Singapore - Getting Around - Road
The road system in Singapore is clear, easy and efficient, but can get very congested at peak times, especially on weekends and holidays, when Singaporeans crowd onto the road causeway to Johor Bahru in Malaysia. Driving is on the left and the speed limit is 50-70kph (31-43mph) in residential areas and 70-90kph (43-56mph) on expressways.
For tourists, a valid driving licence from the country of residence is required for driving in Singapore. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended, especially if the driving licence is not in English, to expedite proceedings where police is involved. The Automobile Association of Singapore (AAS) (tel: 6333 8811; www.aas.com.sg) has a helpline for information on IDPs, but drivers must apply for their IDP in their own country before arriving in Singapore. Foreign residents must convert their national licence (or IDP) into a local licence. Minimum third-party insurance is also required for driving in Singapore, which can be extended to cover Malaysia.
Anyone driving their vehicle into Singapore must leave it at customs, then go to the AAS for endorsement, with their passport, vehicle registration documents and insurance. They must then buy local insurance, even if they have international insurance. They will then be given an International Circulation Permit processed within an hour, which will allow them to collect their vehicle. If their visit is for more than 10 days, foreign motorists bringing their vehicles from Malaysia are required to use an Autopass Card, a stored-value smart card which deducts Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) fees and toll charges when passing land checkpoints at Tuas or Woodlands.
All drivers of foreign-registered cars and motorcycles can drive into Singapore for a maximum of 10 days in each calendar year without paying VEP fees. Once they have been used up, fees are chargeable. Toll charges always apply. They must be paid on arrival and departure at Tuas checkpoint, and on departure only at Woodlands checkpoint. The AAS can give all the necessary information on these options.
Emergency breakdown services
AAS (tel: 6748 9911).
Routes to the city
The main route into Singapore is the kilometre-long causeway, linking the northern district of Woodlands with Malaysia's Johor Bahru. This causeway is usually very busy, with the volume of traffic multiplied at weekends.
The 'Second Link', officially known as the Malaysia-Singapore Second Crossing, was built to alleviate the traffic and should be faster at busy periods. This second bridge is located on the western side of Singapore and links the Tuas checkpoint in Singapore with Tanjung Kupang in Malaysia. The highway then runs up the western part of the Malay Peninsula.
The East Coast Parkway (ECP) runs from the airport into the city along the coast; Changi Road and Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) both provide alternative routes.
Driving times to the city
From Johor Bahru - about 30 minutes, depending on traffic; Kuala Lumpur - 4-6 hours; Malacca - 3-4 hours. Driving times are much longer at weekends, especially over the border.
Coach services
Operators include Regent Star Travel (tel: 6299 9009; www.regentstar.travel) and Malacca-Singapore Express (tel: 6293 5915; www.melaka.net/expressbus.htm), which are both located at the bus terminal on the corner of Lavender Street and Kallang Bahru.
Coach services go to a number of Malaysian destinations, including Kuala Lumpur and Penang, and usually depart every morning and evening. Tickets between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore can be booked at www.plusliner.com.
The SBS bus 170 for Johor Bahru departs every 15 minutes from Queen Street via Bukit Timah Road and Woodlands Road. My Express Bus (tel: 6341 9338; www.myexpressbus.com) also runs buses between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
