Cheap Hotels in Batam

Cheap Areas to Stay in Batam

You won't find a lack of discount hotels in Batam. In fact, this boomtown in Indonesia's Riau Islands Province teems with budget-friendly accommodations. So if you're looking for cheap Batam hotels, all you need to do is pick a neighbourhood you'd like to stay at. There's Nagoya, recently renamed Lubuk Baja, the centre of Batam's nightlife. Another option is Batam Centre, the beating heart of Batam's city government and a major shopping destination. If you're travelling with family, Batu Aji is the place to be, as it's close to golf courses and other family-friendly entertainment options.

Cheap Hotels in Batam

Zest Hotel Harbour Bay, set in the middle of Batam Centre, offers great value for your money. Close to the ferry terminal, this hotel comes with bright, minimalist rooms, along with free Wi-Fi and parking. The colourful Fame Hotel Batam in Batu Aji offers the same amenities, along with free breakfast and an area shuttle. What sets Fame apart is its eye-catching Hollywood-themed interior décor. If you want classy digs to return to after a jaunt in Lubuk Baja, try Triniti Hotel Batam. The hotel may have a palatial look, but it's reasonably priced. It also features a sauna and a fitness centre.

Where to find cheap food in Batam

Batam has a lot of food courts similar to Singapore's hawker centres. They're known locally as pujasera. These food courts are where you should go if you want to binge on good food without actually spending too much. For a taste of authentic Indonesian and Chinese cuisines, head to the outdoor pujaseras in Nagoya. The food courts and restaurants in Batam's various shopping malls have a more international flair. So if you're craving for Western or European food, going to the nearest mall is the best option. Waterfront City has a strip of restaurants offering cheap seafood.

Cheap Things to do in Batam

Hanging out at Batam's shopping malls is a great way to beat the heat. Besides, who knows what bargain you may stumble upon while browsing through cheap fashion, electronics and household goods? Batam has a considerable number of these shopping centres, including Nagoya Hill Mall, BCS Mall, and Batam Centre Mega Mall. The temples of Batam are also a must-see. There's the pyramid-like Masjid Raya Batam, also known as the Grand Mosque. It's the biggest mosque in Batam. Another one worth visiting is the Tua Pek Kong Temple, famous for its colourful Buddhist statues and embossed murals. And then there's the Maha Duta Maitreya Batam, the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia. If you're looking to insert a bit of romance into your trip to Batam, you should make time to watch the sunset at Barelang Bridge. Barelang Bridge connects the island of Batam to the other islands in the Riau Islands. The scenery here is postcard-perfect.

Cheap Ways to Get Around Batam

Batam is not a pedestrian-friendly destination, but you can get around cheaply via ojek, the local slang for a motorbike. You get to ride pillion behind the driver so this transport option works only when you're not carrying a lot of stuff. The minibus is another affordable way to get from place to place in Batam. The Batam city government operates the Trans Batam Bus, which runs 5 routes within the city. Carry and Bimbar, on the other hand, are privately owned minibuses. Both have colour-coded vehicles indicating which routes they run. Carry has 2 routes whilst Bimbar has 3.