Travel from Pekanbaru - Jakarta - Singapore - Batam - Pekanbaru

I traveled from Pekanbaru (Riau, Indonesia) to Jakarta for Singapore on 26 December 2018. This travel is intended for stamping of another cultural visa to Indonesia. The stamping is done at the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore.

Pekanbaru to Jakarta
The Pekanbaru - Jakarta flight is a transit flight to Singapore. There are two other options to reach Singapore: a) through flying to Hang Nadim International Airport to Batam and ride a ferry to Singapore any day of the week (PKU-BTH) or b) through a direct flight to Singapore which is available only on weekends.

The reason why I have to travel to Jarakta is to appear before immigration because I have overstayed for 3 days pass my visa expiry. You are not advised to overstay because there is a strict penalty on overstaying and it is very difficult to make arrangements.

The flight was with Lion Air and departed at 6:20 AM. Travel time was expected to be within 1.5 hours. I was still trembling with fear while on the flight because of the latest accident that Lion Air had encountered (Flight 160, October 2018). My prayers for the safety of our travel were endless. Fortunately, we were able to reach Jakarta without any glitch. We arrived at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Domestic Terminal) at around 5 minutes past 8:00 AM. We ate breakfast at the A&W restaurant just on the first floor of the terminal.

Before the flight, we were also informed that our flight schedule from Jakarta had been changed to a later time. Originally 13:30, it was moved to 16:20. So we have to wait for more than 8 hours. This is good for us because we still had to meet the agent to arrange our overstaying. After minutes of informing her that we were already at the airport, we were instructed to move to the International Terminal departing Singapore.

The transfer to the other terminal is convenient because it is accessible via an MRT ride. The MRT connects all the airport terminals together. This connecting MRT was only opened last 2018. So after reaching terminal 2E, we immediately went to the second floor as it is the level of departure. Then we were able to meet the immigration officer who led us to the departure gate and stamped our overstayed visa. The corresponding penalty has been paid by our agent.

We then went to the boarding gate and waited for long hours. We chatted, slept and explored the limited space we could explore while inside the terminal. The terminal is decorated with art of authentic Indonesian style. We also went to the Duty-Free shops and browsed on the available kinds of stuff we can buy for pasalubong to our relatives in Singapore. We also ate lunch adjacent to the boarding gate. Eating there is not advisable for budget travelers as it is very expensive. The expenses are shown below.

Jakarta to Singapore
At 15:30, we were able to board the plane. We walked down to the first floor and we rode a bus which directed us to where the plane is. Then at exactly 16:20, the plane started to warm up, but there was heavy air traffic so the plane was able to take off still at 17:00. Again, fear did not leave me so I prayed hard for the safe flight. And thanks God, we were able to reach Singapore at around 18:45.

Instead of taking a taxi to go to our hotel, we took the MRT instead as it is very convenient to reach the station from Changi Airport MRT terminal to Bugis MRT terminal - the terminal near our hotel.

We were able to reach our hotel (Popular Hotel Bugis) at 19:00 and gave a much-needed rest for our tired bodies.

Singapore to Batam

On 31 December, we went back to Pekanbaru via Batam. We left Ang Mo Kio house at 7:00 and was able to reach Harbourfront via MRT at around 8:00. I booked a ticket for two with Batamfast for a ferry ride from Harbourfront in Singapore to Batam International Port in Indonesia. At 8:40 we left Singapore and reached Batam Center in less than 45 minutes. The immigration exit is done through e-gates. Just scan the e-passport at the front of the machine, and it will open the gate to the middle. Then scan your fingerprints there before the final exit door is opened. The ferry has arrived at around 8:25 Indonesian time.

In Indonesia, the entry is done through the immigration booths and face to face with the officer. Face and fingerprints are captured before stamping the entry dates.

Taxis are already available near the doors of Batam Center main building. We rented one for 90,000 IDR. The taxi travel from Batam Center to Hang Nadim International Airport is 30 to 45 minutes depending on the traffic situation. We then alighted at the destination airport and waited for our flight which is still at 13:30 local time.

The next flight is on-time and the flight from Batam to Pekanbaru is only 35 minutes. We reached Sultan Sharif Qasim II International Airport at 14:10. And, our driver is already there waiting to fetch us.

We reached home feeling safe and we thanked God for the safe and successful journey.

Expenses for Cultural Visa Processing 26 - 31 December 2018
Date	Particular	Price IDR	Price SGD
	Hotel Accommodation (26 to 29 December)	3,500,000 appx.	-
26-Dec	Driver tip	20000	-
	Parking fee	5000	-
	Breakfast (Jakarta Domestic Terminal)	60000	-
	Lunch (Jakarta international Terminal)	65000	-
	EZ Link Card (original load)	-	12
	Dinner (bought from 7-11)	-	8
27-Dec	Breakfast (Free at the hotel)	-	0
	Taxi Middle Rd - Indonesian Emb.	-	9
	Lunch	-	11
	Dinner	-	9
	Processing payment for the agent (Cultural Visa Fee not included)	-	300
	Pasalubong	-	30
28-Dec	Breakfast free at the hotel	-	0
	Lunch	-	11
	Dinner	-	13
	MRT rides (top up)	-	10
29-Dec	Breakfast free at the hotel	-	0
	Lunch	-	11
31-Dec	MRT ride (from EZ Link)	-
	Ferry (1 person/ 1 way) Harbourfront to Batam Center In’tl Ferry Terminal (50 SGD/ 2)	-	25
	Lunch	60000
	Taxi Batam Center to Batam Airport	90000
Total	TOTAL	3,800,000 IDR	449 SGD