KL to Singapore for the weekend - thinking of taking the bus(!)

[Febs]

OK bear with me here, I haven't stumbled onto the wrong forum by mistake...

As I mentioned in another thread, I've got another work trip to KL coming up in May, including a weekend by myself. Due to the fact that 1) There's not a whole lot to do in KL and 2) I've pretty much done all the good parts already, I'm looking to travel somewhere for the weekend.

On previous trips I've flown to Langkawi and Kota Kinabalu for the weekend - I considered doing the same this time, or going somewhere else like Penang, but as much as I love Air Asia (really, I've had nothing but good experiences), and as cheap as their sale fares are (LGK $24 return all-in!), I'm nervous about flying anywhere (particularly on a LCC) as I have to be back in KL for the Monday morning. No ifs or buts.

..so that leaves me considering Singapore for the weekend - by bus. I know Singapore is the sort of place you see in a few days, and I've already seen it...but I'd rather spend the weekend there than KL again. I figured I could probably fly with a trustworthy airline from the main terminal for not too much, but then the taxi trip from KL city to KUL on a Friday evening is horrendous, and if I'm adding up all that travel time, I might as well just take the safer option and take a bus, catch up on some sleep etc...

Thoughts? Seems to take about 4 hours and cost about $30 each way. Is that about right? Any suggestions for bus lines? Any to stay away from? I'm staying and working in Mid Valley (not too far from KL city), so a bus from the city would probably be easiest.

Appreciate any advice - even if it's "don't be stupid" or suggestions on where else I could go. Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[dajop]

Thoughts? Seems to take about 4 hours and cost about $30 each way. Is that about right? Any suggestions for bus lines? Any to stay away from? I'm staying and working in Mid Valley (not too far from KL city), so a bus from the city would probably be easiest.

4 hours is possible, all going well. If you hit the borders with a stack of other buses and/or heavy traffic in KL 4 hrs can easily turn into 6+ hours! Having said that you can get some pretty good coaches buses with 1-2 or 1-1 seating, akin to regional J class on a plane (or in QF speak dreamtime type seats), and seat back looped videos. So all in all not to bad, but then again the KL Espres can get you to the airport quicker than a taxi and coupled with decent flight should beat the bus, as don't forget the bus may have to face the same sort of traffic a taxi does in escaping KL. If going to SIN I'd be inclined to escape via plane, and consider returning via bus.

 

[Major]

Have you thought about the train ?

How to travel by train Singapore - Kuala Lumpur - Penang - Bangkok

 

[richie9x]

I have done that journey with Aeroline. I was pretty happy with the service. If I remember correctly it was closer to a 5 hour journey. Is alright if you have the time to spare and want something different. The journey isn't all that scenic. There is a food stop in the middle. Bus leaves from a hotel near KLCC and arrives near the cruise ship terminal in Singapore.

I think 4 hours is a bit wishful thinking. You could probably do it in car. But in a bus it would be doubtful.

I think there is also another bus company that leaves from Times Square, as you quite often see tourists lining up their with their bags. The cheaper buses leave from Pudu Sentral, but I would avoid these unless you are on a tight budget.

Another option is Firefly, they are a subsidiary of Malaysian airlines. They fly turbo props from Subang airport (KL's main airport before KLIA) to Singapore. It is much closer to the city so will be easier to get to. Probably a 20-30 minute cab ride from Mid Valley.

 

[docjames]

Have you thought about the train ?

How to travel by train Singapore - Kuala Lumpur - Penang - Bangkok

+1 and i believe there is a thread somewhere of someone who did the train previously (but in the other direction iirc)

 

[wingspan]

Being a train lover, I'd definitely take the train if I wanted to go from KL to Singapore. I'd also stop for a while in Johor on the way to go durian tasting.

Having said that, I would also recommend flying MH to Penang for the weekend. Very reliable, very cheap, and there's no town quite like Georgetown.

 

[Febs]

Another option is Firefly, they are a subsidiary of Malaysian airlines. They fly turbo props from Subang airport (KL's main airport before KLIA) to Singapore. It is much closer to the city so will be easier to get to. Probably a 20-30 minute cab ride from Mid Valley.

Firefly I like too - I stayed out near Subang (Saujana Resort) for work last year and took a trip to Kota Kinabalu on Firefly for the weekend. Would be happy to fly them again. As you say too - much closer to Mid-Valley and the city. Hadn't considered that, thanks.

Have you thought about the train ?

How to travel by train Singapore - Kuala Lumpur - Penang - Bangkok

I hadn't, but will look into it, cheers!

If going to SIN I'd be inclined to escape via plane, and consider returning via bus.

That's definitely an option...may just look into that, thanks.

Being a train lover, I'd definitely take the train if I wanted to go from KL to Singapore. I'd also stop for a while in Johor on the way to go durian tasting.

Having said that, I would also recommend flying MH to Penang for the weekend. Very reliable, very cheap, and there's no town quite like Georgetown.

I've tried Durian once, and I that was enough... :shock: Definitely an "acquired taste".

Georgetown I was considering, but this doesn't really sell it for a weekend visit:
"Georgetown takes its religious resting days. Most of the town stops working for the latter half of Saturday, and all of Sunday. Many shops and restaurants are closed during these times and the streets are extremely sleepy and quiet, with little tourist friendly activity going on" (WikiTravel)

Anything specifically that makes it worth visiting (keeping in mind I'll be solo and it'll be the weekend)?

Thanks for all the replies.

Cheers,
-Febs.

 

[Canny man]

In the good old days, you could fly first class from Sing to KL for a few $ more than the regular price. This enabled you to spend several hours in the FLounge at Changi on the way back checking whether there is a physical limit to how much Krug you can consume.

This was in the 90's so it may not be viable any more.

I'd also be tempted to hire a car and head across to the East Coast. Stunning scenery on the drive and you can stay in an A frame at somewhere like Cherating for next to nothing.

 

[wingspan]

I've tried Durian once, and I that was enough... :shock: Definitely an "acquired taste".

Georgetown I was considering, but this doesn't really sell it for a weekend visit:
"Georgetown takes its religious resting days. Most of the town stops working for the latter half of Saturday, and all of Sunday. Many shops and restaurants are closed during these times and the streets are extremely sleepy and quiet, with little tourist friendly activity going on" (WikiTravel)

Anything specifically that makes it worth visiting (keeping in mind I'll be solo and it'll be the weekend)?

I'm a bit of a durian addict. Am quite excited about heading to Adelaide this weekend as there is a little dessert bar specialising in durian and I intend to go and get my fix!

Georgetown is charming. I was there for a weekend last May and didn't find that the town stopped working at all. My partner and I stayed around this area, which I particularly enjoyed as we went to Malay mamaks nearby for dinner each night, and ate around the Indian quarters for lunch, and strolled around the Chinese quarters (you can see a house where Sun Yat Sen was based while in Malaysia). I think I enjoyed it because there are a lot of places where you can see historic Malaysia throughout the country, but in Georgetown you can really feel the mix of the cultures and see how it all would have come together. The architecture is stunning, the food divine, the nights are beautiful and balmy.

The only reason that I would suggest that now may not be the best time for you is that it may not be the best city to spend too much time alone. I walked around a lot on my own during the day and at night and certainly wasn't worried about my own safety, but I think it could be hard to meet/chat/interact with many others. But I would say it's definitely worth visiting at least at some point.

Let us know what you do end up deciding to do!

 

[k_sheep]

I've gotten the train multiple times and find it comfortable and (dare I say it!) fun. I've almost always gotten the overnight sleeper trains - mainly because I was a poor student and that way I saved $$ on accomodation.

Bus from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore : journeymalaysia.com is a very good guide to the busses within malaysia. I find Transnasional has the best service and the busses are always super comfortable.

Personally I love KL and can't understand why you'd want to leave to go to singapore!

 

[clifford]

I've gotten the train multiple times and find it comfortable and (dare I say it!) fun. I've almost always gotten the overnight sleeper trains - mainly because I was a poor student and that way I saved $$ on accomodation.

Bus from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore : journeymalaysia.com is a very good guide to the busses within malaysia. I find Transnasional has the best service and the busses are always super comfortable.

Personally I love KL and can't understand why you'd want to leave to go to singapore!

Have to say you're writing a lot today. But that's OK.

IMHO KL is a rat hole, and Penang is really nice. For a weekend, just go to the Holiday Inn resort at Batu Feringghi. You'll love it and the prices are quite reasonable.

Why would anyone want to go KUL-SIN by bus or train when the airfares are usually less than AUD 30?

 

[k_sheep]

Have to say you're writing a lot today. But that's OK.

But what's surprising is that we're agreeing on things :shock: (well except KL!). I have an important exam coming up, so naturally, I'm doing anything but study.

Sometimes the bus or train is a lot easier - it can be a pain to get to KUL airport, and there are times when the timings might not be much different. Plus there's the bonus of avoiding 2 nights' accomodation. *shrug*

 

[Timba-Jet]

For a short weekend trip, I would take a bus over the train. The train takes 1-2 hours longer than bus and there is much more choice in terms of bus carriers and dept/arr times.

Another option could be Melaka.

 

[Febs]

Why would anyone want to go KUL-SIN by bus or train when the airfares are usually less than AUD 30?

Thought I made that pretty clear in the first post...it's nothing to do with the cost. I'm happy to spend a few hundred to go somewhere decent, I just absolutely need to be back in KL by Sunday night, so don't want to risk flying (particularly an LCC).

As mentioned earlier - flying out and bussing/training it back might be an option...or catching an early enough flight so that if it's cancelled, I can still catch a bus/train. I actually found some decent Jetstar flights (would they give me lounge access in SIN?)

 

[dajop]

T I actually found some decent Jetstar flights (would they give me lounge access in SIN?)

Yes. If FCL lounge is open at the time you fly, you will get in there, otherwise you can get into Business Lounge.

 

[Febs]

Yes. If FCL lounge is open at the time you fly, you will get in there, otherwise you can get into Business Lounge.

Thanks, wasn't sure if the same rules applied to 3K as JQ.

 

[Febs]

Hmm, $90 return on 3K, including QFF points and SCs, at pretty reasonable times. Maybe I should just do that...and catch a bus if everything goes awry on the way back.

Presume I'd be OK to buy DF alcohol at Changi on the way back to KUL (within Malaysia's 1L allowance)? Better range and prices than KUL.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[markis10]

Hmm, $90 return on 3K, including QFF points and SCs, at pretty reasonable times. Maybe I should just do that...and catch a bus if everything goes awry on the way back.

Presume I'd be OK to buy DF alcohol at Changi on the way back to KUL (within Malaysia's 1L allowance)? Better range and prices than KUL.

Cheers,
- Febs.

No duty free is allowed for Malaysian arrivals into Changi, however it is OK for departures at Changi back to KL AFAIK.

 

[dajop]

Yes. If FCL lounge is open at the time you fly, you will get in there, otherwise you can get into Business Lounge.

Oh ignore my original comment. Lounge times at SIN have been revised since QF 32 was chopped and replaced by evening departure of QF2 - now both FCL and J lounge don't open until 15:00 (J lounge used to open around 7am). So if on a 3K flight departing before 15:30 you would not have lounge access. After then you would.

 

[Timba-Jet]

Lounge times at SIN have been revised since QF 32 was chopped and replaced by evening departure of QF2 - now both FCL and J lounge don't open until 15:00 (J lounge used to open around 7am). So if on a 3K flight departing before 15:30 you would not have lounge access. After then you would.

Damm, a cheapie Jetstar 3J flight out of SIN in the morning/midday is not as attractive anymore.

Anyone think lounge operating cost was a factor in the retiming of QF32/2 or is that being too cynical?

Anyway Changi is a great airport to keep entertained without a lounge.