Batam has no public transport worth relying on. The island is too spread out to walk, and buses are infrequent and confusing for visitors. Ride-hailing apps (Grab, GoJek) work well in Batam and are by far the most practical way to move around. Fares are cheap compared to Singapore. Download both apps before you arrive.
Taxis queue at the ferry terminals and ferry ramps; negotiate the fare before you get in, or insist on the meter if available. Terminal taxis are typically more expensive than Grab.
Car rental is available if you plan to drive the Barelang Highway to Galang Island or explore the Nongsa coast — a half-day circuit that is hard to do efficiently by ride-hail. Batam follows Indonesian road rules; driving is on the left.
There are ferry connections to some of the resort islands (Nongsa Point Marina, for example, runs boat transfers) and to Bintan from Telaga Punggur, a journey of about 30 minutes to Tanjung Pinang.