SINGAPORE: A recent video a woman posted on TikTok about her ferry ride to Johor went viral, a sign that there are ways to get there without getting stuck in traffic or long queues.
The TikTok posted by @Munzpewpew on June 14 showed her group going to the Tanah Merah ferry terminal, riding an enviably empty boat, booking a car from the ferry, having lunch and coffee, heading back to Singapore on the 4 pm vessel back in what seemed to be a seamless, stressless, thoroughly enjoyable process.
Yes, it can be done.
Two ferry routes between Singapore and Malaysia offer travellers 11 sailings each week. Batam Fast Ferry, which the TikTok user took, plies two routes: Tanah Merah to Desaru and Tanah Merah to Tanjung Pengelih, where she went.
The first trips leave at 8:30 am, and the last leave at 5:30 pm.
Also, there are several sites where you can buy tickets online to ensure that you get a seat, including directferries.com
As for costs, the TikToker commented that her tickets cost an “Estimated $70 to and fro!” which appears to be a good bargain, as one website we checked said that tickets could cost between $120 to nearly $180 each.
The ferry ride is said to last for one hour and 30 minutes, both ways or 45 minutes per journey.
The higher cost of ferry tickets and the need for a car once you get to the ferry, appeared to be the downsides. But if it means getting to see Malaysia without a hassle and/or getting stuck in traffic, it may just well be worth the cost. /TISG