Malaysia, Singapore & Bali: From City Lights to Sunrise Hike (Self-Launched)
18 days · Malaysia, Singapore & Bali
journaway DACH charges £2,450
No-markup version: ~£775 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 18-day run through Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Singapore and Bali — city skylines, colonial heritage and street food across Malaysia and Singapore, then Ubud's rice terraces, the Mount Batur sunrise trek, a jungle swing and beach time in Sanur and Uluwatu. Built for independent travellers who want the same route as the guided version but book everything themselves: cheap coaches and budget flights between cities, hostels and guesthouses instead of tour hotels, and self-booked day tours for the trek and activities. Costs are rough per-person estimates in GBP.
Day-by-day
Departure
Departure
Fly out of your home city towards Kuala Lumpur (KLIA). Book a one-way or open-jaw ticket into KL and out of Denpasar, Bali — that's cheaper than a return. Set up a Malaysian e-visa/eNTRI or use visa-free entry if eligible, and download Grab (works across Malaysia and Indonesia) plus the Touch 'n Go app for KL transit.
🚌International flight (book 2-3 months ahead for best fares)
🛏In transit
- →Book flights into Kuala Lumpur, out of Denpasar (Bali)
- →Check visa/entry requirements for Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia
- →Download Grab and Touch 'n Go apps
- →Buy travel insurance
Kuala Lumpur — Arrival & City Streets
Kuala Lumpur
Land at KLIA and take the KLIA Ekspres train (RM55, ~28 min) or the cheaper SkyBus (RM12) into KL Sentral, then the LRT/MRT to your hostel in Bukit Bintang or Chinatown. Settle in, then walk the neighbourhood streets, grab a first bowl of laksa or nasi lemak, and take in the skyline at dusk.
🚌KLIA Ekspres train ~£9 or SkyBus ~£2; LRT/MRT ~£0.50/ride
🛏Hostel dorm or budget hotel in Bukit Bintang/Chinatown (£10-18)
- →KLIA Ekspres or SkyBus from airport to KL Sentral
- →Explore Chinatown and Bukit Bintang on foot
- →Sample street food: nasi lemak, laksa, satay
- →Evening walk for skyline views
Kuala Lumpur — Towers, Temples & Street Food
Kuala Lumpur
Full day in the city. Book Petronas Towers skybridge tickets online in advance (RM98, timed slots sell out) — go for sunset. Visit Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Chinatown, then browse Petaling Street and Bukit Bintang. Finish with cheap drinks at Heli Lounge Bar (rooftop helipad bar, helipad becomes bar after 6pm — no cover, just buy a drink).
🚌LRT/MRT and Grab around the city (~£4 total)
🛏Hostel dorm or budget hotel in Bukit Bintang/Chinatown (£10-18)
- →Petronas Towers skybridge (book online ahead, RM98)
- →Sri Mahamariamman Temple
- →Petaling Street market in Chinatown
- →Bukit Bintang shopping district
- →Sunset drinks at Heli Lounge Bar
Kuala Lumpur to Melaka
Melaka
Take a long-distance coach from KL's TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) to Melaka Sentral — frequent departures, ~2h15, RM12-18. Book via Easybook or at the terminal. Check in near Jonker Street, then spend the evening at the Jonker Street night market (Fri-Sun) and wander Harmony Street's temples.
🚌Long-distance coach ~£3, 2h15; local bus/Grab into old town ~£1
🛏Guesthouse or hostel near Jonker Street (£10-16)
- →Coach KL (TBS) to Melaka (~£3)
- →Jonker Street night market (weekends)
- →Cheng Hoon Teng Temple on Harmony Street
- →Colonial heritage walk in the old town
Melaka — Heritage Day
Melaka
Walk the Melaka River riverwalk for street art, then hit the core sights — Stadthuys, the Clocktower, Christ Church and the ruins of St Paul's Church on the hill. Take a bicycle rickshaw for the full tourist experience, and head out to Masjid Selat (the floating mosque) at sunset. Street food dinner: chicken rice balls and cendol.
🚌Walkable old town; Grab for the mosque ~£2
🛏Guesthouse or hostel near Jonker Street (£10-16)
- →Melaka River riverwalk and street art
- →Stadthuys, Christ Church and Clocktower
- →St Paul's Church ruins climb
- →Bicycle rickshaw ride (~£4)
- →Masjid Selat floating mosque
Melaka to Singapore
Singapore
Coach from Melaka Sentral to Singapore (Lavender or Queen Street). ~4-5h including the Johor Bahru border crossing — have your passport ready and pre-fill the SG Arrival Card online. Fares RM40-70 via Easybook. Arrive, check into a Chinatown or Little India hostel, then walk to Marina Bay for the Spectra light and water show (free, nightly 8pm & 9pm) and the Helix Bridge.
🚌Long-distance coach ~£8, 4-5h; MRT in Singapore ~£1/ride
🛏Hostel dorm in Chinatown or Little India (£15-25)
- →Coach Melaka to Singapore (~£8, 4-5h incl. border)
- →Marina Bay Sands and Helix Bridge at night
- →Spectra light and water show (free, 8pm/9pm)
Singapore — Civic District & Neighbourhoods
Singapore
Walk the Civic District: Cavenagh Bridge, City Hall, the old Supreme Court and Parliament House. Lunch at Chinatown Complex Food Centre (Michelin-listed hawker stalls for under £5). Explore Little India and, if you want the splurge, ticketed entry to Gardens by the Bay's conservatories (SGD28). Grab a cheap hawker dinner and call it a night.
🚌MRT day of rides ~£3
🛏Hostel dorm in Chinatown or Little India (£15-25)
- →Cavenagh Bridge and Civic District walk
- →Chinatown Complex Food Centre hawker lunch
- →Little India exploration
- →Gardens by the Bay conservatories (optional, ~£17)
Singapore to Bali (Denpasar)
Ubud
Fly Singapore to Denpasar on a budget carrier (Scoot, AirAsia, Jetstar) — book 6-8 weeks out for GBP 50-90. On arrival grab a Grab or metered taxi to Ubud (~1.5h, IDR 300-400k, ~£15-20). Check into a Ubud guesthouse, then ease into the evening with a warung dinner of nasi campur.
🚌Budget flight + Grab/taxi to Ubud
🛏Ubud guesthouse or homestay with pool (£12-20)
- →Budget flight Singapore to Denpasar (~£50-90)
- →Transfer to Ubud (~£15-20)
- →Evening warung meal in central Ubud
Ubud — Monkey Forest & Rice Terraces
Ubud
Walk to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (IDR 80k) — over 600 macaques, so secure your belongings. Wander central Ubud for galleries, souvenirs and smoothie bowls, and rent a scooter for a day or two (IDR 70k/day) if you're comfortable. Optional afternoon trip to Tegallalang rice terraces.
🚌Walkable centre; scooter hire ~£4/day or Grab ~£3/day
🛏Ubud guesthouse or homestay with pool (£12-20)
- →Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (IDR 80k)
- →Ubud centre galleries and shops
- →Smoothie bowl breakfast/lunch
- →Optional: Tegallalang rice terraces
Mount Batur Sunrise Trek
Mount Batur / Kintamani
Pre-book a Mount Batur sunrise trek via GetYourGuide or Klook — group pickups run from Ubud at 1:30-2am, ~IDR 400-600k including hotel pickup, guide, headlamp and breakfast. You hike in the dark for 1.5-2h to catch the sunrise over the crater, then descend past the volcanic steam vents. The tour usually includes a coffee plantation stop on the way back. Back in Ubud by late morning — nap, then a lazy afternoon.
🚌Included in tour pickup from Ubud, or split a private car
🛏Ubud guesthouse or homestay with pool (£12-20)
- →Pre-dawn pickup from Ubud (~2am)
- →Night hike up Mount Batur with headlamp
- →Sunrise from the crater rim
- →Summit breakfast over volcanic steam
- →Coffee plantation visit on the return
Ubud — Palaces, Ridges & Terraces
Ubud
Visit Ubud Palace and, if you time it right, catch an evening Balinese dance performance there or at Pura Dalem (tickets IDR 100k, book same day). Walk the Campuhan Ridge at golden hour, or ride out to Tegallalang and take on the jungle swing (IDR 350-500k, or cheaper via a combined day tour).
🚌Scooter or Grab to Tegallalang ~£5 return
🛏Ubud guesthouse or homestay with pool (£12-20)
- →Ubud Palace
- →Balinese dance show (evening, ~£5)
- →Campuhan Ridge Walk
- →Tegallalang rice terraces and jungle swing (~£20-28)
Ubud to Sanur via Batuan & Turtle Sanctuary
Sanur
Split a private car (IDR 300-400k) or book a combined day tour that takes in the jungle swing, Batuan Temple's ornate carvings, and a turtle conservation sanctuary where you can join a turtle release, then drops you in Sanur. Check in near the beach, then dinner at a beachfront warung.
🚌Private car or guided day transfer ~£15-20 split
🛏Sanur guesthouse or budget hotel near the beach (£15-25)
- →Jungle swing experience
- →Batuan Temple
- →Turtle sanctuary visit with release (~IDR 100-150k)
- →Private transfer Ubud to Sanur
Sanur — Slow Beach Day
Sanur
Full recovery day. Relax by the pool or on Sanur's calm reef-protected beach, walk the seafront promenade, and head to Pasar Sindhu night market in the evening for grilled satay and local eats. This is the mellow side of Bali — good for reading, swimming and doing absolutely nothing.
🚌Walkable; Grab if needed ~£2
🛏Sanur guesthouse or budget hotel near the beach (£15-25)
- →Pool and beach relaxation
- →Sanur beachfront promenade walk
- →Pasar Sindhu night market
Sanur to Uluwatu — Temple & Sunset
Uluwatu
Take a Grab or cab south to Uluwatu (1-1.5h, IDR 250-350k each way, or cheaper on a shared transfer). Visit Uluwatu Temple (IDR 50k) perched on the clifftop, watch the Kecak fire dance at sunset if you fancy (IDR 150k), then drinks at Single Fin Bali overlooking the surf (book a table for sunset). Head back to Sanur or stay overnight in Uluwatu.
🚌Grab/cab Sanur-Uluwatu return ~£15-20
🛏Return to Sanur guesthouse, or an Uluwatu surf hostel (£15-25)
- →Uluwatu Temple clifftop visit
- →Uluwatu Beach
- →Sunset at Uluwatu
- →Single Fin Bali sunset drinks (booking recommended)
Sanur — Watersports Day
Sanur
Pick your adventure: jet ski (IDR 400-500k), stand-up paddleboarding (IDR 150-250k), a beginner surf lesson (IDR 400-500k incl. board and instructor), or a quad bike tour. Or just keep it cheap and swim off Sanur beach. Book watersports at the beach or through Klook for a small discount.
🚌Walkable; Grab if needed ~£2
🛏Sanur guesthouse or budget hotel near the beach (£15-25)
- →Jet ski (~£20-25)
- →Stand-up paddleboarding (~£8-13)
- →Beginner surf lesson (~£20-25)
- →Quad biking or beach relaxation
Sanur — Final Beach Day & Night Market
Sanur
Last full day. Beach or pool in the morning, scooter or cab to Sindhu Night Market in the evening for a final street food feast. Pack up and confirm your airport transfer for the morning — Sanur is only ~30 min from Denpasar airport, so an early flight is easy.
🚌Scooter hire ~£4 or Grab to night market ~£2
🛏Sanur guesthouse or budget hotel near the beach (£15-25)
- →Beach and pool relaxation
- →Scooter or cab to Sindhu Night Market
- →Final street food dinner
Sanur to Denpasar — Departure
Sanur / Denpasar Airport
Head to Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) — a Grab or pre-booked transfer takes 25-40 min (~£8-12). Check in for your flight home. Note Indonesia's departure tax is included in your ticket.
🚌Grab or private transfer to DPS ~£8-12
🛏In transit
- →Transfer Sanur to Denpasar Airport
- →Departure flight
Arrival Home
Home
Arrive home. Total self-launched cost for this route lands roughly at £760-780 per person excluding international flights — the guided version would have cost a multiple of that once the German-language operator's package markup is included.
🚌International flight
🛏Home
- →Fly home
- →Rest and start planning the next one
Self-launched vs. journaway DACH
| This itinerary (self-launched) | journaway DACH | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£775 | £2,450 |
| Duration | 18 days | 18 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,675 per person (68%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more journaway DACH-style trips? Check them out here.~£775
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Malaysia, Singapore & Bali: From City Lights to Sunrise Hike (Self-Launched) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £775 per person for 18 days in Malaysia, Singapore & Bali. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with journaway DACH?+
Yes — journaway DACH charges around £2,450 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £775 — a saving of roughly £1,675 (68%) per person.
How long is the Malaysia, Singapore & Bali trip?+
This itinerary runs 18 days, covering 18 day-by-day stops through Malaysia, Singapore & Bali.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, foodie trip through Malaysia, Singapore & Bali, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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