Ultimate Guide to Traveling Between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur by Bus
Sharing my experience taking the bus from Singapore to KL and KL to Singapore for your reference.
Last time I flew from KL to Singapore and it was quite close, but this time I made a snap decision to take the bus because it is cheaper and offers more time choices. The total time is pretty much the same as flying, plus you get a road trip experience and save some bucks
- Bus: Booking via the Redbus app is very convenient, with many operators and departure time slots. I recommend choosing StarMart (operated by Air Asia) - a large, spacious double-decker bus - with very convenient pick-up/drop-off points depending on your hotel location: for example, Golden Mile Tower (Singapore) / Bugis and Berjaya Times Square (right near Imbi Monorail - Bukit Bintang) / TBS.
Remember to take a photo of the license plate right from the start. - No need to worry about restroom breaks or food: the bus will stop for toilet breaks and to buy food at rest stops every 2-3 hours or so. Cup noodles, sandwiches, rice, fried food, drinks, and fruits are sold in quite large quantities and are cheap (just to eat temporarily to stave off hunger).
The drivers will not allow eating on the bus. - Immigration - Customs clearance: both are very fast and convenient at both ends in Singapore and Malaysia.
The Malaysian side still uses stamps - while Singapore uses the auto-gate (just scan the first page of your passport into the machine and you're done). Right after completing the procedures, a bus is waiting for you right outside. - Roads: convenient and well-paved. From downtown Singapore to the checkpoint is about 45 minutes. On the tollway, the drivers floor the gas pedal quite hard, probably around 110 km/h or more depending on the section. Both sides of the road in Malaysia are planted with lush green palm trees, which is very nice. From the checkpoint to KL is about 4 hours or so.
- Note: It is inevitable that you will drive around a bit at the beginning in KL before reaching TBS, or drive around in Singapore to pick up more passengers at extra stops before heading out to the checkpoint. And prepare yourself mentally for a 1-to-2-hour delay compared to the departure and arrival times on your ticket.
Wishing you all a safe trip.
Source: Collected
