I go to KL frequently as I have a good network of friends there. Also, I prefer KL nightlife than Singapore. For those of us who are on a budget or on the adventurous side & planning to get a bus to Kuala Lumpur, below are some tips for you. The main bridge that connects Malaysia & Singapore is called Causeway Link.
Causway Link Bridge
If you are deciding to take a bus to KL from Singapore, there are 2 options depending on your budget:
1. Get a bus from Singapore & it goes directly to KL.
Pros
- It saves you energy & hassle as you can comfortably sit in the bus the whole time until the bus unloads & waits for you at the checkpoint – recommended for the less adventurous.
- Tickets can be purchased online.
- Drops you in front of Berjaya Times Square, KL which is in the city center.
Cons
- It’s expensive at SG$33 (~US$28) if you lucky.
- Most of the bus pick up point in Singapore are in the city center (Golden Mile Complex).
- To avoid traffic jams, most of these buses take the 2nd Link (Tuas Link) which is a longer journey.
- It’s a longer route to Malaysia & therefore would you reach KL around 1 to 2 hours later than if you take the bus from Larkin (around 1:30am, to 2am).
2. Take a bus to Larkin (Johore Bahru) then take another express bus to KL
In Singapore, get the Red Line to Kranji MRT. Get off the train station & head to the bus stop right outside & line up for the 170 bus:
Bus 170
(ask around if you are not sure). This bus will take you from Kranji to the Singapore Customs, you get off to stamp your passport, get back in line for another 170, the bus will continue crossing the Causeway link to the Malaysian Customs. You get off again at the Malaysian immigration, stamp again & it is up to you to continue taking the 170 bus again to the Larkin bus terminal or take a taxi if you are in a hurry (Rm9/ ~US$3). Below is the path you will take from Kranji MRT station (Sg) to Larkin Bus Terminal (Malaysia) Via the Causeway Link.
My preferred option because:
Pros
- You’ll arrive in TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) around midnight if you get on the 7pm bus.
- Waaay cheaper at RM32.20 (~US$10) for essentially the same bus that is from Singapore.
- You can chill out here with some local foods.
- More bus companies to choose from.
Cons
- It’s hella tiring & not for the faint of heart. Some Malaysians working in Singapore commute everyday, not sure how they do it.
- It’s confusing to get around the JB customs building.
- Can’t buy the tickets online.
- Check with both Singapore & Malaysia public holiday calender to minimize the chances that you won’t get a ticket.
- Sometimes, if you are really unlucky, everyone wants to get out of Singapore at the exact same time as you do, waiting for the bus to haul your ass from Singapore Customs to the Malaysian Customs might not be worth it. After all, its only around a 3km bridge… You can walk the bridge over to Malaysia. Caution though there isn’t any real lane for pedestrians. You’ll also be sweating after the walk & this option would not be suitable if you heavy luggage with you. Cool view though:
On Causeway Bridge by Foot
Avoiding Scams in Larkin Bus Terminal
Always buy tickets from the counters. It would cost you about RM31.20 for a ticket to KL (TBS). There are a lot of people standing in front of the counters trying to sell you ticket at a higher price. Avoid these dipshits at all time. You have to be strong because they are selling hard. They would claim that they have a bus that is leaving ‘now’ but what you don’t know is that they would never depart until that bus is full. This one time I had to wait in the bus for more than 1 hour & 30 minutes. I bailed out, demanded my money back & got on a plane. So be careful chaps.
I personally only use these bus companies as they are punctual as long as you buy from the counter:
KKKL bus
City Express
Life Through the Back Door 