Truth be told, Singapore was not on my destination list for this year’s travel. All the more, its equally amazing neighboring countries such as Malaysia to the north and Indonesia to the south were not on my travel radar either. Q1 2020 travel plan was originally Shanghai and it could have been my college best friends’ first winter trip together. However, since the worldwide implementation of travel restrictions to and from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau due to Covid-19 outbreak, our flights to Shanghai were cancelled in due course.
Adjustments were to be made. All of my supposed travel companions backed out due to the fear of unknown degree of effect of Covid-19 and other valid reasons. I was devastated with the news but I wouldn’t let this thing dry up my travel plans. As the last man standing, I booked a flight to Singapore and planned of doing a tri-country trip ‘coz nothing is stopping me to push through with my first international trip for 2020, even if it would mean traveling solo and notwithstanding the fact that as of travel date, Singapore ranked as the highest country with the most number of confirmed Covid-19 cases outside of China, prompting activation of DORSCON code “orange“.
Despite all the uncertainties and risks inherent in traveling to coronavirus-hit countries, I have also done my fair share of exercising discernment, taking precautions towards personal hygiene and continuously monitoring the situation. When all seemed manageable, I convinced my best buddy Junfer (@iamjumper), who is Manila-based, to book a flight to Singapore at the last minute. Surprisingly, he agreed without hesitation and the tri-country trip finally happened. We spent below Php 15,000 per person for all expenses incurred (half of which pertains to airfare and pre-departure fees) in all three countries: Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. See budget breakdown at the end of this article.
If you are looking for a sign to push through with your Singapore travel anytime soon or just looking for a reference for your budget tri-country plans, here’s a personal travel blog you shouldn’t miss! And oh, this isn’t your typical tri-city tour such as Singapore-Johur Bahru-Batam. I meticulously handpicked the cross-border destinations such as Singapore-Kuala Lumpur-Bintan Island for a jam-packed IG-worthy adventure. Check each tri-country leg below for some inspiration.
HOW TO GET TO SINGAPORE FROM CEBU, PHILIPPINES
Singapore is a major international transport hub in Asia, serving some of the busiest sea and air trade routes. It is a sovereign city-state and island country located in maritime Southeast Asia. Although Singapore and the Philippines are both part of Southeast Asia, Singapore is only accessible from the Philippines by air, with direct route from Cebu, among other major aviation hubs in the country. Flight duration is up to 4 hours, with no time difference between Singapore and the Philippines.
As flight costs comprise a significant percentage of the total travel expenses, it’s best to purchase them in advance to score cheaper airfares. Make sure to book from low-cost carriers such as Cebu Pacific Air since it is undoubtedly the best airline that launches crazy promo (piso) fares and seat sales favored by budget travelers. You can book a direct flight from Cebu to Singapore for as low as Php 4,000 round trip. To score insanely cheap flights, know some effective secrets here: PISO FARE TO SINGAPORE
TRI-COUNTRY BUDGET TRIP LEG 1: SINGAPORE
Singapore Amidst Covid-19 Outbreak: To start off, let me be the one to tell you that Singapore is a safe country to travel amidst the Covid-19 epidemic. The government of Singapore has been going to great lengths to keep the spread of the virus at bay through a multitude of precautionary measures in place. Other than implementation of universal screenings for passengers on incoming flights and installation of free hand sanitizer around the airport, everything seemed normal like people are not wearing masks, even on MRTs. My apologies if this is a sensitive matter for you but I was even joking about my caption in one of my posts in social media upon arrival in Jewel Changi Airport to demonstrate thrill and courage. It reads:
Jewel: What do we say to the God of Covid-19?
Me: NOT TODAY, lah!
Singapore at a Glance: Singapore is known for various moniker such as “Lion City”, “Garden City,” “City of the Future” among others but what struck me most is “Instant Asia”. Boasting an expeditious glimpse into the cultures brought about by immigrants from all parts of Asia, Singapore is a melting pot of all things Asian. While predominantly Chinese, it has substantial minorities of Malays and Indians.
Where to Stay in Singapore: Speaking of multicultural hub, I booked our hotel accommodation for 3 nights in Little India where unsurprisingly there are a lot of Singaporean nationals with Indian descent in the area. We spent only Php 1,300 each for 3 nights in a dormitory-type room via Agoda. The room is clean with basic features, near restaurants and convenience stores and very accessible by train or shuttle bus from the airport.
Getting Around Singapore: Commuting around Singapore is not too complicated, unlike Japan or South Korea! Train is a popular form of public transport in Singapore as the fares are relatively cheap compared to any other means of transportation such taxi or grab car. For tourist, the best way to save on transportation cost is to purchase a Singapore Tourist Pass. Discover Singapore with the only card that gives you unlimited travel on public transport – Singapore Tourist Pass! The pricing of each card depends on the number of stay in Singapore, to wit: 1 Day is 10 SGD, 2 Days is 16 SGD, 3 Days is 20 SGD. A refundable rental deposit worth 10 SGD will also be part of the total cost (to be refunded upon return of STP card at any MRT ticketing office). I bought one at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 upon arrival and returned it upon departure. And oh, don’t forget to download Singapore Metro app in your phone as it will be your navigation buddy when in Singapore, aside from google maps.
Internet Connectivity in Singapore: For mobile data options, having a local sim card is a necessity. I scouted for a cheap sim card around Singapore Changi Airport but I haven’t found a good one that includes data connection for Malaysia and Indonesia. Luckily, I found one near Campbell Inn, our hotel accommodation in Little India. I bought a sim card powered by Singtel worth 15 SGD good for 7 days (GST inclusive) with 100 GB 4G local data, 30 minutes international calls, 100 local SMS, 500 mins local calls, unlimited access to social media apps and free 1 GB roaming data that’s applicable in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and even in Australia. I must say this is the best local sim for tourists who’d love to try a tri-country trip on a budget.
Tourist Spots in Singapore: According to The Straits Times published article dated October 2018, Singapore is the 5th most visited city in the world, and 2nd in the Asia-Pacific. Rightfully so, Singapore’s diverse offerings from its vibrant events, unique tourist attractions and world-renowned cuisine have enabled the city to hold its place as one of the top five most popular destinations globally. Singapore is a popular tourist destination, with well-known landmarks such as the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa, and the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the only tropical garden in the world to be honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’d be surprised that there’s more to these famous landmarks to explore in Singapore that will equally capture your hearts but without breaking your bank.
For this particular trip, we only spent less than Php 5,000 in Singapore covering costs for accommodation, sim card, food and transportation. What’s the secret? Visit top tourist spots in Singapore for FREE.
READ MORE: Singapore DIY Itinerary: Top 15 Must-Visit Tourist Spots in Singapore for Free
HOW TO GET TO MALAYSIA FROM SINGAPORE
Malaysia consists of two geographical regions divided by the South China Sea: the Malaysian Borneo (or East Malaysia) located on the northern third of Borneo island and the peninsular Malaysia (or West Malaysia) on the Malay Peninsula bordered by Thailand on the north and Singapore at its tip in south. It can be reached via Singapore either by train, bus, ferry or plane. In this budget travel guide, I will only share what we experienced – by bus.
It is fairly easy to travel by bus between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Numerous buses depart daily from Singapore to your choice of destination in the peninsular Malaysia. You have a choice of at least 9 bus operators, all differ in price and comfort. A great place to start your search is at redbus.sg. Book your tickets online to skip the hassle of lining up in the ticketing office and ensure seat reservations in advance. The cheapest one way ticket (reschedulable) will cost you no more than 13 SGD. The bus will usually take 4 to 6 hours to reach Kuala Lumpur and arrive at your destination of choice (KL Sentral, BTS, etc.) so make sure you know where you’d like to be dropped off.
To maximize the time of day tour in both Singapore and Malaysia, we booked a round-trip overnight bus operated by Starmart Express with terminal located at Golden Mile Tower in Bugis, Singapore (11:30 PM departure) and bus stop at Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur (05:30 AM arrival the next day). Traveling back to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur is also a breeze, with the exact bus stop and bus schedule transiting in reverse order. Both bus terminals are located in the city center, accessible by local trains (Bugis Station in SG and Imbi Station in KL). The reclining bus seats were convenient, with charging ports and more leg space.
Cross-border commuters will be required to take off the bus twice during the trip. First, when it reaches the Woodlands Singapore checkpoint; and second, for Malaysian Immigration checkpoint. Both times, you will be required to present your passport for verification and validation. Filipino passport holders are not required to secure a visa to enter Malaysia provided you’ll only stay for a period of 30 days. Once cleared, you can proceed outside the building, take a toilet break, purchase snacks or convert bills to a money changer while waiting for your bus.
TRI-COUNTRY BUDGET TRIP LEG 2: KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at a Glance: Kuala Lumpur, officially the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and commonly known as KL, is the national capital and largest city in Malaysia. It is the cultural, financial and economic center of Malaysia, and one of the leading cities in the world for tourism and shopping, being the tenth most-visited city in the world in 2017. Named as one of the New7Wonders Cities, Kuala Lumpur has been ranked by the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Ranking at No. 2 in Southeast Asia after Singapore.
Getting around Kuala Lumpur: We arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia around 4:30 AM, one hour earlier than the scheduled arrival. We alighted at Berjaya Times Square, a one-stop, one-shop complex for great shopping, dining and entertainment experience at the heart of the city. It has a 7 eleven store that’s open 24/7 while offering breakfast meals and other travel necessities and near a train station, same spot as the bus stop. The train line starts operating at 06:00 AM daily, but closing time varies depending on the station, but closed generally at twelve midnight. Taxi and grab car are available anytime.
Malaysia Amidst Covid-19 Outbreak: Covid-19 is not on the headline news during my visit in Malaysia, rather the resignation of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. With his cabinet also dissolved, this shocking move will plunge the country into political crisis. Well, we’re just glad that our trip was not affected by the news whatsoever, giving us more time to continue on appreciating the beauty of the national capital of Malaysia, an Asian city above the clouds.
Tourist Spots in Kuala Lumpur: Our full day itinerary to Kuala Lumpur started off visiting Batu Caves. Batu Caves is located in 20 minutes away from the city proper. You can visit the temple complex inside by taking the colorful 272 steps leading to the mouth of the cave. You’d be surprised that Dataran Merdeka Historical Walk could be your favorite activity to do when in Kuala Lumpur. It features 12 closely located interesting sites including Merdeka Square, Sultan Abdul Saman Building, Abdul Saman Mosque, Kuala Lumpur City Gallery and more IG-worthy attractions.
READ MORE: A Budget Day Trip in KL, the National Capital of Malaysia
Urban Renewal Project – Redefining Art: If Singapore has Haji Lane, Malaysia has Jalan Alor. Vibrant street murals have been hidden in plain sight in various back lanes in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. The once derelict back alleyways have now been utterly transformed into one great “urban renewal project”. From the vibrant flora and fauna to psychodelic rainbow motif, be on the hunt for these imaginative street graffiti, strike a pose and appreciate the story behind these alleyway masterpieces. It’s totally for FREE.
Highest Skyscrappers in Malaysia: Your visit to Kuala Lumpur would not be complete without taking a selfie with the famous KL Tower (officially known as Menara Kuala Lumpur) and Petronas Twin Towers. KL Tower is the 7th tallest freestanding tower in the world, wherein you can enjoy the panoramic view of the city via the Skybox (glass bottom observatory). Petronas Towers, Malaysia’s highest skyscrappers and one of the world’s tallest buildings, are utterly stunning – a marvelous sight to behold daytime or night. Plus, you can also enjoy a lot of shopping and dining options at Suria KLCC just beside Petronas Towers.
HOW TO GET TO BINTAN, INDONESIA FROM SINGAPORE
Situated just a ferry ride away from Singapore or Johor Bahru in Malaysia, most visitors enter Bintan by sea. From Singapore, there are various operators that offer frequent services from Tanah Merah Terminal in Singapore to Sri Bintan Pura Terminal at Tanjung Pinang and Bandar Bentan Telani Terminal at Bintan Resorts. We booked our round trip ferry from Klook with route from Tanah Merah Terminal to Lagoi Bintan Resorts (via Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Teminal). Plying across the Singapore Strait, the motorized catamaran has comfy seats, entertainment facilities, toilet and canteen available on-board.
In order to reach Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal from your hotel in Singapore, head to Tanah Merah Station (via MRT) and take a bus (number 35 or 35M for 2.1 SGD fare) for 25 minutes. Upon arrival, head directly to the ticketing office inside the terminal for check-in and boarding procedures. Passenger(s) are advised to check-in and collect boarding passes at BRF or BBT Ticketing Counter at least one and half (1 1⁄2) hours before departure time. Please read the terms and conditions of the confirmed booking for more information.
Expect another immigration clearance and additional Covid-19 prevention standard procedures while in the ferry terminal and upon arrival as you are about to enter another country. Philippine passport holders can travel to Indonesia without the need for a visa if they will only stay there for one month or 30 days. Travel time from Singapore to Bintan, Indonesia is only an hour, with Indonesia’s time zone behind one hour than that of Singapore. The ferry’s estimated time of departure from Singapore is at 8:10 AM and estimated time of arrival in Bintan, Indonesia is also at 8:10 AM. With such time difference, it looked like you never left.
TRI-COUNTRY BUDGET TRIP LEG 3: BINTAN, RIAU, INDONESIA
Getting Around Bintan: Taxi and car rentals are commonly available at Ferry Terminals and also in resorts. Scooter rental is also available for those who love adventure and who’d choose a fun and more convenient way to explore the beaches around the Island.
To maximize our day tour in Bintan Island, we chartered a private car (good for 7 pax) for 5 hours with English-speaking driver. Make sure to book via Klook 2-3 days in advance for a smooth arrangement and score a discounted price. Rates for a weekday trip is cheaper compared to weekends. Upon arrival at the ferry terminal, your driver will meet you, most notable for someone who’s probably holding a placard with your name on it.
Bintan, Indonesia at a Glance: As the largest island in the Riau Island, Bintan Island is the perfect heavenly getaway for leisure and adventure seekers. Best known for its high-end resorts, world-class golf courses, and magnificent coastal beauty, Bintan Island never run out of things to do both indoor and outdoor, local foods to unwind your palate, new horizons to chase and holiday experience to savor. The weather in Bintan Island is generally sunny but between late November and early March, guests may experience strong winds and passing showers due to the northeast monsoon.
Attractions in Bintan: There’s more to Indonesia than the tourist-favored Bali or capital city Jakarta. Accessible by ferry from Singapore, the closest major city, Bintan Island could be the next traveler and urban fugitives’ dream destination. With so many alluring qualities of the largest island in Riau province, there are several attractions in this offbeat paradise that will surely satiate your wanderlust. If you’re into nature, then you’ll find Gurun Pasir Bentan (sand dunes) and Danau Biru (blue lake) worthy to be explored. Fine white sand beaches dotted the island of Bintan, too. Due to lack of time, I haven’t visited all of them in a day but I will surely return one of these days to explore the best offerings of this exotic tourism hub leisure island!
READ MORE: Bintan Island: Exploring the Paradise Less Traveled in Indonesia
Temple Run at Bintan: Bintan Island offers more than pleasant resorts and natural wonders. Guan Yin Temple in Tanjung Pinang, for example, is one of the magnificent sights hosting unique stone sculptures and Buddhist artifacts. Locally known as Vihara Avalokitesvara Graha, it is the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia, with an area of 10 hectares of land. This serene place makes this destination a great escape for your trip to Bintan. Another temple note-worthy to visit when in Bintan is Lohan Temple, which was closed during our visit.
Shop and Dine at Bintan: Don’t leave Bintan Island without buying local crafts and beautiful merchandise from Plaza Lagoi. Restaurants and other retail stores can also be found in the area. Seafoods are abundantly being offered by most eateries around the area, but local cuisine such Nasi Goreng (Indonesian fried rice) is also a must-try. You can also visit Lagoi Bay just in front of Lagoi Plaza if you have more time to spare. Don’t worry if your car rental time is up, scheduled shuttle buses ply to Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal from Plaza Lagoi for free.
TRI-COUNTRY ITINERARY AND BUDGET
Before going to each country, it is advisable to have your money exchanged in the official currency per country of destination. While in the Philippines, you may want to buy Singapore Dollars (SGD) first in any money changer near you or at the airport. It doesn’t matter where to buy, any difference in rate is minimal. While in Singapore, before crossing the border to Malaysia, there is a money changer inside Golden Mile Tower (where buses bound for KL depart). You can purchase both Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) and Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) at the same money changer. As of travel date, the foreign exchange rates per currency are as follows:
- 1 SGD = 36.4 PHP
- 1 MYR = 12.07 PHP (0.33 SGD)
- 1 IDR = 0.0037 PHP (0.000097 SGD)
In a nutshell, traveling to Singapore and its neighboring countries Malaysia and Indonesia is not really that expensive. It’s high time that we change our wrong perception about traveling to Southeast Asian countries, especially Singapore as pricey and can make you “Singa-POOR”. Kidding aside, hope we can start acknowledging that traveling abroad can also be budget-friendly. With only Php 15,000 budget, you can definitely survive tri-country trip and at same time, experience the best of what each respective Southeast Asian country has to offer.
Spending Php 15,000 (all-in) for a 4 days, 3 nights (4D3N) tri-country trip is really doable when you carefully plan where to go, the spots you’d like to visit, foods to eat and travel must-haves to secure. Of course, there’s no one stopping you to splurge on food, souvenirs and other things that you can try for a minimal fee. This is just to make a reference that you can enjoy a 4D3N tri-country adventure on a budget, which in our case is Php 15,000 for everything related to travel costs from airfare to transportation. With this successful trip, I can’t wait to try another tri-country budget trip sometime in Q4 this year. This time, it’s Indochina: Vietnam-Cambodia-Thailand.
Do you have questions or clarifications regarding this tri-country trip? Whether it’s Singapore, Malaysia or Indonesia, feel free to contact me. If you’d like to get a copy of the full tri-country itinerary in excel form, kindly drop your email address in the comment section below.