Kijang Port: PELNI Ships from Bintan to Jakarta

Kijang is a small town on Bintan's south-east coast, not far from Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport. Its passenger port, known as Sri Bayintan port, is served by the large ships of PELNI, Indonesia's state shipping line. Unlike the fast ferries of Tanjung Pinang, journeys here are measured in days rather than hours.

Ships and routes

In 2025 and 2026 two PELNI ships were based at Kijang:

• KM Tidar, sailing Kijang – Tanjung Priok (Jakarta) – Surabaya – Makassar – Baubau and on through East Nusa Tenggara to Kupang, in both directions.
• KM Bukit Raya, linking Tanjung Priok, Kijang, the Anambas and Natuna islands, Pontianak and Surabaya.

Sailings are far less frequent than ferries, usually only a few times a month per ship. The voyage to Jakarta takes more than a day. Routes can change from year to year because PELNI operates on government assignment.

Tickets and preparation

• Buy tickets through the official PELNI Mobile app or the company's other official channels.
• Ships offer economy berths and cabins; cabins are much more comfortable for long trips.
• Around the end of Ramadan and the year-end holidays ships are packed, so book early.
• In economy, bring snacks, seasickness tablets and something to sleep on.

Getting to the port

Kijang is less than an hour's drive from central Tanjung Pinang and even closer to the airport. From Lagoi the journey is much longer, so leave plenty of time before departure.

Who is it for?

For most holidaymakers, flying to Jakarta is more practical. But PELNI ships appeal to backpackers, slow travellers and anyone curious about everyday life aboard an Indonesian inter-island vessel.