Buses to Mersing from Singapore
If you’re Singaporean, you know that quick weekend getaways to Malaysia are in our blood. The seasoned Malaysia-goer may already know JB and KL like the back of their hand, so here’s a spot you might not have considered for your next trip across the border: Tioman Island.
Now you may be wondering, where is Tioman Island? It sits off the coast of Pahang, but for Singaporeans, one of the easiest ways to get there is to first travel up to Mersing in Johor, then hop aboard a ferry from Mersing Jetty.
The bus ride from Singapore to Mersing typically lasts 3-4 hours under normal conditions, and those who take buses often know that a comfortable bus with good amenities makes all the difference – especially when you’ll be on the road for a few hours. So here are some buses to Mersing from Singapore to consider, including their prices, pickup points, and what you can expect onboard.
Overview of buses to Mersing from Singapore
| Bus operator | Price | Pickup points | Amenities |
| KKKL Express Singapore | From $39/pax one-way | Kovan Hub & Bugis | Reclining seats, ample legroom, USB charging & Wi-Fi, selected buses have 2+1 seating |
| Cityline-Nice To U Express | From $35/pax one-way | Bugis MRT Exit D | VIP seats, selected coaches have reclining seats, leg rests & USB charging |
| LEO City Coach | From $40/pax one-way | Bugis MRT Exit D, Suntec City & Newton Circus | Spacious seating, entertainment systems, charging facilities & Wi-Fi on most routes |
| Tnah Global Express by Prisma | $30-$35/pax one-way | Oxley BizHub | 2+1 seating, some coaches have onboard toilets, no Wi-Fi |
| Diamond Coach | From $39/pax one-way | Bedok, Woodlands & Newton Circus | Spacious seats, air-con & ample legroom |
1. KKKL Express Singapore
Best all-rounder
Image credit: KKKL Travel
You might already recognise KKKL from its coaches to popular destinations like KL, Malacca, and Genting Highlands. But if you’re the sort who likes flexibility in your travel times, KKKL Express Singapore offers one of the widest ranges of departure times on this list. Buses leave from 6am to 10.30pm, so you won’t necessarily have to drag yourself out of bed at an ungodly hour just to start your Tioman Island trip.
Image credit: KKKL Travel & Tours
Tickets start from $39/pax one-way, and pickup points include Kovan Hub and Bugis, depending on your selected service. Buses drop passengers off either at Mersing Bus Terminal, where you’ll have to make your way to the jetty, or at Mersing Jetty itself. Just make sure to double-check the destination when booking, especially if you want to minimise transfers before catching your ferry.
Comfort-wise, the ride sounds pretty cushy too. KKKL advertises 27 Super VIP seats with plenty of legroom, alongside reclining seats, USB charging ports, and Wi-Fi. Selected buses also come with a 2+1 configuration, AKA 2 seats on one side of the aisle and a lone seat on the other. So solo travellers, you know which seats to chope if you’d rather not have a stranger beside you.
Price: From $39/pax one-way
Pickup: Kovan Hub & Bugis (depending on service)
Departure: Multiple services from 6am-10.30pm
Drop-off: Mersing Jetty or Mersing Bus Terminal
2. Cityline-Nice To U Express
Affordable early-morning option
Image credit: Easybook
If you want to start your holiday before the sun comes up, Cityline-Nice To U Express is one of the slightly more affordable options on this list, with tickets starting from $35/pax one-way. The operator also runs coaches from Singapore to familiar holiday destinations such as KL, Malacca, and Genting Highlands.
Buses to Mersing depart from Bugis MRT Station Exit D from as early as 5.15am, making this particularly convenient if you stay in a central location, though slightly less convenient for your sleep schedule. Better yet, you’ll be dropped off directly at Mersing Jetty, saving you from another transfer from the bus terminal.
Image credit: Easybook
You can also catch up on some sleep along the way with Cityline’s comfortable VIP seats. Selected coaches are even listed as having reclining seats, leg rests, and USB charging ports. This means that you can recline, plug your phone in, and wake up in Malaysia ready for an adventure.
Price: From $35/pax one-way
Pickup: Bugis MRT Exit D
Departure: Around 5.15am-6am
Drop-off: Mersing Jetty
3. LEO City Coach
Best for catching an early ferry
Image credit: Leo City Coach
The early bird catches the worm, and LEO City Coach gets you moving from as early as 3.30am. If your goal is to get to Mersing bright and early for an earlier ferry to Tioman, sacrificing a bit of sleep could be worth it.
Thankfully though, you can always catch some Z’s on the roughly 3.5-hour ride. The buses come with spacious seating and entertainment systems, while charging facilities and Wi-Fi are available on most routes.
Image credit: EU Holidays via Facebook
The last bus leaves around 6am, with pickup points at Bugis MRT Exit D, Suntec City, and Newton Circus, so there are several central locations to choose from depending on where you stay.
Tickets start from $40 one-way, making LEO one of the pricier options on this list, but it is worth considering for an earlier departure.
Price: From $40/pax one-way
Pickup: Bugis MRT Exit D, Suntec City & Newton Circus
Departure: 3.30am-6am
Drop-off: Mersing Jetty
4. Tnah Global Express by Prisma
Value-for-money coach
Image credit: Easybook
With tickets ranging from around $30-$35 one-way, Tnah Global Express by Prisma is one of the more affordable options on this list. Better for those who value their sleep, the company has services from 7am-10.30pm for those not keen on waking up in the wee hours just to catch a bus.
The coach picks passengers up from Oxley BizHub and features 2+1 seating arrangements, so those travelling solo can snag one of the single seats. Having fewer seats across each row also means a little more breathing room for the journey, which can be a big plus when you’re sitting in a bus for several hours.
Image credit: PEMINAT BAS – BAS EKSPRESS via Facebook
Some online booking platforms list onboard toilets as an amenity, although we’d suggest double-checking your particular coach service before counting on it. This comes with a trade-off, though, as the buses don’t come with Wi-Fi, so consider downloading your Netflix episodes before leaving home.
Do note that the coach drops you at Mersing Bus Terminal rather than Mersing Jetty, meaning you’ll need to account for some travel time to the jetty before boarding your ferry.
Price: $30-$35/pax one-way
Pickup: Oxley BizHub
Departure: 7am-10.30pm
Drop-off: Mersing Bus Terminal
5. Diamond Coach
Heartland pickup points
Image credit: Diamond Coach Singapore Pte Ltd
Those living in the East or North have the luxury of a bus that picks you up from heartland locations, including Bedok, Woodlands, and Newton Circus, so you don’t have to lug your bags all the way to a central pickup point. Early risers will also appreciate that Diamond Coach’s pickup timings range from 6am to 6.30am, depending on your pickup point.
The bus features spacious seating with ample legroom for the Mersing service. Tickets start from $39/pax one-way, so it’s on the pricier side, given that the bus doesn’t come with charging ports or Wi-Fi. Remember to bring a power bank if you want to doomscroll through your journey to Malaysia.
Image credit: Diamond Coach Singapore Pte Ltd
The vehicle used for your transport can also vary, as Diamond’s own fleet ranges from smaller coaches to larger vehicles, including Standard, Executive, and VIP options.
All these aside, it’s still an option worth considering for Easties and Northies who don’t want to make the trip down to the central pickup points of other bus service providers.
Price: From $39/pax one-way
Pickup: Bedok, Woodlands & Newton Circus
Departure: From around 6am, depending on pickup point
Drop-off: Mersing Harbour
Hop on a bus to Mersing for your next island getaway
Tioman Island.
Image credit: Agoda.com
Despite the journey needing both a bus and ferry, getting to Tioman Island is actually quite straightforward as there are many coach options available from Singapore. The “best” bus to get to Mersing ultimately depends on what you prioritise, be it cheaper fares or a direct drop-off near Mersing Jetty.
We also encourage you to check your Tioman ferry departure time before booking a bus that arrives with enough buffer time, factoring in possible delays with immigration. Do also double-check whether your bus service drops off at Mersing Jetty or Mersing Bus Terminal so you can better plan your travel.
Once the transport is sorted, all that’s left is to sit through the journey and look forward to a proper island escape.
More on vacationing in Malaysia:
Cover image adapted from: Diamond Coach Singapore Pte Ltd, Easybook