Singapore to Kuala Lumpur: Alternative to flying
Discussion
Coming to Singapore at the end of the month then need to go to KL.
I'm getting cheesed off with flying internally wherever I go as I never get to see any of the country so just wondering if there's a decent train service or is it drivable?
Just fancy a change.
Local knowledge greatly appreciated.
I'm getting cheesed off with flying internally wherever I go as I never get to see any of the country so just wondering if there's a decent train service or is it drivable?
Just fancy a change.
Local knowledge greatly appreciated.
StevieBee said:
Coming to Singapore at the end of the month then need to go to KL.
I'm getting cheesed off with flying internally wherever I go as I never get to see any of the country so just wondering if there's a decent train service or is it drivable?
Just fancy a change.
Local knowledge greatly appreciated.
I paid about a tenner to get the coach from KL to Singapore - takes about 5 hours including customs. Reclining seats, TV and Subway sandwhich included!I'm getting cheesed off with flying internally wherever I go as I never get to see any of the country so just wondering if there's a decent train service or is it drivable?
Just fancy a change.
Local knowledge greatly appreciated.
Aeroline coaches are prety good ... https://www.aeroline.com.sg/
Also can catch a Malaysian taxi from Jalan Besar in Bugis.
Or take a bus over the causeway to JB then catch a local train to KL.
Now that Air Asia are on the SG KL route its no longer the most expensive air route per mile, and can be done for a $200 or so. However they fly to the LCCI that is a long way out of KL and there is no Duty Free between SG and KL so .....
Finally could pick up a hire car from JB.
Also can catch a Malaysian taxi from Jalan Besar in Bugis.
Or take a bus over the causeway to JB then catch a local train to KL.
Now that Air Asia are on the SG KL route its no longer the most expensive air route per mile, and can be done for a $200 or so. However they fly to the LCCI that is a long way out of KL and there is no Duty Free between SG and KL so .....
Finally could pick up a hire car from JB.
I've taken the train a few times as i hate bus motion and I quite like trains.
The problem is it takes about 7 hours. There are only a few places where the train can get up to speed. Buy a single seat from Singapore and if you want to come back the same way buy the return ticket in Malaysia for about half the price. Last time i went (June 2009 ) it was about 70 Sing First Class from Singapore to Malysia and 70 RM from Malysia to Singapore.
First class is really not but its comfortable. Toliets are abit dodgy and food on train is very basic but they have plastic tea and coffee on the train. Goes into Sentral which is on the LRT route for town and the west and right underneath the Hilton which I like.
You get to see parts of Singapore and Malaysia you dont normally see. Hard to recommend it as special - you have to like that kind of thing but worth the experience once I think.
The problem is it takes about 7 hours. There are only a few places where the train can get up to speed. Buy a single seat from Singapore and if you want to come back the same way buy the return ticket in Malaysia for about half the price. Last time i went (June 2009 ) it was about 70 Sing First Class from Singapore to Malysia and 70 RM from Malysia to Singapore.
First class is really not but its comfortable. Toliets are abit dodgy and food on train is very basic but they have plastic tea and coffee on the train. Goes into Sentral which is on the LRT route for town and the west and right underneath the Hilton which I like.
You get to see parts of Singapore and Malaysia you dont normally see. Hard to recommend it as special - you have to like that kind of thing but worth the experience once I think.
Edited by dohcltd on Wednesday 28th April 04:58
GlenMH said:
Does the train still do that run? It was very quaint when I did it about 12 years ago.
Indeed it does.But be careful when you get it, as theres balls all to do on it iirc- it was a bout 4/5 years ago i went.
I would say get an overnight coach, as it has dvd's, and stops every so often at service stations etc. so you can get food and stuff, where as the train just goes on and on.
The overnight train is distinctly rattly, even in First Class. And the border procedures are a pain in the arse, you are herded into a big shed in the middle of the night and kept there for a good half hour!
I love overnight/long train journeys, have done several in Africa and Asia. Don't bother with this one. During the day, maybe!
The total lack of sleep was somewhat offset by the lovely nap and subsequent lazy day at the Shangri-La however
I love overnight/long train journeys, have done several in Africa and Asia. Don't bother with this one. During the day, maybe!
The total lack of sleep was somewhat offset by the lovely nap and subsequent lazy day at the Shangri-La however
XJSJohn said:
just did Sepang (next to klia) to Changi y road in 3 hrs dead on a public holiday and without any excessive speeding so a car seemsto win this race, all i need is Top Gear now!!!
John: whats the deal on rentals? can you rent a car in Singapore and drive to KL?.......very temptingRDMcG said:
XJSJohn said:
just did Sepang (next to klia) to Changi y road in 3 hrs dead on a public holiday and without any excessive speeding so a car seemsto win this race, all i need is Top Gear now!!!
John: whats the deal on rentals? can you rent a car in Singapore and drive to KL?.......very temptingIf you are interested, before you come over again i can put you in touch with a few companies that have better cars than the standard toyota altos, things like Subaru Legacy or BMW 325i's etc.
Still not mind blowing but more entertaining.
I will show you how to pay speeding fines when you get here,;)
XJSJohn said:
RDMcG said:
XJSJohn said:
just did Sepang (next to klia) to Changi y road in 3 hrs dead on a public holiday and without any excessive speeding so a car seemsto win this race, all i need is Top Gear now!!!
John: whats the deal on rentals? can you rent a car in Singapore and drive to KL?.......very temptingIf you are interested, before you come over again i can put you in touch with a few companies that have better cars than the standard toyota altos, things like Subaru Legacy or BMW 325i's etc.
Still not mind blowing but more entertaining.
I will show you how to pay speeding fines when you get here,;)
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