Which Is The Cheapest Way To Travel To Kuala Lumpur (KL): Flight, Train, Bus, Car, or Taxi?

With the Singapore dollar trading favourably against the Malaysian ringgit, many Singaporeans may be looking to make a trip to Malaysia. While Johor Bahru is the gateway, there are many other parts of Malaysia that we can explore further. If you want to head to the capital city of Kuala Lumpur (KL), here are the five common modes of transport to get you there.

Let’s find out which is the cheapest way to travel to KL: flight, train, bus, car or taxi?

Cost Of Travelling To Kuala Lumpur By Flight (From S$90)

Now that flight movement have been restored, there are plenty of flights flying from Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). You can find one departing at almost every hour, ranging from budget airlines to full-service airlines.

The typical round-trip airfares range from S$140 to S$240 for budget flights such as Scoot or AirAsia, and around S$300 to S$800 for full-service carriers such as Singapore Airlines. Prices can also increase significantly during peak seasons like during the December holidays. Single-trip tickets typically cost about S$90 to S$230.

The flight time is about one hour which is the shortest travel time. However, it doesn’t include the time taken at the airport for check-in, boarding, baggage, etc. Additionally, as the airport is not located within the city, you would also have to factor in the additional travelling time of 30 mins to an hour.

Once you arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), you can choose to get to the city centre by the KLIA express train (KLIA Ekspres) from the airport to KL Sentral which takes 30 minutes and cost RM55 (one-way) or RM100 (return). Bus transfers are available to KL Sentral for about RM15 (one-way) or RM30 (return) but take at least an hour (more depending on traffic conditions). Taxi metered fare would cost at least RM90 or more depending on traffic conditions and additional surcharges.

Cost: S$140 to S$240 for round-trip or about S$90 to S$230 for single-trip and RM55 (S$17) for KLIA express train to city

Time: One hour flight (and at least one hour departure and arrival time), 30 mins express train to city centre

Read Also: 7 Complimentary Airline Items You Can Enjoy On Your Holiday Flight

Cost Of Travelling To Kuala Lumpur By Train (Under S$45)

The much-awaited direct Electric Train Service (ETS) from Johor Bahru (JB Sentral) to Kuala Lumpur (KL Sentral) was launched in December 2025. This cuts down the travelling time and offers greater convenience compared to the previous route, which required passengers to transit from JB Sentral to Gemas before continuing to KL Sentral.

Passengers can choose between Gold and Platinum tickets, with the main difference being travel time and onboard amenities. Gold tickets cost between RM82 and RM86, with the journey from JB Sentral to KL Sentral taking about 4 hours and 36 minutes. Platinum tickets cost between RM106 and RM119, with a slightly shorter journey time of around 4 hours and 20 minutes.

Platinum ticket holders also get complimentary light snacks. They can choose between Standard and Business Class seats, with Business Class offering wider seats, extra legroom and meals. Gold tickets only come with standard seating.

For travellers starting from Singapore, you can take the KTM Shuttle Tebrau from Woodlands Train Checkpoint to JB Sentral for RM16, before switching to the ETS service to KL Sentral from the same station.

Assuming you take the KTM Shuttle Tebrau and a Gold ETS ticket, the total one-way fare would start from about RM98, or around S$32.

In total, the fare would be about RM98 to RM135 for a one-way ticket. Time taken would be around 4 and a half hour, not including time taken to transit between the different trains and waiting time at checkpoint.

Cost: Between RM98 and RM135 (or around S$31 and S$43)

Time: Four and a half hour

Cost Of Travelling To Kuala Lumpur By Bus (From S$25)

If travelling by coach sounds more comfortable to you, consider taking a tour bus takes you directly from Singapore to KL. There are more than 20 bus operators listed on Easybook with different pick up and drop off points.

Pick up points in Singapore include: Golden Mile Tower (Starmart Express, Transtar Travel), Golden Mile Express Bus Terminal (Billion Stars), Katong V Mall (KKKL), Kovan Hub 206 (KKKL), Boon Lay ( Mutiara, Super Nice, Star Qistna, & Starmart Express), Jurong East (WTS), Yishun (WTS), Our Tampines Hub (WTS).

Drop off points in KL include: Berjaya Times Square (Cityline, Star Qistna, Transtar, Starmart Express, The One Travel & Tour, WTS), Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (KKKL, Star Qistna, Starmart Express, & Tnah Global), KL Sentral (Star Qistna, Cityline),  LaLaport (Tnah Global, Billion Stars, Cityline, Iman Express, Transtar, KKKL, Super Nice, Grassland, Mutiara, & Delima).

Depending on where you are staying or visiting in KL, you can choose an operator that better suits your location. Prices range from S$25 to S$60 for a single trip and the average travel time is about five and a half hours in good traffic condition.

Cost: about S$25 to S$60 for a single trip.

Time: Five hours

Cost Of Travelling To Kuala Lumpur By Car (About S$23 For Tolls)

Driving to KL is possible for drivers who can manage the five to six hours’ drive along the North-South Expressway, the E2 highway. There are rest stops along the highway if you need to take a break from driving mid-way.

The advantage of driving is the convenience (you don’t have to exit the vehicle for immigration clearance unlike train and bus) and flexibility (you can stop and rest whenever you want or make a side trip elsewhere)

That said, toll charges are an additional cost to factor in. The estimated toll from Johor Bahru (Skudai) to Kuala Lumpur (Sungei Besi) via the North-South Expressway is around RM33.30 one-way. Depending on your destination, there might be additional toll charges when you enter downtown KL or use other expressways.

Additionally, you also need to factor the toll charges when entering Johor Bahru from Singapore, which is typically around S$8 to S$12. This brings the total toll cost for a one-way drive from Singapore to KL to around S$19 – S$23.

Drivers will also need to have a valid Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) as well as Touch ‘n Go card to make toll payments

Cost: about S$19 – S$23 for toll charges one-way, not including petrol costs.

Time: Four to Five hours

Read Also: How Much Does It Cost For Singapore Cars To Enter Malaysia? And Is It Worth Your Time (And Money)?

Cost Of Travelling To Kuala Lumpur By Taxi (More Than S$300)

Cross-border private car services are available from Singapore to KL. One such service is SGMYTRIPS which costs about S$340 for a Toyota Innova or S$390 for a Toyota Alphard which can accommodate up to seven people, and S$390 for a Hyundai Starex which can accommodate up to 10 people for a one-way trip.

Similar to travelling by car, there is the convenience of not exiting the vehicle for immigration clearance as well as not having to share the space with outsiders.

Cost: S$340 for a Toyota Innova for a one-way trip or S$390 for a Toyota Alphard or Hyundai Starex for a one-way trip

Time: 5 hours

Flight Is The Fastest Option But Bus Is The Cheapest For A Single Traveller Without A Car

For most single travellers, travelling by coach would be the cheapest and time efficient way of travelling to KL. For a budget fare of S$25 or S$60 for a more luxurious option, you can be fetched from Singapore (even in the heartlands) to the major hubs in KL. You can be travelling in business class level of comfort for a price that is cheaper than a budget flight.

However, if you value time, flying to KL is the fastest and quite affordable if you choose a budget fare flight. For under S$150, you can be in KL in less than two hrs, less than the time taken to cross the Causeway at peak periods.

If you are travelling in a group of more than seven persons, sharing a private car service that can accommodate larger groups can make more sense than everyone paying for individual coach fares. Seven people sharing $360 for a Hyundai Starex would cost about $55, which is in the upper range of bus fares. However, there is the advantage of crossing immigration clearance without exiting the vehicle, the convenience of not lugging baggage and the fun of making as much chatter in the vehicle without annoying other passengers.

Read Also: Complete Guide To Multi-Currency Accounts And Wallets In Singapore [YouTrip, Revolut, Wise, DBS My Account, UOB Mighty FX And More]

This article was originally published on 8 September 2022 and updated with new information.

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