With the Singapore dollar at an all-time high against the Malaysian ringgit, many Singaporeans are planning a trip to Malaysia. While Johor Bahru is the gateway, there are many other parts of Malaysia that we can explore further. If you want to head to the capital city of Kuala Lumpur (KL), here are the five common modes of transport to get you there.
Let’s find out which is the cheapest way to travel to KL: flight, train, bus, car or taxi?
Cost Of Travelling To Kuala Lumpur By Flight (From S$70)
Now that flight movement have been restored, there are plenty of flights flying from Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). You can find one departing at almost every hour, ranging from budget airlines to full-service airlines.
The typical round-trip ticket price is between S$90 to S$185 for budget flights like Jetstar or AirAsia to about $400 for Singapore Airlines. Prices can also increase significantly during peak seasons like during the December holidays. Single-trip tickets typically cost about $70 to $130.
The flight time is about one hour which is the shortest travel time. However, it doesn’t include the time taken at the airport for check-in, boarding, baggage, etc. Additionally, as the airport is not located within the city, you would also have to factor in the additional travelling time of 30 mins to an hour.
Once you arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), you can choose to get to the city centre by the KLIA express train (KLIA Ekspres) from the airport to KL Sentral which takes 30 minutes and cost RM55. Bus transfers are available to KL Sentral for about RM12 but take at least an hour (more depending on traffic conditions). Taxi metered fare would cost about RM75, more depending on traffic conditions and additional surcharges.
| Travel Description | Cost |
| Flight to KL | S$70 to S$130 for single-trip |
| KLIA express train to KL Sentral | RM55 |
| Bus transfers to KL | RM12 |
| Taxi fare to KL | RM75 |
Cost: S$90 to S$185 for round-trip or about S$70 to S$130 for single-trip and RM55 for KLIA express train to city
Time: One hour flight (and at least one hour departure and arrival time), 30 mins express train to city centre
Cost Of Travelling To Kuala Lumpur By Train (Less Than S$20)
Unfortunately, plans for the high-speed rail between KL and Singapore have been derailed yet again and looks to be permanently terminated. This would have been the fastest way to travel to KL at an estimated 90 mins.
Regardless, it is still possible to travel to KL by train, with a few transits. From Singapore, we can take the KTM train service from Woodlands Train Checkpoint to JB Sentral (RM16). From JB Sentral, we will need to take the train to Gemas (RM15) for about 30mins. From Gemas, it is another 2.5 hr ride to KL Sentral (RM31).
| KTM Service | Cost |
| Woodlands Train Checkpoint to JB Sentral | S$4.82 or RM16 |
| JB Sentral to Gemas | S$4.51 or RM15 |
| Gemas to KL Sentral | S$9.33 or RM31 |
| Total | S$18.66 or RM62 |
In total, the fare would be about S$18.66 or RM62 for a one-way ticket. Time taken would be around three hours, not including time taken to transit between the different trains and waiting time at checkpoint.
Cost: about S$18.66 or RM62
Time: Three hours
Cost Of Travelling To Kuala Lumpur By Bus (From S$25)
If travelling by coach sounds more comfortable to you, consider taking a tour bus takes you directly from Singapore to KL. There are 12 bus operators listed on Easybook with different pick up and drop off points.
Pick up points in Singapore include: Golden Mile Tower (Starmart Express, Transtar Travel), Golden Mile Complex (Transtar Travel, Supernice Grassland, Starmart Express, Star Qistna), Katong V Mall (KKKL), Kovan Hub 206 (KKKL), Boon Lay (The One Travel & Tour, Star Qistna, Starmart Express), Jurong East (WTS), Yishun (WTS), Our Tampines Hub (WTS)
Drop off points in KL include: Berjaya Times Square (KKKL, Star Qistna, Transtar, Starmart Express, The One Travel & Tour, WTS), Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (KKKL, Star Qistna, Starmart Express, Supernice Grassland, The One Travel & Tour), KL Sentral (Star Qistna, KKKL), Plaza Berjaya (Supernice Grassland), Sunway Pyramid (WTS)
Depending on where you are staying or visiting in KL, you can choose an operator that better suits your location. Prices range from S$25 to S$60 for a single trip and the average travel time is about five hours in good traffic condition.
Cost: about S$25 to S$60 for a single trip.
Time: Five hours
Cost Of Travelling To Kuala Lumpur By Car (About RM50 For Tolls)
Driving to KL is possible for drivers who can manage the five to six hours’ drive along the North-South Expressway, the E2 highway. There are rest stops along the highway if you need to take a break from driving mid-way.
The advantage of driving is the convenience (you don’t have to exit the vehicle for immigration clearance unlike train and bus) and flexibility (you can stop and rest whenever you want or make a side trip elsewhere)
However, there are tolls along the way to consider. In total, the estimated toll charges about RM50, with the exact charges dependent on where you enter and exit the highway.
Drivers will also need to have a valid Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) as well as Touch ‘n Go card to make toll payments
Cost: about RM50 for toll charges one-way, not including petrol costs.
Time: Five hours
Read Also: How Much Does It Cost For Singapore Cars To Enter Malaysia? And Is It Worth Your Time (And Money)?
Cost Of Travelling To Kuala Lumpur By Taxi (More Than S$300)
Cross-border private car services are available from Singapore to KL. One such service is SGMYTAXI which costs about S$320 for a Toyota Innova or S$360 for a Toyota Alphard which can accommodate up to seven people, and S$360 for a Hyundai Starex which can accommodate up to 10 people for a one-way trip.
Similar to travelling by car, there is the convenience of not exiting the vehicle for immigration clearance as well as not having to share the space with outsiders (a hygiene consideration that is more important during a pandemic).
Singapore taxis are only allowed to drop off at Johor Bahru Taxi Terminal at Pasar Bakti Kotaraya. You will have to take another taxi from JB to KL. As these go by metered fare, the charges can add up quickly.
Cost: S$320 for a Toyota Innova for a one-way trip or S$360 for a Toyota Alphard or Hyundai Starex for a one-way trip
Time: 5 hours
Flight Is The Fastest Option But Bus Is The Cheapest For A Single Traveller Without A Car
For most single travellers, travelling by coach would be the cheapest and time efficient way of travelling to KL. For a budget fare of $25 or $60 for a more luxurious option, you can be fetched from Singapore (even in the heartlands) to the major hubs in KL. You can be travelling in business class level of comfort for a price that is cheaper than a budget flight.
However, if you value time, flying to KL is the fastest and quite affordable if you choose a budget fare flight. For under $100, you can be in KL in less than two hrs, less than the time taken to cross the Causeway at peak periods.
If you are travelling in a group of more than seven persons, sharing a private car service that can accommodate larger groups can make more sense than everyone paying for individual coach fares. Seven people sharing $360 for a Hyundai Starex would cost about $52, which is in the upper range of bus fares. However, there is the advantage of crossing immigration clearance without exiting the vehicle, the convenience of not lugging baggage and the fun of making as much chatter in the vehicle without annoying other vehicles.
This article was originally published on 8 September 2022 and updated with new information.
The post Which Is The Cheapest Way To Travel To Kuala Lumpur (KL): Flight, Train, Bus, Car, or Taxi? appeared first on DollarsAndSense.sg.
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