Situated less than 10km from Batam at the closest point, Pulau Bintan is about two and a half times the size of Singapore, which seems to have left plenty of room for traditional culture to survive alongside the plush tourist development. Not only is it more attractive than other nearby islands, but there's much more of an Indonesian feel about the place and things are reasonably priced. Tanjung Pinang , the main town on Pulau Bintan, has been largely untouched by the tourist influx, and the low-key guesthouses of Trikora on the east coast continue to cater for those who want a few days of sun and sand.

The international and domestic ferry terminals are on the coast at Tanjung Pinang, with the ticket offices ranged in the terminal area and along Jalan Merdeka. There are connections to Pulau Batam, Pekanbaru and Jakarta, as well as to Singapore and Johor Bahru . For ferry tickets to Singapore contact New Oriental, Jl Merdeka 61 (tel 0771/521614), or Osaka, Jl Merdeka 43 (tel 0771/21829), both in Tanjung Pinang.

There are several Pelni sailings to and from Pulau Bintan, which give access to the entire archipelago: KM Bukit Siguntang, KM Kerinci, KM Sirimau, KM Bukit Raya are all on a two-weekly cycle and operate out of Kijang on the southeast corner of the island . The Pelni agent in Tanjung Pinang is Netra Service Jaya, Jl Pos 1 (tel 0771/21384).

Flights to Jakarta and Pekanbaru leave from Kijang airport, 15km southeast of Tanjung Pinang. Book tickets through PT Pinang Jaya, Jl Bintan 44 (tel 0771/21267).