Singapore - KL by bus
Jan 12, 2014, 8:26 pm
#1
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Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 866
Singapore - KL by bus
How long does it take to travel from Singapore to KL (Bukit Bintang area) by bus? Are any bus companies better than the others? Also, are there any pros / cons of booking a seat in the first row, diagonally across from the driver? (I will be travelling on my own)
Jan 12, 2014, 8:57 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Terra Australis Cognita
Posts: 5,350
Four hours plus depending on the bus operator, occasionally much slower if you travel at a particularly bad time when the roads and immigration are jammed (Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, etc).
There are huge differences between the operators/buses and spending an extra $10 for a better one is usually well warranted; make sure they use the Second Link (much faster than going via JB) and have a toilet on board (less stops). The nicer buses have lots of single seat options. The companies are locked in an endless arms race, but the major players are listed here:
http://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Singapore#By%20bus
I've found Aeroline and Transtar to be good luxury options, and First Coach to offer a speedy but fairly no-frills ride. YMMV.
There are huge differences between the operators/buses and spending an extra $10 for a better one is usually well warranted; make sure they use the Second Link (much faster than going via JB) and have a toilet on board (less stops). The nicer buses have lots of single seat options. The companies are locked in an endless arms race, but the major players are listed here:
http://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Singapore#By%20bus
I've found Aeroline and Transtar to be good luxury options, and First Coach to offer a speedy but fairly no-frills ride. YMMV.
Jan 12, 2014, 10:10 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SIN and wandering.
Posts: 1,549
I personally would not sit in the first row, cuz there are no seatbelts in these buses.
Jan 13, 2014, 1:35 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,025
.... and don't forget the train. The night service saves on a hotel, and if you can purchase the ticket in Malaysia it's cheap.
Paying in MYR on a Singapore departure involves a Singapore to Johor ticket in SGD and a Johor KL ticket in MYR. Slightly complicated but electronic tickets make it easy: more details in http://www.seat61.com/Malaysia.htm#Fares
Paying in MYR on a Singapore departure involves a Singapore to Johor ticket in SGD and a Johor KL ticket in MYR. Slightly complicated but electronic tickets make it easy: more details in http://www.seat61.com/Malaysia.htm#Fares
Jan 13, 2014, 7:55 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SG
Posts: 133
I took Aeroline twice, once in 2010 and once in 2011. The coach was comfortable and the service was OK. If you're considering taking it, I have a short review here : http://piggeeks.net/feng/index.php/one-world-hotel/
Some buses that are more expensive have more leg space, better service, have a toilet on-board for light usage (no pooping) and serves food and drinks, with power sockets for charging devices and have on-board entertainment ^
Some buses that are more expensive have more leg space, better service, have a toilet on-board for light usage (no pooping) and serves food and drinks, with power sockets for charging devices and have on-board entertainment ^
Jan 15, 2014, 4:32 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Terra Australis Cognita
Posts: 5,350
.... and don't forget the train. The night service saves on a hotel, and if you can purchase the ticket in Malaysia it's cheap.
Paying in MYR on a Singapore departure involves a Singapore to Johor ticket in SGD and a Johor KL ticket in MYR. Slightly complicated but electronic tickets make it easy: more details in http://www.seat61.com/Malaysia.htm#Fares
Paying in MYR on a Singapore departure involves a Singapore to Johor ticket in SGD and a Johor KL ticket in MYR. Slightly complicated but electronic tickets make it easy: more details in http://www.seat61.com/Malaysia.htm#Fares
Jan 31, 2014, 12:28 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2
It will be taking hours for completing your trip and if you require to book such a seat visit this link hope this would help http://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Singapore#By%20bus
Apr 6, 2014, 5:43 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,907
Jul 15, 2014, 8:32 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 344
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Nearly all companies plying between KUL and SIN are directly bookable on either easibook or busonlineticket, sometimes with a considerable discount. Here you will also find info of which exact bus will be used (although that sometimes changes last minute) and where the departure and arrival is located.
Originally Posted by astrokia
Hi, I boarded a bus from Golden Mile at 12mn today and reached Berjaya Times Square at 450am.
I came across this while searching for my return trip. Where can I board a bus back to Singapore?
I came across this while searching for my return trip. Where can I board a bus back to Singapore?
Jul 16, 2014, 7:20 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,907
[SIZE=1]Nearly all companies plying between KUL and SIN are directly bookable on either easibook or busonlineticket, sometimes with a considerable discount. Here you will also find info of which exact bus will be used (although that sometimes changes last minute) and where the departure and arrival is located.
$20 and 4 hour difference in travel time.
Jul 18, 2014, 6:30 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Terra Australis Cognita
Posts: 5,350
You can't always get a $90 return on AirAsia; you can pretty much always get a $70 return on the bus. Also, when you factor in travel time to/from the airport, security, immigration yadda yadda, the actual savings are much less than four hours, although it's better than it used to be thanks to the new direct train to KLIA2.
Jul 18, 2014, 8:30 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: UA MM, Hilton-Dia
Posts: 1,480
The Straits Times did a comparison of the different travel options (IIRC perhaps 2 years back with the advent of the multiple budget air carriers starting this route): car, train, bus, air and the conclusion was that there was not that huge a difference between bus and air in total travel time - city center to city center - a little less than an hour differential.