Tag: Bus

AeroBus/SkyBus (AeroSky Ventures): KL Sentral to klia2 by Express Bus

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The most frequent bus route to klia2 is from KL Sentral, with AeroBus and SkyBus buses serving the route. And with a flight to catch, not wanting to risk missing it and not pay RM55, I opted to go to the airport by this method.

You might be thinking that both the AeroBus and SkyBus serves klia2 as competitors. Well, it’s true during the LCCT era, but they’ve merged some time ago and now operate as AeroSky Ventures for the klia2 – KL Sentral route, with tickets purchased from AeroBus or SkyBus valid for use on either company’s buses. Note that this applies for the klia2 – KL Sentral route only and not other routes still operating under the distinct AeroBus or SkyBus names.

AeroSky Ventures tickets are sold at the SkyBus counter for buses heading from KL Sentral to klia2. Just buy a ticket for RM12 and hop on the bus with the door open in the queue. Whether it’s red or yellow, they’re the same. Buses depart approximately every 10 to 20 minutes.

The interior of the 44-seater bus.

Passing by the old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station before heading onto Jalan Damansara towards Sungai Besi.

Passing under the KLIA Express and KLIA Transit tracks on the way out of KL.

Hmm.

Passing over the Shah Alam Expressway and Sri Petaling LRT Station.

The Bukit Jalil National Stadium, looking ready for the 2017 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Approaching klia2.

Flying over the road from KLIA.


If you miss taking the train, you can pretend you are on one as the bus enters the gateway@klia2 Transportation Hub parallel to the ERL tracks. Except that this method is around 80% cheaper.

The interior of the bus with 2+2 Orient seats.

A little bit of the old AeroBus livery is still under the advertisement wrap, listing the route as LCCT – KL Sentral.

The journey from KL Sentral to klia2, without any major traffic jam, took around 60 minutes. But you should assume that it is a 90 minute journey just in case of any unexpected jams or you are leaving during peak hours.

Pass through the glass doors to get to gateway@klia2.

Upon ascending to the main level, you will see this flight information screen. It’s not necessary to stop here because gateway@klia2 is only a shoppping mall and NOT the actual terminal building to check-in.

Continue walking straight ahead, and maybe make a stop for Gong Cha.

Also, wave at the passengers coming off the KLIA Ekspres who might have been at KL Sentral also when the bus was there who didn’t know about this cheaper option.

Ascend 2 more levels up for departures.

Exit gateway@klia2 to a short non-air-conditioned area and head straight for the klia2 passenger terminal building. The walk takes around 5 minutes from the Transportation Hub. Over here can you finally start the check-in procedures for your flight.

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AeroBus/SkyBus (AeroSky Ventures): klia2 to KL Sentral by Express Bus

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After getting down from my budget flight from Johor Bahru, I wasn’t going to pay a similar fare for my airport transfer, so I opted for a budget bus instead – which is probably what most people do anyway.

The bus terminal is located at the end of gateway@klia2. Look for the signs that say Transportation Hub.

All counters have integrated ticketing for all buses. Just pick the one with the shortest queue.


You could also get a Starmart back to JB or Singapore from here if you really wanted to.

My ticket for the next departure to KL Sentral. A ticket to KL Sentral costs RM12.

The bus was already waiting outside. Pretty sure that despite the system selling tickets for buses at 10 minute intervals, the buses depart whenever it’s full, which isn’t a problem since there’s a steady supply of passengers at almost any time. In fact, I have a suspicion that buses depart even more frequently than every 10 minutes.

You might be thinking that both the AeroBus and SkyBus serves klia2 as competitors. Well, it’s true during the LCCT era, but they’ve merged some time ago and now operate as AeroSky Ventures for the klia2 – KL Sentral route, with tickets purchased from AeroBus or SkyBus valid for use on either company’s buses. Note that this applies for the klia2 – KL Sentral route only and not other routes still operating under the distinct AeroBus or SkyBus names.

To further get your mind blown, AeroSky Ventures is under Wawasan Sutera and Era Mesra. Google them and have fun looking at what other brands they have under their wing.

Since this is almost the backbone of klia2 transfers from the city, AeroSky Ventures and klia2 probably work really close together since each seat has the gateway@klia2 magazine for passengers to read while on the bus.


The 3 signs to know that you’re approaching Kuala Lumpur are when you see the Petronas Twin Towers, KL Tower and plenty of traffic jams.

Passing by Midvalley Megamall.

The journey during the day from klia2 to KL Sentral, inclusive of traffic jams when entering KL city, took 90 minutes.

Another bus

AeroSky Ventures tickets are still sold at the SkyBus counter for buses heading from KL Sentral to klia2. Just buy a ticket and hop on the bus with the door open in the queue. Whether it’s red or yellow, they’re the same.

Causeway Link Senai Airport Shuttle Service AA1: JB Sentral to Senai International Airport by Express Bus

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While the main international gateway to and from Singapore is obviously Changi Airport, I opted to fly to Kuala Lumpur from Senai instead, since the fares were about 3 to 4 times cheaper on a Saturday. Thankfully, the airport transfer wasn’t so much of a hassle with the Causeway Link Senai Airport Shuttle Service AA1.

To get across the Causeway to catch a flight on a Saturday morning, you better do it by the Shuttle Tebrau, or just give up and get a bus ticket from Larkin because you’re probably going to miss it if you do it by the regular cross-border bus.

23101 heads the Shuttle Tebrau today.


The Causeway Link counter to purchase tickets for the Senai Airport Shuttle Service AA1 is located down the escalators to the bus terminal, before actually exiting the escalator block.

Tickets cost RM8 and buses depart at every hour (by the .00) from 6.00am to 10.00pm, with the sole bus not following the hourly frequency departing at 5.30am. The journey time is around 45 to 60 minutes. You should board the bus from JB Sentral 3 hours before your flight time.

The ticket for the Causeway Link Senai Airport Shuttle Service AA1.

The Causeway Link Senai Airport Shuttle Service AA1 pulled up at the bus bay about 10 minutes before my 11am departure.


The interior of the bus.

Upon exiting JB Sentral, the bus turned right towards Danga Bay instead of left to the Eastern Dispersal Link Expressway (EDL). Not sure why, but since the bus carried just me and another passenger, Causeway Link probably didn’t want to lose the fare to tolls.

Looking back at Woodlands.

Passing by Danga Bay.


The entrance to the PLUS Highway to KL, but not using it this time.

Passing by Senai town.

Keeping right to the junction towards Senai Airport.

Splitting off the main road to Kulai, and if you dare, to Kuala Lumpur, Changlun, Bukit Kayu Hitam and beyond.

Passing over the former Senai railway halt. Probably rarely taking this until KTM creates a better timetable or once the Gemas – JB Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) is done.


Approaching Senai International Airport.

Alighting outside the terminal building.


Since the airport is rather compact, it’s just a few steps from the terminal entrance.

If you are heading on the reverse direction from Senai International Airport to JB Sentral, head on to the other side of the terminal where there’s a proper waiting shelter.

Airport Coach: KLIA to KL Sentral by Bus

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If you’re getting from KLIA to KL Sentral, instead of heading for the more direct but very expensive KLIA Ekspres route to the city, you can also opt for the Airport Coach and save up to RM45 for your airport transfer.

The Airport Coach counter is located on the main island ahead.

Buy your ticket from the green Airport Coach booth in the middle. A bus ticket from KLIA to KL Sentral goes for RM10.

You can also buy your Airport Coach ticket online at CatchThatBus.

The boarding area isn’t as nice as the one in klia2, but still does its job nonetheless.

The interior of the Airport Coach to KL Sentral.

As this is a 44-seater bus as compared with Jetbus, the legroom is slightly compromised.

Arrived at KL Sentral. The journey from KLIA to KL Sentral took around 1 hour without jams. You should factor in a 90 minute journey just in case of any traffic incidents around.

If you’re going from KL Sentral to KLIA, you can get your ticket at the Airport Coach booth just at the boarding area. Do note that the Airport Coach only serves KLIA and does not go to klia2.

Why should you take the Airport Coach over the Express Rail Link trains (KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit) from KLIA to KL Sentral?

The KLIA Ekspres from KLIA to KL Sentral takes 28 minutes and the KLIA Transit takes 35 minutes with 3 intermediate stops. As compared to Airport Coach which takes around an hour, it’s almost half the time taken by train. However, the Airport Coach costs just RM10 as compared to the ridiculously high fare of RM55 which is 5.5 times more. Moreover, the Airport Coach guarantees you a seat throughout the journey and does not make any additional stops in between. If you can spare an additional half an hour to be early for your airport transfer, you can save RM45 per person which could get you an extra budget hotel night’s stay in KL.

You can also buy your Airport Coach ticket online at CatchThatBus.

Jetbus: Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) to klia2 and KLIA by Bus

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From the very familiar Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), KLIA and klia2 airport connectivity is also available not just only from the expensive KLIA Transit airport train but also by Jetbus, allowing a pre-airport airport experience, cheaper long-term parking and connectivity from long-distance buses coming from everywhere in Malaysia, Southern Thailand and Singapore.

Tickets for the Jetbus can be purchased from any TBS counter or kiosk like a normal ticket.

My ticket from TBS to klia2. Tickets for this journey cost RM11.

The Jetbus leaves every 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the time of the day. Check schedules here.

You can also book Jetbus tickets online at Easybook.



The Jetbus ready for departure at TBS Gate 12.

Contrary to the route info on the bus, Jetbus plies the TBS – klia2 – KLIA route and vice-versa.

The interior of the 40-seater bus. If given a choice for 2+2 seater buses, pick the company that has 40 seats rather than 44 as this means that one row of 4 seats is missing and thus there’s more legroom.

The Jetbus at klia2. The journey from TBS to klia2 took around 45 minutes at night with no traffic jam. You should factor in a 75 minute journey in case of any jams if you have an actual flight to catch though.

If you are travelling from klia2 to TBS instead, you can purchase tickets on the spot at the centralised ticketing counters for RM11.


If you are travelling from KLIA to TBS instead, you can purchase tickets on the spot at the Jetbus counter for RM11.

Why should you take the Jetbus over the KLIA Transit train from Bandar Tasik Selatan?

The KLIA Transit from Bandar Tasik Selatan takes 29 minutes to KLIA and 32 minutes to klia2, whereas the Jetbus takes around 60 minutes to KLIA and 45 minutes to klia2. However, the Jetbus costs just RM11 as compared to the ridiculously high fare of RM38.40 which is about 3.5 times more, and could actually get you an air ticket with an AirAsia RM0 promotion with the Passenger Service Charge (PSC) or “airport tax” at RM35 for flights to ASEAN countries. Moreover, the Jetbus guarantees you a seat throughout the journey and does not make any additional stops in between. If you can spare an additional half an hour to be early for your airport transfer, you can save RM27.40 per person.

You can also book Jetbus tickets online at Easybook.

Transnasional: Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur by Bus

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Since the long weekend of Hari Raya Aidilfitri was approaching, against all advisories to travel up north to Malaysia with the traffic jams at both checkpoints, I decided to go to Kuala Lumpur anyway.

But wisely of course. Instead of getting a bus from Singapore, I opted to get the 1.30pm Shuttle Tebrau to JB Sentral (because every train earlier was already sold out) and then get a 2.30pm bus from Larkin Sentral to KL, both purchased 30 days ahead.

Transnasional was one of the few companies which didn’t have a ridiculous peak fare for the long weekend, and charged only RM38 instead of the usual RM34.30 fare. A simple online booking on Easybook 30 days in advance, and I’m all set to go.

Needless to say, the bus was full when I actually rode it.





The bus made a 30-minute stop at Yong Peng Lucky Garden, a popular rest stop for express buses which is actually out of the highway.


It’s not my favourite rest stop though. On top of the smaller toilets as compared to the R&Rs on the PLUS Highway, the food here are at Singapore prices in Ringgit, thanks to most bus companies operating to and from Singapore making a stop here.

The view on the way to KL.

I like the textured window sills on this bus though, it’s wide enough to place a phone and does not allow the phone to slip. A pity this particular bus comes installed with the typical rounded APM seats and not the newer ones with USB charging points as found on my previous Transnasional bus from Butterworth to Kota Bharu.


Arrived at TBS at 7.10pm, a journey of 4 hours and 40 minutes, including a 30-minute rest stop at Yong Peng. Not bad.


The arrival time also meant that I had missed both the KTM Komuter and KLIA Transit to KL Sentral, so I took the longer way with the LRT, but it still turned out faster than just sitting and waiting for the two other trains at Bandar Tasik Selatan.

Some possible booking methods for Johor Bahru – Kuala Lumpur Express Buses are:

Hotel Booking

Attractions Booking

How do I book tickets online?

  CatchThatBus Logo.png 

SBS Transit Bus Service 35/35M: Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT) to Tanah Merah MRT Station by Bus

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The Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal serves ferries towards the Indonesian island destinations nearer to the eastern part of Singapore, such as Batam Centre and Nongsapura on Batam Island, and Pulau Lobam, Bintan Lagoon, Tanjung Pinang and Telok Sebong (Bintan Resorts) on Bintan Island.

A dedicated public bus route, SBS Transit Bus Service 35/35M, serves the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal from Bedok and Tanah Merah MRT Stations.

Click here for the Singapore – Batam Ferries service information page.



The bus stop at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal is just across the road from the main entrance.

SBS Transit Bus Service 35 operates on weekdays from 6.00am to 7.30pm, and on Saturdays from 6.00am to 3.00pm. This service operates between Bedok Interchange and the Airport Logistics Park of Singapore (ALPS), with a stop at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in both directions. At Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, SBS Transit Bus Service 35 red plate buses are bound for ALPS while SBS Transit Bus Service 35 white plate buses are bound for Tanah Merah and Bedok MRT Stations.

Click here for the route information of SBS Transit Bus Service 35.

SBS Transit Bus Service 35M operates between Bedok Interchange and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal only. It operates on weekdays from 7.45pm to 11.15pm, Saturdays from 3.15pm to 11.15pm and on Sundays & Public Holidays from 6.00am to 11.15pm. The operational hours for SBS Transit Bus Service 35 and 35M do not overlap. At Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, SBS Transit Bus Service 35M buses are only bound for Tanah Merah and Bedok MRT Stations. Nevertheless, a Service 35 white plate is present to ease confusion.

Click here for the route information of SBS Transit Bus Service 35M.

Boarding the bus at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. The journey from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Tanah Merah MRT Station takes around 20 minutes.

Standard trunk service distance-based cash and card fares apply.

Alighting from the bus at Tanah Merah MRT Station Exit A.


From here, you can change to other bus services or the MRT (East West Line). Alternatively, you can continue towards Bedok Interchange with the bus plying the parallel road under the MRT tracks.




From Tanah Merah MRT Station, on top of heading to the city, you can also head towards Changi Airport if you have a flight to catch, serving as a frequent but longer alternative to the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT) – Changi Airport Shuttle Bus Service. This is especially useful if you are not coming in by the Batam Centre – Tanah Merah Majestic Fast Ferry service and the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT) – Changi Airport Shuttle Bus Service departure timings do not match your arrival time.

Click here for the Singapore – Batam Ferries service information page.

Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT) – Changi Airport Shuttle Bus Service

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Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and Changi Airport are situated pretty close to each other, and I’ve actually wondered for quite a while if it’s possible for some sort of integration between the two facilities so that the airport could also serve the nearby Indonesian islands just like how the SkyPier at Hong Kong International Airport works.

However, since 1 June 2017, there is a shuttle service between Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and Changi Airport which makes such a transfer one step closer to becoming more convenient.

The Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal – Changi Airport shuttle bus service primarily serves the Majestic Fast Ferry services between Tanah Merah and Batam Centre, with the departure times of the buses from Changi Airport departing around 1 hour before the ferry’s departure time. However, there’s no restriction on the passengers that can board the bus and you can use this service if you are travelling with other ferries or just want to try it out for fun like me.

Check the Majestic Fast Ferry schedule here.

View the Singapore – Batam (Indonesia) Ferries information page here.

Route Map

If you are a Majestic Fast Ferry passenger with a ticket on the Tanah Merah – Batam Centre route with a same-day departure, congratulations, your bus ride is free! Just approach the Ground Transport Desk at the Terminal 2 Arrival Hall to get your voucher.

You can book your Tanah Merah – Batam Centre ferry tickets online at Easybook.

*Terms and conditions here.

If you’re not a ferry passenger, just pay the $2 fare with cash or EZ-Link when you board the bus.

The Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal – Changi Airport shuttle bus service departs from Terminal 2 Coach Bay, Lot 8. It does not pick-up passengers at Terminal 1 or Terminal 3. Follow the signs which says “Coach”, or you can just head to where the McDonald’s is and exit where the glass doors are to the coach bay.


The schedule for the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal – Changi Airport shuttle bus service mounted on the pillar where the bus departs from.

You can also view the bus schedule here.



The interior of the shuttle bus.


Payment of the $2 fare can be done by EZ-Link or by cash. Just tap your card against the reader or drop your cash into the cash box on board the bus. No tickets are issued after payment.

The “Welcome to Singapore” sign as the bus leaves the airport, but if you’re heading onwards to Batam, then it will be a very short welcome.

Exiting the ECP to Tanah Merah Coast Road.


The new realigned Tanah Merah Coast Road.

Looking down the airport runway.

Turning into Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.


Arrived at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. The ride, with no jams, took just under 15 minutes.



The bus stop is just a few steps from the main entrance of the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.



Various ferry companies are at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, just like at HarbourFront, but only Majestic Fast Ferry has trips to Batam Centre from here.


Once you’ve got your tickets, departure is pretty straightforward from here on.

If you are heading for Changi Airport instead, the bus stop for the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal – Changi Airport shuttle bus service is pretty visible once you step out of the building.

For departures from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, unlike the journey from Changi Airport, the bus drops you off at all 3 terminals’ departure kerbside in order of Terminal 3, Terminal 1 and finally Terminal 2. Inform the driver on which terminal your flight is departing at or wish to alight at.

Tickets are at $2 per trip. Fares can be paid with cash or EZ-Link. Children below 1.2m in height travel for free on the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal – Changi Airport shuttle bus service.