EXACTLY How To Get From Singapore To Desaru Coast: By Ferry, Bus And More!

Looking for a fun beach getaway close to Singapore? Desaru Coast could be just what you’re looking for!

Located on the southeastern coast of Malaysia, Desaru is home to a beautiful 22-kilometre stretch of coastline, gorgeous beaches and some fantastic resorts, including the Westin, Lotus Desaru Beach Resort and the Hard Rock Hotel.

There’s plenty to keep you busy here too, from Desaru Adventure Waterpark and golf to water sports, nature experiences and other family-friendly attractions. However, the area still has a much more relaxed feel than many of Malaysia’s busier tourist destinations.

Another great thing about Desaru is how accessible it is from Singapore. You can travel by ferry, coach or car, making it a convenient destination for a weekend getaway, longer holiday or even a day trip.

But which is the best way to get from Singapore to Desaru?

Below, I’ll walk you through the different transport options, including how long they take, what they cost and the advantages and disadvantages of each. I’ll also help you decide which option is best for your trip.

So let’s start!

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How To Go From Singapore To Desaru Coast, Malaysia

The fastest driving route is pictured below. This also shows you where the Desaru Coast is located in relation to Singapore.

What Is The Distance From Singapore To Desaru?

By road, going to Desaru from Singapore is about 100 kilometres. The drive can take around 1.5–2 hours in favourable conditions, but this does depend on where you are coming from in Singapore and how busy the border area is.

It’s also possible to take a direct ferry from Singapore to Desaru Coast. The crossing takes around 90 minutes, although you’ll need to allow additional time for getting to and from the ferry terminals.

Remember when comparing the following options that the ferry and bus are per person prices. If you are more than one person, these can add up to more than the cost of a private taxi. The taxi price quoted below covers up to five passengers.

Before travelling, make sure your passport meets Malaysia’s entry requirements and check whether you need to complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC).

Option 1: Taking The Ferry From Singapore To Desaru

Taking the ferry is one of the most convenient ways to travel from Singapore to Desaru Coast, particularly if you’re staying at one of the main resorts.

Operated by BatamFast, the ferry departs from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore and arrives at Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal in Malaysia.

The crossing takes approximately 90 minutes.

As of October 2026, the published departure times are:

Route	Departure
Singapore to Desaru Coast	10:10am
Desaru Coast to Singapore	5:30pm

Services operate on selected days rather than daily. The operator’s general timetable currently lists Thursday to Sunday.

Click here to check the current schedule for your dates.

Ferry tickets are relatively expensive, particularly if you’re travelling as a family. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of getting to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and travelling from Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal to your accommodation.

However, you avoid the road border crossing, and the ferry terminal is conveniently located for the Desaru Coast resort area.

I’d recommend arranging your onward transport in advance rather than assuming a taxi or Grab will be waiting when you arrive.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the ferry can be affected by rough sea conditions. During the northeast monsoon, services may be diverted to Tanjung Pengelih, with an onward coach transfer to Desaru Coast provided by the operator.

Total journey time: Approximately 90 minutes on the ferry, plus check-in, immigration and transfers.

Cost: Currently S$84 each way per person

Click here to see the latest prices for a ferry ticket to Desaru from Singapore.

Note: There is currently no car ferry from Singapore to Desaru.

Click here to read our complete guide to taking the Singapore to Desaru ferry.

Option 2: Taking The Singapore To Desaru Bus

If you’re looking for a more affordable way to get from Singapore to Desaru, travelling by bus or coach is worth considering.

There are two main ways to do this: booking a direct coach from Singapore or taking public buses via Johor Bahru.

Direct Coach From Singapore To Desaru

The easiest bus option is to book a coach that travels directly from Singapore to Desaru.

Depending on the operator and your travel date, services depart from multiple locations across Singapore and stop at selected Desaru Coast attractions or resorts.

The journey generally takes around three hours, depending on where you board and where you get off. It can take longer when the border crossings are busy.

This can be an economical alternative to the ferry, particularly if you’re travelling alone or as a couple.

However, departure times, boarding points and drop-off locations vary, so make sure you check these carefully before booking. Not every service stops at every Desaru hotel.

Total journey time: Approximately 3 hours but varying widely depending on border conditions and where you start and end your journey.

Cost: Currently S$26+ each way per person

Click here to check the latest Singapore to Desaru coach schedules and prices.

Taking Public Buses Via Johor Bahru

If a direct coach doesn’t suit your travel dates, it’s also possible to reach Desaru using public buses via Johor Bahru.

First, take a cross-border bus from Singapore into Johor Bahru and complete immigration at the appropriate checkpoints.

From Johor Bahru, you can look for an onward service towards Desaru Coast or Bandar Penawar.

If your bus only travels as far as Bandar Penawar, you’ll need to arrange a taxi or Grab for the final part of the journey to your accommodation.

This option can be cheaper, but it’s also more complicated. You’ll need to coordinate multiple services, allow time for immigration and potentially wait for your connecting bus.

Personally, I’d only recommend this option if you’re travelling on a tight budget and don’t mind spending extra time getting there.

Total journey time: Allow at least three to four hours for a multi-bus journey, and potentially longer depending on connections and border queues.

Cost: Depends on the services used and whether you need a taxi for the final leg. Probably S$17+

Option 3: Taking A Desaru Tour From Singapore

If you’re planning a day trip from Singapore to Desaru and want to visit several attractions, I recommend you hire a private taxi for the day.

Rather than travelling directly to your hotel or the beach, you can plan a day around some of the area’s attractions.

For example, you could visit Desaru Fruit Farm, spend some time at Adventure Waterpark or explore other places around Desaru and Kota Tinggi.

This is how we explored Desaru on one of our trips. We arranged transport for the day and visited several attractions along the way, which was a great way to see more of the area without having to organise separate transfers between each stop.

If you’re travelling with children or as a group, having your transport organised in advance can make the day much easier.

Just keep in mind that you’ll be crossing an international border, so allow plenty of time for immigration and don’t try to squeeze too many activities into one day.

This currently starts from S$300 for eight hours, with pickup and drop-off in Singapore and around Desaru Coast. You can find more information on this service here.

If you are planning on visiting the Desaru Adventure Waterpark on your trip, you can find discount tickets here.

Option 4: Transport From Singapore To Desaru By Car/Taxi

Driving is one of the most flexible ways to travel from Singapore to Desaru, particularly if you want to explore the surrounding area during your holiday.

The road distance is approximately 100 kilometres, depending on your starting point and route.

In favourable conditions, the journey takes around 1.5–2 hours, but you should allow longer when the border crossings are busy, particularly during weekends and public holidays.

Driving Your Own Car

If you have your own car, driving is a convenient option. You can leave whenever you like, take as much luggage as you need and visit attractions along the way.

The usual route involves crossing into Johor and continuing towards Desaru via the Senai–Desaru Expressway.

Make sure you have the necessary vehicle documents, insurance and payment arrangements for driving in Malaysia before leaving Singapore.

Booking A Taxi Or Private Transfer

If you’d prefer not to drive yourself, you can take a private taxi to Desaru.

This can be convenient if you’re travelling with children or have lots of luggage, but it’s important to check the exact arrangements before booking.

Cross-border taxi and private-hire services are regulated, and not every vehicle or operator is authorised to provide a direct journey between Singapore and Desaru.

To book a taxi/private transfer, you can book through your resort or this service currently will take you for S$160.

This is how we travelled from Desaru back to Singapore on our most recent trip. So easy!

Total journey time: 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic and border queues.

Cost: S$160 for up to five passengers

* The cost will be a lot lower if you take your own car.

Travelling From Desaru To Singapore

You can use the same general transport options when travelling from Desaru back to Singapore, although departure times and availability may differ.

If you’re taking the ferry, the currently advertised departure from Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal is 5:30pm on Thursdays to Sundays.

Click here to see the latest times and prices.

You can also take a direct bus back to Singapore.

Click here to see the latest times and prices.

You can also arrange a private taxi to take you back.

If you’re driving, allow extra time for the Singapore border crossing, particularly on Sunday evenings and at the end of public holidays.

Remember to check Singapore’s entry requirements, including whether you need to submit a Singapore Arrival Card before travelling.

Final Words

Desaru Coast is a fantastic destination for a beach getaway, and getting there from Singapore is relatively straightforward once you’ve decided how you want to travel.

For visitors staying at one of the main resorts, the direct ferry is a convenient option if it operates on your travel dates.

A direct coach can be a more economical choice, while driving gives you the most flexibility, particularly if you’d like to explore some of the attractions around Desaru.

And a private taxi can be the easiest option of all. Just make sure you book it in advance with a registered operator.

Whichever option you choose, remember to allow extra time for immigration, check the latest schedules and arrange any onward transport before leaving.

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I hope you found this guide helpful.  Be sure to check out our guide on things to do in Desaru as well as our guide to the best hotels here. Find all our Desaru guides here.

Any questions? Ask them in our Malaysia Planning Facebook group! Thinking about visiting Johor Bahru on your trip as well? Find all our Johor Bahru guides here.