Best Day Trips from Singapore 2026 — Batam Island, Johor Bahru and Bintan Near Singapore

Best Day Trips from Singapore 2026

Singapore's unique position at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula makes international day trips — crossing into Malaysia or Indonesia — as routine as domestic ones. Johor Bahru in Malaysia is 30-60 minutes by bus or taxi across the Causeway, the Indonesian island of Batam is 45 minutes by ferry, and Malacca's UNESCO World Heritage Portuguese-Dutch colonial town is 4 hours north by bus. Most Singapore day trips require a valid passport but no advance visa for most nationalities. This guide covers the best day trips from Singapore in 2026.

Top Day Trip Destinations from Singapore

• Johor Bahru, Malaysia (20km north, 30-60 minutes by bus or taxi across the Causeway): the second-largest city in Malaysia with the Sultan Ibrahim Building, the Royal Abu Bakar Museum, the Johor Bahru City Square mall, and food options at Malaysian ringgit prices significantly cheaper than Singapore; Causeway Link bus from Larkin to Queen Street terminal SGD 3.50 (AUD 4) or by taxi; Batam Island, Indonesia (35km south, 45 minutes by ferry from HarbourFront Centre): the Indonesian free-trade island with Nagoya Hill shopping and entertainment, Batam Centre development, and beaches at Nongsa; ferry SGD 35-55 (AUD 38-59) return depending on operator (BatamFast, Majestic); day trip requires valid passport (Indonesian visa on arrival for Australian citizens); Bintan Island, Indonesia (55km south, 55 minutes by Bintan Resort Ferries): the resort island with integrated beach resorts (Club Med, Angsana Laguna, Nirwana Gardens) and traditional Malay fishing villages; ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal SGD 55-80 (AUD 60-87) return; Malacca (220km north, 4 hours by bus from Larkin Sentral bus terminal in JB): easier to reach via Johor Bahru; UNESCO World Heritage Portuguese-Dutch colonial town with Christ Church, A Famosa ruins, Jonker Street, and Nyonya cuisine; Desaru Coast, Malaysia (100km east via JB, 2 hours): the new luxury resort precinct on Johor's east coast with Desaru Water Park and Atlantic Beach Club

Day Trip Logistics from Singapore

• JB-Singapore Causeway buses depart from Queen Street Terminal (Little India) and Kranji MRT; ferry terminals for Indonesian islands: HarbourFront Centre (Batam) and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (Bintan); all Singapore ferry terminals are accessible by MRT; valid passport required for all cross-border day trips; S$SG departure levy applies for Singapore citizens and PRs travelling to Malaysia

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