The road from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is about 225 miles (362km).
What is the best way to travel from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur?
The best way to travel from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is by car service. It offers a seamless door-to-door experience, freedom to enjoy the local culture and history, and the comfort of traveling at your own pace.
Whatâs the cheapest way to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur?
The bus is the cheapest way to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur at about âŹ16 per person. However, the bus is slower than a car ride, and the border crossing is more of a hassle because you have to take your luggage out.
Is there a train from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur?
No. There are no direct trains from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. The âbestâ option takes 9 hours, and involves 2 trains and a bus.
Should I use public transportation or rent a car?
That depends on your travel preferences. If your top priority is saving money, the bus is cheaper. But itâs also slower, less comfortable, and has a more complicated border crossing that requires you to lug your luggage around. Renting a car is more complicated than other places as driving to Malaysia is not possible with just any rental, and usually has a pretty hefty surcharge. Then dealing with busy streets and the border crossing make it pretty stressful. If the travel experience is most important to you, taking a private car with a company like Daytrip is the best option. You'll travel door-to-door, and can decide when to be picked up and where youâre going to stop for sightseeing!
Are there any travel tips for making the journey more enjoyable?
The most important thing is to be prepared for the border crossing so you donât run into delays. If youâre traveling with a private driver, theyâll happily help you with the paperwork. Other than that, enjoy the ride, and take in as many sights as you can!
When you take a car trip from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, youâre not just traveling between two of Southeast Asiaâs largest cities. Malaysia is famous for its cultural fusion, blending the customs of its Malay, Chinese, and Indian residents, and driving from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur gives you the opportunity to experience local sights that you would miss with other transportation options. But there are some drawbacks to driving yourself. First, if youâre renting a car in Singapore, you need to make sure your rental company even allows you to drive into Malaysia (thereâs usually a significant surcharge for this). Then you need to apply for a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP), and download the Touch n Go (TNG) ewallet or get a physical card. Once all thatâs out of the way, you still have to deal with navigating the busy city streets, not to mention the famous border crossing, by yourself can be stressful.
Taking a car service from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur removes all the hassle, bringing your door to door. And, like driving yourself, it allows you to explore at your own pace. You can stop to experience this for yourself at places like the Hindu Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple or the elegant Putra Mosque. Thereâs also Malaysiaâs natural beauty to admire, and a hike up Bukit Broga Hill, the only hill in all of Malaysia not covered with trees, is a perfect place to do it. On a private transfer, your friendly driver will happily bring you to these sights and more, and share insights about Malaysia along the way.
About Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, is a relatively new city. It was established as a town in 1857 to serve as a supply station on the Klang River for tin miners working the area. Overcoming floods, fires, disease, and infighting, Kuala Lumpur was named the state capital in 1880, and quickly grew into a modern city. Today, Kuala Lumpur is the cultural, financial, and economic center of Malaysia, the largest city in the country, and one of the fastest-growing in Asia. Itâs home to the Parliament of Malaysia and the Istana Negara, the official residence of the monarch of Malaysia.
Kuala Lumpurâs population is estimated to be over 8.5 million, and is mostly made up of Malay, Chinese, and Indians. From the food, to the neighborhoods, to the architecture you can see how each of these cultures has left their mark on the city, and fused together to create its multicultural identity. Predominantly Muslim, minarets and mogul-style domes dominate the skyline. Even the cityâs iconic Petronas Twin Towers are a post-modern spin on traditional Islamic architecture.
The Petronas Twin Towers, the symbol of Kuala Lumpur, are also the cityâs main attraction. Along with being able to take in the views from the observation deck on the 86th floor, inside youâll find a Science Museum, the Petroleum Museum, Petronas Concert Hall, and other attractions including a huge shopping center. At the foot of the towers, the 50-acre KLCC Park brings a bit of nature to the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Walking paths wind their way past 1900 indigenous trees, including the famous banyan trees, while a 10,000 square meter man-made lake is a nightly delight, with the âLake Symphonyâ choreographing fountains to music and lights.
Shopping is one of the top things to do in Kuala Lumpur, for visitors and locals alike. Aside from a number of malls where you can beat the heat, thereâs the bustling Central Market near the Klang River, which is a great place to grab lunch. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpurâs best and most famous night market comes to life, with a seemingly endless number of stalls turning the street into the busiest place in Kuala Lumpur.
From Singapore to Kuala Lumpur: Travel tips
Because of the border crossing, itâs important to decide how to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur in advance, especially with the additional paperwork and permits required for a rental car. Follow these travel tips to make your trip a breeze.
Decide how you want to travel
You have a few options on how to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, but itâs best to plan in advance. The bus is quite cheap, but slower than a car and can be sold out. Flying is an option if you just want to get to Kuala Lumpur as quickly as possible. If the travel experience is most important to you, taking a private car conveniently brings you door-to-door while letting you explore at your own pace.
Prepare for customs
The Singapore/Malaysia border crossing is one of the worldâs most (in)famous. For a smooth inspection, fill out all immigration paperwork completely and legibly and keep any entry and exit cards because they may be needed again. To make inspections go smoothly, pack as lightly and double check the rules about dutiable and restricted goods on the Malaysian customs website. The border crossing usually takes about 45 minutes, but there can be delays, especially if youâre taking the bus.
### If going by car, enjoy the local culture
Malaysia is a fascinating melting pot, and a car trip from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is a great chance to experience local culture. Stop to check out sights like the Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple or the pretty-in-pink Putra Mosque, or hike up Bukit Broga Hill - the only hill in all of Malaysia not covered with trees.
How to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur
As two of the largest and most important cities in the region, many travelers are looking to visit both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Their importance and popularity mean that there are several ways to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur.
From Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by bus
The bus is the cheapest way to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. Multiple operators run buses from the city center, and prices, pick-up, and drop-off locations vary by operator, so research in advance. Some of the best-known bus operators are Nice, Konsortium Express, Starmart Express, Sri Maju, WTS Travel & Tours, City Express, and Transnasional (and there are many more), with drop-off points including The Plaza at Beach Rd, Singapore Woodlands, the Golden Mile Complex, Kovan Hub, and the Singapore Flyer. The bus ride usually takes about 6 hours. One thing to keep in mind when taking the bus from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, you will have to take your luggage out of the bus and bring it with you through customs - something you don't need to do with a car transfer.
From Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by train
As of early 2018, the direct train from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur was suspended. Now, you need to purchase tickets to Johor Bahru Sentral, and then transfer to another train to Gemas. Finally from Gemas, you take a train to Kuala Lumpur Sentral. Because of this, the train is the slowest option, taking up to 9 hours. If you really love trains, it is a memorable experience, and it might be worth considering if you want to spend time in Johor Bahru.
### From Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by plane
The Singapore to Kuala Lumpur flight time is only about an hour, so even with the time spent getting to and from the airport and waiting for the flight, it can be a bit faster than taking a car or bus. And since you can fly to Kuala Lumpur International Airport or Kuala Lumpur Sultan Abdul Azziz Shah Airport, you can get a flight with Air Asia, scoot, Jet Asia, Malindo Air, Firefly, Silkair, or one of the other airlines offering this route.
### From Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by with Daytrip
If youâre looking for the most comfortable way to travel from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, a car transfer with Daytrip is the way to go. The most obvious benefit of taking a private ride from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is the door-to-door service. No figuring out how to get to a bus station or airport, and no lugging your bags around! The border crossing usually takes about 45 minutes, but it can take longer - if it does, youâll be glad for the comfort of a private car. But when traveling with Daytrip, youâll also be able to stop for sightseeing along the way, so you can experience more local sights and culture!
Things to do when you get to Kuala Lumpur
As the largest city in Malaysia, thereâs no shortage of things to do when you get to Kuala Lumpur. You could easily spend an entire day at the cityâs main landmark, the Petronas Twin Towers. Start by heading up to the observation deck on the 86th floor. Youâll be treated to a sweeping view across the city and get a birdâs eye view of Kuala Lumpurâs other modern towers. Inside the Petronas Twin Towers, you can fill the day with the Science Museum, the Petroleum Museum, the Petronas Concert Hall, and the huge shopping center. Once the sun starts to set, head outside to the 50-acre KLCC Park at the foot of the towers. Walk among 1900 indigenous trees, including the famous banyan trees. At night, the 10,000 square meter man-made lake launches into the delightful âLake Symphonyâ, where fountains are choreographed to music and lights.
Scattered around Kuala Lumpur, youâll find monuments to its major cultures. Thereâs the vast National Mosque, which can hold some 15,000 worshippers, the colorful Sri Mahamariamman Temple for the cityâs Tamil residents, and the iconic, 6-tier Thean Hou Temple, which is famous for its intricate Confucian, Tao, and Buddhist decorations.
Shopping is basically the cityâs favorite pastime. While the many modern malls offer a great way to beat the heat, head to the markets for authentic Kuala Lumpur. The bustling Central Market near the Klang River has been running since 1888. Originally just a wet market, itâs now a quintessential Malaysian shopping experience and the perfect place to grab lunch before heading to the waterfront. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, it seems like the entire city descends on Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpurâs best and most famous night market. A seemingly endless number of stalls turn the street into the best eating and shopping experience in Kuala Lumpur.
Eat! Kuala Lumpurâs cultural fusion has blessed it with a divine food scene. Nasi Kandar, literally meaning âmixed riceâ, was introduced by Muslim traders from India and embodies the cityâs multicultural melding. Youâre simply given a plate of plain rice and then load it up with sauces and toppings of your choosing, from curried meats to okra and bitter gourd. As we mentioned above, Central Market and Jalan Alor are key stops on any foodie trek. But a maybe surprising stop is the Lot 10 Mall food court. Called âHutongâ, the mall invited some of the best street food vendors in the city to set up shop here. You can get all the authentic, delicious local staples, from oyster omelets to fried noodles.
Visitez ces sites en chemin
Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple
Completely covered in colored glass, this stupendous historic temple is a place of wonder for folks of every creed. A Place of ReflectionÂ
Malacca
This UNESCO-listed city is a melting pot of cultures amidst a jumble of historic colonial architecture. Where East Meets WestÂ
Cape Rachado
Hike through the lush forest and search for migrating raptors in this wildlife sanctuary watched over by Malaysiaâs oldest lighthouse. An Enlightening Eco-WalkÂ
Bukit Broga Hill
The only hill in Malaysia not covered by trees, a hike up Broga rewards travelers with stupendous views. Tree Free, so More to SeeÂ
Putra Mosque
Ornate patterns in pink and white make this massive mosque a modern monument with a multitude of cultural influences. A Resplendent RoseÂ
