You’re ready for some perfect beach time surrounded by jungle…
You’ve narrowed down your choices to Tioman…
And now you are wondering how to get to Tioman from Singapore? We can help!
While Singapore to Tioman is relatively close as the crow flies, getting to Tioman Island from Singapore can seem complicated.
But it doesn’t have to be! It is relatively straightforward to work out how to go to Tioman Island from Singapore – especially when you take it step-by-step. And that is what you have here!
Below, I break up exactly how to get to Tioman Island from Singapore so you know exactly what you need to do, when, whether you are looking for a Singapore to Tioman Island bus or a ferry from Singapore to Tioman Island. This way, you will be in paradise surrounded by nature as soon as possible!
Simply read the following and select the option best for you Then book your bus from Singapore to Tioman Island, ferry and get ready to be relaxing on the beach soon!
Coming from elsewhere? Find our full guide for how to get to Tioman Island from anywhere here.
Travelling to Malaysia? Click here to download your free Malaysia Trip Planning checklist. We’ll help you get ready for your trip!
Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired.
Contents
How To Get From Singapore To Tioman Island
There are two ways to travel to Tioman from Singapore. We have detailed each option below and show them on a map. For both options, there is an overland component by car or bus and then a ferry across to the island. I also summarise them on the table below.
Either option has pros on cons based on whether you would prefer to have to travel overland further (Option 2) for a more reliable ferry versus less overland travel (Option 1) but a less reliable ferry.
| Bus/Taxi | Ferry | Best For… | |
| Option 1 | Singapore to Mersing by taxi – Book here. About 2.5 hours. Singapore to Mersing by bus – Book here. About 3.5 hours | Mersing to Tioman – Book here. About 1.5-2 hours | People who want the fastest and cheapest way |
| Option 2 | Singapore to Tanjung Gemok by taxi – Book here. About 3.25 hours. Singapore to Tanjung Gemok by bus – Book here. About 6.5 hours | Tanjung Gemok to Tioman – Book here. About 1.5-2 hours | People who like certainty with the ferry schedule |
Map: Singapore To Pulau Tioman
The following map shows the route to take from Singapore to Mersing by car OR from Singapore to Tanjung Gemok. Both will be described more below.
The Singapore to Mersing distance is 150 kilometres and a 2.5 hour drive. The distance from Singapore to Tioman Island via Tanjung Gemok is a drive of 187 kilometres and just over 3 hours. This is if you drive yourself or get a taxi. Buses are much slower.
In both cases, you still need to take a ferry across to Tioman Island. How busy the border is between Singapore and Malaysia makes a big difference to how long this takes as well.
Want the Easiest (and BEST) Way to travel between Singapore and Tioman?
We can book a taxi for you from anywhere in Singapore to the ferry to Tioman for a great price.
A taxi is the best way to cross the border as you don’t have to leave the air-conditioned comfort of your vehicle, and you don’t have to worry about missing your bus.
Option 1: Travel Via Mersing
Part 1: Singapore To Mersing Jetty
With this option, you need to drive, hire a taxi or take a Singapore to Mersing coach. There are buses that take this route directly so it is not overly complicated to choose a bus to Mersing Jetty from Singapore for your Tioman adventure.
However, a taxi will make things much easier and quicker. By bus, you do need to get out of the bus on both sides of the border with all your luggage and go through immigration and hope that you aren’t slow or the bus can leave without you.
The Singapore to Mersing distance is 150 kilometres. Note, there is no train transport from Singapore to Mersing or Singapore to Mersing ferry. If you are travelling by public transport, it is all about the buses.
You can find the latest bus schedules and ticket prices here. You can also find more bus options here.
The bus from Singapore to Mersing Jetty takes about 3.5 hours and there are some early morning departures so you will be able to get a morning ferry across to Tioman Island.
If you drive by Singapore to Mersing private car, there is safe parking available at Mersing Harbour Centre opposite the jetty.
The easiest answer for how to get to Mersing from Singapore is by taxi. A Singapore to Mersing taxi is quite affordable and is very easy.
You can book it online here for SG$210.
This makes things super easy as you’ll travel straight to Mersing and don’t need to hop out of the taxi at the border. You can be picked up at your hotel in Singapore or the airport and taken straight to Mersing Jetty.
Make sure you get to Mersing Jetty 1-2 hours before your scheduled ferry.
You can also take a cheap bus over the border from Singapore to Johor Bahru and take a bus or taxi from here to Mersing which does save money.
You can book a private taxi from Johor Bahru to Mersing here. It costs around RM490.
Part 2: Mersing Jetty To Tioman Island
Once you have made it to Mersing Jetty, the next step for how to travel to Tioman from Singapore is to take a ferry.
Ferry timetables are subject to weather and tidal conditions so this means that the timetable varies daily. The timetable for a new month is released in the middle of the previous month. For example, the timetable for June will be released around May 15.
You can book tickets online and see the latest prices and schedules here.
I recommend you book your ferry as soon as the new timetable is released because they can sell out especially around weekends and school holiday periods.
Timetables can change at the last minute thanks to this reliance on weather and tidal conditions. You should check your ferry departure time either the day before or the morning of your trip.
Ferries usually run a few times a day except in the monsoon season when there might only be one (but these can be cancelled or heavily delayed at this time of year). Ferries take 1.5 -2 hours depending on where you are getting off on Tioman Island as they make multiple stops along the west coast.
Once you have your ticket and you are in Mersing, you need to get your boarding pass and pay the entry fee for the Marine Park (currently RM30 adults/RM15 kids – cheaper for Malaysians).
There are a few steps to this process and you can read them all and see full details of getting the ferry from Mersing to Tioman Island here.
This can be the best option from Singapore as it is a lot faster if you are travelling by bus to go this way.
Option 2: Travel Via Tanjung Gemok
Part 1: Singapore To Tanjung Gemok
The second choice for how to reach Tioman Island from Singapore is to travel to Tanjung Gemok.
With this option, you need to drive, take a taxi or a bus to Tanjung Gemok. There is a direct bus from Singapore to Tanjung Gemok so this is straightforward.
You can find the latest timetables and prices for the bus from Singapore to Tanjung Gemok here.
The bus takes closer to 6.5 hours depending on the time of day you leave and, like the Mersing bus, many leave very early in the morning or the night before, so you can catch a morning ferry. It also stops at the border and you’ll need to get out at both sides with all of your belongings.
A private taxi can pick you up anywhere in Singapore and drop you off at the jetty ready for your ferry to Tioman.
A private costs SG$230 for up to five people and you can click here to book it online right now.
For drivers, you can leave your car at a fenced car park at the terminal building.
Plan to arrive at the terminal one hour early.
Part 2: Tanjung Gemok To Tioman Island
Once you have made it to the Tanjung Gemok Jetty, the next step for how to go Pulau Tioman from Singapore is to take a ferry.
Ferry timetables do vary. However, it is not as variable as from Mersing and ferries are less likely to be cancelled or delayed.
As with Mersing, the timetable for a new month is released in the middle of the previous month.
You can book tickets online and see the latest prices and schedules here.
I recommend you book your ferry as soon as the new timetable is released because they can sell out especially around weekends. If you wait to buy a ticket once you get to Tanjung Gemok, you run the risk of not getting on a boat. Not a great way to start your holiday.
At busy times, there can be a few ferries a day. In the monsoon season, there can be one or none. Shoulder seasons vary somewhere between these two extremes.
The journey is similar as from Mersing at about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on where you are getting off on Tioman Island. It heads up the west coast of the island and you can choose the beach closest to your accommodation.
After you arrive at the jetty in Tanjung Gemok, you need to get your boarding pass and pay the entry fee to the Marine Park. The fee is the same as from Mersing.
The ferry schedule being less likely to change can make it more straightforward and easier from Tanjung Gemok compared to Mersing. This can make it a better option, particularly if you have your own car so you don’t have to drive much further.
However, it is a lot longer in a bus and either option will get you there.
Option 3: Singapore To Tioman Island Flight?
There used to be a Berjaya Air Singapore to Tioman Island flight but unfortunately now, all options for a flight to Tioman from Singapore have been suspended. This means you can no longer fly here direct.
However, SKS Airways do fly here from Kuala Lumpur at the Subang Airport. In theory, you could fly to Subang Airport (note this is different to Kuala Lumpur International Airport) and then fly on to Tioman Island. However, this will probably not save you any time.
I recommend you travel overland instead.
You can check out flight timetables here.
Option 4: Singapore To Tioman Island Ferry?
Unfortunately, the direct ferry from Singapore to Tioman Island has gone the same way as the option to fly to Tioman from Singapore – it’s no longer available.
The only way to get from Singapore to Tioman by ferry is to follow the above instructions and go via Mersing or Tanjung Temok.
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Tioman To Singapore
When making the journey from Tioman Island to Singapore, you just need to do everything listed above in reverse.
I recommend you always book return tickets to Tioman Island as you don’t want to get stuck. They stop at the same places on Tioman as they did on your arrival and you can get on at any of these points where you have a ticket.
However, we found that they only stopped at the ports where they knew people had tickets – so make sure you are booked in for the particular ferry you want.
There is a ticket office at the jetty in Tekek on Tioman Island if your resort can’t help you and you don’t have a booked ticket.
Ferries can be delayed coming off Tioman especially to Mersing or in the monsoon season so be careful about booking a bus Mersing to Singapore shortly after the time you should be back in Mersing.
You can click here for timetables and prices for buses from Mersing to Singapore or here for buses from Tanjung Gemok.
In addition to the bus, if you are wondering how to go Mersing from Singapore, you can get a Mersing to Singapore taxi. It is best to pre-book this.
Click here to prebook this now for SG$210.
You can also click here to book a taxi from Tanjung Gemok to Singapore for SG$230.
Just like when booking transport to Tioman from Singapore, travelling via Tanjung Gemok can make things easier, but it can also be longer.
Want To Dive When You Get There?
Check out our fabulous diving experiences in Tioman.
If you are already a certified diver, find our leisure diving package here.
If you want to learn to dive, here’s our top experience to teach you.
Final Words
It is straightforward, albeit time consuming, to travel from Singapore to Tioman Island, but the good news is that it is possible to arrive on the island on the same day ready to eat lunch!
I am also sure that the second you see Tioman Island in the distance, you will know it was all worth it!
Whether you travel from Singapore via Mersing or Tanjung Gemok, it is easy. Tanjung Gemok is a good option because the ferries are more likely to run on time. Mersing is a good option because if it all goes well, it will be faster.
A taxi is your best option to get to the jetty which you can book here.
Want more details for how to get to Tioman Island? Read our full guide here. You can also find all our guides to Tioman Island here.
Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!
