Our highly anticipated Genting road trip kicked into gear as the flat expressway gave way to winding mountain roads and crisp highland winds carrying a faint chill. The first glimpse of the mist-covered peak certainly made the border crossing, tolls and steep uphill climbs worth every mile.
Despite its close proximity, driving from Singapore to Genting is no small feat. Enjoying a journey this smooth is only possible through thoughtful pre-planning. Luckily for you, we’ve done it and are eager to share how!

For this trip, we used a Mercedes-Benz A180 that we leased for 12 months from Asia Car Rental. The ability to request approval for Malaysia travel can be useful when planning occasional road trips beyond everyday driving in Singapore.

Key Takeaways

  • Confirm that the vehicle is registered for Malaysia’s Vehicle Entry Permit before departure for your Genting road trip.
  • Prepare your toll payment method and sufficient balance in advance.
  • Allow extra time for checkpoint queues and rest stops.
  • Check the tyres, brakes, fluids and fuel before the mountain ascent.
  • Asia Car Rental only permits approved long-term lease vehicles to enter Malaysia.

1. Settle the Cross-Border Details Early

Sort out the paperwork before booking attractions or planning meals.

You may or may not have heard, but beginning on 15 November 2025, Malaysia’s full-scale enforcement requiring foreign-registered vehicles entering the country to have a valid Vehicle Entry Permit, or VEP became a whole lot stricter. A quick Google search will expose you to a plethora of lengthy VEP guides, businesses offering “skip-the-queue” services, news articles, and forums discussing the tedious nature of this process.

While a manageable experience for some, poor VEP preparation can trigger immense frustration and anxiety among travellers. As this is a largely unavoidable step for most Singaporean motorists, here’s a few tips we employed to ease the entire process:

When using the JPJ VEP website

  1. New applicants are usually confused by the following three categories: Profile, Vehicle Owner, and Driver. While all three can reflect the same person, here’s how we distinguish them:
  • The Profile refers to the main account used to access the VEP portal. It is linked to the email address and contact number entered during registration, but it is treated separately from the vehicle owner and driver information.This distinction matters when someone is previously registered using an email address they can no longer access. If the system indicates that the NRIC has already been linked to an existing Profile, the safest approach is to recover the original account or contact the relevant VEP support team to update the registered details. Avoid entering an incorrect NRIC simply to create another Profile, as this may cause complications later.
  • The Vehicle Owner section should contain the particulars of the person legally registered as the owner of the car. A single Profile may be used to manage vehicles belonging to more than one owner, depending on the portal’s current requirements.
  • The Driver section is for the individual who will be driving the vehicle into Johor Bahru. Where applicable, more than one driver may be added under the same Profile.

Owners of second-hand vehicles may encounter an error when entering the registration or chassis number. This usually means that the vehicle is still connected to a VEP registration created by its previous owner. The existing registration may need to be transferred, updated or removed before the new owner can complete the application.

  1. Always ensure the vehicle owner’s name and address is exactly as shown on their official identification, including Hanyu Pinyin where applicable.
  2. Remember to check the correct registration requirements if the vehicle owner is not a Singapore citizen or is a Singapore PR.
  3. Copy the COE, engine and chassis numbers directly from the vehicle log card to avoid errors.
  4. Confirm whether the vehicle is registered under an individual or a company before submitting. Choosing the wrong ownership type will unlock the hassle of deregistration and a new application.
  5. Open the JPJ confirmation email and click the activation link before logging in to the TCSENS portal. Do NOT visit TCSENS directly before activating your account through the email link, as your login details will not be synced.

Touch ’n Go and RFID

You really don’t want to overlook preparing a Touch ’n Go card or applicable RFID payment arrangement for road charges and highway tolls. Having enough balance before reaching the checkpoint is far easier than looking for somewhere to top up midway.

To avoid sticky situations:

  1. Take note that RFID toll charges are deducted from the linked Touch ’n Go eWallet, while a physical Touch ’n Go card holds a separate balance. PayDirect also only works on participating highways. Check both balances before leaving Singapore and keep extra credit in the physical card as a backup.
  2. An old Touch ’n Go card may no longer work even when it still contains money. Cards generally become inactive after their 10-year validity period. Check the card’s status and balance before the trip, and replace it in advance if necessary.
  3. A toll reader may fail to detect an RFID tag if the tag is faulty or damaged. Make sure the tag has been activated before travelling and avoid removing or tampering with it. Keep a physical Touch ’n Go card on hand for highway tolls.
  4. Entering a highway through an RFID lane but leaving through a Touch ’n Go or SmartTAG lane may result in the maximum toll rate or a penalty charge. While it’s great to prepare various options, always use the same payment method for both entry and exit.

Day-Of Coordination

Underestimating Singapore to Johor Bahru traffic conditions is a rookie mistake we’ve made more times than we care to admit. Charge it to experience, we’ve since updated our wisdom settings and turned on notifications for live traffic updates, especially when travelling on weekends, school holidays and public holidays.

2. Confirm That the Car Can Enter Malaysia

As a rule of thumb, we never assume that cross-border travel is permitted when driving a vehicle we do not own. Asia Car Rental, for example, offers Malaysia travel approval for eligible vehicles under its long-term leasing plans, which begin from 12 months.

Like many others, we chose a long term car rental that can serve our regular transportation needs in Singapore. The 12-month arrangement not only gave us access the same vehicle each day without the responsibility of complete and total ownership, it also eliminated the need for a separate weekend rental that permitted cross-border travel.

Honestly, the Genting trip was an unexpected perk, and having a car definitely eased much of the logistics planning.

Before setting off, we’d still advise that you confirm the cross-border conditions, insurance arrangements and support available outside Singapore. Asia Car Rental, in particular, does not provide breakdown service and replacement vehicles in Malaysia.

3. Prepare the Car for the Longer Drive

Most of the journey is on expressways, but the last section towards Genting is steep and winding.

Before leaving, we recommend checking (yes, even if it’s a rental vehicle):

  • Tyre pressure and tread condition
  • Brake response
  • Engine oil and coolant levels
  • Windscreen wipers
  • Fuel or battery level
  • Emergency and breakdown contact details

We also urge travellers to avoid overloading the boot. Extra weight can make the vehicle feel less responsive on slopes and bends.

When driving to Genting Highlands, keep a steady pace, leave more space between vehicles and avoid sudden braking. On the way down, use a lower gear where appropriate rather than relying continuously on the brakes.

4. Break Up the Journey

My first experience driving in Malaysia is one that lives rent-free in my head, for both the thrill of adventure (it was an 6 hour drive through relentless thunderstorm), and the stress of unfamiliarity. Needless to say, driving long distance under any circumstance can get pretty exhausting. Couple that with the precariousness of scaling a mountain, and we definitely have an adventure on our hands.

As seasoned Singapore-to-Malaysia commuters, we cannot overstate the importance of road safety. Here are our top three safety-and-comfort-first tips:

  • Where possible, travel with at least two capable and experienced drivers who can take turns behind the wheel. We would rather actively swap drivers or stop at the first signs of fatigue than wait until someone is struggling to keep alert.
  • It helps to plan a few proper breaks instead of treating them as delays. Depending on your route, northbound rest areas such as Pagoh, Ayer Keroh and Seremban can provide convenient opportunities to use the restroom, stretch your legs, refuel or grab a meal. PLUS lists all three as northbound rest and service locations along its expressway network.
  • For your comfort, keep water, charging cables, tissues and light snacks somewhere passengers can reach without needing to unpack the car. Genting also becomes noticeably cooler as you climb, so leave a jacket in the cabin rather than burying it beneath the luggage in the boot.

5. Decide Whether to Drive to the Peak

Reaching the peak may be the highlight of any Genting road trip, but how safely you get there matters more than the destination itself. Driving all the way up is convenient when luggage or passengers with limited mobility are a consideration. However, reaching the peak also involves navigating steep, winding roads where sharp bends can limit your view of what lies ahead.

For unfamiliar or inexperienced drivers, we recommend:

  • Letting the most confident driver handle the mountain ascent, with any driver swap completed before the winding section begins.
  • Making the climb during daylight and in clear weather where possible, rather than tackling unfamiliar bends in darkness, heavy rain or thick mist.
  • Reducing speed before entering each bend, then steering smoothly through it instead of braking sharply midway.
  • Keeping a comfortable distance from the vehicle ahead and resisting the urge to overtake where the road ahead is not fully visible.
  • Pulling over at a safe, designated area if the driver feels tired, overwhelmed or unable to concentrate.
  • Considering an alternative route to the summit when nobody in the group feels confident driving uphill. You can park around Sky Sentral or Genting Highlands Premium Outlets and continue to the peak via the Awana SkyWay.

6. Plan Activity Stops for the Genting Road Trip

Trying to cover every attraction can make a short trip feel rushed. We recommend choosing one main activity and building the rest of the day around it.

Possible stops include:

  • Genting SkyWorlds for outdoor rides and themed attractions
  • Chin Swee Caves Temple for mountain views
  • Genting Highlands Premium Outlets for shopping and meals
  • Skytropolis for indoor entertainment
  • Gohtong Jaya for local food away from the main resort

If Genting SkyWorlds is the main plan, remember to check its operating calendar before travelling. The park currently operates from 10 am to 6 pm and generally closes on Tuesdays, except during selected Malaysian public and school holidays.

Plan the Drive, Not Just the Destination

Our Genting road trip proved to be a liberating and restful getaway, and it began in Singapore the moment we fastened our seatbelts. Every crossing, toll, and pitstop we journeyed through added to our experience of enjoyment and adventure. This was all possible thanks to intentional pre-planning and the convenience of our rental arrangement.

For customers who need a vehicle throughout the year and may occasionally travel into Malaysia, Asia Car Rental offers long-term leasing arrangements starting from 12 months.

Speak with our team before your trip to confirm the documents, coverage and cross-border arrangements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Genting road trip from Singapore take?

The journey took us around five to six hours before longer meal stops, but checkpoint congestion and weekend traffic can extend it considerably.

Should we use Woodlands or Tuas?

The better checkpoint depends on where we are starting and current traffic conditions. We compared both routes shortly before departure and went ahead with Woodlands because of favourable traffic conditions at the time.

Is the drive up Genting difficult?

It is manageable for experienced drivers, but the road includes slopes, bends, changing visibility and slower vehicles. We reduce our speed and avoid overtaking unless the road is clearly safe.

Can we take a short-term rental car to Genting?

Not from Asia Car Rental. Our short-term rental vehicles cannot enter Malaysia. Only approved long-term lease vehicles are permitted for cross-border travel.

What should we pack for Genting Highlands?

We brought light outerwear, comfortable shoes, rain protection, charging cables, travel documents, toll payment methods and any essential medication.