Singapore To Tioman Island Transport Guide (Include Travel Tips, Bus Ticket & Ferry Ticket)

Possibly the most hassle-free option on this list, hiring a private car service from Singapore to Tioman can save you a lot of worries!

We highly recommend you to choose a private car service from SGMYTAXI which offers crossover service from Singapore to Malaysia!

You can arrange your pick up time and at any points with the private car service from Singapore to Tioman Island

Then on the day itself, be ready with your luggage and passport!

Refer to the previous section here on how to take a ferry from Mersing or Tanjung Gemok Jetty to Tioman Island.

Advantage Of Taking Private Taxi

1. No long queues for the bus.
2. Plenty of legroom!
3. Customize your pick up points and times!
4. There is no need to exit the car for immigration.
5. Private taxi drivers very familiar with the route and customs procedure!
6. Don’t have to worry about parking (or car park fees).

Disadvantage Of Taking Private Taxi

This can be an expensive way to travel for groups of less than 3 people.

Best Suited To:

• Families with elders or toddlers with them
• Large groups of around 5-10 people
• Travellers with a tight and inflexible schedule

Read also: 4 Simple Steps On How To Take The Train To JB From Singapore

Unfortunately, the road to paradise is quite far if you’re coming up from Singapore.

You might as well pick a direct bus so you can sleep on the way.

Crystal clear sea water at Coral Island. (Source: tioman.org)

The bus journey usually takes between from 3 to 5 hours to get to Mersing or Tanjung Gemok Jetty depends on the Singapore-Johor Custom traffic.

Read also: How To Get To Tioman Island From Kuala Lumpur

If you decide to take a bus from Singapore to Mersing Bus Terminal, you have 5 different bus operators to choose from.

The buses will typically drop you off at Mersing Bus Terminal. And then, it’s just a short walk (10-15 minutes) to Mersing Jetty.

Mersing Bus Terminal. (Photo credits: thetravelmanuel.com)

From Mersing Bus Terminal, you can also take a taxi (30-40 minute drive for around RM60-70) up to Tanjung Gemok if your ferry departs from there.

Yet another option is to take either Discovery Tours or WTS Travel Tours straight to Tanjung Gemok Jetty.

Read also: How To Get To Tanjung Gemok Jetty

Buses will make 2-4 trips to Mersing Jetty (or Tanjung Gemok) daily depending on the bus operator. The average duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes.

But it should come as little surprise that this can easily drag on to 5 hours if the immigration check point between Johor and Singapore is busy.

1. KKKL Express (Coach with USB Plug and WiFi)

Ticket Price:

Singapore To Mersing Bus Terminal: SGD$31 (Adult/ Child)
Mersing Bus Terminal To Singapore: SGD$31 (Adult/ Child)

Singapore To Tanjung Gemok Jetty: SGD$31 (Adult/ Child)
Tanjung Gemok Jetty To Singapore: SGD$31 (Adult/ Child)

Boarding Point & Time:

Kovan Hub 206 (6:00am)
Bugis MRT Exit D (6:30am)

Return Point & Time:

Mersing Jetty (6:00pm)

Arrival Station At Singapore:

Bugis MRT Exit D Taxi Stand or Kovan Hub

Read also: How To Get To Mersing Jetty

2. Discovery Tours

Ticket Price:

Singapore To Mersing Jetty: SGD$31 (Adult/ Child)
Mersing Jetty To Singapore: SGD$26 (Adult/ Child)

Singapore To Tanjung Gemok Jetty: SGD$31 (Adult/ Child)
Tanjung Gemok Jetty To Singapore: n/a

Boarding Point & Time:
Bugis MRT Station (6:30am)

Return Point & Time:

Mersing Jetty (6:00pm)

Arrival Station At Singapore:

Bugis MRT Station

3. WTS Travel Tours

Ticket Price:

Singapore To Mersing Jetty: SGD$21 (Adult/ Child)
Mersing Jetty To Singapore: SGD$21 (Adult/ Child)

Singapore To Tanjung Gemok Jetty: SGD$21 (Adult/ Child)
Tanjung Gemok Jetty To Singapore: n/a

Boarding Point & Time:
Singapore Flyers (6:30am)

Return Point & Time:

Mersing Jetty (6:00pm)

Arrival Station At Singapore:

Singapore Flyers

Read also: Singapore To Tioman Package: All-inclusive Package For Fuss-free Trip To Tioman

4. Transnasional

Ticket Price:

Singapore To Mersing Bus Terminal: SGD$33.90 (Adult/ Child)
Mersing Bus Terminal To Singapore: SGD$15.93 (Adult/ Child)

Boarding Point & Time:
The Plaza at Beach Road (9:00am, 7:30pm and 10:00pm)

Return Point & Time:

Mersing Bus Terminal (12:30pm, 2:00pm)

Arrival Station At Singapore:

The Plaza at Beach Road

5. Starmart Express

Ticket Price:

Singapore To Mersing Jetty: SGD$35 (Adult/ Child)

Boarding Point & Time:

Golden Mile Tower (6:30am)

Boon Lay Shopping Center (7:16am)

Read also: Tioman Vs Rawa: Which Island Is The Best For First-Timer From Singapore

You can book the bus ticket online or choose to purchase your tickets from the counter at the bus station.

All you have to do is change the date, preferred departure point and the number of people in your travel group.

Read also: How To Go To Rawa Island From Singapore

You can take a ferry to Tioman from any of these 2 jetties – Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty.

The latter is a further up north (35 minutes’ drive) from Mersing Jetty but less susceptible to tidal conditions.

Expect the ferry ride to take around 1.5 to 2 hours – doesn’t matter which jetty or ferry operator you choose.

Ferry Operators At Mersing/Tanjung Gemok Jetty:

1. Bluewater Express Ferry
2. Cataferry

Ferry Ticket Price Range:

Tioman Island Ferry Ticket Price (2 Ways)

Bluewater Ferry Ticket: SGD$27 per adult, SGD$23 per child

Cataferry Ticket: SGD$23 per adult, SGD$20 per child

Tioman Island Ferry Ticket Price (1 Way)

Bluewater Ferry Ticket: SGD$12 per adult, SGD$10 per child

Cataferry Ticket: SGD$12 per adult, SGD$10 per child

Read also: Bluewater Vs Cataferry: Which Tioman Ferry To Choose? (With Comparison Tables)

Marine Park Entrance Fee:

Tioman Island is in Mersing Marine Park (a private property).

So visitors (including locals) that do not live close to the islands in the Marine Park need to pay a small entrance fee.

You can see the prices below:

Johor National Park Fee:

This particular fee is only applicable to passengers taking the ferry to Tioman Island from Mersing Jetty.

Departure Times Of Ferry To Tioman Island From Mersing/ Tanjung Gemok Jetty:

Schedule times vary on a monthly basis. Check the latest Tioman Ferry Schedule for both jetties here.

Ferry Routes From Mersing/ Tanjung Gemok Jetty:

Regardless of which jetty (Mersing or Tanjung Gemok) or ferry operator you choose, there are 5 fixed places where you can alight at on Tioman Island:

• Genting Pier
• Paya Pier
• Tekek Pier
• Air Batang
• Salang Pier

Tips For Taking The Ferry From Mersing Or Tanjung Gemok Jetty

1. The ferries from Tanjung Gemok Jetty to Tioman tend to be more reliable.
2. You can choose Cataferry only from Tanjung Gemok Jetty.
3. Book online instead of buying your tickets at the counter (especially Malaysian and Singaporean public holidays and school holidays)!
4. Take note of the Tioman Island pier where your chosen accommodation is closest to!

Advantage Of Taking Bus

1. Typically the cheapest way to get from Singapore to Mersing or Tanjung Gemok Jetty.
2. At Mersing or Tanjung Gemok, the buses will drop you close to or at the jetty.
3. No need to waste time looking for a parking spot (or pay car park fees).
4. You can sleep on the journey – no need to focus on driving!

Disadvantage Of Taking Bus

1. Any delays from the bus or coach operator may make you late for your ferry!
2. You have to queue twice board the bus because of immigration.
3. The bus schedule may be affected if traffic is exceptionally heavy.
4. You have to take all your bags with you to clear immigration.
5. Getting through immigration (walking there) can be stressful and tiring!
6. The final bus departures from Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty is usually at 6pm.
7. No fixed seating on the bus!

Best Suited For:

• People with less luggage
• Healthy and fit people
• Travellers with a flexible schedule
• Travellers with a smaller budget

Tips For Taking The Bus

• Take a jacket onto the bus – the air conditioner is often turned up high!
• Have some snacks and a bottle of water for the long drive.
• Keep your tickets and passport safe at all times!

Read also: Best Option From Singapore To Tioman Island

Driving to Mersing Jetty takes 2.5 hours (not including the time to go through customs though!) – Which could be significantly shorter than taking the bus or coach!

If you are driving from Singapore all the way to Tanjung Gemok Jetty, it will likely take 3 hours.

This is a great option if you want keep your schedule flexible and if you’re not travelling during the busy periods!

It is a fairly straightforward drive to get from Singapore to Mersing Jetty/Tanjung Gemok Jetty.

Route From Singapore to Mersing Jetty/Tanjung Gemok Jetty

Singapore (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18) – Johor Bahru- Kota Tinggi – Jemualang – Mersing – Tanjung Gemok – Tanjung Gemok Jetty

Check your route on Google Maps or Waze before you start your journey!

Mersing Jetty Route & Map:

Address: Jeti Penumpang Mersing, Jalan Abu Bakar, 86800 Mersing, Johor

Waze & Google Maps: Jeti Penumpang Mersing

GPS Coordinates: N2 26.080 E103 50.349

Tanjung Gemok Jetty Route & Map:

Address: Terminal Ferry Tanjung Gemok, 26820 Rompin, Pahang

Waze: Search for “Tanjung Gemok”

Google Maps: Search for “Tanjung Gemok Ferry Terminal”

When you reach Mersing, you can either:

1. Park your car there by Mersing Jetty for about RM15/day (bring ringgit for this!)
2. Or continue your drive for another 35 minutes up north to reach Tanjung Gemok Jetty

Where To Park At Mersing Jetty

There are 4 places you can park your car around Mersing Jetty.

Carpark Locations At Mersing Jetty:

1. Car Park A () – Car park behind the jetty (guarded).(Open in the early morning).
2. Car Park B () – Car park in front of R & R Plaza.
3. Car Park C () – Mersing Jetty car park (guarded).(Open in the early morning too).
4. Car Park D () – This car park is for Rawa Island Customers only (guarded).

You can try to book a place in advance here.

Where To Park At Tanjung Gemok Jetty

Over at this jetty, there is only one place you can park your car – Berjaya Jetty Car Park.

Carpark Locations At Tanjung Gemok Jetty:

Address: Kampung Tanjung Gemok, 26820 Kuala Rompin, Pahang

Price: RM15 per day

For more information about Tioman Island Ferry Service, click here to go to the previous section which covers how to take the ferry from Mersing or Tanjung Gemok Jetty to Tioman Island in greater detail.

Advantage Of Self-Driving

• Privacy – just your travel group and you!
• Flexible departure points and times
• Stop and rest anytime and anywhere
• After your ferry returns back to Mersing or Tanjung Gemok Jetty, you can leave immediately back to Singapore.

Disadvantage Of Self-Driving

• It is quite a long drive and traffic jams can affect make it more so
• There is a need to find a parking spot. And don’t forget parking fees!
• Toll fees for the checkpoint you choose (Woodlands Checkpoint or Tuas Checkpoint)
• You probably have no choice but to drive the car back again after your Tioman Island trip!

These days, all flights to Tioman Island have been suspended (since 2014). The main operator being was Berjaya Air.

So since there’s no direct flight from Singapore to Tioman Island now, you basically have these options:

1. Take a bus (or coach) from Singapore to Tanjung Gemok Jetty or Mersing.
2. Drive to Mersing or Tanjung Gemok Jetty yourself!
3. Hire a private car service to cross from Singapore to Johor Bahru and continue the journey to Mersing or Tanjung Gemok Jetty.

Regardless, all options will lead to either Mersing or Tanjung Gemok jetty where you can then take the ferry to Tioman Island.

Read also: How To Go To Tioman Island From Changi Airport

It’s always best to reach the jetty at least 1 hour before your ferry departure time

Allow even more time if you plan to buy your tickets at the jetty.

Please note that the jetty counters do not accept foreign currency and will not offer exchange services.

In case you miss your ferry at Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty, you can stay at these hotels:

Convenient location being 5 minutes’ walk from Mersing Jetty and the rate is just below RM100 per night.

There is a 7 eleven and a guardian nearby if you are looking for convenient shop.

Another budget-friendly option that is also close to jetty (3 minute walk). Basic accommodation. Rates are around RM90/night.

This is the best rated hotel in Mersing and the distance between Mersing Jetty is 1.1km, you will have to fork out a little more by walking or you may choose to take taxi from hotel to Mersing Jetty. The Superior room for two costs ~RM150.

Another comfortable option that is further away from the tourist crowds! A room for two is RM150+.

5 minutes’ walk from the jetty.

Accommodation is decent and you might find a decent night’s rest here as it is in a more quiet location than the other hotels.

Room prices start from RM100.

There are some options when it comes to food close to this hotel such as KFC, some Malay eateries, and Fu Man Lou Chinese Restaurant! RM 140/night for 2 people.

The hotel is 230 meters from the jetty (3 minutes’ walk).

The hotel is just 650m (8 minutes’ walk) to Tanjung Gemok Jetty.

Its close proximity to a mosque makes it convenient choice for Muslim travellers. Room prices start from ~ RM100/night.

Besides the obvious like passports and tickets, below is some of the check-list for you to bring along for your trip:

• Anti-motion sickness pills
• Any medication you might need
• Sunblock
• Mosquito repellent
• Swimwear
• Enough clothes (breathable ones)
• Hiking shoes (if you plan to do some hikes)
• Adaptor (Socket Type G)
• Band-aids (just in case)

Most of the ferry operators will insist that you be at the boarding gate on time. Else you will not get any refund back if you miss the ferry!

• Try to avoid the very last boat back to Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty. The last boats are often packed! If you’re catching a bus back, this is all the more important!
• If you need to get powered lenses for your diving mask, do so before your trip to Tioman Island. Diving schools will not have them.
• Diving in Tioman? Best to book a package. Most resorts offer such a package.
• WiFi may be free at some resorts but often not reliable and only at 3G.
• It is good to know which kampung (Malay for “village”) your resort is in so you can ask locals if you get lost.
• Never feed the monkeys around the island and don’t leave your bag unattended!
• Look out for broken coral on the beaches – you don’t want to step on any!
• Don’t underestimate the sandflies on Tioman Island! Bites are itchier and swell more than those of mosquitoes.
• Never bring alcohol back to Singapore even if it is cheap to buy on Tioman Island. You will have to pay a fine.

Read also: 17 Best Resort In Tioman Island

For drier weather, it is best time to visit Tioman Island during March to October with the peak months being June and July.

If you want to avoid most of the crowds, go in September. This is when the Singaporean school holidays are over.

Unless you are a keen surfer, you might want to miss the monsoon season which starts from mid-November until the mid-February.

This is also a horrible time to do diving due to poor water clarity.

There is coverage on most of Tioman island.

With the most reliable telecom provider on the island being Celcom.

You can even get a Celcom pre-paid card to make phone calls or if you want a personal data plan.

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