Malaysia

How to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

In this in-depth route guide, you can compare the best ways to travel the 315 kilometers (196 miles) from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. Our team of indpendent travel experts researched each route — breaking down each option by travel time, price, and comfort. Plus, we’ll share the best booking options to help you get the best deal.

Written by Ela - Senior Travel WriterReviewed by Kate - Travel Writer & Digital NomadLast updated: June 13, 2024

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Why visit 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.

What are the 3 ways to travel from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur?

There are 3 ways to travel the 315 kilometers (196 miles) from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. You can choose between the bus, train and flight. The journey takes 1 hour 10 minutes to 10 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by train with tickets starting at 54 MYR ($12.50).

Transport

Duration

Pricing

Transport Options

Bus

4h 30m - 9h 35m

From 96 MYR ($22.50)

Book Tickets

Train

5h 45m - 10h

From 54 MYR ($12.50)

Flight

1h 10m

From 68 SGD ($52)

Book Tickets

Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by Bus

Duration: 4h 30m - 9h 35m

Costs: 96 MYR ($22.50)

Duration: 4h 30m - 9h 35m

Costs: 96 MYR ($22.50)

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!

We recommend buying your tickets on BookAway. You can choose from seven bus companies. Below are the bus schedules from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur:

Bus schedules from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

Boon Lay

Express 27

TBS Kuala Lumpur

09:00

4h 30m

13:30

11:30

4h 30m

16:00

18:45

4h 30m

23:15

20:00

4h 30m

00:30

22:00

4h 30m

02:30

StarMart SG

From 96 MYR ($22.50)

Boon Lay

Express 27

Berjaya Times Square

09:00

4h 40m

13:40

11:30

4h 40m

16:10

18:45

4h 40m

23:25

20:00

4h 40m

00:40

22:00

4h 40m

02:40

StarMart SG

96 MYR ($22.50)

Kitchener Complex Lavender

VIP

Berjaya Times Square

00:30

5h 6m

05:36

01:00

5h 6m

06:06

02:00

5h 6m

07:06

03:00

5h 6m

08:06

06:00

5h 6m

11:06

07:00

5h 6m

12:06

08:00

5h 6m

13:06

09:00

5h 6m

14:06

10:00

5h 6m

15:06

11:00

5h 6m

16:06

12:00

5h 6m

17:06

13:00

5h 6m

18:06

14:00

5h 6m

19:06

15:00

5h 6m

20:06

16:00

5h 6m

21:06

22:00

5h 6m

03:06

23:45

5h 6m

04:51

Billion Stars Express

110 MYR ($25.50)

Kitchener Complex Lavender

VIP

TBS Kuala Lumpur

00:30

4h 58m

05:28

01:00

4h 58m

05:58

02:00

4h 58m

06:58

03:00

4h 58m

07:58

06:00

4h 58m

10:58

07:00

4h 58m

11:58

08:00

4h 58m

12:58

09:00

4h 58m

13:58

10:00

4h 58m

14:58

11:00

4h 58m

15:58

12:00

4h 58m

16:58

13:00

4h 58m

17:58

14:00

4h 58m

18:58

15:00

4h 58m

19:58

16:00

4h 58m

20:58

17:00

4h 58m

21:58

22:00

4h 58m

02:58

23:45

4h 58m

04:43

Billion Stars Express

110 MYR ($25.50)

Boon Lay

Express

KL Sentral

00:30

5h 1m

05:31

18:30

5h 1m

23:31

Super Nice Express

110 MYR ($25.50)

Get Your Tickets

Kitchener Complex Lavender

VIP

KL Sentral

00:30

6h 49m

07:19

01:00

6h 49m

07:49

02:00

6h 49m

08:49

03:00

6h 49m

09:49

06:00

6h 49m

12:49

07:00

6h 49m

13:49

08:00

6h 49m

14:49

09:00

6h 49m

15:49

10:00

6h 49m

16:49

11:00

6h 49m

17:49

12:00

6h 49m

18:49

13:00

6h 49m

19:49

14:00

6h 49m

20:49

15:00

6h 49m

21:49

16:00

6h 49m

22:49

22:00

6h 49m

04:49

23:45

6h 49m

06:34

Billion Stars Express

110 MYR ($25.50)

Boon Lay

Express

TBS Kuala Lumpur

00:30

4h 54m

05:24

09:30

4h 54m

14:24

18:30

4h 54m

23:24

21:00

4h 54m

01:54

23:00

4h 54m

03:54

Super Nice Express

110 MYR ($25.50)

Boon Lay

Express 27

Berjaya Times Square

09:00

4h 40m

13:40

11:30

4h 40m

16:10

18:45

4h 40m

23:25

20:00

4h 40m

00:40

22:00

4h 40m

02:40

StarMart

110 MYR ($26)

Boon Lay

Express 27

TBS Kuala Lumpur

09:00

4h 30m

13:30

11:30

4h 30m

16:00

18:45

4h 30m

23:15

20:00

4h 30m

00:30

22:00

4h 30m

02:30

StarMart

110 MYR ($26)

Golden Mile Tower

Express 27

TBS Kuala Lumpur

06:30

9h 18m

15:48

07:30

9h 18m

16:48

08:00

9h 18m

17:18

09:00

9h 18m

18:18

09:30

9h 18m

18:48

09:31

9h 18m

18:49

09:45

9h 18m

19:03

10:00

9h 18m

19:18

10:30

9h 18m

19:48

11:30

9h 18m

20:48

11:31

9h 18m

20:49

13:30

9h 18m

22:48

15:00

9h 18m

00:18

16:30

9h 18m

01:48

17:30

9h 18m

02:48

StarMart SG

115 MYR ($26.50)

Get Your Tickets

Golden Mile Tower

Express 27

Berjaya Times Square

06:30

9h 27m

15:57

07:30

9h 27m

16:57

08:00

9h 27m

17:27

09:00

9h 27m

18:27

09:30

9h 27m

18:57

09:31

9h 27m

18:58

09:45

9h 27m

19:12

10:00

9h 27m

19:27

10:30

9h 27m

19:57

11:31

9h 27m

20:58

13:30

9h 27m

22:57

15:00

9h 27m

00:27

16:30

9h 27m

01:57

17:30

9h 27m

02:57

18:00

9h 27m

03:27

StarMart SG

115 MYR ($26.50)

Get Your Tickets

Golden Mile Tower

Express 27

Berjaya Times Square

06:30

9h 27m

15:57

07:30

9h 27m

16:57

08:00

9h 27m

17:27

09:00

9h 27m

18:27

09:30

9h 27m

18:57

09:31

9h 27m

18:58

09:45

9h 27m

19:12

10:00

9h 27m

19:27

10:30

9h 27m

19:57

11:31

9h 27m

20:58

13:30

9h 27m

22:57

15:00

9h 27m

00:27

16:30

9h 27m

01:57

17:30

9h 27m

02:57

18:00

9h 27m

03:27

StarMart

130 MYR ($29.50)

Get Your Tickets

Golden Mile Tower

Express 27

TBS Kuala Lumpur

06:30

9h 18m

15:48

07:30

9h 18m

16:48

08:00

9h 18m

17:18

09:00

9h 18m

18:18

09:30

9h 18m

18:48

09:31

9h 18m

18:49

09:45

9h 18m

19:03

10:00

9h 18m

19:18

10:30

9h 18m

19:48

11:30

9h 18m

20:48

11:31

9h 18m

20:49

13:30

9h 18m

22:48

15:00

9h 18m

00:18

16:30

9h 18m

01:48

17:30

9h 18m

02:48

StarMart

130 MYR ($29.50)

Get Your Tickets

Katong V Mall

VIP 24 Seats

TBS Kuala Lumpur

01:00

9h 24m

10:24

19:30

9h 24m

04:54

23:59

9h 24m

09:23

KKKL Express SG

135 MYR ($32)

Katong V Mall

VIP 24 Seats

Berjaya Times Square

01:00

9h 33m

10:33

19:30

9h 33m

05:03

23:59

9h 33m

09:32

KKKL Express SG

135 MYR ($32)

Kovan Hub Bus Terminal

VIP 24 Seats

Berjaya Times Square

00:30

9h 23m

09:53

07:00

9h 23m

16:23

09:00

9h 23m

18:23

11:00

9h 23m

20:23

13:30

9h 23m

22:53

15:00

9h 23m

00:23

17:00

9h 23m

02:23

19:00

9h 23m

04:23

23:30

9h 23m

08:53

KKKL Express SG

135 MYR ($32)

Singapore Suntec City Mall - Tower 2 Coach Bay

Tourist

Berjaya Times Square - West Wing Hotel Lobby

06:30

4h 40m

11:10

WTS Travel

140 MYR ($32)

Get Your Tickets

Katong V Mall

VIP 24 Seats

KL Sentral

01:00

9h 35m

10:35

19:30

9h 35m

05:05

KKKL Express SG

140 MYR ($32.50)

Jurong East

VIP 24 Seats

KL Sentral

01:00

9h 7m

10:07

07:15

9h 7m

16:22

KKKL Express SG

150 MYR ($34.50)

Get Your Tickets

Golden Mile Tower

VIP 24 Seats

Jalan Imbi

06:45

9h 26m

16:11

08:45

9h 26m

18:11

Transtar Travel

275 MYR ($64)

Get Your Tickets

Show 15 more operator(s)

We recommend travelling with Transtar Travel as they get good reviews and they offer the best value for money. If you opt for their solitaire buses, you can enjoy a luxurious journey in a cosy cocoon seat with free TV and a complimentary meal.

Departure and arrival station

Note that they have at least three different departure and arrival points. Best to double-check these details when finalizing your booking.

Transtar buses have departure points from Kitchener Road, Golden Mile Complex and Aperia Mall. They arrive at either Kuala Lumpur Bus Terminal or TBS, about 13 km south of the city centre, or at Berjaya Square or Jalan Imbi in the city centre.

The other bus company, Lapan Lapan, departs from 181 Kitchener Road and arrives at Berjaya Square in Kuala Lumpur city centre. They also get good reviews, but they’re quite expensive.

Immigration Checkpoints

About 30 minutes into your journey from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, your bus will stop at Woodlands Checkpoint for customs and immigration. You’ll need to bring all your belongings for this. Here, you’ll be asked to fill out a Singapore departure card before getting your passport stamped. You’ll then go back to your bus (make sure you remember which bus you took!).

The bus will then cross the border to Malaysia and stop again at Johor Bahru for Malaysian customs and immigration. Here, your fingerprint will be scanned and your passport will be stamped again. And then you’re off to Kuala Lumpur!

Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by Train

Duration: 5h 45m - 10h

Costs: 54 MYR ($12.50)

Duration: 5h 45m - 10h

Costs: 54 MYR ($12.50)

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 ($3.80)

Duration: 30 minutes (incl. customs/immigration)

Costs: 5 SGD ($3.80)

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 ($3.80).

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: 4h 45m

Costs: 21 MYR ($4.90)

Duration: 4h 45m

Costs: 21 MYR ($4.90)

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 4h 45m and a ticket costs 21 MYR ($4.90), which can be booked online through Baolau.

Check Train Tickets with Baolau

Step 3: Gemas to Kuala Lumpur by Train

Duration: 30m - 4h 44m

Costs: 5 SGD ($3.80)

Duration: 30m - 4h 44m

Costs: 5 SGD ($3.80)

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 ($9.30) 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:

Itinerary	Duration	Cost
Step 1: Train/Bus from downtown Singapore to Woodlands Train Checkpoint	1h30m	33 MYR ($7.60) Check latest price
Step 2: Train from Woodlands to Johor Bahru + Customs/Immigration	30m	5 SGD ($3.80) Check latest price
Step 3: Train from Johor Bahru to Gemas	4h44m	21 MYR ($4.90) Check latest price
Step 4: Train from Gemas to Kuala Lumpur	2h18m	40 MYR ($9.30) Check latest price

Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by Flight

Duration: 1h 10m

Costs: 68 SGD ($52)

Duration: 1h 10m

Costs: 68 SGD ($52)

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 ($4.20), by shuttle bus for 9 SGD ($6.90), or by taxi for around 30 SGD ($23).

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 ($6.90).

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 ($42.50) 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 ($2.80) to 75 MYR ($17.40).

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

Check Flights with Skyscanner

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

What is the distance from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur?

The distance from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is 315 kilometers (196 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur?

The fastest way to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is by flight and takes 1 hour 10 minutes.

What is the cheapest way to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur?

The cheapest way to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is by train with ticket costs starting from 54 MYR ($12.50).

Rounding it up

We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.

PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!

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About the author(s)

Ela

Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.

Kate

Kate is a writer, (ex)Management Consultant and avid traveller. She recently returned from a 2-year career break exploring the world and decided corporate life wasn’t for her. She’ll soon be testing life as a digital nomad. She’s visited over 40 countries and fell in love with Latin America in particular. Her travelling has inspired a passion for yoga, salsa, hiking and Spanish.