SINGAPORE \u2013 Getting his hands on flight tickets to return to his home town in Ipoh, Malaysia, during Chinese New Year is a feat that Mr Tan Yik Xuan has to pull off every year.<\/p>\n
Mr Tan, a 26-year-old who works in logistics in Singapore, purchased return flight tickets in October 2025 \u2013 four months ahead of Chinese New Year in 2026 \u2013 for around $630. He had bought them significantly earlier because he was worried that he would not be able to secure tickets.<\/p>\n
Describing the higher fare as \u201cmuch more expensive\u201d than the usual cost of less than $320 for a round trip during off-peak seasons, Mr Tan said he is still willing to pay more to fly to Ipoh instead of taking a bus because of the shorter travel time and absence of traffic jams.<\/p>\n
Checks by The Straits Times in the week starting Jan 5 found that a two-way economy class ticket to Ipoh costs between $822 and $1,222 for travel from Feb 14 to 19, more than six times the fare of $124 to $191 for the week before.<\/p>\n
Those making last-minute travel plans to Malaysia during this festive period are set to pay higher prices. Chinese New Year falls on Feb 17 and 18, with many Malaysians heading home for the reunion dinner that typically takes place on the eve.<\/p>\n
A two-way\u00a0trip\u00a0from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by air would range from $420 to $1,245 in the days leading up to Chinese New Year, compared with a fare between $99 and $345 from Feb 7 to 12.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, round-trip air tickets from Singapore to Penang would cost $628 to $1,049 from Feb 14 to 19, higher than the price range of $107 to $469 for the week before.<\/p>\n
Responding to ST\u2019s queries, AirAsia said on Jan 8 that its pricing model reflects supply and demand \u2013 where fares will typically be higher when purchased closer to the travel date or for travel during peak seasons.<\/p>\n
The airline added that it will be introducing over 7,500 more seats on additional flights between Singapore and KL, Penang and Kuching during the upcoming Chinese New Year travel season, starting from Feb 13.<\/p>\n
Citing commercial sensitivities, national carrier Singapore Airlines and its budget arm Scoot declined to disclose booking figures but said they continue to observe \u201chealthy passenger demand\u201d during the Chinese New Year period in 2026. <\/p>\n
For buses, ST\u2019s checks showed that round-trip bus tickets to KL could range from $89 to $276 for Feb 14 to 19, an increase from the $51 to $153 the week before.<\/p>\n
A two-way bus ticket to Penang for Feb 14 to 19 could cost $198 to $370, while a similar ticket to Ipoh over the same period could go up to $214 to $330.<\/p>\n
But from Feb 7 to 12, a week before the festive period, a two-way bus ticket to Penang was priced at $83 to $133, while a similar ticket to Ipoh cost $71 to $104.<\/p>\n
Malaysian bus operator Causeway Link said it anticipates a significant crowd and a high volume of ticket purchases during the upcoming peak season. It declined to provide ridership figures. <\/p>\n
It added that it will continue monitoring the situation, with backup buses on standby to support increased passenger demand whenever necessary.<\/p>\n
To avoid paying too much for a coach ride back to her home town in Batu Pahat in the north-west of Johor, Ms Lim Cin Min, 27, will be taking a Causeway Link bus from Woodlands Checkpoint to the Johor Bahru immigration and Customs before catching another bus from Larkin Sentral bus terminal. The whole journey on Feb 13 will cost her around $8.<\/p>\n
The insurance agent noted that this is more affordable than taking a direct bus service from Singapore to her home town, which could cost up to $40 during the festive season.<\/p>\n
She added that she prefers this alternative route, as she finds it more comfortable and efficient to cross immigration herself, instead of being stuck in traffic jams in both Singapore and Malaysia.<\/p>\n