With airline fares soaring and traffic crawling on the causeway, many of us might prefer making the journey to KL on a comfortable bus over flying or driving. But not everyone might be keen on being squashed in a coach for 5 hours – so what if we told you there’s a “first class” option available?
Enter Transtar Travel’s First Class Solitaire Suite – an express coach that gets you to the city from just $60 with – you guessed it – first class amenities. We’re talking hot meals served by stewards, personal entertainment systems, and chairs that can give you a massage.
There are various ways of getting to KL from Singapore – with modes of transportation including plane, car, bus, and train.
Getting to KL by plane would be the quickest, given that it only takes ~1 hour to fly there. Additional time will be needed to check in your luggage and clear immigration, but these can be cleared within 2-3 hours. However, flying to KL is also the most expensive option given the costs of plane tickets.
Taking the bus is another option you can consider. The journey will take about 6 hours, with toilet breaks in between. Bus fares are also on the affordable end, with tickets costing from S$30/pax. Those with a driver’s license can also drive from Singapore to KL. If you’re not planning to make any pit stops, you can reach KL in 4 hours from the Woodlands checkpoint.
Lastly, you can take the trains to get to KL. There are no direct train rides currently, so you’ll have to take the KTM Shuttle to JB first. After which, you’ll need to change to a train that’s headed to Gemas, and from Gemas, a train to KL.
There are multiple bus service operators that travel from Singapore to KL. These include KKKL Express, Firstcoach, Starmart Express, and Transtar. These companies offer different price points and amenities, so you can choose according to your budget and preferences.
For those who value comfort, Transtar would be an ideal choice. It is a local company founded in 1994, and provides transport to cities such as KL, Genting, and Melaka. Besides their coach services, they also facilitate car and minibus transportation.
No one enjoys being stuck in a cramped car seat for hours. And you don’t have to when coaches like the First Class Solitaire Suite offer lots of legroom to sit comfortably during the long journey.
Image credit: Transtar Travel via Facebook
The double-decker coach has seats on the upper and lower decks for a total of 19 people. With a single-seat-per-row arrangement, there’s lots of room to walk around in the middle aisle during the ~5 hours it takes to get from Singapore to KL.
Image credit: Transtar Travel via Facebook
We did tell you the seats look like they came from a business class cabin of a plane. You’ll get a cushion-y head pillow and a footrest, plus the ability to recline a fair bit so you can literally sit back and relax.
The best bit is the massage function that allows you to enjoy a nice little back rub when your muscles get sore from sitting too long.
Image credit: Transtar Travel via Facebook
No need to worry about iPad juice running out or getting bored on the bus without any devices either since you’ve got plenty of shows to watch aboard the First Class Solitaire Suite.
Every seat comes with a personal entertainment system equipped with on-demand videos and a set of headphones. There’s also a charging port should you need to increase your phone’s battery life.
Image adapted from: @javier.eats via Instagram
The first class vibe doesn’t just stop at the amenities. The service includes personnel who will bring you a cooked meal, usually a bento set including rice and 2 sides. You’ll also get munchies like packeted biscuits and a drink – either coffee, tea, or bottled water.
If you’re feeling cold, simply ask for a blanket and you’ll be offered one too.
The bus route from Singapore has various pickup points including Golden Mile Complex, Grantral Complex at MacPherson, Jurong East, and Lavender. Upon reaching KL, you’ve got multiple drop-off locations to choose from such as Berjaya Times Square or The Nest at Imbi in the Bukit Bintang area.
Image credit: Transtar Travel via Facebook
FYI, the bus will make 2-3 pit stops for toilet breaks along the way. At least one of the stops will be near a petrol station with a convenience store so you can stock up on more snacks if required.
Image credit: Transtar Travel via Facebook
Whether you’re making a day trip or a quick weekend getaway, pimp your ride with Transtar Travel’s atas bus service from just $60/pax from SG to KL. You’re allowed to bring along a bag of up to 15kg per person that will go into the luggage compartment and an additional hand carry.
And guess what – the return fare is even cheaper from only $45/pax from KL to SG.
Other transport guides for Malaysia:
Image adapted from: Transtar Travel via Facebook, Transtar Travel via Facebook, @javier.eats via Instagram
Article originally published by Aditi Kashyap on 10th May 2023. Last updated by Joycelyn Yeow on 19th March 2024.
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