Purchasing PELNI Tickets from the PELNI Batam Office

PELNI, which is an abbreviation of PT. Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia, is the national shipping company of Indonesia, operating ferries which connect the main islands of the Indonesian archipelago.

The PELNI office in Batam is a 10-minute leisurely walk from Sekupang Ferry Terminal which is a gateway to and from Singapore. It is located at Jl. Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo No. 4, Sekupang, Batam. PELNI ferries from Batam go to two destinations, namely Tanjung Priok (in Jakarta) and Belawan (for Medan).

Upon exiting the main gate of Sekupang Ferry Terminal, turn right and walk straight.

You will pass under this other “gate” to exit the Sekupang port area.

Shortly after, you will approach the first intersection.

Turn left to the smaller road and walk uphill. If you stumble upon the Trans Batam halt, you are on the wrong road.

Walk straight up.

The pavement gets easier to walk on after the first few meters.

Upon meeting the next intersection, with the PT. Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia sign pointing to the PELNI office, turn left.

In the event that you really can’t see the sign, there is a tall telecommunications tower behind it which hopefully is big enough for you to see.

But you really won’t miss the sign, so don’t worry.

The PELNI office is just a few steps away from the intersection. Walk via the second driveway to go to the ticket counter.

Look out for this yellow sign saying “LOKET PENJUALAN TIKET” or “Ticketing Counter” in English.

Walk through the open gate. “BUKA” means they’re “OPEN”.

Yay for no queues. Walk through the door in the middle to enter the ticketing counter area.

The fare table for the two destinations the KM Kelud serves from Batam: Tanjung Priok (in Jakarta) and Belawan (for Medan).

A picture of a picture of the KM Kelud outside the ticketing office.

Inside the ticketing counter area.

You will be given this form to fill up your details in order for you to buy your tickets. Tickets generally go on sale on the month of departure ie. departures in May are sold in May.

You may also download and print an English-translated version of this form here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1BW2uNJ2IJSaTZuR0pMT3R2WXM/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-Ra0CJ5jtAchH8jv9QU_iCA

Present your passport if you don’t speak Indonesian or you have a messy handwriting so the staff can help you fill in your details in the system.

Here’s a breakdown of the different classes of travel for the various vessels:

KM Kelud, KM Tidar & KM Tatamailau

Click on the image to enlarge.

All ships except KM Kelud, KM Tidar & KM Tatamailau

Click on the image to enlarge.

My ticket which I got within 2 minutes after handing back the above form to the counter staff.

The PELNI office operates on weekdays only excluding Indonesian public holidays. They are open from 8am till some time in the afternoon.

Follow my journey from Singapore to Bali by Land and Sea here!