It was time to return to Singapore following an amazing three months spent touring Malaysia while staying in Singapore Kuala Lumpur And Penang. Since my bus ride from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur was so enjoyable, I chose to forego the airfare and do the same trip back. However, I wanted to alert others about the BillionStars bus business because I had one of the worst travel experiences of my life.
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Must-See Singapore Kuala Lumpur And Penang
Bersepadu Selatan Terminal Station (TBS)
Instead of picking Berjaya Times Square bus station, where you have to wait for buses on the side of the road, I felt it would be simpler to go from TBS station. I arrived at TBS at 10:55 a.m. after grabbing a Grab and heading out early. After 15 minutes of waiting in line with exactly 55 RM in cash for a ticket, I found out there was a 55 cent service charge, which I didn't have. Only cash is accepted at the ticket desks and machines. I ultimately decided to Singapore Kuala Lumpur And Penang.
Before going to Gate 18, I quickly used the restroom and got some refreshments. I had plenty of time to wait at the gate because the bus was scheduled to arrive at 11:45. The bus didn't arrive until 1pm, so I waited! Everyone at the gate had a really irritating experience because there were no staff updates or indications of how long we would be waiting. When the bus finally pulled up, we scanned our tickets and placed our bags below it.
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Going Out of TBS Station
We finally left TBS about 1:10 p.m. We were astonished to arrive in Berjaya Times Square at 1:30 pm, even though we had been assured specifically that this was a straight bus to Singapore with no drop-offs or pick-ups. We were now only five minutes away from my lodging, so I had traveled a few miles in three hours and fifteen minutes. We all didn't understand why we had stopped here. It was a hectic roadside pick-up, so I was relieved that this wasn't my first stop. Compared to the actual train station, I would have felt even more anxious waiting for a delayed bus here.
At 1:41 pm, we left Berjaya Times Square after switching drivers. We depressingly passed TBS once again at 1:57 p.m.around four hours after departing my lodging. By now, I should have been halfway across Malaysia.
The first bathroom break
At 14:33, we stopped at a gas station for our first restroom break. We were informed that we only had ten minutes to grab some refreshments and use the restrooms. The line for the women's restroom was rather long because there was only one toilet. I chose to wait and hope that we would stop again because I was afraid of getting left behind. I also eschewed the junk food that Singapore Kuala Lumpur And Penang.
The driver didn't perform a head count, so I'm glad I chose not to use the restroom! He simply boarded the bus again and left. At 14:42 p.m., we were on our way. We slogged through gridlock for the next hour, reaching the Malacca turnoff at 4:30 p.m.
A second bathroom break
We made our second potty visit at 5:50 p.m. Fortunately, there were plenty of restrooms and street food alternatives during this stop. I snatched myself some curry puffs (I grew hooked with them on my trip!) and a couple cold beverages as I hurried to the restroom. After ten minutes, we departed. I started talking to some of my fellow bus passengers, and they were all rather surprised at how haphazard the trip appeared to be. Among them was a man who travels monthly between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
The third bathroom break
We drove for a few hours until pulling up at another gas station around 8:00 p.m. The length of the trip seemed to be driving everyone crazy. I was worn out and dreaded passing all the borders and finding my way around Singapore to my lodging. In addition, I was anxious about checking into my lodging.My arrival time was 7 p.m. I hoped I could check in okay because I couldn't notify the hotel that I would be so late without phone data. We left around 8:20 p.m.
We conducted our first drop-off around 8:30, with individuals disembarking at several locations close to Johor Bahru. Once more, this was really annoying because I had been informed that the trip would be direct and drop-off-free. At 8:55 p.m., we made a second drop-off at the Lakin bus station.
The bus was only permitted to park here for five minutes, so we wasted the next fifteen minutes fumbling around. In order to resume the parking countdown, the vehicle continued reversing and parking.
The driver told us to wait beside the road as we would be changing buses at 9:10 p.m. While the driver snapped pictures of us and asked other drivers if they had room, we all got out and waited. Very strange. The six of us followed and got on the bus when another driver stated that it was empty at 9:20. It was challenging to be moved around a lot since I had so many luggage. After ten minutes of driving to another gas station, we were instructed to disembark and board a different bus at 9:30 p.m.
We all got headaches and were over this experience after sitting here for fifteen minutes while the driver left the door open and heavy gasoline odors entered. Nobody gave us an explanation of what was going on, how long we would have to wait, or whether we would need to change buses once more. The worst bus ride I've ever had, in all honesty.
We were at least an hour away from our drop-off in Singapore, and it had been eleven hours since I had left my AirBNB. My phone was dying.
At 9:52 p.m., we eventually left the gas station and headed to immigration! Since I lacked documentation of my subsequent travel to Singapore, I was anxious. only my primary July flight back to the UK. At this time, the roadways were unexpectedly congested. While automobiles sat in a traffic jam, we were fortunate enough to be aboard a bus, which allowed us to travel in a fast lane on the way to immigration.
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Immigration from Malaysia
As we arrived to Malaysian immigration at 10:17, the line was really short. I was asked a lot of questions about my future plans, why I was in Malaysia, why I was traveling to Singapore, and whether I intended to return to Malaysia. I was back on the bus around 10:30 p.m. I was really appreciative of my kind bus companions who waited for me at immigration so we could locate the bus together. Since I had a UK passport, I had to go in a different part from them, and I had informed them that I was really worried about not finding the bus afterwards. Their passports from Malaysia and Singapore allowed them to check in more quickly. However, they patiently waited for me.
We arrived at the Woodlands gate in a matter of minutes after departing Malaysian Immigration at 10:40.
Checkpoint Woodlands (Singapore Immigration)
We passed immigration in a matter of minutes since the Woodlands checkpoint was quite vacant. Admire Singapore's Singapore Kuala Lumpur And Penang!
Our bus not coming back to pick us up was the next story of the evening. He never showed up to the bus collecting spot, where the six of us waited for thirty minutes. After completing their own inspections, the bus drivers wait with the other busses. We made the decision to divide up, with some of us waiting at the bus entry while others checked each bus. He never appeared. Five or six additional bus drivers verified that the Billionstar Bus was in ruins and that here was the only place to meet. They were untrustworthy, according to everyone.
Desperate, we approached other drivers for assistance, giving up on our initial bus ever arriving. We discovered a generous driver who could accommodate all six of us.
For the trip, he charged us $3 SGD apiece. deposited close to Bugis MRT. Being on a bus once more made me quite joyful and relieved. It's interesting to see that this driver chuckled as well when we informed him that our BillionStar bus had abandoned us. referring to them as the Malaysia-to-Singapore "cowboys." At 11:22 p.m., we departed, fatigued but relieved to be almost done.
Reaching Singapore at Last
We were left off 800 meters from Bugis MRT at 11:46 p.m., and we rushed to attempt to catch the final train. We were able to make the final MRT train to Expo by a minute after running with all of our stuff! A true miracle!
I'm so thankful to my incredible bus companions who assisted with immigration and made this trip at least somewhat tolerable. Two weeks later, I strangely ran into one of them, and we exchanged Instagrams, reliving the terrifying experience!
On Sunday, I arrived at my lodging shortly after 12:45 a.m.I could have taken a plane back to London in the 14.5 hours after departing Malaysia.
I would have just taken the air if I had realized the trip would be so arduous and lengthy. I decided to give it another go because the trip from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur with CityLine had been so swift and simple. It appears from talking to a few folks that the bus company we used has this as a recurring theme. I've never been one to waste time writing a bad blog post or writing a bad review, but after this terrible experience, I felt obliged. There are plenty other bus companies to pick from, and while they may cost a bit more (the other prices ranged from 80 to 130 rm), you'll probably have a better experience. In addition to wasting a day, the 13-hour drive left me feeling worn out and very dehydrated the next day.
FAQs: Singapore Kuala Lumpur And Penang
Can we do Singapore and Malaysia together?
Singapore and Malaysia are two of the greatest destinations to visit together on a single trip, particularly for Indian travelers. These Southeast Asian neighbors provide the ideal fusion of cuisine, culture, and sightseeing.
Is Penang close to Kuala Lumpur?
What is the distance between Kuala Lumpur and Penang? Penang and Kuala Lumpur are 373 kilometers apart. The distance via road is 352.8 kilometers.
Should I visit Penang or Singapore?
Your travel tastes will determine whether you choose Penang or Singapore. Penang is the best option if you're looking for a laid-back vibe, a rich cultural history, and mouthwatering street cuisine. Singapore is the ideal location for individuals who favor a contemporary, energetic metropolis with top-notch facilities and activities.
Is Penang better than Kuala Lumpur?
KL could be for you if you're more of a city dweller who enjoys the constant bustle of a huge metropolis with lots of buildings, eateries, pubs, and activities around. Penang, on the other hand, is ideal for those who want a little more laid-back holiday experience with more outdoor, nature-based activities.