2 Weeks In Singapore and Malaysia

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Singapore and Malaysia are close-knitted which makes them good countries to combine when spending 2 weeks in Southeast Asia. These two countries have good border relations, making it easy for tourists from both countries to cross.

Sure, coming from Malaysia, the immigrants at the Singapore immigration border might have more questions than those entering Malaysia from Singapore. But once all that is settled and figured out, a holiday of 2 weeks in Singapore and Malaysia is filled with exciting and very unique vacations.

Singapore offers such a modern experience. It’s filled with skyscrapers, transportation that works so great, and well, expensive hotels and restaurants. After all, it’s the tech hub of Southeast Asia.

While Malaysia offers a highly culture-based experience, although Kuala Lumpur is a metropolitan city, Melaka, Langkawi, and Penang are so diverse – they surely represent a traditional yet welcoming vibe.

I will show you three different itineraries when going on a two-week vacation in Singapore and Malaysia. I will also list things to see, tours to book, accommodations to stay at, and how to get from one place to another.

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING

4 IMAGES - petronas twin towers, a long wooden bridge by the shore, marina bay sand, three traditional malaysian bicycles - 2-Weeks In Singapore and Malaysia

I personally believe that Singapore and Malaysia are the two easiest places to visit in Southeast Asia. Unlike its neighbouring countries, in these two destinations, you can actually rent a car and drive on your own.

Here are more travel tips to help you explore Singapore and Malaysia much easier:

When is the best time to go to

In general, it’s very humid and hot in Singapore and Malaysia, while the typhoon season could really affect your itinerary. Weather-wise, the best time to visit Malaysia and Singapore is between November to March. During this time, it’s not too hot and almost no rain.

However, these months are also the busiest, many locals and foreigners are visiting and travelling around which hikes up the prices of hotels, tickets, and flights. In December, there’s Christmas which is a public holiday in both countries. In March-April, you have Ramadan which is also a busy public holiday.

It’s highly recommended to avoid travelling from June until October. During this time, the weather is really unpredictable and most likely raining 90% of the time. 2 weeks in Singapore and Malaysia will be wasted if spent during these months.

April to May can be very dry with no rain at all, even the locals try to not go out too much. While October to November can be a hit and miss but it’s not as bad as the other typhoon months.

Getting around

I love the transportation in these two countries. Both places have amazing public transportation that is very handy. In Singapore, you can easily go from one part of the country to another without leaving the train station (even when you have to do a connection or train change).

Malaysia also has an efficient train, especially in Kuala Lumpur. While the buses from city to city are quite reliable. You can also take domestic flights which are affordable.

Language and currency

Both countries have English as one of their main languages. Malay of course is the most common language in Malaysia while in Singapore, you have Malay, Tamil, and Mandarin Chinese.

Singapore uses the Singaporean Dollar while Malaysia has the Malaysian Ringgit. In both countries, you can pay with bank cards easily, especially in hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls.

Although there are ATMs nearly everywhere, it is still smart to bring cash with you at all times, especially in Malaysia.

Visa and COVID-19 policy

Malaysia probably has one of the friendliest visa policies. Almost everyone is welcome to enjoy a free visa for 14-90 days. Countries in South Asia and China have to apply for an evisa, while a few countries in Africa have to apply through the embassy or consulate.

Singapore also offers visas for free to visitors with a passport from almost anywhere in North and South America, Europe, may Central and South Africa, all of Southeast Asia, some East Asia, and almost all of Oceania for 30 to 90 days.

Malaysia is now open to all travellers. Fully vaccinated tourists must show their COVID-19 vaccination card, if arriving by air, one must present a negative RT-PCR test result taken 48-hours prior to departure. Unvaccinated visitors can also enter but must present a negative test as well. Check this site for more information.

Singapore is only open to full-vaccinated tourists who also have to present a pre-departure RT-PCR test. Read here for more information.

What to pack

Regardless of the season, make sure to bring something that will cover your shoulders and legs (everyone). This is required when entering and visiting sacred places such as pagodas and temples.

We have a free printable packing list and a sample of what you should pack for a 2-week trip.

Other basic travel tips

These websites and travel tools make my travel planning and itinerary writing much easier. I ensure that I book at least the first two nights at my first destination. I also book a car rental in advance to avoid spending too much time at the airport to get one.

PINNED MAP OF MUST-SEE PLACES IN SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA

Click the icon on the top right to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google

2 WEEKS IN SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA ITINERARY

I will show you three different travel itineraries for Singapore and Malaysia below. If you love big cities, you can use any of them, but itineraries #1 and #3 are my two favourites for beach lovers.

Itinerary #1: Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Langkawi or Perhentian Islands

This itinerary is a good choice because it balances city exploration and beach vacation. If it’s your first time being in these two countries, you definitely have to see Singapore and Kuala Lumpur’s glorious skyscrapers.

After your first week, you can then head to the beach and enjoy Southeast Asia’s stunning white sand beaches and exciting diving and snorkelling spots.

Singapore for 3 days

Whenever in the world you are coming from, it’s best to arrive in Singapore to start off your trip. Since it’s located on the southern tip Malaysian Peninsula, from here, you can make your up to Malaysia.

Singapore is an expensive place, probably similar to the UK, California, New York, and even Scandinavia. A hostel bunkbed will cost about $18/night. If you are on a budget, this is the place you want to book things in advance since the affordable accommodations get booked up fast.

Kuala Lumpur for 3 days

2 images - rocky shore and sunset view of marina bay sands - 2-Weeks In Singapore and Malaysia

To get o Kuala Lumpur, you can either take a 1-hour direct flight or take a 5-hour bus ride. I personally think it’s better to take the bus since you need to arrive at the airport early anyway. On the bus, you have to get off at the border to get an exit stamp from Singapore and an entry stamps to Malaysia then back to the bus.

2 weeks in Singapore and Malaysia have to include Kuala Lumpur. It’s a very unique city. Yes, it’s pretty much covered in skyscrapers but not far from it, you can explore authentic Malaysian culture.

It’s quite easy to visit top attractions in Kuala Lumpur because they have reliable public transportation while the locals speak great English, hence asking for directions or help is very easy.

Penang for 3 days

Penang is about a 4-hour drive north of Kaula Lumpur. You can take a bus, train (which takes about 7 hours), drive, or a direct flight.

Penang is very different from Kuala Lumpur. While you still have some tall buildings, it’s not as many. I like to think that Penang showcase the diverse culture of Malaysia. It’s popular for many things but the most significant are the food, colonial architecture, and street art.

Penang is an island which means you can take a dip on the beach after exploring busy George Town. You can get to most beaches by taking a double-decker bus – something that you have to experience while in Penang.

Perhentian Islands or Langkawi for 4 days

I’m not going to lie, these two places are very different from one another and honestly cannot be compared But if you only have 2 weeks in Singapore and Malaysia, you have to choose which place you want to spend your beach and water activities.

To help you decide, here are some pros and cons:

  • it’s easier to get to Langkawi than Perhentian Islands
  • beaches in Perhentian island are stunning compared to Langkawi
  • Langkawi is a duty-free island making many things much more affordable
  • there is a turtle sanctuary on Perhentian island and you can snorkelling/dive here

To get to Perhentian Islands from Penang, you can easily take a direct flight to either Kelantan or Terengganu. If coming from Langkawi, you have to get to Penang to take those flights.

From both towns (Kelantan or Terengganu), you will need to take a taxi to Besut which is about an hour. Once in Besut, you will take a ferry to Perhentian Islands.

Itinerary #2: Singapore, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, Penang

2 images - traditional malay house and green farm - 2-Weeks In Singapore and Malaysia

If you are not a fan of the beach, this itinerary might be suitable for you. Although it still visits Melaka and Penang, which are both near the water, there are many other things you can do there. Both are very culturally-centred cities and have activities that will keep you on your feet.

Singapore for 3 days

A lot of flights (from Europe, Oceania, North America, and even Africa) will land or connect in Singapore. This means that you shouldn’t have a hard time finding flights from anywhere in the world.

Although 3-days in Singapore is not that much, since the country has fantastic public transportation, getting from one place to another is very convenient. In 3 days, you can definitely cover all the must-see spots in Singapore.

You can get to Melaka from Singapore by taking a 3.5-hour bus. You will have to get off at the border to get your exit stamp and entry stamp, then get back on the bus to continue your trip.

Melaka for 2 days

Melaka is a great way to take a break from busy and high-tech cities. Melaka is more traditional and is rich in history and culture. One of the best ways to explore the city is by renting a pushbike, this will allow you to explore the town in your own little way.

2-days here are plenty, it will allow you to catch up and process your Singapore adventure while still being able to walk around the city and explore new places. Melaka is not as hectic, if you’re not too interested in seeing some places here, you can spend this time walking aimlessly or checking out local restaurants and cafes.

Kuala Lumpur for 3 days

You can take a bus from Melaka to Kuala Lumpur; there are two options. The journey lasts between 3 to 7 hours depending on which route/bus company you choose. However, if you can afford it, I recommend you rent a car and drive yourself instead or rent a car with a driver for one-way service. This is because you can actually do the trip in less than 3-hours.

What I love about Kuala Lumpur is how the city is filled with skyscrapers, but with only less than an hour’s drive, you will be in this different and unique world. after you scale the Petronas Twin Towers and other amazing spots on top of tall buildings, there are many day trips that you can do from Kuala Lumpur such as climbing the Batu Caves or going hiking in Cameron Highlands.

Penang for 3 days

For your final leg of the trip, you will head to Penang. You can also take a bus there, which is about a 7-hour drive or take a quick half an hour direct flight.

Since this is where your 2 weeks in Singapore and Malaysia vacation will end, I recommend you to take it slow and enjoy the beach. Personally, Penang doesn’t have the best beach in Southeast Asia but it offers something unique.

You can go hiking, join or do your own street art walking tour, try out local street food, and enjoy the beach. Perhaps you can splurge a bit and stay in a resort where you can have tranquillity while reading a book and enjoy a cold drink.

Itinerary #3 Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi, Singapore

2 images - cable car view from the top, petronas twin towers - 2-Weeks In Singapore and Malaysia

This last itinerary for 2-weeks in Singapore and Malaysia is a little different than the first one. It is a slower trip. This will actually give you plenty of time to explore all cities without feeling like you had to pack and catch another flight again.

This travel plan allows you to enjoy both big cities and the beach or be around nature. This is also a smart way to explore the two countries. Since you are beginning your trip in Kuala Lumpur and ending it in Singapore, each city’s international airports are massive and busy. Meaning you shouldn’t have a problem finding a flight directly to Kuala Lumpur and a flight home that will leave Singapore and get home with just 1 or even no connection.

Kuala Lumpur for 4 days

Spending 4-days in Kuala Lumpur will include plenty of time to explore both the city and the surrounding areas. Genting Highlands, Krau Wildlife Reserve, and Cameron Highlands are only a bit over an hour away from Kuala Lumpur.

Penang and Langkawi for 5 days

Take a bus or fly to Penang or take a flight to Langkawi, and spend a few days before making your way down to Penang. Both places offer very different experiences. Penang is a busier island while Langkawi is spacious and gives a more island vibe. There are plenty of resorts to choose from, hiking trails, and it’s duty-free.

Both Langkawi and Penang have an airport, regardless of where you go, you can take a direct flight to Singapore.

Singapore for 4 days

Being the last destination of your 2-weeks in Singapore and Malaysia, I recommend you get through your must-see places in Singapore. And on your last day or two, treat yourself by spending time in a luxurious top-floor restaurant where you can have a great view of the city.

You can also book a boat cruise and enjoy sunset dinner on your own or with friends and family. Finally, don’t forget to check out souvenir shops.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

2 images - langkawi and batu caves

I already provided you with the map of must-see places in Singapore and Malaysia. Below, I included recommendations for tours that you should take a look at and book. A guided tour allows you to have a well-informed local guide and save you time from arrange individual tours and transportation.

These tours will make your travel planning easier and your trip less hassle.

Singapore

  • Marina Bay Sands – the popular boat on top of three skyscrapers
  • Gardens by the Bay
  • Singapore Botanical Gardens
  • Merlion – the lion statue that spits out water
  • Singapore Flyer
  • National Gallery Singapore
  • Clarke Quay
  • Jurong Bird Park
  • Chinatown – a great spot for foodies
  • Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
  • SkyPark Observation Deck
  • Sentosa

Kuala Lumpur

Penang

Langkawi

Perhentian Islands

  • Ѕсubа Dіvіng
  • Ѕnоrkеllіng
  • Јunglе Тrеkkіng
  • Тurtlе Веасh – уоu саn ѕіmрlу tаkе а lооk оr vоluntееr аt thе ѕаnсtuаrу
  • РІR Веасh
  • Аdаm аnd Еvе Веасh
  • Теrеnggаnu Маrіnе Раrk
  •  Тuраі Веасh Ваr

Melaka

ACCOMMODATIONS

If you need help deciding where to stay in Singapore and Malaysia, I have prepared a list of amazing hotels and resorts. I included three different options depending on your budget and travel style:

Singapore

Kuala Lumpur

Penang

Langkawi

Perhentian Islands

Melaka

SUMMARY OF 2 WEEKS IN SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA

Combining Singapore and Malaysia in your 2 weeks in Southeast Asia is a great idea. It’s a mixture of an expensive destination and one that is affordable to midrange. The fact that these two countries are connected by land, makes it easier to travel and move around. It saves you time and maximise your limited vacation.

I hope that you found these 2 weeks in Singapore and Malaysia itineraries helpful in planning your vacation in this region.

SAVE THESE ITINERARIES ON YOUR PINTEREST:

Discover Singapore's futuristic skyline and lush gardens before exploring Malaysia's vibrant cities and idyllic islands. From street food in Penang to the beaches of Langkawi, experience a blend of modernity and tradition over two weeks. via @twoweektraveller