How To Travel To
Malaysia By Bus ...

1. Overview

If you're visiting Malaysia for the first time, you may be surprised at the number of bus services running into Malaysia from Singapore.

Once inside Malaysia, the bus will travel up along the North-South Expressway in Malaysia and allow you to get to any number of destinations.

Take a bus ride to and from Malaysia
Photo by Yabby Some rights reserved
 

There are two ways into Malaysia from Singapore by bus. One way is via the traditional Woodlands Checkpoint in Singapore, which then brings you into Malaysia via Johor Bahru. The other (and my preferred route) is via the Tuas Second Link.
 

2. Bus Operators to Malaysia

There are a huge number of buses travelling from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (KL) or other destinations in Malaysia. Now, it is useful to know the major bus operators as follows:

Name: Aeroline
Tel: +603-62588800 (Malaysia)
Cost: $47 one-way to KL
Departure Point: HarbourFront Centre
Description: Luxury class buses with meals on-board, power sockets and even a lounge area.

Name: NiCE
Tel: +65-62565755
Cost: RM60 (normal NiCE buses), $47 (roomy NiCE 2 buses) to KL
Departure Point: Copthorne Orchid Hotel
Description: This is one of my favorite bus operators to Malaysia and comes highly recommended.

Name: Transnasional
Tel: +602-62947034
Cost: RM60 (executive buses), RM26 (economy buses) to KL
Departure Point: Lavender Street
Description: One of Malaysia's largest bus operators, it offers both executive and economy buses to KL.

Name: Transtar
Tel: +65-62999009
Cost: $60 (first class coach), $25 (SuperVIP bus) one-way to KL
Departure Point: Golden Mile Complex
Description: This company provides great first class coaches with stuff like massaging chairs and onboard attendants.
 

Some of the smaller operators include:

• Gunung Raya, Tel: +65-62947711
• Hasry Express, Tel: +65-62949306
• Konsortium Express, Tel: +65-63923911
   

3. Routes Taken

Well, I should say that the more money you pay, the better and faster your trip into Malaysia. And here's another point for you to note: the more expensive buses tend to leave on time and also use the (more peaceful) Second Link. They also don't stop along the way.

Be careful about hopping on a cheap bus ride - they tend to leave late, use the (much slower) Woodlands Checkpoint route and make many stops along the way.
 

4. Book Early

It is advisable to book much earlier, especially if you're thinking of traveling on peak times like Friday and Sunday evenings. The Chinese New Year period is also a congested time at the immigration checkpoints.

Here's another idea. You can take hop over to Johor Bahru to catch a domestic Malaysian express buses to different Malaysian states. The terminal you'll be looking for is the Larkin Bus Terminal. Well, its an interesting and much cheaper option, but you will have to wade through Johor Bahru (which can be dangerous sometimes).
 

5. Immigration Processes

It is useful to take note of immigration processes too. All buses will make two stops - one at the Singapore immigration and one at the Malaysian immigration. At both immigration checkpoints, you should come down the bus with all your luggage, pass through passport control and also the customs, then board the bus again.
 

Conclusion

Find Cheap Accommodation in Singapore

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