Planning a weekend getaway (by bus) from SG to Malacca?

Now, I know that usually tour groups do not advertise in the mainstream papers at Singapore and Groupon Malacca packages are far and few. Here's what Malacca City would like to suggest till Malaysia and Singapore governments can decide on how to start building the High Speed Rail

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Board a bus on Friday evening

For those who have Singaporeans bosses who give time-off or flexi hours eg Friday can work from 8am-5pm not 9am-6pm, there are two options from Rochor (near Bugis MRT station), take the 2.00pm 707 bus OR 6.00pm 707 bus 

From there, take a taxi to your hotel that is situated near Jonker Street as you will still have time to look around the night market for about half hour or so before hitting a local pub. 

For those who can only escape from your workaholic boss on Friday evening 6pm sharp, take the 6.30pm or 7.00pm 707 bus from Rochor (near Bugis MRT station) to Melaka Sentral. 

Upon arriving at Melaka Sentral, take a taxi to your hotel. There is nothing to do after 10.30-11.00pm at Malacca except to a pub or coffee house that opens to 12am or past 12am. Therefore, choose a good hotel room to have a good night's rest by soaking in a tub and having your mobile phones uncontactable by your boss *winks* 

Board a bus on Sunday evening

Now, the causeway is usually jam on non-holiday season Sunday evenings 5.00-7.00pm. So, boarding a 4.00-7.00pm bus from Melaka Sentral is alright as it takes at least 2.5 hours to reach Johor Bahru. Purchasing a two-way bus ticket in advance saves you the trip to go back to Melaka Sentral to buy a ticket on Saturday. 

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Board a bus on Saturday morning

For those who absolutely can't leave work by Friday evening, 7.00 pm, the option is to take the 8.00a.m. bus from Rochor (near Bugis MRT station) to Melaka Sentral). 

However upon your arrival at Malacca about 11.30am or 12.00pm, you are not able to check in till 2.00pm or 3.00pm. It might be frustrating for you to wait for your hotel to be able to complete the check-in and the eateries here have no space to hold your luggages. 

There are hotels at Malacca which provide welcome drinks for guests who need to wait very long to perform a check-in. However, there are no hotels that are able to do to pre-check-ins and have their porters to bring your luggage to your room while you find something to eat. 

There are also no hotels which serve complimentary lunches instead of complimentary buffet breakfast. 

Board a bus back on late morning or mid-afternoon Sunday 
As mentioned above, the causeway is usually jam on non-holiday season Sunday evenings 5.00-7.00pm. So, boarding a 4.00-7.00pm bus from Melaka Sentral is alright as it takes at least 2.5 hours to reach Johor Bahru. Purchasing a two-way bus ticket in advance saves you the time of finding an available ticket at Melaka Sentral upon your arrival on Saturday afternoon.

Note:
It is NOT ADVISABLE to travel to Malacca after 8pm till Malaysia agrees with Singapore on the T&C of building the High-Speed Rail. Night travels on PLUS Highway is too dangerous as Malaysian lorry drivers use this time to speed on the highway to get the goods to arrive at all the small towns in Malaysia like Bentong, Pahang. Malaysia has many small towns and the Malaysian government is not looking to consolidate all these small areas with aging populations.