One of the most popular of Singapore’s Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs), not surprisingly, is the quarantine-free link between Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur Airport, with six airlines currently operating 42 weekly designated flights on the route.

For now this is the only air link between Singapore and Malaysia with no quarantine required at either end, but it’s also one of the more complicated VTL arrangements.

That’s because there are designated VTL flights in both directions, due to the bilateral nature of the scheme, the only VTL where this currently applies.

Which airlines are operating?

Six airlines are currently operating 42 weekly flights between Singapore Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Singapore – Kuala Lumpur VTL
Designated Flight Frequencies

Airline	Frequency	Terminal
		SIN	KUL
	7 x weekly	T1	KLIA 2
	7 x weekly	T1	KLIA 2
	7 x weekly	T1	KLIA 1
	7 x weekly	T3	KLIA 1
	4 x weekly	T1	KLIA 2
	10 x weekly	T3	KLIA 1
All Airlines	42 x weekly

In the northern summer season the flight frequencies for each airline remain the same, though there are some timing changes.

VTL schedule to 29th October 2022

Initially the Vaccinated Travel Lane was due to run until the end of the IATA winter timetable season on 26th March 2022, however most airlines (16 out of 27 at our last count) have now revealed their VTL flight schedules right through to the end of the summer season on 29th October 2022, following an extension of the scheme.

The good news is that all six carriers operating on the busy Singapore – KL city pair have now locked in their schedules for VTL flights, so here’s what you’ll need to book for the next eight months to be sure of a quarantine-free journey.

Note that Malaysia Airlines has yet to update its VTL flights page with the schedule through to 29th October 2022, however we confirmed with the airline that its services are continuing and are appropriately identified in the booking engine.

“Kindly note that as long as the flight number is MH603 and MH606, it will be Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flight till 29 October 2022. Furthermore, you will be able to see Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) blue banner on top of the flight booking page during booking.”

Malaysia Airlines Spokesperson

Here’s how the current schedule and the newly extended schedule of VTL flights looks for all six carriers.

Important
VTL in both directions

The important thing to note is that this currently represents the only bilateral Vaccinated Travel Lane where you must take a designated VTL flight from Singapore as well as when returning to Singapore (or vice-versa for those starting their trip in KL), to enjoy quarantine-free arrival status as part of the scheme.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking you only need a VTL flight back to Singapore!

Singapore to Kuala Lumpur
(till 26 Mar)

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	3K683 A320
SIN 07:15		KUL 08:25
	SQ108 A350 Long Haul
SIN 08:30		KUL 09:30
	OD804 737-800
SIN 11:30		KUL 12:35
	AK710 A320
SIN 11:45		KUL 12:55
	MH606 A330
SIN 14:30		KUL 15:30
	SQ122 A350 Long Haul
SIN 17:30		KUL 18:40
	TR472 787-9
SIN 17:30		KUL 18:30

Singapore to Kuala Lumpur
(27 Mar – 29 Oct)

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	3K683 A320
SIN 07:00		KUL 08:10
	SQ106 A350 Long Haul
SIN 08:30		KUL 09:30
	OD804 737-800
SIN 12:20		KUL 13:20
	AK710 A320
SIN 13:30		KUL 14:40
	MH606 A330
SIN 14:40		KUL 15:40
	TR472 787-9
SIN 16:30		KUL 17:40
	SQ122 A350 Long Haul
SIN 16:40		KUL 17:40
	TR472 787-9
SIN 19:30		KUL 20:35

Kuala Lumpur to Singapore
(till 26 Mar)

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	3K684 A320
KUL 09:05		SIN 10:15
	OD803 737-800
KUL 09:25		SIN 10:30
	AK711 A320
KUL 10:05		SIN 11:05
	SQ107 A350 Long Haul
KUL 10:25		SIN 11:35
	MH603 A330
KUL 12:20		SIN 13:20
	SQ121 A350 Long Haul
KUL 19:30		SIN 20:35
	TR473 787-9
KUL 19:30		SIN 20:35

Kuala Lumpur to Singapore
(27 Mar – 29 Oct)

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	3K684 A320
KUL 08:50		SIN 10:00
	SQ105 A350 Long Haul
KUL 10:25		SIN 11:35
	OD803 737-800
KUL 10:30		SIN 11:30
	AK711 A320
KUL 11:45		SIN 13:00
	MH603 A330
KUL 12:30		SIN 13:30
	TR473 787-9
KUL 18:20		SIN 19:35
	SQ121 A350 Long Haul
KUL 18:40		SIN 19:50
	TR473 787-9
KUL 21:30		SIN 22:45

For the most part, VTL flight schedules remain the same during the summer months on this route. Notable points are:

• Scoot offers a new late departure at 7.30pm from Singapore and 9.30pm from Kuala Lumpur on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This is ideal in the KUL-SIN direction in particular for those positioning to KL earlier in the day from elsewhere in Malaysia to take the VTL (e.g. from Penang or Langkawi)
• Jetstar continues to operate the first VTL flight of the day on this route in both directions, useful for those flying to KL then connecting onto domestic flights in Malaysia (given that you have to factor in the on-arrival test waiting time before continuing your journey)
• Malaysia Airlines downgauges its VTL flights on this route from Airbus A330s to Boeing 737-800s in the summer, with recliner Business Class seats (rather than flat-bed Thompson Vantage seats)
  Update: Malaysia Airlines will use the A330 on its KL VTL flights through to 29th October 2022.
• Singapore Airlines continues to operate Airbus A350 Long-Haul aircraft on its Kuala Lumpur VTL flights, featuring the 2013 long-haul flat-bed Business Class seats

Checking your flight is VTL-designated

VTL flight schedules are subject to occasional changes, so make sure you’ve bookmarked our continually updated list when planning your trip.

With all airlines operating VTL flights between Changi and Kuala Lumpur, you’ll also see designated VTL flights marked in the booking system before you make your selection.

Here’s how it looks for all six airlines.

AirAsia

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Jetstar

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Malaysia Airlines

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Malindo Air

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Scoot

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Singapore Airlines

Redemption rates

Here are the some of the one-way redemption rates for those using frequent flyer miles to fly between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Singapore Airlines

		Economy	Business
	Saver	7,500	19,000
	Advantage	15,000	35,000

Jetstar

	Economy	Business
	8,000	n/a

Malaysia Airlines

	Economy	Business
	10,000	20,000
	6,000	12,500
	8,000	18,400
	12,500	25,000

AirAsia, Malindo and Scoot offer miles redemption options at a fixed (and poor) rate for offsetting the prevailing cash fare for your flight, which we don’t recommend. Stick to cash when flying with these airlines.

The process

Here’s a reminder of the process for travellers using the Singapore – Malaysia VTL.

Singapore – Kuala Lumpur

Eligibility and Process

• All nationalities are accepted (visa may be required).
• No advance application is required, except if you require a Malaysian entry visa, based on nationality.
• You must have no travel history to any place other than Singapore or Malaysia in the last consecutive 14 days prior to departure to Malaysia. This applies even if you have been in Singapore’s other VTL countries – Malaysia does not recognise those.
• You must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with any WHO approved vaccine, or one approved by a stringent regulatory authority, including different vaccine brands for respective doses. A digitally verifiable vaccination certificate is required.
• Children aged 12 or under based on date of birth are exempt from the vaccination requirement, when travelling with fully vaccinated adults.
• You must have a travel insurance policy with a minimum coverage of RM100,000 (~S$32,500) for COVID-19 related medical costs (short-term visitors only, including business travellers).
• You must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within two days before departure from the Singapore (children aged 2 or below in the calendar year are exempt).
• You must have a return ticket or onward ticket departing from Malaysia (short-term visitors only).
• You must travel on designated VTL flights from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (see above).
• You must complete a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival at BP Clinical Health Lab KLIA (pre-immigration).
• Await the results in a designated waiting area (available within 1-3 hours).
• Clear immigration.
• Download the MySejahtera app and adhere to prevailing public health measures during your stay.
• You may transfer to the rest of peninsular Malaysia after arrival, including islands such as Penang and Langkawi.
• Take a self ART test on Days 2, 4 and 6 and report the results via the MySejahtera app, if still in Malaysia on those days.
• Take clinic ART tests on Days 3 and 5, if still in Malaysia on those days.

Travelling back to Singapore (or outbound if you’re originating there) means a process most readers are already familiar with, as shown below.

Kuala Lumpur – Singapore

Eligibility and Process

• All nationalities are accepted (visa may be required).
• Have no travel history to any place other than Malaysia, Singapore, any Category 1 country or any VTL countries in the last consecutive 14 days prior to departure to Singapore.
• Be fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved vaccine in Singapore, or any VTL country (e.g. Malaysia), or any EU member state, or any non-EU countries that have joined the EU DCC system.
• Must have an accepted digital proof of vaccination.
• Children aged 12 or under in the calendar year of arrival are exempt from the vaccination requirement, when travelling with fully vaccinated adults.
• Apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) between 3 and 60 days before your intended date of entry into Singapore (visitors and LTP holders only).
• Purchase COVID-19 travel insurance with a coverage of at least S$30,000 (short-term visitors only).
• Have a negative COVID-19 PCR or ART test result from a recognised testing institution within two calendar days prior to departure from the VTL country (children 2 or under in the calendar year of arrival are exempt).
• Travel on designated VTL flights from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore (see above).
• Complete a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival at Singapore Changi Airport (children 2 or under in the calendar year of arrival are exempt).
• Download and activate the TraceTogether app (visitors only).
• Self-isolate at place of residence or suitable accommodation such as a hotel or serviced apartment until negative test result received (typically 4-6 hours).
• Complete Day 2 to Day 7 self-swab ART tests using Singapore’s approved test kits, or those approved for use in Malaysia if you brought them with you, if you will leave your accommodation on those days.

COVID-19 testing costs

Singapore residents travelling to Kuala Lumpur will require a pre-departure PCR test, taken within two days of the departure date from Singapore (e.g. departure on 10th April, test on 8th April 00:00 onwards), plus an on-arrival PCR test at KLIA.

There are also a mixture of self-swab ART tests and clinic ART tests on Days 2 to 6, if you are staying in Malaysia that long.

This is in addition to up to eight tests on the VTL journey back to Singapore (pre-departure ART/PCR + on-arrival PCR + Day 2 to Day 7 self ART tests).

VTL Singapore Kuala Lumpur COVID-19 Testing  Test Cost SG pre-departure (clinic PCR) From S$96 KL arrival (airport PCR) S$81 (MY nationals) S$114 (SG & other nationals) MY Day 2 (self ART) ~S$7 MY Day 3 (clinic ART) ~S$20 MY Day 4 (self ART) ~S$7 MY Day 5 (clinic ART) ~S$20 MY Day 6 (self ART) ~S$7 MY pre-departure (clinic ART)* ~S$20 SG arrival (airport PCR) S$125 SG Day 2 (self ART)^ ~S$7 SG Day 3 (self ART)^ ~S$7 SG Day 4 (self ART)^ ~S$7 SG Day 5 (self ART)^ ~S$7 SG Day 6 (self ART)^ ~S$7 SG Day 7 (self ART)^ ~S$7 Total ~S$425 – S$458 * Prices vary between providers and locations. ^ Only required if leaving your place of accommodation that day. Not required if leaving Singapore that day.

As you can see there’s an approximate S$430 – S$460 per head testing cost for a round-trip – for a long stay (5+ nights) in Malaysia.

In some cases, however, you may be able to use one of the clinic ART tests in Malaysia as your pre-departure test for travel to Singapore.

Designated VTL flights on the popular Singapore – Kuala Lumpur – Singapore route have now been confirmed through to the end of the summer schedule on 29th October 2022.

Six airlines will continue to offer 42 weekly services, with a mixture of low-cost and full-service options, including some redemption possibilities.

(Cover Photo: Sorbis / Shutterstock)