Singapore is an incredible city with so much to offer for the modern traveler. Whether you're planning a business trip or a vacation, one of the first steps is deciding how to get there. From planes to boats, trains to buses, here are some options for getting you to Singapore.
Flying to Singapore
Singapore's Changi International Airport is an important transport hub located in the southeast of the city-state and is a major connection point to many international cities. Most flights to Singapore will be with their national airline, Singapore Airlines (SIA), or one of their partners. Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of SIA, is an excellent option for budget airfares, assuming you don't need the luxuries of the larger international airlines.
Unless you are coming from neighboring Malaysia, flying is generally the cheapest and most time-efficient way to get to Singapore.
Sailing to Singapore
Singapore is also visited by a growing number of cruises each year. The city can also be reached via passenger ferries from its neighboring Indonesian islands, Batam and Bintan. Batam Fast Ferry has also recently announced a new port on the Desaru Coast, providing a ferry connection between Singapore and Malaysia. However, the opening date of the port has yet to be announced.
Batam ferry operators: Batam Fast Ferry and Sindo Ferry.
Bintan ferry operators: Bintan Resort Ferries
Taking a Train to Singapore
Up until 2018, a direct train connected Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Singapore and offered a comfortable and easy journey between the two countries. However, the service remains suspended these days, making the trip quite long and impractical with 3 separate train legs needed. If you still decide to take the train to Singapore, once you reach the Causeway between Johor Bahru and Singapore, you can catch one of the shuttle buses that will take you through the border. Or, you can opt to walk the 1km between the two checkpoints. Once you pass through immigration into Singapore, you can then access the local trains and buses from Woodlands, connecting you to the rest of the country.
Taking a Bus to Singapore
The bus from Malaysia to Singapore is typically the best budget-friendly option for travel between the two countries. There are multiple routes from Malaysia to Singapore. However, the most common runs from Kuala Lumpur, with (almost) hourly departures each day. Bus Bud can make comparing ticket prices and times easy, or you can book directly through the company's website.
Bus companies operating services between Malaysia and Singapore include: Starmart Express, Transtar Travel, Eltabina Express, KKKL Express & WTS Travel
Driving to Singapore
Singapore is connected to Malaysia by two Causeways (Johor Bahru - Woodlands and Tanjung Kupang - Tuas). While driving from Malaysia to Singapore is possible, a spontaneous day trip is not. To cross the border into Singapore with a non-Singaporean registered car, you must have:
Car insurance with third-party coverage
A Visitor Pass (VP) or International Circulation Permit (ICP)
A Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) approval email
An Autopass Card
Plan your trip ahead of time and give yourself at least 2 weeks for the VP and Autopass Card application and approval processes. For more information, visit Singapore's OneMotoring website.
No matter how you choose to get to Singapore, the journey is sure to be an exciting adventure. Whether you take a plane, a boat, a train, a bus, or a car, you'll be sure to have a memorable time.
