We were about to finish off our two-month backpacking trip and our flight back to
Manila was at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Fifteen hours before our
flight, we were still in Singapore. We could’ve opted for the easier option of
booking a VIP bus that goes directly to Kuala Lumpur with stops at the border
for immigration purposes but no, we chose to take the longer but cheaper route,
by commuting.
After
two months of beach frolicking on some key beach destinations in Malaysia,
Thailand, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Singapore, we are heading back home. Beach Hop Asia 2016 is about to end and I couldn’t be much happier.
We
woke up very early and left Beary Best Hostel in Chinatown then headed to
Singapore’s MRT. As told by the friendly reception guy at the hostel, crossing
the border from Singapore to Malaysia is easy as a pie if you just know where
to go. We followed his advice and got down at Kranji MRT Station.
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| Singapore's Kranji MRT Station |
From
there, we found numerous money exchange counters wherein you could buy
Malaysian Ringgit using Singapore Dollar. We still have enough Ringgits at that
time and went on to queue on the bus stop where SBS Transit Bus#170 would stop. (Note: Bus#170 (red plate) will end
at Larkin Bus Terminal while Bus#170
(blue plate) will end at JB Sentral).
 |
| Bus Stop for SBS Transit Bus#170 |
We
waited for a few minutes and then hopped on to the bus that will end at Larkin
Bus Terminal. We paid SGD1.90 and were told not to lose the ticket stubs that
were given to us as this will be used for the Malaysian bus counterpart when we
get to the border.
 |
| Don't worry, it'll just be a ten-minute ride |
The
bus ride to the border was swift and in just ten minutes, we were dropped at
the immigration office for passport control. After we’re done with the
mandatory passport check, we went out of the office and looked for the bus stop
for the next available bus going to the Malaysian side of the border. You can
ride any available bus as long as it’s from SBS company with the same bus
number.
 |
| Singapore Passport Control |
We
got into the bus that was waiting and then were brought to the Malaysian side
of the border in around four minutes.
 |
| Crossing the border |
We,
again, did the necessary procedures to get cleared by the immigration officers.
There are few money changers right outside the x-ray area wherein you could buy
Malaysian Ringgit.
 |
| Malaysia Passport Control |
We
asked around for the bus stop for the Malaysian counterpart of SBS Transit Bus
and then found the Bus#170 that was
going to Larkin Bus Terminal. We then boarded it using the ticket we had from
our first bus in Singapore.
 |
| Bus Stop for Bus#170 |
We
were brought to the bus terminal and then hopped on to another bus that brought
us to the buses that will go to Kuala Lumpur and/or Kuala Lumpur International
Airport.
DIY
border crossing from Singapore to Malaysia (Johor Bahru) may sound easy but it’s
time-consuming and takes a lot of effort to do it. If you have the money to spare
then you can book a direct bus at your own comfort, but if you’re on a really
tight budget (just like us) then you could try this route which saved us a huge
amount of money.
Or you could stay overnight in Johor Bahru. Check here for discounted hotels in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
Check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Singapore
Or you could stay overnight in Johor Bahru. Check here for discounted hotels in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
Check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Singapore
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