Chinese New Year Travel Planning: When to Go, Where to Go
Chinese New Year Travel Planning: When to Go, Where to Go
Chinese New Year Travel Planning: When to Go, Where to Go — go either a few days before the holiday rush or wait until the public holiday ends. Chinese New Year 2026 falls on Tuesday, 17 February 2026 (Singapore public holidays: 17–18 Feb 2026). To avoid crowds and higher prices, travel before about 13–15 February or after 19–21 February. Best nearby choices from Singapore: Batam, Bintan, Desaru, short Malaysia trips (Malacca, Johor), short-haul Thailand (Phuket/Krabi) or a cruise (Genting Dream / Royal Caribbean).
Chinese New Year Travel Planning: When to Go — timing strategy
- Peak days: 16–18 February 2026 (New Year Eve & first two days) — expect packed ferries, busy immigration counters and premium hotel rates.
- Best to leave Singapore: 11–14 Feb 2026 (go early) — beat the main exodus and secure better ferry seats and rooms.
- Best to return: 19–22 Feb 2026 (go after the official holidays) — many locals return on 18–19 Feb, so waiting a few days reduces queues and prices.
- If you must travel on peak days: book ferry seats and hotels at least 3–4 weeks in advance; arrive at ferry terminal 45–60 minutes early.
Quick calendar for Singapore travellers (CNY 2026)
- Chinese New Year Day 1: Tuesday, 17 February 2026
- Chinese New Year Day 2: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
- Lantern Festival / end of main celebrations: early March (varies by calendar)
Where to Go: destination picks for Chinese New Year
Choose based on travel time, festival atmosphere and crowd tolerance.
Short ferry escapes (fast, cheap, family-friendly)
- Batam — 45–70 minutes by ferry from Singapore. Good for seafood, spa, shopping and family resorts. Popular picks: Montigo Resort Batam, Swiss-Belhotel Harbour Bay, and the budget-friendly Batam 1 Day City Tour + Ferry (S$99).
- Bintan — 55–75 minutes by ferry. Relaxing beaches and family resorts (Club Med, Banyan Tree-style options). Example: Nirwana Resort Hotel + Ferry.
Beach & island getaways (longer flight / ferry)
- Desaru (Malaysia) — drive or fast ferry; great for family resorts and waterparks.
- Phuket / Krabi (Thailand) — short flights for beach and food, expect popular resorts to sell out early.
Cultural & food cities
- Malacca (Melaka) — easy coach ride, great for heritage and Chinese New Year markets. Consider: Hatten Hotel Melaka + 2-way coach.
- Kuala Lumpur — city festivities, temple visits and big shopping sales.
Cruise option — less planning stress
- Cruises are ideal if you want an “all-in-one†plan with dinner, entertainment, fireworks and minimal transfers. Look for Genting Dream or Royal Caribbean sailings that operate around February. (Book early).
Practical travel tips (ferry schedule, packages, visa info, travel tips)
Ferry schedule & terminals
- From Singapore to Batam/Bintan: main terminals are HarbourFront (HarbourFront Centre / Tanah Merah) and sometimes Tanah Merah for different operators.
- During Chinese New Year: operators add extra sailings but seats sell out fast — book round-trip ferry tickets early.
- Arrive at the terminal at least 45–60 minutes before departure during the peak season; allow extra time for immigration.
- Check the ferry operator or the package provider for exact schedules (times vary by operator and terminal).
Visa & entry basics (quick rules for Singapore passport holders)
- Many short-haul destinations (Indonesia: Batam/Bintan; Malaysia) are visa-free or visa-on-arrival for Singapore passport holders — still check entry rules for children and non-Singapore passports.
- Passport validity: many countries require 6 months validity; check destination rules before you go.
- Health & travel insurance: strongly recommended for CNY travel because medical facilities may have reduced hours on public holidays.
Packages: why buy a ferry + hotel package
- Packages bundle ferry seats, hotel and sometimes transfers — they reduce single-point failure (no need to combine multiple bookings).
- Recommended package examples: Montigo Resort Batam + Ferry, Nirwana Resort Hotel + Ferry, and the Batam 1 Day City Tour + Ferry (S$99).
Packing & travel tips for CNY travel
- Bring physical copies of ferry and hotel confirmations and a printed passport scan for fast check-in.
- Carry small cash in local currency for taxis and street food — ATM queues may be long during holidays.
- Plan key activities (spa slots, dinner reservations, family temple visits) ahead — popular times fill fast.
- Expect some businesses to close on the first two CNY days — check operating hours for restaurants and attractions.
Sample itineraries & estimated costs (for Singapore travellers)
2D1N Batam — Relax & seafood (budget-conscious)
- Day 1: Early morning ferry to Batam, check-in, lunch seafood, spa in afternoon, night market dinner.
- Day 2: Breakfast, short shopping or massage, return afternoon ferry.
Estimated cost per person (SGD): ferry S$40–80 (return), hotel S$80–200 (twin-share), meals & transport S$60–120 = total ~S$200–400.
Recommended packages to compare: Montigo Resort Batam + Ferry (luxury), Swiss-Belhotel Harbour Bay + Ferry, or budget: Batam 1 Day City Tour + Ferry (S$99).
3D2N Bintan — beach resort & family time
- Day 1: Morning ferry, lunch, beach time, resort dinner.
- Day 2: Island activities (snorkel, mangrove/firefly), resort pool.
- Day 3: Relaxed breakfast, return ferry afternoon.
Estimated cost per person (SGD): package with ferry & resort S$200–500 depending on resort. Example: Nirwana Resort Hotel + Ferry.
4D3N Malaysia or Thailand short flight — culture & food
- Fly to Kuala Lumpur, Penang or Phuket. Combine city food days with a short beach day. Book flights and hotels early.
- Estimated cost per person (SGD): flights S$100–300, hotel S$150–450, meals & transfers S$150–300 = total ~S$400–1,000.
Compare options quickly: Batam vs Bintan vs Cruise vs Malaysia
| Option | Travel time from SG | Atmosphere | Cost (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batam | 45–70 min ferry | Busy, good food/spa | S$150–400 (2D1N) |
| Bintan | 55–75 min ferry | Resort, beach calm | S$200–500 (3D2N) |
| Cruise | Boarding + sail | All-in-one, family | S$150–600 (per person short cruise) |
| Malaysia / Thailand | 1–2 hr flight/drive | Food & culture | S$300–1,000+ |
Step-by-step Chinese New Year booking checklist
- Decide travel window: go early (11–14 Feb) or after (19–22 Feb).
- Pick destination and pick 2 backup dates — flexibility helps with limited availability.
- Book ferry + hotel package or flights + hotel right away.
- Confirm passport validity and visa rules for all travellers.
- Buy travel insurance that covers holiday closures and medical emergencies on public holidays.
- Reserve activities and special dinners (CNY reunion dinners sell out fast).
- Print confirmations and bring contact numbers for hotels and ferry operators.
FAQs — quick answers (ferry schedule, packages, visa info, travel tips)
Q: When should I book ferry tickets for Batam/Bintan during CNY?
A: Book as early as possible — ideally 2–4 weeks in advance for peak season. For the best seats on peak dates, book 4+ weeks ahead.
Q: Do Singapore passport holders need visas for Batam / Bintan?
A: Usually no for short stays, but always confirm current entry rules before you travel.
Q: Are prices higher during Chinese New Year?
A: Yes — expect hotel premiums and higher ferry demand. Package bundling can reduce stress and sometimes offers better value.
Q: Are restaurants and attractions closed during CNY?
A: Some are closed on the first two CNY days; many tourist spots remain open but with limited hours — check ahead.
Q: Where can I find a reliable ferry schedule?
A: Check ferry operator sites or use ferry + hotel package pages. For Batam ferry tips and terminals, see our guide: Batam Ferry Schedule & Prices 2025 — Complete Guide from Singapore.
Useful related reads & packages (plan faster)
- Guides: [2023] Start Planning to Batam!
- Guides: Celebrate Chinese New Year Differently This Year
- Guides: CNY 2026 Batam Celebration Getaway - Eat, Play, Party
- Packages worth checking now: Batam | Montigo Resort + Ferry, Bintan | Nirwana Resort Hotel + Ferry, Batam | 1 Day City Tour + Ferry at Only S$99!.
Final tips — travel smart for Chinese New Year
- Book packages early to lock ferry + hotel. Packages reduce the chance of sold-out ferries or hotels.
- Be flexible with dates: shifting 1–2 days can cut costs and stress dramatically.
- Consider a cruise for an all-in-one celebration with less time spent on transfers.
Ready to plan? 👉 Check our latest Batam packages and WhatsApp us to book now.
