I am curious to find out whether a quick day trip to Malacca is possible. I have a very long layover bothways in Singapore (the trip ends in Colombo) and I am using the first layover to hangout in Singapore. I've been to Singapore many times and I wanted to do something completely diffferent on my return layover in Singapore.

So, on my return, I get into SIN @ 7:30 AM from CMB on SQ. My outbound to NRT is not until 11:40PM the same day. So, I have 15+ hours in Singapore.

Now, I am thinking about renting a car with Hertz (I assume they allow me to drive cars into Malaysia) and going to Malacca during this layover. I figure that the drive is about four hours each way, so eight hours. I would spend about three hours there in Malacca and may be hit a beach of an hour before heading back to Singapore. Does this sound feasible to those who've been to Malacca by private car?

I think going to Kuala Lumpur is a bit too tight and I wouldn't want to drive in KL. What would my budget be besides the rental car cost? How expensive is gas on Malaysia side?

P.S. If it helps to know, I will be in SQ F all the way to NRT and should have my bags checked through... pending what CMB agent can do, I should also have my BP to NRT as well.... so I can just walk into the terminal and just pass the immigration and security.

Well it certainly sounds feasible but also a lot of hassle.

What i'd suggest is going to Pulau Ubin for the day. When you get off the plane from CMB go and get cleaned up in the lounge/have breakfast then head out through immigration.

Ubin is accessed by boat from Changi Village, so you're at the right end of the Island.

Take a walk, maybe hire a bike, have some lunch then head back. It really is a world apart from Singapore today - apparently it's what it was like in the 60's (and the real thing, not a govt. sponsored theme park of it) I think the beaches are better on Singapore itself - as I recall, Ubin was a bit rocky - but there was certainly a lot of sand near Changi Village. (You might be able to get a day rate at the Meridien with what you don't spend on the hire car). The other decent bit of beach is on East Coast Parkway, again towards the airport.

I've been to Singapore several times and there's an awful lot more to do there than Orchard Road, the river, the zoo and Sentosa...

depending on the day of the week, you could be caught in traffic jams at the causeway.....

Thanks for your posts. I thought about doing this because I thought it would be interesting to visit Malaysia. I know it's pushing the limits a bit, but I have a budget for it as the entire trip, to colombo and the hotels, are paid by my points and miles.

Going to Ubin may be something I will do on my first day after I check-out from the Hilton (first lay over is overnight). Perhaps I will inquire about my plans for the second layover during the first layover.

By the way, my second layover is September 7th, which is Thursday. Do you think I will encounter alot of traffic on the west malaysia coast highway?

If you simply want to make a visit to Malaysia, why not just got to Johor for a few hours, or perhaps the other option to consider would be going to Melacca on the way out (i.e. overnight) then spend the day in Singapore on the way back through.

Another alternative would be to fly up to KUL for the day, although this certainly wouldn't be cheap and the connections don't look too clever either.

Most rental cars in Singapore cannot be driven into Malaysia, and certainly not without a hefty premium. There are some rentacar agencies within walking distance of the Causeway once you cross into Malaysia, eg. Hawk (http://www.kuala-lumpur.ws/hawk/index.html), and prices are only half of Singapore. Driving habits on the Malaysian side of the border can rather erratic though, and unless you fork out enough for a deluxe Toyota Corolla or something you'll be stuck with Protons.

I'd suggest you take the bus though if you want to attempt this, Transnasional and a few others have direct services from Singapore to Malacca. Try to find a bus that uses the faster & less jammed Second Link, although Thursday should be fine.

unless sept 7 is a public holiday like maybe hari raya ...., i dun forsee a problem. If you really want to go into malacca, my advise would be that you have to leave very early like what you suggested at 7.30am but your flight has to leave at something like 10pm and you must have your boarding pass all done beforehand cos it will take time to return the rental car and so on.... plus 8 hours of driving(better rent an automatic car)....It will be hot and sweaty. You will like Malacca for its heritage and i remember seeing a ship over there which was memorable and there's pastries like homemade pineapple tarts. Does involve a lot of pre-planning.

Thanks again for your inputs. As I am planning this for September 7th, which I believe is not a public holiday, I will have my bags checked all the way to NRT from CMB. My flight arrives in SIN @ 745AM and I leave for NRT @11:40PM. So, plenty of time. Plus, if it helps, flying in F certainly helps alleviate the stress and time for check-in. I should have my bp for NRT as well.

I like driving on my own as it gives me control of time - what I can do and when I can leave. I will consider renting the car from Johor as it seems most logical and economical. Meanwhile, is there a transfer bus to Johor from Changi Airport?

Perhaps, for planning purposes, I will make an afternoon visit to Johor on my first layover to see how things can be planned for my second layover and perhaps reserve my rental car with Hawk (I will have international driving license).

I chose Malacca because it seems to be in a reasonable distance for a quick day trip and has a lot to offer in terms of what Malaysia can be compared to other places. I don't want to go to KL as it's extra 100+ Km from Malacca and I can save it for another trip.

I like driving on my own as it gives me control of time - what I can do and when I can leave. I will consider renting the car from Johor as it seems most logical and economical.
To each their own, I appreciate your interest in controlling your time, but I would recommend a bus to/from Johor. It's simply easier, you have plenty of time options, and no need to 'deal with' the headaches of a car rental. JB is just not that complicated. But worth seeing.

Best, Dave

Most rental cars in Singapore cannot be driven into Malaysia, and certainly not without a hefty premium.

Just looked at Avis and it said re border crossing...

Available only to Malaysia. A special permit is required plus a surcharge ranging from SGD 25.00 (plus tax) per day will apply,depending on car group rented. A one-way service fee may apply, depending on the length of rental and the Malaysian city to whichthe car is returned.

It's really going to eat into your day if you have to get to Johor first (taxi to Woodlands or Kranji then a bus from there - will maybe take 1hr?). If you're dead set on doing it (and consensus here is that you shouldn't be IMO ;) ) then pay whatever you have to to drive straight from the airport!

Tour companies operate day trips from Singapoore to Malacca by coach. Could be a stress-free way to do the trip. I second the Pulau Ubin idea.
Another possibility: take a high-speed ferry to one of the Indonesia Islands, either Batam or Bintan. It is easily done in a day (Singapore residents head there for golf) and you get rewarded with interesting views of the Lion City coming and going.
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13F

Well, eating into my day isn't much of the problem as I have already been to SIN several times and have had visited SIN on the way out to CMB during this trip. If it takes an hour to get to Johor, then I also think it's best to rent straight from the airport. I will have SQ boarding pass so from what I hear I get some discount on Hertz. My budget is about 400 SGD for the RT including the car rental + gas. Hertz gave me 230 SGD for BMW 320 or similar. With 25 to 50 SGD for the permit and 100 for gas, I think I should be set.

I will, however, seriously consider just going to Johor or other closer destinations as I do have a flight to catch on the same day and I can't afford to miss the flight. Thanks everyone!

Well, eating into my day isn't much of the problem

No, I meant eating into the day when you're trying to get to Melacca. 7.30am landing would have you out of the airport by 8am but then not at the car rental place in Johor before 9am. 30 minutes for the paperwork (no #1 club here) and you can see where I'm going with this...

The Indonesian islands idea is also a good one - the ferry terminal is very near the airport so no hassles there and if you do a search, I posted some information in early May on the Singapore board about resorts that offer very reasonable day packages so long as you avoid the weekend (which you would be doing).

No, I meant eating into the day when you're trying to get to Melacca. 7.30am landing would have you out of the airport by 8am but then not at the car rental place in Johor before 9am. 30 minutes for the paperwork (no #1 club here) and you can see where I'm going with this...

The Indonesian islands idea is also a good one - the ferry terminal is very near the airport so no hassles there and if you do a search, I posted some information in early May on the Singapore board about resorts that offer very reasonable day packages so long as you avoid the weekend (which you would be doing).


Thanks Swiss Tony for your comments. I will certainly think about that issue. Since time is an issue, I am more inclined to rent at Changi Airport. Perhaps I may not go all the way upto Malacca if there are interesting places along the way between Singapore and Malacca for a two hour oneway drive, I think that would be much more feasible option.

Bintan is not preferred since it's mostly for resort activities and I would probably be better off with an over night stay.

Do you think Johor has interesting enough stuff to do?

Do you think Johor has interesting enough stuff to do?
No. Just like Singapore, the only attractions are food and shopping, but it's dodgier and messier.

BTW, say "JB" (jay bee) if you want to sound like a local. "Johor" is the whole state, which covers a fair chunk of the Malayan peninsula...

Honestly, there are one thousand and one better ways to spend SGD400 (thats almost MYR1,000) in Malaysia.

Driving time along Malaysian highways are often very unpredictable. A small accident or even minor roadworks would often cause a massive jam. Also heavy afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon and severely reduces visibility and prolongs the journey. And I am sure you have heard of the reputation of Malaysian drivers ......

Singapore's roads are quite confusing (all highways are abbreviated, signboards are oddly located and only comprehensible to local drivers) and many roads are tolled with overhead reader (not sure whether rental cars comes with electronic tags). There is a fine if you enter certain roads without the tag, and yes I was once slapped with a SGD70 fine for entering the CBD 5mins too early.

Unless you are one who enjoys a little adventure during your 15hr layover, I wouldnt suggest you go ahead with your plan to drive into Malaysia.

If you are really determined to visit Malacca, I suggest delaying your flight to NRT by a day (if thats permitted) and spend a night in Malacca. Hotels are cheap in Malaysia and you wont have to worry about missing your flight.