If you are planning a trip to Singapore from Malaysia, then you have to know the best mode of travel for you. Travelling to a different country entails many things that need to be considered beforehand, and I have discussed them in this article.
Read on to learn about the best way to travel from Malaysia to Singapore, including everything from the cheapest to the fastest way to get to Singapore from Malaysia, Visa, currency exchange and much more.
6 Ways to travel from Malaysia to Singapore
To reach Singapore from Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, you have to travel approximately 350 kilometres. You can make this journey via flight, intercity buses, as well as by car. There is also a ferry service that you can opt for that will help you reach Singapore from Malaysia. Here is a list of every way to travel to Singapore from Malaysia.
1. Malaysia to Singapore by Flight: The fastest way to Travel to Singapore
If you wish to reach Singapore in the shortest time possible, then you should opt for travelling by air i.e., book a flight to Singapore. Generally, Scoot & Air Asia provides the cheapest flight to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur, so check out their flights first.
Other than Scoot& Air Asia, there are also other good airline operators like Singapore Airlines, Silk Air, Malindo Air, JetStar Asia, Firefly and Malaysia Airlines. There is less time spent on the Immigration process, and it is a fine way of travelling to Singapore.
Expense: 80 MYR to 900 MYR
Travel time: Between 45 minutes to 1 hour
Pros of travelling to Singapore via flight:
In Singapore, you will land at Changi Airport, one of the Best Airports in the World. In fact, this airport is unlike any ordinary airport, but it is a mall and a resort in its own right. You will definitely enjoy your time wandering around here at various entertainment areas, indoor waterfalls, and gardens.
Cons of travelling to Singapore via flight:
Although the travel time via flight is no more than one hour, reaching Kuala Lumpur Airport is not an easy task. It is located about 59 Kilometres away from the City Center, which means you will first have to reach the airport either by Bus, taxi or train, which can take anywhere from half an hour to a full hour.
This travel time, including all the time that it will take you at both the airports, at security, baggage claim, immigration and all the waiting time, easily amounts to 4 to 6 hours.
Flights from Malaysia to Singapore
2. Malaysia to Singapore by Bus: The Cheapest way to Travel to Singapore
The most preferred and cheapest way to travel from Malaysia to Singapore is by Bus. There are tons of bus services you can choose from to make your journey. These buses are equipped with comfortable seats as well as air-conditioners and if you are lucky, even a TV. If you opt for a more luxurious bus service, you can also get Wi-fi, snacks, meals, and drinks on the Bus!
Some of the Bus service Companies that provide service from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore are KKKL Express, Transtar Travel, Grassland Express, and StartMart Express.
Expense: 40 MYR to 140 MYR
Travel time: 6 hours to 8 hours
Pros of Travelling to Singapore by Bus: It is the best mode of transportation to pick if you are travelling on a budget. You get comfort, and if you travel at night, you can finish the majority of your journey while asleep. Also, you can pick from the cheapest bus service to the one with the most comfort and facilities.
Cons of Travelling to Singapore by Bus: Although travelling to Singapore by Bus is the cheapest way, it is also the one which will take a really long time to take you to your destination. Are you sure about sitting on a bus for that long?
3. Malaysia to Singapore by Train: For all the Train Lovers
If you love to travel by train then don’t hesitate to travel by train to reach Singapore. But you must know that as there is no direct train available from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, you will have to change trains twice.
First, you need to get on a train from KL Sentral of Kuala Lumpur to Gemas. From Gemas, you will need to get on the train to JB Sentral of Johor Bahru where you will again change your train to Woodlands, Singapore. From Woodlands, you can opt for a taxi, Shuttle or Bus to get to the city centre.
Expense: Around RM 70
Travel time: 7 to 9 hours
Pros of travelling to Singapore from Malaysia by Train: Travelling to another country is a unique experience when done via train. If you are planning on going on vacation, you can make an overnight stop at Johor Bahru in between changing trains to Singapore!
Cons of travelling by Train from Malaysia to Singapore: The idea of travelling to Singapore by train might be fun but it will also include the hassle of changing your train twice plus the long travel time.
4. Malaysia to Singapore by Private Car: The Most Convenient Way to Travel to Singapore
If you wish to travel to Singapore at your own pace then you should opt for travelling by car from Malaysia. You can make a stop anywhere and as many times as you want. There is no hassle of booking tickets and reaching the platform or airport according to any schedule.
Travelling by private car is the most convenient and comfortable way to travel to Singapore. You can choose to leave your car at an overnight Parking lot in Johor Bahru and move forward from there to Singapore.
There is another option too. You can also bring your car to Singapore. For this, you are required to upgrade your licence to an international licence. At the Singapore-Malaysia Border, you will have to deal with Singapore immigration and register your car there first. You will need to get a card called ‘Autopass’ which will monitor the duration your car is in Singapore and pay the toll fee.
Expense: Around RM 300 to RM 430
Travel time: 4 to 5 hours
Pros of travelling by Train from Malaysia by Car: Travelling via your own car to Singapore means you can pick any route and take breaks in between driving. There is no worry about keeping updated on public transportation schedules and no hassle of carrying around your luggage.
Cons of travelling by Train from Malaysia by Car: You will need to register and get proper documents to be able to drive your Malaysian car in Singapore. If you park your car at a Parking lot near the Singapore-Malaysia Border but plan to stay for several days before returning then the parking chargers can reach up to RM 100 and more.
Private Transfer between Johor and Singapore
5. Malaysia to Singapore by Taxi: Another Convenient Way to get to Singapore
If you wish to travel to Singapore using a taxi service then you get the same comfort and convenience of travelling by a private car. No hassle of carrying around your luggage, waiting around for your flight or Bus or train or keeping up with their schedule.
In fact, travelling via Taxi comes with even more convenience. You can easily get a taxi from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru where you can get on a shuttle to Singapore by crossing the border. In Singapore, public transportation is a lot cheaper than hiring a Taxi but if you can afford it, go for hiring a taxi to take you around in Singapore.
Expense: Around RM 160 to RM 200
Travel time: 4 to 5 hours
Pros of travelling by Train from Malaysia by Taxi: Travelling via Taxi means no usual hassle of public transportation.
Cons of travelling by Train from Malaysia by Taxi: You cannot travel via taxi all the way from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. You will need to change the taxi to Johor Bahru or get on the shuttle to Singapore. This is due to crossing the border procedure that is required from there on.
6. Malaysia to Singapore by Ferry: Not the most popular way of Travelling to Singapore
Travelling by ferry is an exciting concept but when you are travelling from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Singapore, Ferry is not the most optimal way. In fact, there is only one Ferry route that includes crossing the Singapore border and it’s at Tanjung Belungkor at Johor.
From Tanjung Belungkor, this ferry will take you to Changi Ferry Terminal, Singapore. On normal days, there are only two ferry trips, one in the morning and the other in the evening, carrying only 12 passengers at a time. More Ferries are scheduled for the weekends and public holidays.
Expense: Around RM 90 for the ferry ride
Travel time: 3-4 hours to reach Johor Bahru from Kuala Lumpur + 45 minutes Ferry ride.
Procedure for Crossing the Singapore-Malaysia Border when riding a ferry: You will be required to have your passport, visa and ferry ticket at the Ferry Port to pass immigration.
Pros of travelling by Train from Malaysia By Ferry: Travelling via ferry to Singapore, no matter how short this journey is, is a unique experience. If you have the time and budget, this is really something that you should consider doing.
Cons of travelling by Train from Malaysia by Ferry: As the ferry terminal is at Johor Bahru, you will find that you end up making the majority of your journey to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur via other public transportation. Comparatively, a Ferry ride part of this journey lasts not even a full hour!
Travelling from Johor Bahru, Malaysia to Singapore
If you are looking for the fastest way that will take you across the Malaysia-Singapore border safely, then you should consider travelling by Private Taxi. But if you wish to travel by the cheapest option, then travel to Singapore by Bus. Here are the details on Bus and Taxi services from Johor Bahru to Singapore.
1. Private Taxi Service from Johor Bahru to Singapore
If you are thinking of travelling to Singapore from Johor Bahru by private taxi, you can travel without any restrictions anywhere in Singapore. You won’t have to struggle at customs. All you have to do is pass your passport to the driver, and they will take care of crossing you across the border.
You can also pack big luggage, and it won’t affect your travel experience as it would if you are travelling via Bus or train. Also, you can go to places where public transportation won’t take you and to the doorstep too!
All this significantly reduces your travel time, and if you are more than 4-5 people travelling together, then a private taxi service will prove to be a really cheap option too!
Private Taxi Price Range: RM 125 to RM 400 (We took one that costs us RM 125 from Larkin Bus Terminal)
2. Bus services from Johor Bahru to Singapore
Another option you have to travel to Singapore from Johor Bahru is by Bus. There is an active bus service to Singapore from JB Sentral. It is convenient and really cheap to travel by Bus and if you are a frequent traveller to Singapore, travelling by Bus is the ideal way for you.
At JB Sentral, you have to first determine which Bus will take you to your destination in Singapore. At Singapore’s checkpoint, you have to clear the SG immigration and then return to your Bus and continue the rest of your journey.
You can also get a Travel Bus Pass. With this pass, you don’t have to worry about purchasing every ticket but simply enjoy unlimited bus rides between Johor Bahru and Singapore. This pass is valid for 2-3 consecutive days and you enjoy a safe, easy and hassle-free journey to the Lion city!
Bus Ticket Price Range: RM 15 to RM 55
Where can I park my car at the Singapore-Malaysia Border?
If you are wondering whether you can park your car in Johor Bahru while you go to Singapore, there are a lot of good overnight parking places where you can leave your car while you finish your business in Singapore.
Here is a list of the top 5 Parking in Johor Bahru:
1. Sun Parking JB
If you are going to be in Singapore for a longer period then you should opt for Sun Parking JB to leave your car. There is good security and it is only a 4-minute walk from Johor Custom or CIQ Johor.
Parking Fee: RM 15 per day
2. JB Sentral Parking Lot
Another good place to park your car in Johor Bahru is the JB Sentral Parking lot. It is five stories high and hence has a bigger capacity. However, despite its high capacity, it is full most of the time due to its cheap parking fee and good security. It is only 4 minute’s walking distance from Johor Customs. If you go to the third floor of this building, you can also walk to the bridge connected directly to Johor Customs.
Parking Fee: RM 15 per day
3. Attrus Car Park
It is a relatively new Car Park in Johor Bahru. It is located opposite the JBCC and is within walking distance of Menara Public Bank and Menara Landmark. It is also really cheap and comes with great security that entails 24/7 CCTV surveillance, properly gated along with a guard. It is also only 6 minutes walking distance away from Johor Customs.
Parking Fee: Free for the first hour and RM 1.50 per hour from then on until it reaches RM 6 for the day. This means for leaving your car overnight at this Car Park, you will need to pay only RM 6 per day.
4. Ktm Car Park
This car park is only 7 minutes away from the Johor Customs and located off the main road, beside an overpass.
Parking Fee: RM 15 per day
5. Public Bank Tower, Johor Bahru
This is a multi-story basement parking at the building Public Bank Tower. It is only a 5 minutes walk away from Johor Customs. It is open from 7 am to 10 pm during weekdays and from 7 am to 7 pm during the weekends.
Parking Fee: RM 1.4 per hour
Visa for Travellers going from Malaysia to Singapore
Malaysians are allowed 30 days visa-free in Singapore and other Southeast Asians between 14 to 30 days. All they need to bring with them is their passport and SG Arrival card this is really important for all Travellers are required to submit SG arrival card at least 3 days before their travel.
But if your stay is longer than that, you have to apply for a visa. Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign affairs has outsourced the visa application to three Authorised Visa Agents (AVAs) In Malaysia. These AVAs handle the application and submission process and the outcome is emailed to you after the processing of your application is done by the High Commission.
You will be required to pay RM 91 per Visa application and RM 59 in total RM 150 service fee to the AVAs. It is non-refundable and despite the outcome of your application or in case you withdraw your visa application, you will not get this money back.
Where to Exchange Malaysian Ringgit for Singapore Dollars
Travelling to a different country means you will need to exchange your money for the currency of the country you are travelling to in order to be able to make any purchases there. In the case of Malaysians travelling to Singapore, you will need to exchange your Malaysian Ringgit for Singapore Dollars.
Which is a better place to exchange money in Singapore or Malaysia?
It is more reasonable if you exchange your money in Malaysia before travelling to Singapore. The exchange rate is marginal and it is much more important that you exchange your currency at a reliable place whether you are in Singapore or Malaysia.
Is it cheaper to exchange money at the airport or bank?
It is better to exchange your currency at a bank rather than at the airport where you will be charged a high fee for the exchange.
Where can I exchange Malaysian Ringgit for Singapore Dollars?
There are loads of options to exchange your Malaysian Ringgit for Singapore Dollars. You can opt for an online money remittance service or go for a more traditional option of going to banks, ATMs and at airports.
Making Cashless Payments in Singapore
There is not enough emphasis on how convenient e-payments are and how much it saves you in terms of time and the hassle of getting cash exchanged in foreign currency.
Especially in Singapore where banking services are extremely easy and safe, and the banks there also partner with oversea banks to provide better services to travellers. In Singapore, there are many options you can pick to make cashless payments as a Malaysian visiting there.
What kind of e-payment options do you have in Singapore?
You can use SGQR, PayNow, credit and debit cards, as well as PayNow Corporate in Singapore. Whether you have a MasterCard, Visa card or UnionPay, they are all accepted here and you can use them to make purchases at supermarkets, pay your bill at restaurants, taxis etc.
Back in October 2019, Malaysia’s PayNet and Singapore’s NETS partnered with each other allowing the residents of both countries to make purchases in each other’s nations. There is no foreign exchange fee and you can easily make your cashless payments.
However, you will be charged a card fee every time you swipe your card in Singapore and that’s something to keep in mind. If you are not keen on paying these extra charges, your best option is to use cash for payments.
Tips: Let your bank know beforehand that you are going to Singapore and hence, many payments will be made. This way, your bank won’t flag your payments and freeze your account, seeing it as a fraud or malicious hacker’s doing. Cash Withdrawal at Singapore ATMs: Of course, having cash in hand, especially in a foreign country is crucial. That’s why while withdrawing cash, try an ATM of Bigger banks in Singapore like United Overseas Bank, DBS Bank and OCBC Bank. This is because these large banks tend to charge very little transaction fees as compared to others.
Tips for Travellers going from Malaysia to Singapore
There is a strict checking of your luggage at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and if you are found carrying any prohibited material then you find yourself paying a hefty fine. Don’t even consider the idea of hiding any such thing because it will bring you more trouble than worth.
Here is a list of things you should not carry while crossing the Singapore-Malaysia Border:
- There is a limitation on how much alcohol you can carry with you to Singapore. It is okay if you have no more than 1 litre but if this amount exceeds then you will face a heavy fine.
- You can absolutely not bring any chewing tobacco, cigarettes including e-cigarettes, illegal drugs and any sort of weapon (even toy guns).
- Another thing you must not have on you while crossing Singapore-Malaysia Border is pirated and obscene material.
- Chewing gum is also not allowed, though an exception is made only when it is for dental or medical purposes.
Conclusion
There are many ways you can travel from Malaysia to Singapore and depending upon your budget and urgency to get to Singapore, you can pick the best mode of transportation for you to make this journey. Whether you decide on travelling via air, land or water, you will find that there are many good services you can choose from that will insure your comfort and easy transportation.
Do you like to travel, navigating your way on highways or looking out your window on a train, Bus or plane?
If you found this article informative, make sure to check out our other travel guides. Also, do share your travel experiences and tips in the comment section. We’d love to hear from you!
FAQs
1. Can I travel from Malaysia to Singapore without VTL?
Yes, from May 2022 onwards, there has been no need for non-fully vaccinated travellers to apply for entry approvals to enter Singapore.
2. Is it easy to get from Malaysia to Singapore?
Yes, It is easy to get from Malaysia to Singapore. Of course, you will need to go through immigration and Checkpoints Authority but if you travel via air, it is an even easier process.
3. Do I need to be fully vaccinated to enter Singapore?
No, according to the new guidelines, you can enter Singapore despite not being fully vaccinated but you will be required to purchase travel insurance that provides at least $30,000 in medical coverage.
4. Who can enter Singapore without a visa?
As a Malaysian, you can enter and stay in Singapore without requiring a visa for 30 days Along with the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and other Southeast Asians countries. But for a longer stay or study purposes, you will need to get a visa.
5. How long can Malaysians stay in Singapore?
For Malaysians, the first 30 days in Singapore don’t require a visa but for longer durations, Malaysians need to apply for a visa and they can stay as long in Singapore as their Visa grants them.
6. How much does a Singapore arrival card cost?
The official SG Arrival Card e-Service charges no fees for SG Arrival Card but if you apply through some portal online, they charge service fee accordingly.
7. When Is the Best Time to Travel to Singapore?
Singapore is a tropical country and faces a hot and humid climate throughout the year. But from December to June, Singapore’s weather is much more pleasant due to the dry season with cooler temperatures and less humidity.
8. Can I Use Public Transportation to Travel from the Airport in Singapore?
Yes, you can use public transportation to leave the airport in Singapore. You basically have four options: train (a 40-minute ride), shuttle bus (a 30-minute ride), public bus (1.5 hrs ride) and taxi that will take you to the city centre within half an hour.
9. Malaysia to Singapore distance
The distance between Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Singapore is about 355 km. The shortest route from Malaysia to Singapore is via Johor Bahru, which is just about 22 km.
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