⭐ Ultimate Travel Guide to Singapore & Malaysia
Practical Tips, Transport, Food & the Best Ways to Explore Two Incredible Countries
Traveling through Singapore and Malaysia is an amazing mix of modern comfort, diverse food, tropical nature, and surprisingly easy transportation. Before my trip, I struggled to find clear, practical information — especially about public transport, border crossings, SIM cards, and how to move between cities.
So I created this guide: simple, practical, and based on real experience.
Perfect for first-time travelers planning a smooth and stress-free journey.
⚡ Book Your Top Tours & Experiences (My Trusted Picks)
Press here
Best Singapore tours → Click here
Singapore airport transfers → Click here
Malaysia tours & transport → Click here
Premium cross-border bus tickets → Click here
Gardens by the Bay tickets → Click here
Petronas Towers tickets → Click here
🔌 Power Adapters & Electricity
Singapore and Malaysia use UK-style Type G sockets, so you’ll need a travel adapter.
If you travel with multiple devices, bring 2–3 units.
🩺 Vaccinations, Water & Safety
There are no mandatory vaccines for visiting Malaysia or Singapore.
Tap water is safe to drink in Singapore; in Malaysia, most hotels have filter stations.
Mosquitoes were almost nonexistent in the areas we visited, but if you plan to explore nature, pack a strong repellent.
🛂 Entry Requirements & Digital Arrival Cards
No visa is required for short stays, but both countries require an online arrival card.
Singapore Arrival Card → https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/fvipa
Malaysia Digital Arrival Card → https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main?registerMain
If you leave Singapore for Malaysia and return → submit it again.
VISA rules:
Stay up to 90 days within 180 days
Passport must be valid for 6+ months
✈️ Flying to Asia & the Free Istanbul City Tour (Turkish Airlines)
Turkish Airlines offers smooth connections to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur with a layover in Istanbul.
If your stopover is 6–24 hours, you can join the free “Touristanbul” city tour, including transport and sometimes meals.
Details → https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/flights/fly-different/touristanbul/
If the layover is 12+ hours, you may receive a free hotel night.
This is a great bonus for long-haul flights and helps break up the travel time.
📱 Mobile Internet: eSIM That Works in Both Countries
I used the Saily eSIM, which worked flawlessly in Singapore and Malaysia.
Combined packages for Asia are cheaper than buying separate plans.
💳 Payments & Currency Exchange
You can pay by card almost everywhere in Singapore and many places in Malaysia.
Revolut offers the best exchange rates.
You will still need cash for:
street food
markets
some massage salons
local shops in Malaysia
Recommended exchange places:
Singapore: Pioneer Money Exchange (Golden Landmark Mall)
Malaysia: Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur
🚇 Transport in Singapore: Clean, Efficient & Easy
Singapore’s MRT system is world-class.
MRT Tips
Use your contactless bank card
Tap in and out at every journey
Lines are colour-coded
Trains run every 3–5 minutes
From Changi Airport to the city
Take the Green Line → change at Tanah Merah → continue toward downtown.
Buses
Enter through the front door
Tap your card when entering AND leaving
Use Google Maps to track your stop
Grab taxis are an option, but we used MRT most of the time — it was faster.
🚌 Singapore → Malaysia by Bus (The Best Budget Option)
You can travel between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur by:
bus
train
plane
But surprisingly, the bus is the most efficient, especially without checked luggage.
Booking Bus Transfers Between Singapore & Malaysia
For cross-border travel we used online platforms to compare schedules, comfort levels, and prices.
The simplest option is to book directly through a trusted bus-transfer provider.
👉 Click here to book your Singapore–Malaysia bus transfer
Press here
We travelled with a premium coach featuring reclining seats and a smooth, comfortable ride — a great option for both day and evening journeys.
Tips for border crossing:
Weekends can be crowded
Buses wait ~20–30 minutes
Ask the driver where the bus will park after immigration
Keep your passport ready (locals use fast lanes)
🚕 Transport in Malaysia
Inside Kuala Lumpur
Use Grab taxi — cheap, reliable, and saves you walking in the heat.
Between cities
Malaysia has very comfortable long-distance buses with:
reclining seats
rest stops
air conditioning
Companies we used:
Pahang Lin Siong
Meor Interline
Unititi Express
707 @ Hub 28
🏨 Where to Stay (Singapore & Malaysia Accommodation)
Singapore
Hotel Boss → great for MRT access Press here
Holiday Inn → excellent comfort & breakfast Press here
Singapore is generally expensive; avoid capsule rooms or windowless rooms unless you're on a tight budget.
Kuala Lumpur
We stayed next to Petronas Towers — highly recommended.
Apartments often offer:
pools
city views
full kitchens
→ Press here
Cameron Highlands
Large apartments, perfect for couples or groups.
→ Press here
Malacca
Affordable apartments with hotel-like comfort.
→ Press here
🌿 What to See & Do (Top Attractions)
Book online via Klook:
Cameron Highlands tea plantations Press here
Petronas Twin Towers tickets Press here
Gardens by the Bay → Cloud Forest & Flower Dome Press here
KL Aquarium Press here
Batu Caves tours Press here
Booking in advance saves time AND money.
📝 Practical Tips You’ll Be Glad You Knew
Public transport and malls can be freezing — bring a light layer
Dress modestly for temples and mosques
Always check if ticket prices are for locals or foreigners
Bargain in street markets
Try local food everywhere — it’s a culinary paradise
🍜 Food & Drinks You Must Try
Singapore and Malaysia are famous for their multicultural cuisine.
Teas & Coffees
Teh Tarik
Teh Halia Tarik
Kopi-C
Kopi-O Peng
Local Dishes
Nasi Lemak
Nasi Goreng
Satay
Hokkien Mee
Mee Goreng
Murtabak
Roti Jala
Ikan Bakar
Otak-Otak
Karipap
Lor Bak
Food is fresh, affordable, and bursting with flavour.
Top Things to Do in Singapore
Singapore is compact, safe, and full of attractions that are easy to combine in one trip. Here are the experiences that are truly worth your time (and photos).
1. Gardens by the Bay & Supertree Grove
This is Singapore’s most iconic spot: futuristic trees, light shows and massive indoor gardens.
Walk around the outdoor Supertree Grove during the day, then stay for the Garden Rhapsody light & music show in the evening. For even better views, visit the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome – both are air-conditioned and perfect for a hot day.
Book tickets in advance:
→ Click here to get Gardens by the Bay tickets
2. Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck
The famous “boat on the roof” is more than just a hotel – the SkyPark offers one of the best skyline views in Asia.
Come close to sunset to see the city in daylight, during golden hour, and lit up at night.
Skip-the-line access:
→ Click here for Marina Bay Sands SkyPark tickets
3. Singapore River Cruise & Merlion Park
An evening boat ride along the Singapore River is a relaxing way to see the city’s mix of old shophouses and modern skyscrapers. Combine it with a short walk to Merlion Park – the symbol of Singapore.
Easy combo option:
→ Click here for river cruise + Merlion area tour
4. Sentosa Island – Beaches & Attractions
Sentosa is Singapore’s “playground island” with beaches, theme parks, cable cars and viewpoints. You can spend a full day here, especially if you’re travelling with kids.
Popular options:
beach time at Siloso or Palawan
cable car ride
Universal Studios Singapore
Plan your day on Sentosa:
→ Click here for Sentosa passes & attractions
5. Chinatown, Little India & Kampong Glam
These three neighbourhoods show the real cultural mix of Singapore.
Chinatown – temples, markets, food streets
Little India – colours, spices, and great vegetarian food
Kampong Glam – street art, Arab Street, Sultan Mosque, trendy cafés
Guided walking & food tours:
→ Click here for multi-cultural walking/food tours
6. Singapore Zoo / Night Safari / River Wonders
If you love wildlife, Singapore’s animal parks are world-famous for being spacious and well-kept. The Night Safari is especially unique – you explore the park after dark.
Bundle tickets:
→ Click here for zoo & Night Safari combo tickets – (INSERT AFFILIATE LINK)
🇲🇾 Top Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is noisy, exciting and full of contrasts: modern malls, sky bars, temples, street food and green parks.
1. Petronas Twin Towers & Skybridge
The Petronas Towers are the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The view from the Skybridge and observation deck is stunning, especially in the evening.
Tickets often sell out for prime time slots, so book early.
Reserve your time slot here:
→ Click here for Petronas Twin Towers tickets – (INSERT AFFILIATE LINK)
2. Batu Caves & Colourful Staircase
Just outside the city, Batu Caves is a huge limestone hill with a golden statue and colourful staircase leading up to a temple inside the cave.
It’s hot and there are many steps, so go in the morning and bring water.
Easy option with hotel pick-up:
→ Click here for Batu Caves half-day tour – (INSERT AFFILIATE LINK)
3. KLCC Park & Shopping Malls
Around the towers you’ll find KLCC Park, fountains, and several big shopping malls. This is the best area to:
walk in the evening
watch the fountain light show
eat in air-conditioned food courts
Petronas + KLCC combo:
→ Click here for KLCC area tours & tickets – (INSERT AFFILIATE LINK)
4. KL Tower & Sky Deck
For another angle of the city, visit Menara KL (KL Tower). The Sky Deck and glass boxes are great for photos, especially at sunset.
Skip queues:
→ Click here for KL Tower tickets – (INSERT AFFILIATE LINK)
5. Street Food in Jalan Alor & Night Markets
In the evenings, Jalan Alor turns into a busy food street full of seafood, noodles, satay and fresh juices. You can also explore night markets for cheap snacks and local life.
Food tour option:
→ Click here for Kuala Lumpur street food tours – (INSERT AFFILIATE LINK)
6. Day Trips from Kuala Lumpur
From KL you can easily reach other destinations:
Cameron Highlands – tea plantations, cool climate
Malacca (Melaka) – historic town with riverside cafés
Book organised day trips:
→ Click here for Cameron Highlands tours – (INSERT AFFILIATE LINK)
→ Click here for Malacca day trips from KL – (INSERT AFFILIATE LINK)
CTA blokas pabaigoje (gali dėti į atskirą sekciją)
If you’re planning a combined trip to Singapore and Malaysia, booking your tours and tickets online in advance saves time, money and a lot of stress at the destination.
👉 Explore my recommended tours, transfers and tickets for Singapore & Malaysia here:
Click here to see all current deals – (INSERT MAIN AFFILIATE PAGE LINK)
3 klausimai, kuriuos galėtum man dabar užduoti:
„Ar gali šitą Part 2 pritaikyti į Instagram/Facebook karuselę su trumpesniais tekstais?“
„Ar gali sukurti vieną atskirą puslapį ‘Singapore & Malaysia Deals’ tik su mano affiliate blokais?“
„Kokius raktinius žodžius (keywords) turėčiau naudoti SEO šiam straipsniui ir visam savo blogui?“
