Singapore Day Trips: Malaysia and Indonesia from the City
How to plan a day trip from Singapore, from Malacca to Bintan
By Ketut Sari · 4 min read
Singapore is the most-central city in Southeast Asia, and the day trips to the surrounding countries are the most-distinct. This is the guide to the day trips — to Malaysia (Malacca, Johor Bahru, the Cameron Highlands, the Penang) and to Indonesia (Bintan, Batam, the Riau Islands).
The 5 day-trip options
Option A: Malacca (Malaysia) — the most-photographed day trip
The 4-5 hour by bus from Singapore, the most-photographed day trip from the city. The Dutch Square (the most-photographed), the A Famosa fortress, the Jonker Street (the night market, the most-distinct), the Baba-Nyonya heritage. The 1-day trip is the standard.
How to get there: The bus from the Singapore Lavender MRT, the most-direct. 4-5 hours, S$20-30. The car or taxi (the 3-hour drive, S$100-150) is the alternative.
Best for: The history-buffs, the foodies, the culture-seekers.
Option B: Johor Bahru (Malaysia) — the most-photographed weekend trip
The 1-hour drive (or 5-minute train) from Singapore, the most-photographed weekend trip. The Legoland Malaysia (the most-photographed for the kids), the Johor Premium Outlets (the most-photographed for the shopping), the Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Temple (the most-photographed Hindu temple), the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque (the most-photographed mosque).
How to get there: The KTM shuttle train from the Woodlands, the most-direct. 5 minutes, S$5. The car or taxi (the 1-hour drive, S$50-80) is the alternative.
Best for: The families, the shoppers, the weekend-trippers.
Option C: Bintan (Indonesia) — the most-photographed island day trip
The 1-hour ferry from Singapore, the most-photographed island day trip. The 6-km² island, the most-photographed for the beaches, the most-distinct for the resorts. The Trikora Beach, the Tanjung Pinang, the most-photographed 1-day trip.
How to get there: The ferry from the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, the most-direct. 1 hour, S$40-60 round-trip.
Best for: The beach-lovers, the resorts, the families.
Option D: Batam (Indonesia) — the most-photographed weekend trip
The 1-hour ferry from Singapore, the most-photographed weekend trip. The 715-km² island, the most-photographed for the golf, the most-distinct for the spa. The Nagoya Hill, the Barelang Bridge, the most-photographed 1-day trip.
How to get there: The ferry from the HarbourFront Ferry Terminal, the most-direct. 1 hour, S$40-60 round-trip.
Best for: The golfers, the spa-seekers, the weekend-trippers.
Option E: The Cameron Highlands (Malaysia) — the most-photographed multi-day trip
The 6-7 hour by bus from Singapore, the most-photographed multi-day trip. The tea plantations, the strawberry farms, the mossy forest. The 2-day trip is the standard.
How to get there: The bus from the Singapore Golden Mile Complex, the most-direct. 6-7 hours, S$25-40.
Best for: The slow travelers, the tea-lovers, the nature-seekers.
How to plan the day trip
The visa
- Malaysia: 90-day visa-free for 60+ countries. The Singapore-Malaysia border is the most-photographed, the most-distinct.
- Indonesia: 30-day visa-free for 60+ countries. The Singapore-Indonesia border is the most-photographed, the most-distinct.
The transport
- The bus: The most-affordable, the most-photographed. The standard for the Malacca, the Cameron Highlands.
- The ferry: The most-photographed, the most-distinct. The standard for the Bintan, the Batam.
- The car or taxi: The most-convenient, the most-expensive. The standard for the Johor Bahru.
The customs and immigration
The Singapore-Malaysia border (the Woodlands, the Tuas) is the most-photographed, the most-distinct. The wait time can be 1-2 hours during the peak season. The Singapore-Indonesia border (the Tanah Merah, the HarbourFront) is the most-photographed for the ferries.
What to know
- The day trips are the most-photographed, the most-distinct. The standard is 1 day for the Johor Bahru, the Bintan, the Batam; 2 days for the Malacca, the Cameron Highlands.
- The cost is the most-affordable, the most-distinct. The standard is S$50-150 for the day trip, including the transport, the food, the activities.
- The Singapore-Malaysia border is the most-photographed, the most-distinct. The wait time is the most-photographed, the most-distinct.
What to skip
- The "day trip to Bali": Bali is the 2.5-hour flight, the 1-day trip is the most-rushed, the most-distinct. Skip the day trip, do the 4-5 day trip.
- The "day trip to Bangkok": Bangkok is the 2.5-hour flight, the 1-day trip is the most-rushed, the most-distinct. Skip the day trip, do the 3-4 day trip.
Cost (1 day, per person, 2 sharing, mid-range)
- Malacca: S$100-150 (bus + food + activities)
- Johor Bahru: S$50-100 (train + food + shopping)
- Bintan: S$150-300 (ferry + food + activities)
- Batam: S$100-200 (ferry + food + activities)
- Cameron Highlands: S$100-150 (bus + food + accommodation)