
- Day 5: Last-minute shopping, fly back to Singapore.
Estimated costs (couple, prices in SGD) — quick guide
- Bintan 2D1N mid-range resort: from S$220–S$700 per couple (includes ferry + hotel package deals; luxury resorts cost more).
- Bintan luxury resort (Banyan Tree level): S$700–S$2,000+ depending on villa and inclusions.
- Bali 4D3N budget: S$600–S$1,000 (low-cost flights + 3★/4★ hotel).
- Bali 5D4N premium villa honeymoon: S$1,200–S$3,500+ (return flights, private villa, transfers, activities).
- Extras to budget for: meals, private drivers (approx S$40–S$80/day), island tours (S$60–S$200/day), spa couples’ treatment (S$80–S$300).
Practical travel tips (Singapore couples)
- Passports: ensure at least 6 months validity. For Singapore passport-holders, Indonesia offers 30-day visa exemption for tourism — confirm before travel.
- All Indonesia digital arrival card: fill it within 72 hours before arrival where the system is active (Bali airports and some seaports). Save the QR code — immigration will ask for it.
- Book ferry + hotel as a combo for Bintan to reduce fuss and often save money.
- For Bali, choose a base (Seminyak for nightlife + beach clubs; Ubud for rice terrace romance; Nusa Dua for calm beaches). Mix bases for variety but account for island traffic.
- Buy travel insurance with medical & activity coverage (snorkelling, island transfers) — recommended for both islands.
- Timing: avoid Indonesia’s major holidays if you want quieter resorts — school holidays and local public holidays are busier.
Booking & package suggestions (handy links)
Ready-made options to consider:
- Bintan | Nirwana Resort Hotel + Ferry — resort + ferry combos for easy planning.
- Bintan | Banyan Tree Villas + Ferry — top-tier villas for a private romantic stay.
- Bintan | Cassia Resort + Ferry — boutique beachfront option.
- Bali | PrimeBiz Kuta + Airport Transfer — a practical entry-level Bali option for first-time visitors.
Which honeymoon should you pick? (decision checklist)
- Pick Bintan if: you want minimal travel time from Singapore, a private beach/resort experience and a quick romantic reset (1–3 nights).
- Pick Bali if: you want culture, scenic variety, villa privacy plus island-hopping, and you can spare 4+ nights.
- If you are unsure: consider a combined plan — quick Bintan to relax first, then plan a longer Bali honeymoon later in the year.
FAQs (Bali vs Bintan: ferry schedule, packages, visa info, travel tips)
Q: How often do ferries run to Bintan from Singapore?
A: BRF (Bintan Resort Ferries) runs multiple daily sailings from Tanah Merah to Bandar Bentan Telani — check the schedule before you book as times vary by day.
Q: Do Singaporeans need a visa for Bintan or Bali?
A: Singapore passport holders are eligible for a 30-day visa exemption for tourism when entering Indonesia — verify conditions and passport validity requirements before travel.
Q: What is the All Indonesia arrival card and do I need it?
A: The All Indonesia digital arrival card consolidates immigration, customs and health forms. It became mandatory at several major entry points in 2025; fill it within 72 hours before arrival where it’s active and save the QR code.
Q: How long is the flight from Singapore to Bali?
A: Direct flights between Singapore and Denpasar (Bali) typically take about 2.5–3 hours.
Q: Are there honeymoon packages that include ferry and resort?
A: Yes — many packages bundle ferry transfers and hotels in Bintan. For Bali, look for flight + hotel combos or villa packages. See suggested packages near the top of this article.
Related guides & further reading
- Bintan 3D2N Honeymoon Packages: A Complete Singaporean Guide
- [2023] Top 5 Attractions in Bali
- Best Couples Resorts in Bintan for 2025
- 24 Hours in Bali: How to Make the Most of a Layover
Whether you choose Bintan or Bali, both islands offer memorable romantic highlights — pick the one that matches your time, budget and honeymoon style.
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