The cities of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore are two of the most modern in all of Southeast Asia. Located in the south of the Malay Peninsula, they are relatively close despite being the capitals of their respective countries. And you will not miss convenient options to know how to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. Of course, it is important to know how to make this journey, as it has certain peculiarities.
There are approximately 350 kilometres between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and you can make the journey in an hour by plane for around 50 euros, by train taking around 10 hours for 15 euros, and by bus in around 8 euros for a journey of 5 to 6 hours. We already warned you that this option will be the one we recommend to you as the best.
The fastest option to travel from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, in theory, is by plane. And we emphasize that this is only in theory because, depending on how, the difference will not be much more than by bus as it is such a short journey.
Prices, however, are not the cheapest in the area. Flights between the two capitals are very common among business people, and that means they cost around $60 each way.
The flight from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is very short, just under an hour. However, you first have to go to Changi Airport in Singapore, which is already more than 20 kilometres away, and then the journey ends at Sepang Airport in Kuala Lumpur, which is about 60 kilometres from the city, an hour’s drive away.
With the hours you need to arrive at an airport before an international flight to be able to go through immigration, the flight time, and the journeys to both airports, the entire process can take four to five hours, more or less the same as the fastest buses. Although, of course, the most comfortable option is by plane.
This is the most convenient option to get to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore. The roads throughout the journey are good, the buses are comfortable and spacious, and the price is affordable.
There are also many different schedules, and buses leave from various central points in the city: Golden Mile, Boon Lay, metro stations such as Jalan Besar or Bugis, and even the Boss hotel, a classic for Thai residents. It’s all about finding the closest place to your hotel.
There are schedules at all hours, from midnight to 11 pm, so it won’t cost you too much. What you’ll need to look at is the place of origin and destination, and the price. Express trains usually cost around 11 euros and take you there in four and a half hours, but they are the least comfortable.
If you want a luxurious one with plenty of space to rest, you need to buy a VIP ticket. The price is around $25 or $30.
You can easily buy the ticket at 12GoAsia, where you can also see the extensive list of schedules.
When you arrive in Kuala Lumpur, you will usually arrive at KL Sentral station (map), from where you can go anywhere. It is also possible to end up at Berjaya Times Square (map), closer to the Petronas Towers area. If you are staying in this area, going to Berjaya is almost like being dropped off very close to your hotel.
One very important detail: you will have to go through immigration between both countries. This journey is included in the bus time, but our warning is that you do not waste time on this process, since the bus has certain times and must comply with them.
The process is simple: you will be dropped off with the rest of the passengers on the Singapore side to get your exit stamped, cross into Malaysia and be let in. The same bus will be waiting for you as soon as you exit.
Although the train journey is the most beautiful and scenic, it is not the most comfortable and certainly not the fastest. There is no train between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, so you have to make two transfers and wait several hours. The journey takes about ten hours and costs about $18.
The first hurdle is when buying the ticket, since you either buy it at the KTMB train station (map) putting up with the queues, or on their tedious website. The train also leaves from there, in Woodlands. Tickets sell out, so it is common to buy them weeks in advance.
The route is not flexible, and if you miss a train you are left without a seat.
The first step is from Singapore to the Malaysian city of Johor Bahru, passing through immigration first. From there you have to go to Gemas on a train that takes three hours, and then to Kuala Lumpur on another four-hour journey. The worst thing is that there are waiting times for transfers of two or three hours.
Nothing to do with the Oriental and Eastern Express, a luxury train costing $4,000 and only suitable for those with deep pockets. In our case, to find out how to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, we still think that the bus is the best option.
