Missing your cheap food, cheaper petrol, budget-priced massages, and more importantly, your loved ones? After a long two-year wait, fully-vaccinated travellers can finally enter Malaysia in the comfort of their cars and on motorcycles via the Causeway and Second Link.
Given all the pent-up excitement, you are probably rushing to join the queues. But before you zoom off, do take note of what you need to know about going to Malaysia by land under the Vaccinated Travel Framework. From the MySejahtera mobile application, to tips and tricks to save money, we have it all covered!
What You Will Need Before Entering Malaysia
It was certainly not an April Fools’ joke that the Singapore-Malaysia border was reopening on April 1. With queues forming at the checkpoints from 10pm f Mar 31, many were eager to finally meet their loved ones, indulge in their favourite foods and shop till they drop.
While finally being able to travel to Malaysia is exciting, here is what you will need to do and have on hand to enter Malaysia.
Upload Your Vaccination Status
From Apr 1, fully-vaccinated travellers – and unvaccinated travellers aged 12 or younger – will not be required to undergo pre-departure and on-arrival Covid-19 tests, go through on-arrival quarantine or serve out a Stay-Home Notice (SHN).
What Malaysia deems acceptable vaccines and doses for people entering the country
| Type of Vaccine | Number of Doses | 18 – 59 years | 60 Years and Above |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sinovax Sinopharm | 2 | Partially vaccinated | Partially vaccinated |
| 3 | Fully vaccinated | Fully vaccinated | |
| Pfizer Moderna AstraZeneca Covaxin Covishield Noravax Sputnik V |
2 | Fully vaccinated | Partially vaccinated |
| 3 | Boosted | Fully vaccinated | |
| CanSino Janssen Sputnik Light |
1 | Fully vaccinated | Partially vaccinated |
| 2 | Boosted | Fully vaccinated | |
| Malaysia will also accept Covid-19 vaccines not on the World Health Organisation’s Emergency Use Listing, if they have been approved by regulatory agencies in other countries. | |||
To obtain your Covid-19 vaccination certificate, head over to Notαrise to download your Vaccination HealthCert. After receiving your confirmation email, you should also take a screenshot of the QR code, which should have been verified, generated on your Vaccination HealthCert to simplify the immigration process. You may also print out a hard copy to produce at the checkpoint to be safe.
After receiving your Vaccination HealthCert, do upload and verify your certificate on the MySafeTravel portal before departure. Do check that your vaccination status has also been updated on the MySejahtera mobile app.
Download MySejahtera
Equivalent to Singapore’s TraceTogether, MySejahtera is a mobile application that serves as a platform to check your vaccination status and facilitate contact tracing. As such, it is imperative that you download MySejahtera before departure.
As an alternative to uploading your Vaccination HealthCert to the MySafeTravel portal, you can update your vaccination status directly to the MySejahtera mobile app. You can do so by simply clicking on the “traveller” icon and filling in your details in the arrival card. Should you be required to key in a Malaysian address, we suggest using your Singapore address, filling in the city as Johor Baru, and using 80000 as the postal code.
Entering Malaysia
Upon crossing the Singapore-Malaysia border, travellers by land will also be required to pay Road Charge from 8 April 2022.
Road Charge
The Road Charge is a levy imposed on non-Malaysia-registered cars going into Malaysia on road through Johor. Imposed by Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport, Singapore-registered cars entering Malaysia’s land checkpoints – both at Woodlands Causeway and Tuas Second Link – will be required to pay RM20/S$6.45.
As an alternative to your typical Touch ‘n Go cards which cost S$10, Singaporean travellers can also purchase the EZ-Link x Touch ‘n Go card which is a dual-currency cross-border card catering to Singapore motorists travelling to Malaysia. Avaialble at selected 7-Eleven stores in Singapore, the EZ-Link Official Shopee Store, and at Caltex, Sinopec, and SPC petrol stations from April 11, this card also costs S$10.
To help you better understand the convenience that the EZ-Link x Touch ‘n Go card brings, we have included the uses for this card and locations where the cards can be topped up.
| Singapore | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Tolling | ERP ✓ |
VEP Toll ✓ |
| Parking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rail and Bus | ✓ | |
| Retail | ✓ |
| Country | Locations |
|---|---|
| Singapore (top-up fees apple at certain top-up channels) |
7-Eleven outlets DBS/POSB ATMs AXS Stations that accept EZ-Link card payments |
| Malaysia | Locations |
Take note that the EZ-Link x Touch ‘n Go card has two purses – an SGD purse and a MYR purse. Any top-up in SGD goes into the SGD purse and cannot be transferred to the MYR purse. The funds in the SGD purse can be used only for eligible transactions in Singapore such as parking and Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) fees. So, if you plan to use the EZ-Link Touch ‘n Go to pay tolls in Malaysia, you’ll need to top up your card in Malaysia.
Fortunately, from Apr 17l, the Road Charge will be waived since the border closures have meanSingaporeans have not been able to enter Malaysia and top up their Touch ‘n Go cards due to the closure of borders for the last two years. From Apr 8 onwards, do ensure that your Touch ‘n Go has been topped up sufficiently to make payment at checkpoints.
if you need to buya Touch ‘n Go card, it is available at selected convenience stores, petrol stations as well as self-service kiosks. We suggest that you purchase your card at Watsons or at Lotus (previously called Tesco) to earn points to offset your toll payments.
As the Road Charge waiver ends on Apr 8, ensure that your Touch ‘n Go card is still active. While most cards purchased before the pandemic will still work, but do check the expiry dates of your cards, just to be safe. if you need help with your card, head over to the Touch ‘n Go website.
Returning to Singapore
While fully -accinated travellers no longer need to apply for the Vaccinated Travel Pass, travellers will stilneed to fill in the SG Arrival Card (SGAC).
SG Arrival Card
All travellers including Singapore citizens, permanent residents, and long-term pass holders returning to or entering Singapore will need to fill up an SG arrival card within three days before arriving at the checkpoints. This SG arrival card is simply a health declaration form and not a visa. Should you have a change of plan, the SG Arrival Card offers flexibility and allows you to change your return date.
Upon arriving in Singapore, you will be required to present your travel documents and the SG Arrival Card acknowledgement, soft copies are acceptable, to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer.
Tips to Make the Most Out of Your Long-Awaited Trip to Malaysia
Having not been able to cross the land border quarantine-free for the past two years, you should definitely make the most out of your trip to Malaysia. From helping you save even more on petrol to what you can do, we have recommended our top tips and tricks.
Download Beat the Jam
With the recent reopening of borders, it is unlikely that there will be no queue at the checkpoints. However, to help you save time queuing and instead, spend more time across the border, we recommend using the Beat the Jam mobile application for real-time jam estimates, traffic forecasts, as well as live images to help you better plan your route. The Beat the Jam Application is available from both Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
Find the Best Petrol Credit Card
Especially with the recent hike in petrol prices, almost every driver will pump petrol when they are in Malaysia. While Singapore-registered cars are permitted to only pump RON97 petrol in Malaysia still costs significantly less than in Singapore. As of Apr 4, the price per litre of RON97 is at RM3.83 which comes up to S$1.23, compared with a shade under S$3.50 for almost a third of the equivalent in Singapore.
And who does not love to save money! With the right petrol credit or debit card, you can be sure to maximise your savings.
YouTrip MasterCard
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Individuals who shop overseas in foreign currencies will benefit greatly from this card. In contrast to its credit/debit card competitors who typically charge 3.81% or higher on currency exchange transactions, YouTrip does not charge any fx fees. An additional standout to YouTrip is that it has very few fees associated with its use. In addition to having no fees on overseas transactions and currency exchange, there is no annual subscription fee and no fee for topping up your balance. Individuals also have access to real-time, mid-market, and Mastercard rates when exchanging currencies in their digital wallet. There are a few downsides to YouTrip. This presents an issue for travellers who prefer to use cash on their trips. Other digital wallets on the marketplace allow up to a certain dollar amount before issuing any type of fee. Additionally, there is a S$5,000 limit on an individual’s digital wallet balance. This digital wallet allows account holders to store 10 different currencies (AUD, GBP, SGD, USD, JPY, SEK, EUR, CHF, HKD, and NZD), which is one of the lower limits in comparison to other digital wallets on the market. |
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Individuals who shop overseas in foreign currencies will benefit greatly from this card. In contrast to its credit/debit card competitors who typically charge 3.81% or higher on currency exchange transactions, YouTrip does not charge any fx fees. An additional standout to YouTrip is that it has very few fees associated with its use. In addition to having no fees on overseas transactions and currency exchange, there is no annual subscription fee and no fee for replenishing your balance. Individuals also have access to real-time, mid-market, and Mastercard rates when exchanging currencies in their digital wallet.However, there are a few downsides to YouTrip. This presents an issue for travellers who prefer to use cash on their trips. Other digital wallets on the marketplace allow up to a certain dollar amount before issuing any type of fee. Additionally, there is a S$5,000 limit on an individual’s digital wallet balance. This digital wallet allows account holders to store 10 different currencies (AUD, GBP, SGD, USD, JPY, SEK, EUR, CHF, HKD, and NZD), which is one of the lower limits in comparison to other digital wallets on the market. |
For More Petrol Savings
Explore Your Go-to Stores in Malaysia
Compared with pre-Covid days, the streets and malls in Johor Baru are a lot emptier. While most of the shops at smaller shophouses have unfortunately wound up, you can be assured that your bigger malls, stores, and restaurants are still open.
From the famous Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory – known for their banana cakes – to The Replacement Cafe for hipster travellers, these stores are still open. However, we recommend that you do your research on your go-to shops to check if they are still open!
Some of the crowd’s favourite malls that are still open, albeit very empty, include
- KSL City Shopping Mall
- Paradigm Mall Petaling Jaya
- AEON Mall Tebrau City
Apart from feasting at your favourite eateries and shopping, you can also get a car wash while you shop at only ~RM10/S$3.21. Furthermore, you can settle your grocery fix at a fraction of the price in Singapore, of course following the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority’s (AVA) regulations.
Take Care of Your Belongings
While you may be eager to start your shopping in Johor Bahru, it is imperative that you take care of your belongings. Notorious for its pickpockets amongst travellers at tourist attractions and on public transport, do not leave your valuables in plain sight.
Worried about your safety and your belongings? Consider purchasing travel insurance that protects you against losses incurred during your trip, covering everything from loss of baggage to injuries.
Travel Insurance Plan With the Best Coverage and Benefits
| Single Trip Comprehensive Bronze | Single Trip Comprehensive Silver | Single Trip Comprehensive Platinum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trip Cancellation Coverage | S$15,000 | S$15,000 | S$25,000 |
| Trip Interruption Coverage | S$15,000 | S$15,000 | S$25,000 |
| Travel Delay Coverage | S$1,500 | S$1,500 | S$1,500 |
| Emergency Medical Coverage | S$1,000,000 | S$1,000,000 | Unlimited |
| Emergency Transportation Coverage | S$1,000,000 | S$1,000,000 | Unlimited |
| Cruise Coverage – Missed Port of Call | NA | NA | S$10,000 |
| Cruise Coverage – Cabin Confinement | NA | NA | S$1,000 |
| *It’s important to remember that travel insurance doesn’t cover everything. Your policy will be subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and benefits limits of the policy wording. For more information please click on the Allianz Travel Policy Wording. | |||
While it is advisable to get travel insurance when you are overseas, it is not mandatory for fully vaccinated travellers to have it in order to enter Singapore and Malaysia.
Read Also: Best Travel Insurance in Singapore 2022
Ready for Your Next Trip Across the Causeway?
With the new test-free and quarantine-free travel across the Singapore-Malaysia land border, for many of the Malaysians working in Singapore, it is finally time for you to reunite with your loved ones. As for Singaporeans, it is finally time to reunite with our favourite food stores, petrol, and more. Yet, it is still important to stay cautious and travel safely. To help you with that, check out our comprehensive review of travel insurance plans in Singapore!
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The article Everything You Need To Know About Travelling To Malaysia Via Land From 1 April originally appeared on ValueChampion.
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