I would like to compare the cost of some very cheap flights I have found on Air Asia to local bus/train costs within Malaysia.
We are planning a 3 week trip in Malaysia and would also like to see Singapore and as much of Malaysia as possible during this time. Air Asia are currently having a $25 (aud) sale for flights within Malaysia up until January 31st 2010 (our month of travel). This is the return price pp and seems like an absolute bargain sale - although I am wondering if it is cheaper to travel within/through Malaysia via train or bus?? Approximate prices would be a great help!!
I am wanting to expreience Kuching, KK, KL, Penang, sarawak, Brunei, Langkwai. The sale includes most of these cities for only $25 return pp so cheap!!!! So the question is, should we book these cheap flights and be prepared - knowing we have a certain amount of time in each city, or should we just wing it???? Also would like to know the cheapest way to get to Singapore from Malaysia - fly or bus/train?? I know the taxes at Singapore airport are dear - making it expensive to fly out... Air Asia are selling one way from KL to Singapore for only $20!! This is cheap - can I get a boat to Kuching from Singapore?? Thanks!!
Reply to this Buses in Malaysia are extremely cheap (actually, everything is cheap. I'm probably spending less here than in Vietnam and Cambodia). Just took a bus from Kota Bharu to Penang (about 400km) today for 36 ringgit ($10 US), and that included a 30% business class surcharge (3-across seating). Have only used the trains once, but the cheapest class is even cheaper than the buses.
Bus tip: If you're headed to Georgetown/Penang, get off in Butterworth and take the ferry. Long-distance buses to Penang stop in a new station near the bridge, some distance from Georgetown, leaving an expensive taxi ride (well, there may be local buses, somewhere, sometime, but I didn't have the patience).
Note that AA will have a few add-ons (booking fee $9, checked bag $2 etc).
Reply to this In November I took a train from Butterworth (Penang area) in Malaysia to Singapore via Kuala Lumpur. This was their Premier Class, sort of business class style. The ride was around 13 hours and the customs/immigration procedures was on the train for Malaysia and we got off for the Singapore formalities and then back on the train for the ride into Singapore. (I had to get to the Singapore airport when the Bangkok airport was closed down last year.) The ride was okay, a little chilly at times so have a long sleeve shirt available just in case. Food was cheap if you like chicken and rice - I do! The price of the Premier Class seats from Butterworth to Singapore came to 127 ringgits or around $35 U.S. Third class much cheaper of course.
I had previously taken a long 15-16 hour train ride from Bangkok to Hat Yai. At that time trains were fully booked from Hat Yai to Butterworth so I went by taxi from the Thai border to Butterworth and picked up the train there. The Thailand portion of the train ride from Bangkok to Hat Yai served a free meal and free snacks in 3rd class (the only seats available at that time.) This train was also chilly but on the Thai portion they gave everyone a light blanket. Cost was around $19 U.S.
One thing to keep in mind when booking these super cheap flights is that some of those airlines have smaller weight allowances for luggage. So if you come from your country with a big load you may have to pay an overweight fee when you use a budget airline. Sometimes when you book a ride using a foreign credit card you may also get a "handling" fee. That happened to me when I booked an Emirates flight out of Hong Kong a few years ago. That "handling fee" was another $25 U.S. added to my bill.
I think you might do better with some buses for the smaller cities not covered by train service. I prefer to buy my bus tickets at a real bus station. In Penang there are a few travel agencies that do book bus rides and tours in the areas favored by back packers not far from the Leith Street/Jalang Penang area.
God luck.
Reply to this It's cheap flying wth Air Asia provided you book in advance and giving abit of time incase of flight delays or consolidation of certain flights (Air Asia famous of this!) The advance booking sometime can be 6-9mth in advance!
From Singapore to KL, I suggest u to take the express bus because both cities are not too far apart..only ~380km. or 5hrs+ There are lotsa express bus companies plying this route from budget to premium comfort buses - price ~RM30 to RM80 only. Furthermore the timing of check-in at Changi & waiting for connecting bus/taxi from KL airport to downtown KL is almost 4hrs!...
There is no ferry service between Singapore to Sarawak...the only option--Flying.
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