If you’re wondering how to get from Singapore to Melaka by bus, you’ve come to the right place.
Traveling by bus is definitely the cheapest and most convenient option with tickets costing only about US$ 17.
In this step-by-step guide, I will tell you everything you need to know about taking the bus from Singapore to Melaka, including what to expect and other helpful tips.
In a hurry? Buy your bus ticket here so you can save time by not having to queue up at the bus station!
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Read more about Singapore and Malaysia:
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- The ultimate Singapore itinerary for 4 days
Getting from Singapore to Melaka (Malacca) by bus
There is no direct flight from Singapore to Melaka so taking the bus is the only option. Bonus point – it’s cheap and thus great for budget travelers.
Below is a step-by-step guide to getting to Malacca from Singapore by bus.
Step 1: Buy your ticket online
While you can buy your ticket at the bus station on the same day, it’s best to book online to save time and ensure you get a seat.
CHECK BUS SCHEDULE AND PRICES HERE
I highly recommend booking your ticket a few days in advance especially if you’re traveling during Chinese New Year, weekends, or public holidays. You can use Easybook to compare prices and buy your bus ticket.
Note that there isn’t a main bus terminal in Singapore and each bus operator has its own bus station across the country.
Tip: I recommend choosing a departure point (bus station) closest to your accommodation in Singapore to save money on transportation.
You can choose from one of these bus stations in Singapore:
- Queen Street
- City Plaza
- Golden Mile Complex
- Concorde Hotel Singapore
Some of the most common bus operators serving the route from Singapore to Melaka are Delima Express, 707Inc, Luxury Coach, and Golden Coach Express.
Buses are comfortable and they all have reclining seats with sufficient legroom.
Step 2: Leaving Singapore
Make sure to arrive at the bus station at least 15-30 minutes before. If you’re taking the bus from Queen Street in Singapore, you’ll find a small counter along the main road where you can redeem your ticket.
Some of the bus stations have free drinking water fountains and toilets. The one at Queen Street has both.
Once the bus arrives, just show your ticket to the driver. He will then help you store your belongings in the luggage compartment and you’ll be off to Melaka.
Note: There isn’t a toilet on the bus but there will be one toilet stop about halfway through. You can also use the toilet at the Malaysia immigration checkpoint.
Step 3: Singapore Border Checkpoint
The first stop of your travel from Singapore to Melaka will be at the Singapore Woodlands checkpoint. You won’t have to take your luggage with you for now and you’ll only need your passport, bus ticket, and Singapore arrival card.
The immigration officer will then scan your passport and take your fingerprints which should take about 15-30 minutes. Luckily for me, this took only about 5 minutes but it might take longer for others.
Note that buses are normally allowed to wait at the border for a maximum of 30-40 minutes.
So if you’re traveling alone, make sure to take note of your bus plate number and ask another traveler to notify the bus driver in case you get delayed at immigration.
Step 4: Malaysia Border Checkpoint
The next stop will be at the Malaysian border. This time you’ll have to bring your luggage.
The immigration officer will stamp your passport and you’ll be directed to another line for customs control where they will scan your luggage. Once you’re done, you can hop back on the bus.
Step 5: Arriving in Malaysia
The total journey from Singapore to Malacca by bus takes approximately 4-5 hours.
Most buses will drop you off at Melaka Sentral which is about a 20-minute drive from the Dutch Square where most of Melaka’s hotels and attractions are found.
You have two options to get from Melaka Sentral to the Dutch Square – public bus or Grab taxi. Personally, I found Grab to be more convenient since it’s faster and costs only about RM 8.
If you’re on a budget, you can take the bus No. 17 which departs every 30 minutes and costs about RM 2 (check the route and schedule here).
Note: Some bus operators will also drop off their passengers at certain hotels within the city center. So make sure to choose a drop-off point closest to your hotel when booking your bus ticket.
Price of Singapore to Malacca bus ticket
The Singapore to Melaka bus ticket costs about US$ 17 depending on the bus company. Buses depart every 15-30 minutes almost 24/7.
CHECK BUS SCHEDULE AND PRICES HERE
Is there a train from Singapore to Melaka?
There is no direct train from Singapore to Melaka. Taking the train will be very time-consuming as you’ll first have to take a bus to Singapore Woodlands checkpoint.
After clearing through immigration and customs, you’ll then have to go to Johor Bahru Sentral.
From there, you’ll need to take a train to Gemas railway station before transferring to Tampin which is about a 1-hour drive from the city center.
As you can see, taking the train isn’t very convenient so you’re better off traveling by bus instead.
Getting back from Melaka to Singapore
Most buses traveling from Melaka to Singapore will depart at Melaka Sentral.
To get to Melaka Sentral, take the public bus No. 17 or hire a Grab taxi. If you’ve booked your ticket online, there’s a specific counter inside the bus terminal where you’ll need to redeem your ticket.
If you want to buy your ticket onsite, you’ll find a row of yellow ticketing kiosks near the departing gate. Note that most of them only accept payment by the Touch ‘n Go eWallet.
Alternatively, you can go to the ticket counter to buy your Malacca to Singapore bus ticket.
I recommend that you buy your bus ticket in advance if you want to guarantee a seat on the bus. You can check the bus schedule and buy your ticket by clicking the link below.
CHECK BUS SCHEDULE AND PRICES HERE
The next step will be similar to the above but in reverse. You’ll then have to go through immigration and then custom control before arriving in Singapore.
Don’t forget to choose a drop-off point in Singapore that’s closest to your hotel. The Melaka to Singapore bus ticket costs about US$ 17.
I hope you found this guide to taking the bus from Singapore to Melaka helpful. If you have any questions, just ask in the comment section below.
Read more about Singapore and Malaysia:
- How to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by bus?
- The best ways to get to Malacca from KL
- Singapore & Malaysia itinerary for 4-12 days
- Malaysia itinerary for 2 weeks on a budget
- 20 short trips to take in Malaysia
- What to do in KL in 2 days?
- The ultimate Penang itinerary
- Ipoh itinerary for first-time visitors
- Top things to do in 3 days in Langkawi