Asia - Malaysia Singapore help needed.

I am traveling to Malaysia first of December. Kuala Lumpur to be exact. I am traveling with my 14 year old daughter. We want to visit Singapore while we are there and would like to visit some interesting place in and around Kuala Lumpur as well. I have looked at air fares on air asia and they are about 700 rm for us rt. So that sounds expensive. I would really like to drive as I have driven all over Europe including London and Ireland with no trouble. Some have told me that it would be crazy. I have been told the trains are really slow and take a long time to get there. I have not been told much about the buses. I am staying all nights in Kuala Lumpur as my hotel is booked and paid for for three nights. Singapore will just be a day trip to see what it looks like. I really need lots of information like:
1. Does BofA or Citi have ATM fee free access in either Kuala Lumpur or Singapore?
2. What is the best way to get between the two?
3. How do I get around to the various sites around Kuala Lumpur?
4. Where is the best place to get usd changed to malaysian money?
5. Should I bother with a prepaid phone card while there or just bite the bullet and use att global?
6. Do I need anything other than a passport for entry into either?
7. Are all areas safe during the daytime? Should I avoid any place in particular?
8. What to see and do?
9. Any other recommendations?
10. What about hiring a car and driving myself?
Thanks in advance.

The train IS really slow (and bumpy). So that is definitely a no-go if you want to do the trip as a day-trip, and you are not willing to spend a night in Singapore or on the train.

Busses take about 5 hours each way -
http://www.journeymalaysia.com/ptasingkl.htm

I'd say that flying is the only way for your trip to work - but that could approach 4 hours total travel time each way including transits at each end and check-in times.

In Singapore - definitely walk down to the Old Parliament buildings - there's a "Bum Boat" cruise that leaves from there, and is a nice hour or so. Singapore is an easy walking city with a bit of subway here and there, so you should be able to fill 8 hours and get a flavor for the city. Food in the indoor "hawker centers" for sure. Mmmmmm..........

A day trip I highly reccommend if you want to experience a non-city side of KL is to Pulau Ketam (Crab Island). A fishing village. Walk around and explore a completely different culture - the restaurants in the village came highly recommended by some KL locals (however I didn't eat at any) for fish of course! Take the KTM train to Port Klang and then the ferry. I'd plan on 2 hours each way, including the train and ferry.
http://www.pulauketam.com/

My 2c.

I am traveling to Malaysia first of December. Kuala Lumpur to be exact. I am traveling with my 14 year old daughter. We want to visit Singapore while we are there and would like to visit some interesting place in and around Kuala Lumpur as well. I have looked at air fares on air asia and they are about 700 rm for us rt. So that sounds expensive. I would really like to drive as I have driven all over Europe including London and Ireland with no trouble. Some have told me that it would be crazy. I have been told the trains are really slow and take a long time to get there. I have not been told much about the buses. I am staying all nights in Kuala Lumpur as my hotel is booked and paid for for three nights. Singapore will just be a day trip to see what it looks like. I really need lots of information like:
1. Does BofA or Citi have ATM fee free access in either Kuala Lumpur or Singapore?
2. What is the best way to get between the two?
3. How do I get around to the various sites around Kuala Lumpur?
4. Where is the best place to get usd changed to malaysian money?
5. Should I bother with a prepaid phone card while there or just bite the bullet and use att global?
6. Do I need anything other than a passport for entry into either?
7. Are all areas safe during the daytime? Should I avoid any place in particular?
8. What to see and do?
9. Any other recommendations?
Thanks in advance.
jpatokal is an expert for your question but I will try and answer some of your questions:
2. Given your time constraints air seems to be the best unless you want to spend a night on the train. First class fare on the train is about 130 RM in a cabin with attached shower. Not a bad way to travel. You arive in SIN at about 7:00 in the morning. You can return by bus.
3. Despite the cabbies trying to charge you more, cabs in KUL are prretty cheap and convenient for sight seeing around KUL.
4. ATMS
5. Prepaid SIM cards are very cheap. Under 10 RM for the SIM with about 5 RM talk time. Rate to the U.S. is about 20 sen (.2 RM) per minute.
6,. All you need is your passport that is valid for 6 months beyond the date of entry.
7. As far as I know, yes. Much safer then many towns in the U.S. anyway.
8. It depends on how much time you have. With my kids, we have done the zoo, Batu caves, the Planetarium, KL Tower, Petronas Towers, Orang Asli Museum (was a bit of a disappointment). The firefly parky is a bit far, but doable in a day trip. In signapore, we did the zoo, the brid park, botanical gardens and lots of good food. There is also Sentosa Island.

1) You will be charged a fee by BoA and Citibank to use another ATM. Looking at the Citibank web site there is 1 branch in KL and 10 in Singapore.

2) If Air Asia is too expensive try checking Tiger Airways. Of course, the train and bus will be cheaper also. I've taken the bus many times without a problem. The only thing I don't like is you have to take all your bags off the bus with you when get off at the border and again when you get to the other border.

5) I would get a SIM card when I get to Malaysia. I think you can get one for about 8 ringgits with a little bit of credit on it. You will probably want to buy more credit. Make sure the phone you are using is unlocked and will work on the network in Malaysia.

I am traveling to Malaysia first of December. Kuala Lumpur to be exact. I am traveling with my 14 year old daughter. We want to visit Singapore while we are there and would like to visit some interesting place in and around Kuala Lumpur as well. I have looked at air fares on air asia and they are about 700 rm for us rt. So that sounds expensive. I would really like to drive as I have driven all over Europe including London and Ireland with no trouble. Some have told me that it would be crazy. I have been told the trains are really slow and take a long time to get there. I have not been told much about the buses. I am staying all nights in Kuala Lumpur as my hotel is booked and paid for for three nights. Singapore will just be a day trip to see what it looks like. I really need lots of information like:
1. Does BofA or Citi have ATM fee free access in either Kuala Lumpur or Singapore?
2. What is the best way to get between the two?
3. How do I get around to the various sites around Kuala Lumpur?
4. Where is the best place to get usd changed to malaysian money?
5. Should I bother with a prepaid phone card while there or just bite the bullet and use att global?
6. Do I need anything other than a passport for entry into either?
7. Are all areas safe during the daytime? Should I avoid any place in particular?
8. What to see and do?
9. Any other recommendations?
Thanks in advance.

Adding to the body of excellent advice:


2. What is the best way to get between the two?


Honestly, when you measure door-to-door times, the bus is not that much slower than flying when going from city center KL to city center Singapore. Especially when you are flying budget and won't have access to the train between the airport and downtown KL (the budget terminal is not connected to the train network and it takes a 30 minute bus ride to get to the train station). My best/worst time for the bus=4.5 hours/5 hours. My best/worst time using a budget airline = 3.75 hours/5.5 hours. You should be able to search on this forum for links to the bus companies (or google airebus, First Coach, Aeroline). The 3 budget airlines that fly this route are Air Asia, Tiger and Jet Star.

There are current sales on the budget airfares. I flew SIN-KUL in June for S$54 one-way AI.


3. How do I get around to the various sites around Kuala Lumpur?


For sites that are public-transport accessible, why not take the train e.g. LRT and the monorail. That's what I would do especially at peak traffic times. Google for network.


4. Where is the best place to get usd changed to malaysian money?

If you have a no fee ATM card (e.g. CapOne), then use the ATM. If not, use the many moneychangers available in KL. They can be found in pretty much every shopping mall (e.g. Bukit Bintang area), and transportation hubs (KL Sentral) etc. Their rates, while not exactly interbank, are very good. I was in KL in June. xe.com USD rates were 3.25780. Over the counter money changers offered 3.25 for large $100 bills.

I've had the same experience in Singapore as well with rates and location of moneychangers, and to a lesser extent Bangkok. Money changers in the region seem to have very thin margins.


7. Are all areas safe during the daytime? Should I avoid any place in particular?


Singapore=safe. KL=generally safe but exercise caution if you're carrying handbag (snatch thefts on the rise), beware of pickpockets etc.

5) I would get a SIM card when I get to Malaysia. I think you can get one for about 8 ringgits with a little bit of credit on it. You will probably want to buy more credit. Make sure the phone you are using is unlocked and will work on the network in Malaysia.

Immediately after you exit customs there is a Celcom booth on the right. The SIM card is RM8 with a full RM8 credit on it. They will activate it and configure everything for you right on the spot.

For sites that are public-transport accessible, why not take the train e.g. LRT and the monorail. That's what I would do especially at peak traffic times. Google for network.


I second using the train. In some cases it may be easier/faster/cheaper to take the train partway to where you want to go and then catch a cab. We had cabbies who, outside our hotel, wanted a ridiculous amount to take us to the caves outside of town. We got there much more reasonably by taking a train to the nearest stop and then catching a taxi.

I saw R/Ts (AA) from KL to Johor Baru for 134 Ringgits all in the first week of December.JOB is just across the causeway from SIN.Take into account that you will need to transport yourself from downtown KL to the AP a couple of hours before departure. And the fact that the bus station is in downtown KL your time advantage by flying may not amount to all that much.I took the public bus to Batu caves and walked just a short distance to the caves themselves. The night market in Chinatown and the food available there is a great catch.Go by one of the many gold shops and get you daughter a nice gold bracelet ring or chain.The price for jewelery is not much above the spot price for gold

Not much more to add to that, except that if you're getting 800 RM for KUL-SIN r/t on Air Asia, you're doing something wrong. The route is about to be fully liberalized on December 1st, and the three LCCs flying the route -- Air Asia, Tiger and JetStar -- have all quintupled their capacity on it, with tens of thousands of promo seats going for free.

I can't really recommend the KUL-SIN train as a means of transport unless you're a train buff. Even the first class sleepers aren't particularly comfortable, and it's just kinda slow and grotty over all. But here's my (old) trip report (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=317727) of the best that KTMB has to offer. If you can't find a suitable priced flight, then just take one of the luxury buses instead.

What about a rental car and driving myself?

There is no problem driving in Penisular Malaysia other than the sometimes horrendous traffic jams in KL and JB leading to the two entries into Singapore.

Your problem begins with trying to take a Malaysian registered vehicle into Singapore. First check with the rental agencies to see if they will allow it.

Second and much more important is that one needs to go through a number of fairly expensive and time-consuming hoops in order to bring a foreign vehicle into Singapore. Among those hoops are obtaining a device that automatically calculates and charges (pre-paid) the various road usage taxes including ERP fees. This is done automatically using the device that one sees on the dash or attached to the inside of the windshield of all cars in Singapore. Google will provide the answers since I do not have them at my fingertips.

One can, of course, drive to JB and park the car. Frequent bus service is available between the two cities. A taxi from JB into Singapore is fairly inexpensive. There are many threads on going between the two cities including ones on getting to the airport.

Singapore, btw, is not a RT day trip from KL. The bus is probably the best in terms of expense alternative. Since you seem to be quite cost conscious, I suggest that you stay in JB overnight in order to reduce the outrageous hotel costs found in Singpore.

PM if you wish further clarification.

I suppose one could go the rental car route if one was sufficiently intrepid/prepared. Logistics present a significant but not insurmountable challenge. It can be done. Lots of people drive KL-Singapore. Driving between KL and Singapore is the absolute fastest way to get from city to city (3.5 hours with some pedal-to-the-metal driving).

Avis approximates RM150/day for a sub-compact (Proton Wira). Apparently, they have no restrictions on going into Singapore.

To pull-this off, I'd recommend a GPS. There are freeware maps available on the net for Garmins. But you could also get by with just Google maps. Once you navigate out of KL, it is a straight shot all the way on the highway down to Singapore (there are 2 border crossing options off the highway). You have to factor in tolls (around RM100 rt). There are also tolls exiting KL's highways and tolls crossing either the bridge or Causeway into Singapore. All of which can be paid by cash at tollbooths.

At the border, you do not need the in-vehicle unit device used to charge tolls on Singapore's toll roads - with the strict caveat that you do not drive on such roads when tolls are in effect. You have to research the hours when such toll roads are in operation.

You would have to, however, get a pass at the Singapore border that takes the form of a smart card. Singapore charges approximately S$5/day (IIRC) for foreign vehicles. How this works is you are given the smart card with a $0 balance and before you leave Singapore, you have to ensure that there sufficient funds to cover the $5/day requirement. You top up the card at such places as 7-Eleven. You surrender the card upon exit at the Singapore border.

Parking in Singapore - many carparks are fully automated with unattended, automated gantries at exits. They accept only smartcards (the card you obtained at the border could be used for this). Other carparks might accept only coupons (which you'd have to buy).

Finally, I would not recommend parking in JB (the border city in Malaysia). Car theft is a risk, you would be driving a car with an out of state plate which increases the risk. While insurance covers you, you'd still have the hassle of taking care of even more logistics.

If you want to drive and you want to make a go of it (below include some keywords I'd suggest you google)
1) Map out your journey. The route is pretty straightforward - get out of KL (mostly highway from a rental car location), go to the North South PLUS highway, cross a causeway (or bridge) into Singapore.
2) I'd recommend an early morning start from KL say 6am to beat traffic in KL. This gets you in into Singapore at 9:30am-10am. Speed limit is 120 km/h on the highway but I'd say 130-140 km/h is a safe enough.
3) Use the Causeway to cross into Singapore. Park at Woodlands Town Center. Woodlands is the immediate vicinity of the Singapore Immigration complex at the border. There is no ERP (toll) at the woodlands area so that is one logistic hurdle out of the way
4) Use the subway/trains (MRT) to go from Woodlands into the downtown city (get off at Orchard Road and City Hall and Raffles Place and wander around). Around 50 minutes train ride from Woodlands.
5) Try not to attempt any of this on a weekend because traffic gets crazy at the causeway.

Not trying to hijack the thread, but does anyone have a suggestion for a budget hotel in Singapore?

While major roads signs in Malaysia are clear, most parking details (no parking, restricted parking, etc) are not translated into English. Taxis were fine until the government stopped limited the fare increase even though petrol prices are risen. Many taxis were refusing to turn the meters on and started to charge stupid fixed fares which is a shame.

Best exchange rates for changing USD are little stalls run by Asian/Indians with Money Changer signs. You may think they might be a tad dodgy but they are legit and can offer the best rates. Make sure you shop around first! Stick to $20 and $50 bills and smaller for the best rates as these are the denominations of notes that Malaysians want to buy when they go to the overseas.

My vote is for the train option as well - take a day trip and enjoy the scenery.

Taxis were fine until the government stopped limited the fare increase even though petrol prices are risen.

KL taxis run on gas and not petrol ....

1. Does BofA or Citi have ATM fee free access in either Kuala Lumpur or Singapore?
2. What is the best way to get between the two?
3. How do I get around to the various sites around Kuala Lumpur?
5. Should I bother with a prepaid phone card while there or just bite the bullet and use att global?

Thanks in advance.

1. Lots of Citibank ATM machines and branches in Singapore. If you're in a major mall (VivoCity, Paragon, etc), chances are you will find an ATM or more likely a branch. KL, OTOH, has the one branch but there are lots of moneychangers everywhere that can convert US$ and S$.

2. Air Asia is your friend! I usually fly them inbetween SIN-KUL.

3. You can take the confusing public transit system to most of the major sites. The Monorail, which is a whole block OUTSIDE KL Sentral goes to Bukit Bintang and the shopping/eating/nightlife area. The PUTRA line goes to KLCC and other spots. Get a guidebook with a map and read it on the flight over :D

5. The Celcom SIM is a good deal in KL. There's a shop in KL Sentral. In Singapore, I'd recommend Starhub Green Prepaid. It's US$12 and gives you free IDD (still gotta pay for local airtime though) calls to the US. You can buy one at any 7-11.

Also, if you want to treat yourself, consider staying at a swish hotel while in KL. When I stayed at the Hilton at KL Sentral in March, it was US$125/night and it was easily 4+ stars quality. If you're a Starwood person, there's a Le Meridian in the opposite tower. Can't beat the location either as it is part of KL Sentral AND if you're flying Air Asia or any of the other LCCs out of KLIA, the express bus to the LCCT (Low cost carrier terminal) leaves out of KL Sentral.

Other than that, eat the street food! They make a great roast pork and spicy chicken noodle soup!

Hi, I live in KL & Just a few things- sorry if I repeat others comments.

There are ATMs everwhere, Citibank included. I would recommend just using an ATM rather than changing USD to RM as even with the transaction fee I think you get a better rate of exchange. While money changers are all over.. sometimes it is a hassle to locate one.

A day trip to Singapore you will feel rushed and not relaxed - you would be able to do maybe one or two things - When I go for leisure I take the bus, it is easy and good. Do not under any circumstances take the KTMB, it is notorious for delays and it is slow. Flying -Air Asia is good and so is Jet Star- which would allow you to fly out of KLIA rather than the LCC- meaning it is easier to take the KLIA express train from the KL Sentral cutting your travel time to the airport. But for a quick one day trip the best bet would be to fly something out of KLIA - Look at the schedules you might want to fly on SQ or MAS due to frequency and timings. If you do fly on Singapore Air, not only can you change your itinerary should you need , they have a free bus that will take you all around Singapore to the different sights - the Singapore Air Hop on Hop off bus or something like that... I have never taken it but for 1 day it might be good. they have it for people with long layovers , which is essentially what you'd be doing. The main areas to check out in Singapore are the marina , Singapore Flyer, Merlion, Boat/Clarke Quay ( mostly eating) ,Serangoon Road ( Little India) , Chinatown and Arab Street. I'd skip Sentosa & the Zoo on a one day trip.

Back to KL Getting around town, It might be a good move to check with your hotel to see if they can get you a taxi and hire it for the day- make sure you insist on budget taxi or they hotels will try to get you a premier at a much higher cost, unless of course you want that. I have had friends that negotiated to get a budget taxi for around 50 RM or less to take them all over all day.

Depending on where you are staying Monorail & LRT might be quite a walk. I find it never really takes you where you want to go & you end up walking more than riding. Some taxis will try to charge you 5 times the meter rate, best bet is to not ask them how much before you get in just sit down and tell them where you want to go & insist they use the meter.If they don't just get out.

KL is safe except for the mentioned snatch thefts, just hang on to your belongings and don't walk with your purse on the traffic side of the street and always keep it on your lap when dining in restaurants. In KL Chow Kit is kind of a notoriously bad area but they have a great wet market there if you are interested in that sort of tourism.

Get a SIM card because it just will make it easier and the rates are cheap.
Also when leaving the airport - I recommend using the KLIA express. It is fast & safe. then from KL sentral you can taxi to where ever you are staying. They have free porter service to assist you with your luggage if need be- they also do a VIP service for 100Rm that picks you up outside customs & assists you all the way to your hotel .

Driving in KL is a bit of an art form and unless you are planning to drive out of town - for 3 days I wouldn't bother. The road signs are mostly in Bahasa,but easy to figure out , but the problem is they don't really help you on where to go .. they have a habit of putting them right at the exit and many of them state the same destination , maps are poor and traffic is bad.. not to mention that the car/motorcycle mix can be scary at times. I would advise against renting a car unless you want to drive to SG or get out of town. You will most likely get very lost in the city.

I'd recommend Batu Caves, Petaling Street, Little India, Central Market ,Petronas Towers, Menara KL ( the telcom tower - has great views of the city & the forest there ( Bukit Nana) has some monkeys- you can take a walking path down the hill) ,For eating- Jalan Alor ( although it has been recently renamed) - at night it is full of hawker restaurants with delicious food. Shopping , Sungai Wang is an experience - Bukit Bintang is a main area that is good to walk down with loads of shops & restaurants ranging from luxury goods to street stalls.

If you can't make it to Singapore another short trip out of town is to Melaka ( Malacca) , great food and history ( Locals argue who has better food in Malaysia - Melaka or Penang.. both are amazing) it is about 1.5-2 hr drive from KL also there are the Cameron Highlands tea plantations about 3 hr drive from KL.

Hope this helps & hope you enjoy your time here!

I appreciate the information. The main point in going to Singapore is to say we went there, take a quick run to the center of town and leave. That to me is a day trip. If there aren't a lot of historical buildings, I will not be there long anyway. Not interested in shopping or eating while there at all. The reason for the car is to drive down to Singapore to get a feel for the country side. Not to tour KUL. I don't know what I would do with three days in KUL seeing that I don't shop or eat a lot. Historical or unusual places is my interest. I also don't want to sit around the hotel a lot. It is the Hilton by the way. I would like to see some unusual places and the Batu Caves are a must for my trips. That is the only place other than Petronis on my list currently. Hardly 3 days worth. Any more ideas are welcome.

OK, above, I suggested that you park in JB and take a taxi into Singapore. Yes, JB is not one of the safest places to just leave a car on the street, but neither is Manhattan. That said, a safe place to leave a car in JB is at the Puteri Pacific Hotel http://www.puteripacifichoteljohorbahru.com/

The conceirge will call you a JB taxi to take you to Singapore. You can on return either take a taxi from Queen Street, take the bus from Queen Street to Malaysia customs and an overpriced taxi the few blocks back to the Puteri Pacific or a taxi to the causeway and the bus across the causeway and the overprice JB taxi to the hotel where your vehicle will have been reposing in an underground garage safe and sound.

You can also visit Malaka (Malacca) which is closer on the Ekspresway.

An alternative might be a quick over and back to Indonesia on Air Asia.

BTW Malaysia Air may still have a zero Ringit, zero SGD fare between KUL and SIN which should bring your cost to less than the 700 ringit you qouted above. Also Jetstar Asia and Air Asia fly the route. MH leaves from the regular terminal which is 70 ringit round-trip per person on the KLIA Ekspres directly across the street from the Hilton.

I am going to get there on THU evening about 9p and leaving out on SUN evening about 10p. So that leaves me all day FRI, all day SAT and most all of the day on SUN. So I could do the Batu caves and Petronis on FRI or SAT and then on the other day take a train, bus or car down to SIN for the day. I don't mind leaving out real early in the morning and getting back late in the evening. Now what I got to figure out is what is the least expensive way to get down there. I have looked at the websites for the airlines and all of the rates are outrageous that I am seeing. I cannot find an English site giving me the other information. But I don't want to do a seperate hotel in SIN but if push comes to shove I guess I could. Now I still have another day to use. I would like to go out and see a rain forest if it is near and interesting.

Malaysia Air (MRY 900.00 rt)
Jet Air (No Flights)
Air Asia (MYR 150.00 rt)

Not interested in shopping or eating while there at all.

You're &*#$'in crazy. The only reason to go there is for the food.

Why do you want to take the time to go somewhere just to say you went there? What significance is there? It's not like space tourism.

Malaysia Air (MRY 900.00 rt)
Jet Air (No Flights)
Air Asia (MYR 150.00 rt)

At 3+ MYR to the $ what is the problem?

Certainly seems like an odd remit from the OP - the food out there is just wonderful!

It's only been mentioned in passing, but the KL airport is well out of town and located towards Singapore, so you definitely want to start or finish your trip there, rather than schlepping in and out of KL.

Also, IMO, far more to do in Singapore than KL, especially with kids, but if you're set on not paying for a hotel in SIN:

How about Thu & Fri nights in KL then an overnight train to SIN on the Saturday night, arriving first thing Sunday morning. Another option would be a very early start in a long distance taxi down to Johor then take the local bus across from there.

Once in Singapore, take the bumboat tour on the river, Asian Civilisations museum, a look round Raffles and perhaps even afternoon tea in the Fullerton (don't eat at Raffles :mad:) then hop on the plane back to KUL. If you want to save a few $$$ look at options via Johor Baru but that will cost you extra time as noted above.

The reason for the car is to drive down to Singapore to get a feel for the country side.
KL-SIN is among Malaysia's (and the world's) most boring drives. The route is a flat as a pancake and you're not going to see any idyllic countryside at all, just >200 km of palm and rubber plantations.

I would like to see some unusual places and the Batu Caves are a must for my trips. That is the only place other than Petronis on my list currently. Hardly 3 days worth. Any more ideas are welcome.
KL is not one of those cities chock full of Attractions with a capital A. Just go to Bukit Bintang, Chinatown etc and walk around (and eat!) without too many preconceptions, and you might be surprised by what you'll find.

Please let us know what you ended up doing.

Anyone interested in the B of A part of the OP's question, the bank doesn't offer free ATM access in either Singapore or Malaysia. It only has partners in UK, France, Germany, Mexico, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Those $5 fees can really add up, especially when you run into very low per transaction limits.

Adding to the body of excellent advice:



Honestly, when you measure door-to-door times, the bus is not that much slower than flying when going from city center KL to city center Singapore. Especially when you are flying budget and won't have access to the train between the airport and downtown KL (the budget terminal is not connected to the train network and it takes a 30 minute bus ride to get to the train station). My best/worst time for the bus=4.5 hours/5 hours. My best/worst time using a budget airline = 3.75 hours/5.5 hours. You should be able to search on this forum for links to the bus companies (or google airebus, First Coach, Aeroline). The 3 budget airlines that fly this route are Air Asia, Tiger and Jet Star.

There are current sales on the budget airfares. I flew SIN-KUL in June for S$54 one-way AI.



For sites that are public-transport accessible, why not take the train e.g. LRT and the monorail. That's what I would do especially at peak traffic times. Google for network.


If you have a no fee ATM card (e.g. CapOne), then use the ATM. If not, use the many moneychangers available in KL. They can be found in pretty much every shopping mall (e.g. Bukit Bintang area), and transportation hubs (KL Sentral) etc. Their rates, while not exactly interbank, are very good. I was in KL in June. xe.com USD rates were 3.25780. Over the counter money changers offered 3.25 for large $100 bills.

I've had the same experience in Singapore as well with rates and location of moneychangers, and to a lesser extent Bangkok. Money changers in the region seem to have very thin margins.



Singapore=safe. KL=generally safe but exercise caution if you're carrying handbag (snatch thefts on the rise), beware of pickpockets etc.

Useful info, thank you!

Anyone interested in the B of A part of the OP's question, the bank doesn't offer free ATM access in either Singapore or Malaysia. It only has partners in UK, France, Germany, Mexico, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Those $5 fees can really add up, especially when you run into very low per transaction limits.

Is China Construction Bank still on the list? I was in Shanghai last March and took money out w/o any fee.

I appreciate the information. The main point in going to Singapore is to say we went there, take a quick run to the center of town and leave. That to me is a day trip. If there aren't a lot of historical buildings, I will not be there long anyway. Not interested in shopping or eating while there at all. The reason for the car is to drive down to Singapore to get a feel for the country side. Not to tour KUL. I don't know what I would do with three days in KUL seeing that I don't shop or eat a lot. Historical or unusual places is my interest. I also don't want to sit around the hotel a lot. It is the Hilton by the way. I would like to see some unusual places and the Batu Caves are a must for my trips. That is the only place other than Petronis on my list currently. Hardly 3 days worth. Any more ideas are welcome.

Well, KL has the Padang Merdeka; it's the center of old KL and where independence (merdeka) from the UK was declared in 1957. Singapore has a bunch of historical sites scattered around. I like old shophouses and drinking, so I go to Emerald Hill. The Singapore National Museum has been reborn and is supposed to be pretty neat. Visit Changi Prison museum for a dose of humility. Singapore, I'd give more than a day. And in both cities, you can eat well for little money. ^^^

1. Does BofA or Citi have ATM fee free access in either Kuala Lumpur or Singapore?
2. What is the best way to get between the two?
3. How do I get around to the various sites around Kuala Lumpur?
5. Should I bother with a prepaid phone card while there or just bite the bullet and use att global?
6. Do I need anything other than a passport for entry into either?


1. Citibank has free (no surcharge or fee) ATM access in SG and KL if you're Citigold.
2. Air Asia. JetStar Asia. Or Aeroline Bas. In that order.
3. The PUTRA, which has a stop inside KL Sentral or the KL Monorail that terminates at the KL Sentral parking lot. They have a stored value card called a Touch n Go that works on transit.
5. Neither. At KL Sentral, near the Starbucks, there's a Celcom booth. Pick up a prepaid SIM card. It costs something like US$5.00 or something like that. Make sure you have a GSM phone (ATT, T-Mobile) and that it's SIM Unlocked. ATT roaming is extremely expensive.
6. Generally, a US passport is fine. I've read that Malaysia has a problem with Israel stamps in passports since they don't recognize their existence.

6. Generally, a US passport is fine. I've read that Malaysia has a problem with Israel stamps in passports since they don't recognize their existence.
Israeli stamps are not a problem. Israeli passport holders, however, need a visa in advance.

Is China Construction Bank still on the list? I was in Shanghai last March and took money out w/o any fee.

The web site no longer lists China as having a freebie.

2. What is the best way to get between the two?

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I used the KL to Singapore train just 2 months ago. Thought it wasn't too bad. I booked the first class seats because when I originally started my train ride it was in Butterworth and FC were the only seats available. Price was pretty good. Had some cheap chicken and rice meals available.

Customs checks for Malaysia was on the train and at our seats, for Singapore we got off and went into a building in one door, got stamped in and left through a different door and back to the train. Didn't take that long.

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I use a debit card overseas with a MasterCard affiliation. This card is through my credit union, they pay for my ATM fees even overseas, at least the first 5 withdrawals and after that it is around $2 US per ATM use. I take out the maximum I can to cut down on fees. I did use my card in Malaysia to get some ringgits.

Good luck.

Israeli stamps are not a problem. Israeli passport holders, however, need a visa in advance.

I just entered with a US passport and an Israeli stamp with no problem.

Has something changed though? I thought Israeli citizens were not allowed into Malaysia at all.

2. What is the best way to get between the two?

*

I used the KL to Singapore train just 2 months ago. Thought it wasn't too bad. I booked the first class seats because when I originally started my train ride it was in Butterworth and FC were the only seats available. Price was pretty good. Had some cheap chicken and rice meals available.

Customs checks for Malaysia was on the train and at our seats, for Singapore we got off and went into a building in one door, got stamped in and left through a different door and back to the train. Didn't take that long.

*

I use a debit card overseas with a MasterCard affiliation. This card is through my credit union, they pay for my ATM fees even overseas, at least the first 5 withdrawals and after that it is around $2 US per ATM use. I take out the maximum I can to cut down on fees. I did use my card in Malaysia to get some ringgits.

Good luck.

Good to know ... I tried to get ringgits in the US through BofA and it wasn't listed for foreign exchange ...

Has something changed though? I thought Israeli citizens were not allowed into Malaysia at all.
Israelis do need special permission from the Ministry of Umpty-Ump (hence the advance visa requirement), but based on the number of Israeli businessmen and engineers I've met in Malaysia, these don't seem to be too hard to get.