As the Chinese New Year approaches, travelers planning trips from Singapore to Malaysia are facing a dramatic increase in transportation costs, with fares nearly tripling for the festive period. This surge in prices has been attributed to heightened demand as more Singaporeans seek to celebrate the holiday with family across the border.

Jetstar Asia reported that demand for air tickets to Malaysia has surged threefold compared to non-peak periods. For instance, a one-way economy class fare to Kuala Lumpur has skyrocketed to between S$81 and S$552 for travel dates from February 4 to 10, up from the previous range of S$70 to S$214 just a week earlier.

Many travelers, such as 23-year-old Cheyenne Lim, have already secured their tickets to destinations like Penang. Lim purchased return tickets for S$273 each back in March 2023 to avoid the inflated prices that typically arise closer to the holiday. As of now, similar tickets for her route have climbed to S$526.

Bus services are also experiencing price hikes, with one-way fares to Kuala Lumpur ranging from S$33 to S$188 for the same travel period, compared to S$30 to S$138 previously. This increase is partially due to a shortage of bus drivers and anticipated traffic congestion at the Causeway. Sri Maju Group reported that 60% of its tickets for travel between February 8 and 10 are already sold out since sales began on October 10.

Malaysian bus operator Causeway Link expects a 70% rise in passengers during the Chinese New Year, with prices rising by about 30% from the standard fare of S$35. Operators are responding to this increased demand by adding more trips, although challenges like driver shortages persist.

In light of these developments, travelers are encouraged to book their tickets early to secure better rates and avoid potential sellouts, as prices are anticipated to rise further as the holiday approaches.