How to get to Indonesia from Malaysia and Singapore
Traveling between Indonesia and Malaysia or Singapore can be done by air. Low-cost carriers like AirAsia, Lion Air, and Jetstar Asia operate frequent flights to Indonesia from neighboring countries and major Asian cities.
However, there are other options available that are even cheaper:
From Penang and Melaka to Sumatra
Ferries and speed boats depart to Medan from Penang, and to Dumai or Pekanbaru from Melaka. Travel times range from 3 to 6 hours, with costs typically between MYR 100 to MYR 300 (USD 25 to USD 75).
From Johor Bahru, Singapore, and Port Klang to Sumatra
Ferries connect to Sumatra via Batam, Bintan, Tanjung Balai, and Dumai. Travel times vary from 1 to 5 hours, costing approximately MYR 50 to MYR 250 (USD 12 to USD 60).
Between East Malaysia and Kalimantan
You can take a bus from Kuching (Sarawak) to Pontianak (West Kalimantan), with an 8 to 10-hour journey costing MYR 80 to MYR 150 (USD 20 to USD 35).
Alternatively, catch a ferry from Tawau (Sabah) to Pulau Nunukan or Tarakan, a 2 to 3-hour ride costing around MYR 50 to MYR 100 (USD 12 to USD 25) from Kota Kinabalu (Sabah).