Best Weekend Getaways from Singapore by Car 2025

Escape the city for the weekend! Here are the best driving destinations within 5 hours of Singapore.

Malaysia Destinations

1. Johor Bahru (30 mins)

Best for: Shopping, food, family fun

Highlights:

Legoland Malaysia
Premium Outlets
Hello Kitty Town
JB street food

Rental tip: Book cross-border approved car

2. Malacca (2.5 hours)

Best for: History, culture, food

Must-see:

Jonker Street night market
A'Famosa fortress
River cruise
Nyonya cuisine

Stay: 2 days, 1 night minimum

3. Desaru Beach (1.5 hours)

Best for: Beach relaxation, resorts

Activities:

Beach activities
Hard Rock Hotel
Desaru Fruit Farm
Water sports

Perfect for: Families with kids

4. Genting Highlands (4 hours)

Best for: Cool weather, entertainment

Attractions:

Theme parks
Casinos
Cool climate escape
Mountain views

Drive: Challenging mountain roads

5. Kuala Lumpur (4 hours)

Best for: City exploration, shopping

Highlights:

Petronas Towers
Bukit Bintang shopping
Batu Caves
Street food (Jalan Alor)

Stay: 3 days, 2 nights ideal

Road Trip Essentials

What to Pack

Passport (min 6 months validity)
Driving license + IDP
Ringgit cash for tolls
Power bank
Phone holder
Snacks and water
Offline maps

Car Type Recommendations

Couples: Economy sedan ($45/day) Family (4): Compact MPV ($75/day) Large group: 7-seater MPV ($95/day) Comfort: Premium sedan ($120/day)

Sample Itineraries

Malacca Weekend (2D1N)

Friday:

2pm: Depart Singapore
5pm: Arrive Malacca
6pm: Check-in hotel
7pm: Jonker Street night market

Saturday:

9am: Heritage trail
12pm: Lunch (Nyonya food)
2pm: River cruise
4pm: Shopping
7pm: Dinner at Portuguese Settlement

Sunday:

9am: A'Famosa
11am: Last-minute shopping
1pm: Depart for Singapore
4pm: Arrive home

Total cost:

Car rental (3 days): $120
Fuel: RM60
Tolls: RM40
Accommodation: $80/night
Food: $100
Total: ~$450 for 2 pax

KL Long Weekend (3D2N)

Day 1:

Early departure (7am)
Arrive KL lunch time
Petronas Towers
KLCC shopping
Jalan Alor dinner

Day 2:

Batu Caves morning
City sightseeing
Bukit Bintang shopping
Street food tour

Day 3:

Morning at leisure
Lunch in KL
Afternoon departure
Arrive Singapore evening

Border Crossing Tips

Best times to cross:

Weekdays: 10am-4pm
Avoid: Friday 5pm-9pm, Sunday 4pm-9pm
Quietest: Tuesday/Wednesday mid-morning

Documents needed:

Passport
Car rental agreement
Cross-border permission
VEP registration
Insurance documents

Customs declaration:

Declare dutiable goods
Keep receipts
Cigarette/alcohol limits
No prohibited items

Cost Saving Tips

Fill up in Malaysia - 30-40% cheaper
Eat at local places - Half Singapore prices
Book accommodation in advance - Better rates
Use Touch 'n Go - Faster toll payments
Avoid peak season - Malaysian public holidays

Accommodation Recommendations

Budget ($30-50/night)

Malacca: Jonker Street hotels
JB: City Square area
Desaru: Non-resort options

Mid-range ($60-100/night)

Malacca: Heritage hotels
KL: Bukit Bintang area
Genting: First World Hotel

Luxury ($150+/night)

Desaru: Hard Rock Hotel
KL: Grand Hyatt
Genting: Resorts World

Fuel & Toll Costs

Fuel (SGD equivalent)

Singapore to Malacca: $25 return
Singapore to KL: $45 return
Singapore to JB: $15 return

Tolls

To Malacca: RM35 one way
To KL: RM50 one way
To Desaru: RM15 one way

Safety Tips

Drive defensively - Different road culture
Stay alert - Long drives can be tiring
Rest stops - Take breaks every 2 hours
Emergency numbers - Save before you go
Keep valuables hidden - Lock car always

Best Rental Companies for Cross-Border

ClearPath Rentals

Cross-border from $60/day
Insurance included
24/7 support

Goldbell

Established service
Good for longer trips
Comprehensive insurance

Hertz

International coverage
Premium vehicles
Higher rates

Ready for your weekend escape? Rent with ClearPath for hassle-free cross-border trips!