Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

Want to know how to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur? In this post, we’ll share a summary of the three ways to get there and compare each option on duration, costs and level of comfort. For each option, we go into more detail to help you decide which transport provider to book with and where to buy your tickets.

What to expect when visiting Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur (KL) is Malaysia’s capital, a vibrant mix of skyscrapers, Asian-European architecture, large shopping districts, and flavourful cuisine. The busy city can be quite overwhelming, but it’s all about finding your rhythm in Kuala Lumpur’s beautiful chaos.

The Petronas Towers — the tallest twin towers in the world — are the city’s most iconic attraction. But there’s so much more to see in Kuala Lumpur. The old KL Railway Station, KL Tower, Bukit Bintang, and Jalan Alor are all must-visits. And if you have more time, the colourful Batu Caves is just 30 minutes away from the city.

3 ways to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

There are three ways to travel the distance of 315 km (196 miles) from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur: by bus (5h15m), train (1h45m-5h59m) and flight (1hr 10m). The journey takes between 1h10m - 5h59m and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 9 SGD ($6.50) + 55 SGD ($40.50) + 12 MYR ($2.50) for the flight.

Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by Flight

Duration: 1hr 10m

Starts from: 9 SGD ($6.50) + 55 SGD ($40.50) + 12 MYR ($2.50)

Duration: 1hr 10m

Cost: 9 SGD ($6.50) + 55 SGD ($40.50) + 12 MYR ($2.50)

Flights from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur depart from Changi Airport. This is located 25 km northeast of downtown Singapore and can be reached by train for 5.50 SGD ($4), by shuttle bus for 9 SGD ($6.50), or by taxi for around 30 SGD ($22).

Our preferred ride is the shuttle service offered by Klook. It picks you up from your hotel and takes you straight to the airport for 9 SGD ($6.50).

Travel time varies from 30 to 50 minutes depending on the number of stops it has to make on the way to the airport. Don’t worry, though, they schedule the pick-ups efficiently so that all passengers will reach the airport in time for their flight.

Check Shuttle Bus Tickets with Klook

Air Asia, Firefly and Malaysia Airlines offer several flights from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur daily.

Airfares start from 55 SGD ($40) but can be even cheaper if you book early. The flight takes a little over 1 hour and arrives at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

From Kuala Lumpur Airport, you have three options to travel the 45 km distance to the city centre. You can take the train (30 minutes), the bus (1 hour), or a taxi (1 hour). Fares range from 12 MYR ($2.50) to 75 MYR ($16.00).

Check out our page on Kuala Lumpur Airport for more details.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by Train

Duration: 1h45m-5h59m

Starts from: 31 SGD ($22.50)

Duration: 1h45m-5h59m

Cost: 31 SGD ($22.50)

Years ago, you could travel by train directly from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. That line has since been disconnected, though, so now you’ll have to take at least three trains. That’s excluding the one you need to take from downtown Singapore!

This option is neither fast nor convenient, but it’s an adventure on its own. There’s also the bonus of a glimpse into local life in rural Malaysia.

Keep in mind that there is only one train schedule that will allow you to complete the train journey from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur in one day. To do that, you’ll have to depart from your accommodation as early as 06:30 or aim for an 08:00 arrival at Woodlands Train Checkpoint.

Step 1: Singapore (Woodlands Train Checkpoint) to Johor Bahru by Train

Duration: 30 minutes (incl. customs/immigration)

Costs: 5 SGD ($3.70)

Duration: 30 minutes (incl. customs/immigration)

Costs: 5 SGD ($3.70)

To travel by train from Singapore to Malaysia, you will have to go through immigration at Woodlands Train Checkpoint. This is located some 35 km north of downtown Singapore. Depending on where you’re coming from, you can take the MRT or a bus to reach it.

The closest MRT station to Woodlands Checkpoint is Marsiling MRT. From here, you can take a 20-minute bus (#856 or #912) to the checkpoint.

Remember not to confuse Woodlands Checkpoint with Woodlands MRT Station. The two are actually far apart.

Just in case you’re reading this now because you made the mistake of taking the train to Woodlands MRT, you can take bus #911 or #913 to reach the checkpoint.

Upon arrival, buy your train ticket on the ground floor of the station. A ticket costs 5 SGD ($3.60).

Woodlands Train Checkpoint

Most nationalities are allowed to enter Malaysia without a visa, so the process is quite simple.

First, you have to fill out a Singapore departure card, before having your passport stamped as proof that you have left Singapore.

Then, you move to the Malaysian side, where they will scan your fingerprint and stamp your passport to show that you have now entered Malaysia.

You need to bring all your belongings with you because they normally x-ray your luggage.

Once you’re done, you can take the train to Johor Bahru, which takes only 5 minutes.

Step 2: Johor Bahru to Gemas by Train

Duration: 4hrs 45m

Costs: 21 MYR ($4.40)

Duration: 4hrs 45m

Costs: 21 MYR ($4.40)

Johor Bahru is the gateway to Malaysia from Singapore. From Malaysia’s southern tip, you will take an old intercity train to Gemas, located 210 km northwest.

There are four trains operating from Johor Bahru to Gemas daily, but only one of those has a connecting train from Gemas to Kuala Lumpur on the same day.

That’s the KTM ES42, which departs from Johor Bahru at 09:15 and arrives at Gemas at 13:59. Travel time is 4 hours 44 minutes and a ticket costs 21 MYR ($4.40), which can be booked online through Baolau.

Step 3: Gemas to Kuala Lumpur by Train

Duration: 30 minutes-4h44m

Costs: 5 SGD ($3.70)

Duration: 30 minutes-4h44m

Costs: 5 SGD ($3.70)

Gemas is a railway station connecting Malaysia’s east and west train lines.

Here, you will have to wait an hour for your connecting train going northwest to Kuala Lumpur. It departs from Gemas at 15:10 and arrives at KL Sentral at 17:28.

Travel time from Gemas to Kuala Lumpur takes about 2.5 hours and a ticket costs 40 MYR ($8.00) when you book online on Baolau.

From KL Sentral, you can take a bus or a train to your hotel.

Here’s what your train itinerary from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur would look like:

Train options from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by Bus

Duration: 5h15m

Starts from: 46 MYR ($9.50)

Duration: 5h15m

Cost: 46 MYR ($9.50)

Singapore doesn’t have a centralized bus terminal. This is why buses operating from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur have varying departure points. The most common bus “terminals” are located at Kitchener Road, Golden Mile Complex, and Aperia Mall, all of which is about 5 km north of downtown Singapore.

We highly recommend booking online when travelling this route to be assured of a seat at the time of your departure. There’s nothing worse than arriving to discover there are no available seats left for the bus you want to take!

BusOnlineTicket is our preferred booking website for this route because of its affordable rates. You can choose from two bus companies: Transtar Travel and Lapan Lapan. Below are the bus schedules from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur:

Bus schedules from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur