Car trip from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

When you take a car trip from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, you’re not just traveling between two of Southeast Asia’s largest cities. Malaysia is famous for its cultural fusion, blending the customs of its Malay, Chinese, and Indian residents, and driving from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur gives you the opportunity to experience local sights that you would miss with other transportation options. But there are some drawbacks to driving yourself. First, if you’re renting a car in Singapore, you need to make sure your rental company even allows you to drive into Malaysia (there’s usually a significant surcharge for this). Then you need to apply for a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP), and download the Touch n Go (TNG) ewallet or get a physical card. Once all that’s out of the way, you still have to deal with navigating the busy city streets, not to mention the famous border crossing, by yourself can be stressful.

Taking a car service from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur removes all the hassle, bringing your door to door. And, like driving yourself, it allows you to explore at your own pace. You can stop to experience this for yourself at places like the Hindu Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple or the elegant Putra Mosque. There’s also Malaysia’s natural beauty to admire, and a hike up Bukit Broga Hill, the only hill in all of Malaysia not covered with trees, is a perfect place to do it. On a private transfer, your friendly driver will happily bring you to these sights and more, and share insights about Malaysia along the way.

About Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, is a relatively new city. It was established as a town in 1857 to serve as a supply station on the Klang River for tin miners working the area. Overcoming floods, fires, disease, and infighting, Kuala Lumpur was named the state capital in 1880, and quickly grew into a modern city. Today, Kuala Lumpur is the cultural, financial, and economic center of Malaysia, the largest city in the country, and one of the fastest-growing in Asia. It’s home to the Parliament of Malaysia and the Istana Negara, the official residence of the monarch of Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur’s population is estimated to be over 8.5 million, and is mostly made up of Malay, Chinese, and Indians. From the food, to the neighborhoods, to the architecture you can see how each of these cultures has left their mark on the city, and fused together to create its multicultural identity. Predominantly Muslim, minarets and mogul-style domes dominate the skyline. Even the city’s iconic Petronas Twin Towers are a post-modern spin on traditional Islamic architecture.

From Singapore to Kuala Lumpur: Travel tips

Because of the border crossing, it’s important to decide how to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur in advance, especially with the additional paperwork and permits required for a rental car. Follow these travel tips to make your trip a breeze.

Decide how you want to travel

You have a few options on how to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, but it’s best to plan in advance. The bus is quite cheap, but slower than a car and can be sold out. Flying is an option if you just want to get to Kuala Lumpur as quickly as possible. If the travel experience is most important to you, taking a private car conveniently brings you door-to-door while letting you explore at your own pace.

Prepare for customs

The Singapore/Malaysia border crossing is one of the world’s most (in)famous. For a smooth inspection, fill out all immigration paperwork completely and legibly and keep any entry and exit cards because they may be needed again. To make inspections go smoothly, pack as lightly and double check the rules about dutiable and restricted goods on the Malaysian customs website. The border crossing usually takes about 45 minutes, but there can be delays, especially if you’re taking the bus.

How to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

As two of the largest and most important cities in the region, many travelers are looking to visit both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Their importance and popularity mean that there are several ways to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur.

From Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by bus

The bus is the cheapest way to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. Multiple operators run buses from the city center, and prices, pick-up, and drop-off locations vary by operator, so research in advance. Some of the best-known bus operators are Nice, Konsortium Express, Starmart Express, Sri Maju, WTS Travel & Tours, City Express, and Transnasional (and there are many more), with drop-off points including The Plaza at Beach Rd, Singapore Woodlands, the Golden Mile Complex, Kovan Hub, and the Singapore Flyer. The bus ride usually takes about 6 hours. One thing to keep in mind when taking the bus from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, you will have to take your luggage out of the bus and bring it with you through customs - something you don't need to do with a car transfer.

From Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by train

As of early 2018, the direct train from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur was suspended. Now, you need to purchase tickets to Johor Bahru Sentral, and then transfer to another train to Gemas. Finally from Gemas, you take a train to Kuala Lumpur Sentral. Because of this, the train is the slowest option, taking up to 9 hours. If you really love trains, it is a memorable experience, and it might be worth considering if you want to spend time in Johor Bahru.

Things to do when you get to Kuala Lumpur

As the largest city in Malaysia, there’s no shortage of things to do when you get to Kuala Lumpur. You could easily spend an entire day at the city’s main landmark, the Petronas Twin Towers. Start by heading up to the observation deck on the 86th floor. You’ll be treated to a sweeping view across the city and get a bird’s eye view of Kuala Lumpur’s other modern towers. Inside the Petronas Twin Towers, you can fill the day with the Science Museum, the Petroleum Museum, the Petronas Concert Hall, and the huge shopping center. Once the sun starts to set, head outside to the 50-acre KLCC Park at the foot of the towers. Walk among 1900 indigenous trees, including the famous banyan trees. At night, the 10,000 square meter man-made lake launches into the delightful “Lake Symphony”, where fountains are choreographed to music and lights.

Scattered around Kuala Lumpur, you’ll find monuments to its major cultures. There’s the vast National Mosque, which can hold some 15,000 worshippers, the colorful Sri Mahamariamman Temple for the city’s Tamil residents, and the iconic, 6-tier Thean Hou Temple, which is famous for its intricate Confucian, Tao, and Buddhist decorations.