Malaysians are no strangers to spontaneous getaways, whether it’s crossing over to Johor Bahru for supper or hopping on a quick flight to Thailand.
But when it comes to making a short trip to Singapore, not many seem interested.
And one Singaporean woman on Threads couldn’t help but wonder why.
“Why aren’t there more Malaysians travelling to SG for day trips?” she wrote.
She pointed out that even though currency exchange might be a concern, it’s not unlike how Singaporeans still travel to Europe despite higher expenses.
To her, travelling to Singapore is easy, especially by bus and offers a simple day out: hopping on public transport, eating at hawker centres, chilling at the beach, or sightseeing around town.
“That’s what us locals do. We don’t really spend that much. Plus, SG is safe and easy to get around,” she added.
But her post didn’t go unnoticed , in fact, it sparked a lively debate among Malaysian netizens, many of whom had strong opinions on why Singapore doesn’t exactly top their travel list.
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From JB to Thailand, more appealing options nearby
Jumping straight into the comments, one Malaysian replied with a straight-up reason:
“Why would I go to SG for a day trip when the exchange rate is 3X higher and the food isn’t even as tasty as JB’s?”
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Another agreed, pointing out that Singapore simply doesn’t offer the same kind of value:
“Thailand is cheaper and the food is better. Singapore is only good for earning money, that’s it.”
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Clearly, food and affordability play a huge role in travel decisions. And for some Malaysians who do make occasional day trips to Singapore, they’re quite clear about what they go for and what they don’t.
It’s not about avoiding SG, just being choosy
One netizen explained their own reasons for visiting and what they’d skip entirely.
“I do day trips to SG, but I’m definitely not going there for hawker food when it’s just as good, if not better, in Malaysia and cheaper too,” they wrote.
“Definitely not going for your beaches when we have Tioman, Langkawi, Perhentian, Redang, Kapas… 😅
But what I do go for is better restaurant food (the standard and value for money is SO much better!), better walkability, better museums and art galleries. You guys are world-class in those things ”
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Their comment highlights a bigger theme, Malaysians do appreciate what Singapore has to offer, but only when it’s something they can’t already get at home.
Same culture, different price tag
Another common argument? Singapore and Malaysia are simply too similar for a day trip to feel worth it, especially when it comes with a higher cost.
“Honestly, SG is expensive. A lot of us don’t see the value, especially when SG and Malaysia are culturally so similar.
We eat the same food, speak similar Manglish/Singlish, even look the same, Malay, Chinese, Indian,” one person pointed out.
They continued:
“So going to Thailand feels more worth it. It’s cheaper, there’s more to explore, the food is amazing, and the culture is different. But I still go to SG once in a while for murtabak or Universal Studios.”
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The beach comment? That one really didn’t land
Another part of the original post , about Malaysians coming to Singapore for beach picnics raised quite a few eyebrows.
“Why on earth would I go to Singapore for beaches??????” one person wrote, clearly baffled.
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Others shared similar thoughts, with one recalling their Sentosa experience:
“I went to Sentosa Island and from the beach, I could literally see cargo ships and the port. I remember thinking, wait, this is what people pay to see?
I know Singapore has beautiful places like Marina Bay, but I just don’t feel like I belong to the group of people who can really enjoy what that place has to offer. That’s just my point of view…”
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It’s not hate, just honest opinions
To be fair, most of the comments weren’t meant to bash Singapore.
Many Malaysians simply felt that if they’re going to spend more money, they want a destination that offers a different culture, atmosphere, and experience something they can’t already get at home.
Still, Singapore isn’t totally off the radar. Some Malaysians say they’d return for specific things, a solid restaurant meal, a stroll through museums, or a fun day at USS.
But for a casual, budget-friendly trip? JB, Thailand, or even their own backyard might just be the easier (and tastier) pick.
