Singapore. What's needed?
 

Hello
We would like to enter Singapore to visit family. Travelling south into Singapore from a Malaysia is supposedly difficult in terms of the paperwork needed.
Anyone done this recently and can fill us in on what is needed?
I seem to recall a trip into Singapore without the bike was first needed...
I heard skidder was able to sneak in without any paperwork at all a few years ago but we would like to do it the official way.

Can anyone give us current information?

Nathan and Aki.

From what I remember reading here on HU you need a carnet, leave your bike at the border, take a taxi into town to the AA to get your carnet endorsed or something, buy insurance, then return to the border to complete the paperwork. Depending on where you want to go in the city you also need to buy a permit (congestion charge).

If I had to visit SIN I would park my bike in MY somewhere safe, then visit by public transport. I don't enjoy riding in big cities in the first place.

If you search HUBB you should find some recent info.

Cheers Beddhist
Always quick on the draw.
Ive searched for some recent info but the only post Ive found is one from you from March last year!!!
We dont like riding in big cities either.
Dont really want to take public transport either, scares me frankly.
If someone could give me an estimate of the costs involved then that will probably make or break my decision...
Thanks

Hi Nathan, I ride into Singapore almost weekly, my bike is
Malaysian registered, it does not need a Carnet, and I think vehicles from other countries also don't need one. Check the web site below. You do however need to get an Auto Pass card on entry (S$10) they will tell you that you need then to go to a center where they will install a card reader, don't bother with that, its not required, but you can not enter certain parts of down town as there is an ERP (electronice congestion charge) so just park you bike up at your families place and take public transport, Singapores transport system is one of the worlds best and very easy to use.

You will need to pay S$4 per day for every day over 10 days you stay (first 10 days in any year are free). You pay for this on exit of Singapore by topping up your Auto Pass at any 7/11 or petrol station or designated booths close to exit points.

Petrol is expensive in Singapore so top up in Malaysia before you cross the border.

Riding in Singapore is a little boring as everything can be seen in one day, and the ERP is confusing if you don't know which areas are controled. I tend to ride to and from my office, if I go down town I take taxi. MRT or bus.

But as you are so close Singapore is definately worth a look, also good for bike parts should you need any spares.

Welcome to Land Transport Authority

regards,
Dean

Thats good news Dean, thankyou so much.
I have no "vehicle insurance certificates" for the bike... cos its not insured.

It says that to get the AutoPass I need to first present insurance certificates.

On that link you kindly sent, its heavily driven towards Western Malaysian Registered Foreign Vehicles so even if my bike was insured by an Australian company do you think its probable it wont be recognised at these offices? I could whip something up in Photoshop to pass maybe.

When going through Eastern Europe I was able to purchase insurance on entry. Do you know if this is possible at this border?

Do you think possesion of a Carnet could exclude me from needing insurance in this case?
Do they stamp Carnet's there or must I first travel into town to get it stamped and (maybe buy insurance as Beddhist suggested then) return to get my AutoPass?

I dont expect you to have all these answers Dean. But already appreciate you assistance.

Im sending off an email to Singapore LTA now with these queries, as usual I dont expect an answer from authorities.

N

If you are not able to get your bike into Singapore, you can leave it in JB, probably at any police station or Hotel, JB has a reputation for thievery, so make sure its somewhere that is guarded.

hope you make it ok. If you plan on going to KL let me know, I'm there at weekends and in Singapore weekdays.

Singapore is a "FINE" country
 

Hey AusNat :welcome: again if you havent noticed! I'll Pm you my number. Like Dean said Singapore has a very good public transport service.:thumbup1: please Check on the older post regarding entry to singapore on a foreign reg. bike not Malaysian reg. bike. :nono:Im sure its not that easy. The best is to leave your bike in JB (make sure a guarded place) then take the public transport. Like you, I myself dont like to travel on public transport, I also dont really enjoy riding bikes in the big cities but sometime is better to ride than to drive due to traffic jams! Remember this is Singapore the law enforcement officers are sometimes very strict!:thumbdown:
Its alot easier if take the public transport & very easy/cheap!

Usually what I do if I go to Singapore is take a public transport or ride a singapore reg. bike with a singaporean friend.

Hi,
You'll find a step by step guide to taking in your bike on my website, here:
Into Singapore and Shipping to Darwin

Hey Dotcaf.
We have decided to skip Singapore.
Mainly because our bike isnt insured and it seems we cant get in without it being insured.
We are now on our way north, (Taman Negara) for some jungle treking.
Thanks.

A/F to Sing
 

Hey guys,

I have just air freighted my bike to Sing from Sth Africa. I am going on Tuesday to try and clear customs. Do all the paperwork and start riding to Indonesia (ferry first of course)! Will let you know how I go or if anyone has any info that may assist me I would surely appreciate it.

Cheers
Ivan

Hi Ivan,

You will need to go into Malaysia for the ferry to Indonesia. There are no car ferrys out of Singapore. The ferry for Indonesia goes from Penang.

When you get you bike out of customs you will need to get a cash card from the Land Transport Authority to be able to ride on Singapore roads, they may also try to convince you to buy a ERP reader, tell them you don't need and just avoid the central areas of down town that need the reader (it costs 190 Sing $). best to check the net before you arrive.
Drop me an email deanmlewis at hotmail dot com if you want any info. about Singapore, Malaysia or Indonesia.

Dean

hi there Dean,

there are regular passengers ferries going from JB & S'pore to the Indonesian island of Batam. Isn't there any cargo boat available from JB or S'pore that will take bikes into Batam, similar to system as on the Penang - Belawan route ?? My bike is in JB, and am interested if there is a possibility to get my bike transported into Batam / Tanjung Pinang for onward travel.

sheen
By Bike to Malaysia

Hi Sheen,

you are correct, there are many cargo boats from both JB and Singapore into Batam. But Batan is not a recognised entry point for vehicles into Indonesia.

Indosnesia is one of those countries where rules are difficult to tie down. Physically it is probably possible to find a cargo ship willing to take you into Batam, but then you have to get your bike past the Batam authorities, then find a ship to take you further on into Indonesia.

I lived in Indosnesi for 10 years, and can honestly say "anything" is possible, but unless you can find out before trying that it can work that way, I would strongly suggest the tried and tested route of Penang to Belawan.

On the other hand RTW is suppose to be an adventure.... so trying something is part of the trip. A lot depends on your flexibility (time) and the amount of hassle you are willing to put up with, during my time in Indoensia there was nothing I tried that eventually could not be done, but a 22 my ability to take hassle was better than now.

If I can help with specifics, let me know, I'm in Sinapore during the week and Kl at weekends. Another route that does work (but is more hassle) is Melaka to Pekan Baru in Riau. Several have done it on this site, but several have tried and given up. A lot depends on the mood of the ferry operator and the customs guys in Indonesia.

good luck.
Dean