How to Get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (The Cheap Way)

Wondering how to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur? Or even the other way around – from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore?

The best way to travel from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is definitely by flight, but if you are on a budget, going by bus would be the cheapest option.

Getting from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur seems easier than it looks. It’s actually not that complicated as long as you are a super patient person. Seriously – it’s super simple!

Pro Tip: Do you need a visa to visit Singapore and/or Malaysia? If you’re from India, make sure to get your Singapore visa for Indians before you go.

Pro Tip: If you’d rather fly to Kuala Lumpur, it’s going to be short and sweet! If you want to save money, book your flight in advance as it can be quite expensive if you’re booking last minute! Check the deals on Skyscanner or download the app here!

How to Get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by Bus

Best way to travel from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

I always use one of these two websites when it comes to booking a bus ticket in Southeast Asia, this also applies to Singapore to KL bus:

12Go
EasyBook

Let’s look at the buses… just for fun!

You can also directly head to Golden Mile Complex and book a bus ticket from one of the several bus companies. Singapore to Kuala Lumpur buses are departing super often so get there early and try to get a bus ticket! As most buses aren’t full, it’s easy to get a spot!

Tips for Booking Your Bus from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Pick the Right Bus Stations

When it comes to getting from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by bus, you have to make sure you’re taking the right bus stations.

Some tickets might appear to be cheaper than others. It simply because the bus stations aren’t that great. I’ve been there trying to take the cheapest bus from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, and it was so complicated in the end that it wasn’t worth it. (Example: the bus was 5 hours late, and the bus stop was very hard to find as it wasn’t a “real” bus station.)

In Singapore, you should pick the Golden Mile Complex. It’s the main bus station and it’s easy to find as all companies have their office on site. Also, keep in mind that the only toilet around Golden Mile Complex is located at the Caltex Gas Station on the left side of the bus station.

In Kuala Lumpur, you should pick Berjaya Time Square (which will bring you to the city centre) over TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) which is still quite far away from the city centre.

Pick the Right Bus Company

Well, here it’s pretty much a big risk! There are no good or bad companies when it comes to travel from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by bus. In my opinion, there are pretty much all the same.

Although the experience showed me that I take the cheapest ticket, the bus always gets canceled and they put me on a later bus, which is time-wasting. I’d rather spend a few dollars more and get there without losing my patience.

Get There Early If You Can

This seems perhaps weird to get there earlier, but this way you will see how much delays they actually have on their buses. As most buses are late/canceled, they have fewer buses than expected so you could hop on the next bus instead of waiting hours for the bus you previously booked.

This being said, if you’re going to catch a flight in Kuala Lumpur, make sure to book a very early bus or book on the previous day to avoid missing your flight.

How to Travel Singapore to Malaysia Real-Life Example (July 2018)

I booked a bus (the bus company name was Seasons) for 1PM and I arrive around 11h20AM as I had to check out of my hostel early anyway. When I reached the Golden Mile Complex, I realized that many people were waiting for the previous bus.

Their bus was supposed to leave at 10h30AM and they were still waiting. I found a staff member and I asked I could go on this bus as I was there early. He accepted without hesitation since my initial bus was canceled and delayed to 2h30PM.

So the bus left around 11h40AM. We arrived at the Singapore border checkpoint around 12h15PM (it took around 15 minutes as their system is now automated). Then, we arrived at the Malaysian borders which is always a bit slower (it took around 30 minutes). They took our fingerprints and they scanned our luggage. We left around 1h05PM and we reached Kuala Lumpur around 6PM.

We stopped a few times along the way and there was almost no traffic (which was great).

What to Expect from The Bus During Your Trip From Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

The buses are rarely full. They never checked my ticket, which always makes me laugh! As I just mentioned, there are no toilets on the bus and there’s no Wi-Fi either.

Depending on traffic and bus companies, stops can be quick or long. They do have to do a few toilet breaks as there are no toilets on the bus.

Make sure you have Malaysian currency (MYR) with you if you’re planning on buying something to eat on the way (or make sure to bring some snacks) because you might not see any ATM in these stops.

You can expect to pay around SGD 20 for a bus ticket from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur.

Where to Stay in Singapore

Finding a decent and affordable in Singapore is super tricky. Every time I looked at cheap options, I ended up staying in some crappy hostels. I tried many of them and it always comes with disappointment. Even when I try spending a bit more, it seems to be pretty disgusting, so the only solution I found is to pay a lot more to have something decent which means my holidays in Singapore are always super short!

The best hostel I stayed in so far is DreamLodge, but here are some of the top-rated hostels found in Singapore.

DreamLodge
Capsule Pod Boutique Hostel
Fisher BnB
Chic Capsule Otel
Look at other options here!

Find a room in Singapore!

Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur

Finding a decent hostel in Kuala Lumpur is super easy and also cheaper! Personally, I love to stay on what I call the backpacker street. These hostels are located on that street and are close enough from the Food Night Market and the Pub Street. It’s also walkable from Berjaya Time Square (around 10 minutes walk). Not a fan of hostels? Check these awesome Airbnbs (all under $60).

Dorms KL2
Step Inn Guesthouse
Step Inn Too
Icon Hostel
Look at other options here!

Find a room in Kuala Lumpur!

FAQ

How long does it take?

Usually, there's traffic which means it can take up to 7 or 10 hours to reach your destination. Make sure not to book a plane on the same day to avoid missing your plane.

How much does it cost to travel by bus?

A bus ticket costs around $20 depending on the bus company.

How far is it?

The distance between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur is 369 km. It seems quite short, but when adding the traffic factor to this distance it can be quite long.

Have you been on this journey lately? Any new updates or stories to share?

BEFORE YOU GO TO SOUTHEAST ASIA

☑ Book your flight: If your flight isn’t booked yet – check out the flights on Skyscanner or via Google Flights. My top saving tip is flexibility. If you’re flexible, you should be able to find a cheaper flight.

☑ Book your accommodation: I always use Airbnb and Booking.com. If you’d rather stay in a hostel, you should take a look at the options on Hostelworld. If you click on the Airbnb link and you don’t have an account yet – you’ll get a $30 discount on your first booking.

☑ Protect your cute face: Oh, you may want to protect your cute face with a travel medical insurance. I would suggest SafetyWing as they offer the best rates, especially for long-term travelers. Otherwise, you can also take a look at World Nomads.

☑ Pack the essentials: You can consult this list when it’s time to pack your bag! Do not leave without a universal charger, a power bank and your passport!

☑ Do you need a visa? If you aren’t sure if you need a visa, it would be a smart idea to take a quick look before you go. You can use iVisa – it’s super useful and easy to use.

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