Major city · Indonesia
SelatpanjangSelat Panjang
Go for one night if you are crossing between Sumatra and Malaysia or Batam; skip it as a destination on its own.
Selatpanjang is the main town on Tebing Tinggi island in Riau's Meranti regency, reached only by boat. It is a trading and seafood town of about 100,000 people with a handful of old Chinese temples, a grand mosque and sago noodles. Almost everyone who comes is passing through between Pekanbaru, Batam and Malaysia, so one night covers it.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- Feb–Apr, Sep–Oct
- avoid Nov–Jan (rain peak), Ramadan for daytime eating
- Airports
- PKU · BTH · DUM
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Selatpanjang112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Selatpanjang, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.Indonesia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckTelkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.Indonesia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.Indonesia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.Indonesia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Indonesia-wide
- SafetyLow street crime; the real risks are ferry schedule changes, rough seas in the wet season and scooter traffic on the main roads.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency · 110 police · 118 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBali shuts completely for Nyepi; government offices close Friday midday for prayer; Lebaran slows the country for two weeks.Indonesia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPKU Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport (Pekanbaru) (Nearest useful airport; ferry from Pekanbaru's Sungai Duku terminal to Selatpanjang…
- Getting aroundThe town is small and walkable in the centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealSeafood dinner, per personRp60,000–150,000
- Street or quick mealSago noodles (mie sagu) or miso noodle soupRp15,000–30,000
- Budget bedGuesthouse room, a night, per roomRp60,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room, a night, per roomRp100,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse room, a night, per roomRp150,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp250,000 · Mid Rp500,000 · High Rp900,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PKU Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport (Pekanbaru) (Nearest useful airport; ferry from Pekanbaru's Sungai Duku terminal to Selatpanjang, then onward by road and boat — check sailing days) · BTH Hang Nadim International Airport (Batam) (Ferry from Sekupang to Selatpanjang; the usual route if you are coming from Singapore — check operator and day) · DUM Dumai (Pinang Kampai Airport) (Ferry from Insit ferry port to Selatpanjang; check whether the service is running)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Feb–Apr, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Nov (18 rain days), driest Feb (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Selatpanjang: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is small and walkable in the centre. Becak (cycle rickshaw) is the standard short hop, roughly Rp10,000–20,000 per trip. No public bus network worth using; agree the fare before you get in.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Dorak or Alai beach and kampung areas
goDoor to door: Under 1 h
Becak or ojek from town, then local roads
Village and coastal scenery; go in the morning and bring cash.
Pekanbaru
overnightDoor to door: Half a day
Ferry from Sungai Duku side, several operators
One-way crossing; treat it as a transfer, not a day trip.
Dumai
overnightDoor to door: Several hours
Ferry to Insit ferry port
Useful onward link to the Sumatra mainland.
Batam and Bintan
overnightDoor to door: Half a day or more
Ferry to Sekupang or Tanjung Pinang
The route to Singapore flights; check sailing days.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Around Jalan Tebing Tinggi and Jalan Kartini
The town centre: restaurants, shops and the mid-range hotels are within a few minutes' walk.
Near Tanjung Harapan ferry terminal
Best if you arrive late or leave early; a few guesthouses sit within becak distance.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rp250,000–400,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp400,000–800,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rp800,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double1 × 1 night × Rp300,000 | Rp300,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × Rp500,000 | Rp1,000,000 |
| Becak hops around town, one day2 × Rp40,000 · check | Rp80,000 |
| International port departure tax2 × Rp60,000 · check | Rp120,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × Rp100,000 | Rp200,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp170,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp935,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp1,870,000≈ US$120 |
2026 estimate in rupiah; ferry tickets and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Becak ride in town | Rp10,000–20,000 |
| Sago noodles (mie sagu) or miso noodle soup | Rp15,000–30,000 |
| Nasi Padang plate | Rp20,000–40,000 |
| Seafood dinner, per person | Rp60,000–150,000 |
| Bottled water 600 ml | Rp5,000–10,000 |
| Guesthouse room | Rp45,000–100,000 |
| Mid-range hotel double | Rp150,000–550,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- There is no airport and no road to mainland Sumatra: boats are the only way in and out.
- Direct Singapore ferries have been suspended since 2020; route via Batam instead.
- Ferry timetables and operators change often, and seas can cancel sailings in the wet season: confirm the day before.
- International port departure tax is charged separately from the ticket.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency
- 112
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
Pocket card
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SelatpanjangSelat Panjang
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, yaTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Police110
- Ambulance118
Embassy
No embassies in town; the nearest consulates are in Pekanbaru and Batam, embassies in Jakarta.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Becak in town: Rp10,000–20,000, agree first
- International port departure tax: Rp60,000 (check)
- Ferry to Batam or Bintan: several hours; check operator and day
Say or show
- Terima kasih — Thank you (terima kasih)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (berapa harganya)
- Di mana terminal feri? — Where is the ferry terminal? (di mana terminal feri)
- Saya mau mie sagu — I would like sago noodles (saya mau mie sagu)
- Bisa bayar dengan kartu? — Can I pay by card? (bisa bayar dengan kartu)
- Di mana toilet? — Where is the toilet? (di mana toilet)
Area code 763; country code +62.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Selatpanjang. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Feb–Apr, Sep–Oct · avoid Nov–Jan (rain peak), Ramadan for daytime eating · month by month →
- 3 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry contract for Tanjung Harapan: operator list, sailing days, port tax and a taxi fallback.
- Walking cluster around the old town: Hoo Ann Kiong, the grand mosque, the pasar and the noodle stalls.
- Place pages for the temples and mosque with verified opening windows.
- Wet-season and cancelled-sailing fixtures so the arrival gates can go green.
Sources
Ask about Selatpanjang
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