From Singapore: Private Malacca day tour (via drive-thru border)

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Singapore

   Begin with an early morning pickup at your Singapore hotel. Our trained driver will meet you at the hotel driveway to check your documents before escorting you through immigration via the Malaysia drive-through border (no standing-in-line). After clearing immigration, your English-speaking guide will settle you into the comfortable seats of your private, air-conditioned minivan to enjoy the 3-hour chauffeured drive to Malacca - a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the country’s busiest trading port. IMPORTANT: The order of sightseeing stops may be rearranged depending on actual Malacca city traffic, crowd management, and weather conditions to optimize time usage.

   180 minutes here

2. Melaka Straits Mosque

   Upon arrival in Malacca, one of the first stops will be Melaka Straits Mosque, also known to locals as Masjid Selat Melaka. Built in 2006, the mosque is a beautiful blend of Middle Eastern and local Malay design. The minaret is designed to look like a lighthouse, which is a fitting tribute to its location by the sea. This mosque is also known as a floating mosque, as during high tide, it appears to be gracefully suspended over the water. Note: Guests who wish to enter the mosque may do so briefly, provided it is not closed to the public (ie: outside prayer times). Otherwise, guests may be respectfully requested to only take photos from the outside.

   30 minutes here

3. Next, you will hop onboard a scenic river cruise that will sail you into the heart of UNESCO Malacca. Spanning 10-kilometer, Malacca river was once dubbed the "Venice of the East" by European seafarers as it was a prominent port of entry for traders from Europe and Asia during the late 16th century. Note: In the event that the river cruise is closed (ie: weather/safety reasons etc), a 30-min Melaka Riverside drive + 15-min Melaka Trishaw ride will be offered as a replacement.

   60 minutes here · Admission included

4. Situtated near the Melaka Straits Mosque is the Flora De La Mar, or translated as Flower Of The Sea in English. This is the site of a replica of the Portuguese ship that sank off the coast of Malacca on its return trip to Portugal in late 1511, carrying with it treasures from Malacca.

   Pass by without stopping

5. Red Square (Dutch Square)

   Next, you will be first be brought to Dutch Square. Dutch Square is distinguished by a group of bright, terracotta-red colonial Dutch buildings, built between 1650 and 1750, with louvered windows and chunky doors with wrought iron hinges.

   30 minutes here

6. Christ Church

   Next to Dutch Square is the famous Christ Church, built as a place of worship by the Dutch in 1753, about a century after they took over Malacca from the Portuguese. When the British occupied Malacca, it was turned into an Anglican church with a weathercock and bell added to show the direction of the wind.

   30 minutes here · Admission included

7. Queen Victoria's Fountain

   Queen Victoria's Fountain is an ornate Victorian marble addition, erected in 1904 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

   5 minutes here

8. Melaka Clock Tower

   Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower was built by a wealthy Straits Chinese family in 1886 in honour of Tan Beng Swee, a rich Chinese merchant.

   5 minutes here

9. Stadthuys was built by the Dutch in 1650 as the office of the Dutch Governor and Deputy Governor.

   Pass by without stopping

10. St. Paul's Hill & Church (Bukit St. Paul)

    Next, you will walk to the top of St. Paul's Hill, which sits the iconic statue of St. Francis Xavier next to the famous St. Paul’s Church. Plenty of engraved Dutch tombstones are laid against the walls of this roofless church, originally built in 1521. From the church, you can take in breathtaking views of the Straits Of Malacca.

    30 minutes here

11. From a vantage point, you will have a good view of the Straits Of Malacca. The Straits of Malacca is 800km long, and it connects the Pacific Ocean to the east with the Indian Ocean to the west. It is also one of the most important shipping lanes in the world, with over 94,000 vessels passing through each year, carrying about 25% of the world's traded goods.

    Pass by without stopping

12. British Graveyard

    A short walk down from St. Paul's Church leads to the overgrown remains of the Dutch Graveyard. It was originally used as a Dutch graveyard in the late 17th-century when the VOC (Dutch East India Company) was still in control. The graveyard was also used by British while they were in Malacca.

    Pass by without stopping

13. A Famosa Fort

    Walking down from the Dutch graveyard, you will arrive at A Famosa Fort, which is the oldest surviving structure in South East Asia. It was built in 1511 using laterite stones by Alfonso de Albuquerque, the man who led the Portuguese invasion into Malacca. The fort used to surround the whole St. Paul's Hill. However, what remains of the fort now is just a gate.

    30 minutes here

14. Malacca Sultanate Palace

    From A Famosa Fort, you will have a vantage view of a replica of the old Malacca Sultanate Palace. The building is a modern reconstruction of the palace of the Malacca Sultanate, which was founded by King Parameswara in the 1400s.

    Pass by without stopping

15. From A Famosa Fort, you will have a vantage view of Proclamation Of Independence Memorial. The building used to house the Malacca Club - a meeting place for members of the British colonial society to socialise. The building was later converted into a memorial in 1985 to commemorate Malaysia's independence from the British.

    Pass by without stopping

16. Middleburg Bastion

    A short walk from A Famosa Fort, you will see a replica of the old Middleburg Bastion. After conquering Malacca in 1641, the Dutch constructed the bastion which is strategically located at the mouth of Malacca River to strengthen the existing city defence left behind by the Portuguese.

    Pass by without stopping

17. Museum of Royal Malaysian Customs Department​​​

    Next to the Middleburg Bastion is the Melaka Port Customs Museum, which was originally built as a warehouse in the 1890s and used to store imported commodities such as rice, sugar, textiles pending determination and payment of customs duties. It was converted into a museum in 2006 by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department. Note: In the event that the Melaka Port Customs Museum is closed (ie: Mondays/operational reasons etc), a visit to the Melaka Villa Sentosa Heritage Museum will be offered as a replacement.

    30 minutes here · Admission included

18. Jonker Walk World Heritage Park

    Next, you will visit Jonker Street, which is flanked on both sides by souvenir and snack shops. You will be spoilt for choice to buy something to remember this tour of Malacca. You can take iconic photos with the Chinese Pixiu animal statue.

    30 minutes here

19. St. Francis Xavier Church

    Opposite Jonker Street is St. Francis Xavier Church, a twin-spired neo-gothic leaning structure that was built in 1849, in honour of St. Francis Xavier, a prominent 16th-century Catholic missionary also known as the "Apostle of the East".

    Pass by without stopping

20. Hang Jebat Mausoleum

    A short walk from St. Francis Xavier Church is Hang Jebat Mausoleum, dedicated to a warrior felled by misplaced loyalty and tragic circumstances. Hang Jebat began his career as one of Malacca’s most legendary warriors during the 15th century.

    20 minutes here · Admission included

21. Cheng Hoon Teng Temple

    The 3 main race/religion of Malaysia is Malay (Islam), Chinese (Buddhism), Indian (Hinduism). Buddhism is therefore practised by 19% of the Malaysia's population. The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple was originally built during the Dutch era, and it is also the oldest functioning temple in Malaysia.

    20 minutes here

22. Kampung Kling Mosque

    Islam is therefore practised by 64% of the Malaysia's population. The Kampung Kling Mosque is originally built in 1748, and it has an unique mix of Sumatran, Chinese, and Malay architecture. The minaret also resembles a pagoda.

    20 minutes here

23. Hinduism is therefore practised by 6% of the Malaysia's population. Built in 1781, Malacca's Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple is the oldest functioning Hindu temple in Malaysia.

    Pass by without stopping

24. Around lunchtime, you will stop for lunch. Choose between a BBQ buffet lunch OR Malaysian set lunch made with sustainable vegetarian ingredients.

    60 minutes here · Admission included

25. Johor Bahru State Palace

    After visiting Malacca in the afternoon, you will brought back to your air-conditioned vehicle for a side trip to the famous Bukit Serene Johor Bahru Palace, the state residence for the current National King of Malaysia. This palace is also locally known as the Laman Mahkota Istana Bukit Serene, representation by a majestic arch and a giant crown, which is both a cultural emblem and a picturesque backdrop for memorable photographs.

    30 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Options you can book

• Budget Malacca Tour (No Lunch)

  WITH HOTEL PICKUP & DROP-OFF: Includes Singapore hotel pickup in the morning at stated time + Singapore hotel drop-off after the tour. BUDGET GROUP TOUR IN MALACCA: Budget group sightseeing within Malacca with English-speaking guide. INCLUDED TICKETS: Melaka River cruise (or Malacca Trishaw ride subject to conditions). BUDGET GROUP MINIVAN: Round-trip transportation between Singapore and Malacca by budget group minivan. BORDER ARRANGEMENTS: All border paperwork + Guaranteed drive-through lane usage at the border. INCLUDED MEALS: Refreshing bowl of Malacca's famous Cendol dessert (no lunch). Pickup included

• Malacca Tour + Tickets + Lunch

  GUARANTEED 2 STAFF FOR THE DAY: 1 driver + 1 English-speaking guide (UNESCO Melaka tour as per itinerary). FREE HOTEL PICKUP & DROP-OFF: Free Singapore hotel pickup at 5:00am + Singapore hotel drop-off at 7:00pm onwards (subject to actual traffic conditions). INCLUDED TICKETS: Melaka River cruise ticket (or Melaka Trishaw ride subject to conditions) + Melaka Port Customs Museum entry. ALL BORDER PAPERWORK INCLUDED: All border paperwork (ie: arrival cards, permits etc) included + Guaranteed drive-through lane usage at the Malaysia border. COMPLIMENTARY USAGE: Full-day private executive minivan (no extra fees) + Free WIFI usage onboard vehicle in Malaysia. INCLUDED MEALS: Lunch (choice of BBQ buffet lunch OR sustainable local vegetarian set lunch). COMPLIMENTARY JOHOR SIDE TRIP: Malaysia's King Bukit Serene Johor Bahru Palace. Pickup included

• Melaka Tour + Tickets + Lunch

  GUARANTEED 2 STAFF FOR THE DAY: 1 driver + 1 English-speaking guide (UNESCO Melaka tour as per itinerary). FREE HOTEL PICKUP & DROP-OFF: Free Singapore hotel pickup at 4:30am + Singapore hotel drop-off at 7:00pm onwards (subject to actual traffic conditions). INCLUDED TICKETS: Melaka River cruise ticket (or Melaka Trishaw ride subject to conditions) + Melaka Port Customs Museum entry. ALL BORDER PAPERWORK INCLUDED: All border paperwork (ie: arrival cards, permits etc) included + Guaranteed drive-through lane usage at the Malaysia border. COMPLIMENTARY USAGE: Full-day private executive minivan (no extra fees) + Free WIFI usage onboard vehicle in Malaysia. INCLUDED MEALS: Lunch (choice of BBQ buffet lunch OR sustainable local vegetarian set lunch). COMPLIMENTARY JOHOR SIDE TRIP: Malaysia's King Bukit Serene Johor Bahru Palace. Pickup included

• Small group tour + Box lunch

  WITH HOTEL PICKUP & DROP-OFF: Includes Singapore hotel pickup in the morning at stated time + Singapore hotel drop-off after the tour. SMALL GROUP TOUR IN MALACCA: Small group sightseeing within Malacca with English-speaking guide. INCLUDED TICKETS: Melaka River cruise (or Malacca Trishaw ride subject to conditions). SMALL GROUP MINIVAN: Round-trip transportation between Singapore and Malacca by small group minivan. BORDER ARRANGEMENTS: All border paperwork + Guaranteed drive-through lane usage at the border. INCLUDED MEALS: Simple box lunch (Malaysian Nasi Lemak rice dish with fried chicken) + Refreshing bowl of Malacca's famous Cendol dessert. Pickup included

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

en

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 10 travelers per booking

Operated by

JE Travel

Know before you go

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Guests should have a moderate physical fitness level as this tour includes a substantial amount of walking around historical sites (upon arrival in UNESCO Malacca) and guests should expect to spend about 3 hours in UNESCO Malacca
• Guests can remain seated inside the vehicle to clear immigration at the Malaysia drive-thru border (fully accompanied by your driver)
• In the event that the river cruise is closed (ie: weather/safety reasons etc), a 30-min Melaka Riverside drive + 15-min Melaka Trishaw ride will be offered as a replacement
• Guests who require halal/vegetarian* food, please indicate at time of booking (note: vegetarian food prepared in Malaysian style only; vegan/keto/diabetic/gluten-free food is regretfully not available)
• Guests who require infant/booster seats, please indicate child's weight at time of booking
• Guests from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Colombia, Israel, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, North Korea, North/East/West/Central Africa, Pakistan, Serbia, Montenegro, Sri Lanka: Please seek prior travel authorization (e-visa etc) from your nearest Malaysian embassy
• A current valid passport (with at least 6 months validity) is required on the day of travel to visit Malaysia
• Malaysia's weather is warm and humid with occasional rain the whole year round, please dress appropriately and bring along portable umbrellas as per your discretion

Photos

Traveler reviews

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