Flight to Ipoh from Singapore: Airlines, Prices & Flight Time

You’ve probably looked at that map and thought, “Singapore to Ipoh — that’s a quick hop, right?” For a city that loves its food trips and heritage weekends, Ipoh has become a tempting escape. But the logistics of getting there can feel a little tangled, especially if you assume you need to fly via Kuala Lumpur. Here’s the twist: there’s actually a direct flight on a low-cost carrier that cuts the journey down to about an hour and a quarter — and a ground option that, while longer, could save you a bundle.

Are there any flights from Ipoh to Singapore today?

If you’re looking to fly straight from Ipoh to Singapore, the answer is yes — with Scoot. The airline has been operating this route for a few years now, and it’s the only direct service connecting the two cities.

Scoot operates direct flights between Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and Ipoh (IPH), with a flight time of about 1 hour and 16 minutes. The service uses an Airbus A320, and while the schedule varies by season, you’ll typically find one to three departures daily. Unlike the budget-terminal experience you might expect, Scoot uses the main terminal at Changi — no shuttle buses to low-cost carriers here.

Flight TR 408 is the Scoot service on this route — a non-stop Airbus A320, per FlightMapper. The return service from Ipoh to Singapore is TR 409, though it’s worth noting that the Ipoh departure times are often early afternoon, so you won’t be sleeping in on your last day if you want to fly back.

For a route this short, there’s a certain charm to it — no lengthy runway delays or dinner service theatrics. You’re wheels-up before you’ve finished your boarding-pass scan. But here’s the flip side: you’re locked into Scoot’s schedule, which means if you’re the kind of traveller who likes to fly in the morning to maximise your day, you might be out of luck. The current schedule has the Singapore departure in the late morning and the Ipoh return in the early afternoon — fine for a lazy start, not so great if you wanted a dawn arrival.

Scoot TR’s direct route — frequency and timing

The route currently operates multiple times weekly, with frequency fluctuating by season. During peak travel periods — think school holidays and long weekends — you might see daily departures. Off-peak, you could be looking at three or four weekly flights, so it’s always worth checking the exact schedule on Scoot’s website before you commit to dates.

Each flight takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes, which is barely enough time to get through a drink service and catch your breath. The aircraft is an Airbus A320, configured in Scoot’s standard all-economy layout — no lie-flat beds on this route, no matter how short the flight feels.

Singapore to Ipoh flight fares

Pricing for this route is where things get interesting. Scoot’s base fare from Singapore to Ipoh starts at S$87 one-way, but that’s for a no-frills ticket — you pay extra for checked baggage, seat selection, and any onboard snacks. The practical fare with a checked bag and a standard seat selection will likely land closer to S$120–S$150 each way, depending on how far out you book.

One thing to remember: Scoot is a low-cost carrier, which means the price you see is the base fare — everything else (baggage, seat selection, even in-flight snacks) costs extra. This is standard for the airline, but it’s worth factoring into your budget so you’re not caught off guard at checkout. Compared to flying via Kuala Lumpur, the direct Scoot fare can be competitive, especially when you factor in the time and cost of a ground transfer between KLIA and Ipoh.

If you’re flexible with dates, you can often find better deals mid-week. Tuesday and Wednesday departures tend to be cheaper than Friday and Sunday flights, when leisure travellers are most active. Scoot also runs occasional sales, and you can sometimes pick up a one-way fare for under S$80 if you’re lucky with timing.

Budget brand: Scoot is the only direct airline serving this route as of 2025. That means no competition-driven price wars — but it also means you’re not going to find a cheaper direct option unless Scoot runs a promotion. If you’re willing to accept a layover, though, you can sometimes save money by flying via Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines or AirAsia, then connecting to Ipoh on a domestic flight or train.

Ipoh Airport (IPH) — practical information

Ipoh Airport, officially known as Sultan Azlan Shah Airport, is a compact single-terminal facility about 6 kilometres from the city centre. That’s roughly a 15-minute drive by taxi or ride-hailing service, depending on traffic. The airport code is IPH, which you’ll see on your boarding pass and luggage tags.

One of the nice things about flying into Ipoh rather than a larger hub is the speed of the arrival process. You won’t find jet bridges or a train to the terminal — you’ll walk on the tarmac to the arrivals hall. The terminal itself has two baggage carousels, a few car rental counters, and a small café. But that’s a bonus — you get through security and baggage claim in minutes, which is ideal if you’re itching to get to Ipoh’s coffee shops and street food.

For ground transport, you’ve got several options. Taxis are metered and will run you around MYR 20–25 (about S$6–8) to the city centre. Alternatively, you could book a private car with an airport transfer service — they’re common and start at about MYR 25. Ride-hailing apps like Grab also operate at the airport, though you may need to wait 5–10 minutes for a driver to come to the terminal.

There’s no direct public bus from the airport to the city, so if you’re on a tight budget, your best bet is to walk to the main road (about 5 minutes) and catch one of the local buses that run along the route. The airport is on the eastern edge of the city, so the ride into town shouldn’t take more than 15–20 minutes by public transport. Note that Scoot has its own check-in counters and uses the main terminal — no budget dinghy setup here.

What if there are no direct flights? Ground alternatives

If you check the schedule and come up empty — or you simply prefer to keep costs down — know there’s a solid alternative: fly to KL and drive or take a train. This isn’t just a fallback; for some travellers, it’s actually the smarter move. The trade-off is time versus money, and depending on how you value your hours, the ground route can be genuinely appealing.

Here’s how the three options stack up:

• Option 1 (fastest): Fly Scoot SIN→IPH direct — 1h 16m, from S$87.
• Option 2 (most frequent): Fly Scoot SIN→KLIA, then ETS train to Ipoh — total ~3.5h, from S$72 (including train fare).
• Option 3 (budget): Fly SIN→KLIA-Senai (JB), take a 2-hour bus to Singapore, then train to Ipoh — the long way but cheapest.

Option 2 is the runner-up for many travellers, especially if you can grab a cheap Scoot or AirAsia fare to KLIA. From there, the ETS (Electric Train Service) runs to Ipoh about three times a day, and the journey takes roughly 2 hours. You’re looking at a total door-to-door time of about 3.5 hours if you time your connections well — not dramatically longer than the direct flight, and often quite a bit cheaper when you factor in baggage fees on the flight.

Option 3 is for extreme budgeteers. You’d fly to JB’s Senai airport, take a bus to Singapore, then catch a train to Ipoh. It’s not quick, but the cost can be remarkably low, especially if you book early. The trade-off is that you’ll be spending the better part of a day in transit, so it’s only worth it if your schedule is flexible and your budget is tight.

However, if you’re flexible and want to save a bit, the ground route is a genuine money-saver — especially for those willing to brave the afternoon KL traffic just to get to Ipoh’s coffee scene.

Scoot’s fine print — baggage, seats, and policies

Scoot is a low-cost carrier, which means the price you see is the base fare — everything else (baggage, seat selection, even in-flight snacks) costs extra. Before you book, here’s what you’re actually paying for:

• Baggage: No checked bag is included in the base fare. A 20kg checked bag costs around S$32 if purchased online in advance (more at the airport). Carry-on is limited to 7kg, which is strict — they do weigh it.
• Seat selection: Free seat assignment is done at check-in, but you can pay extra to choose your seat. Standard seats start at S$8, extra legroom positions run S$18–S$30 depending on the row.
• Food and drinks: Nothing is included. A basic sandwich and drink will set you back about S$10–S$15 on board, or you can pre-order a meal bundle from S$12.
• Change and cancellation fees: Scoot has moved to a fare-based structure, but generally, you can make changes for a fee starting at S$30, plus the fare difference. Cancellations are usually non-refundable unless you bought a flexible fare, which costs more.

Here’s the catch: Scoot’s route page quotes fares starting from SGD134, but that’s for a random date with no checked bag. If you’re booking a round-trip with just one checked bag each way, you’re looking at more like S$180–S$220 all in. That’s still competitive with the via-KL route once you add in train fares, but it’s not the “from S$87” headline number.

The other policy worth knowing: Scoot requires you to check in online between 48 hours and 1 hour before departure. If you fail to check in, you could be charged a fee at the airport — or, in the worst case, denied boarding. There’s no printed boarding pass needed, but you do need to show your passport and any required visas at the check-in counter.

Flight schedule and frequency — a closer look

Let’s dig into the nitty-gritty of scheduling, because “direct” is nice — but “when exactly” is what you actually need to plan your day.

Based on the current schedule, Scoot’s Singapore-to-Ipoh flight (TR 408) departs Changi in the late morning, typically around 11:00 AM. The return flight (TR 409) leaves Ipoh in the early afternoon, around 1:00 PM. These times aren’t set in stone — they shift slightly by season — but the general pattern holds: a morning departure from Singapore and an early afternoon return from Ipoh.

That means a day trip from Singapore to Ipoh is actually possible, though tight. You’d land in Ipoh around 12:15 PM, have about 4–5 hours for lunch and a wander around the old town, then fly back to Singapore by 3:00 PM. It’s not an ideal way to experience Ipoh, but if you’re just there for the coffee and dim sum, it might be enough.

For most travellers, though, a weekend trip is the better play. The flight is short, but the schedule is consistent enough to plan a same-day turnaround if you’re just going for the food. If you’re here for the heritage trail or the caves, though, you’ll want at least one night in Ipoh — the street art and the limestone temples deserve more than a few hours.

Frequently asked questions

Is there any direct flight from Singapore to Ipoh?

Yes — Scoot is the only airline directly connecting Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to Ipoh (IPH). The flight takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes, and operates daily with one to three departures depending on the season.

How do I get to Ipoh from Singapore?

You have two main options: fly directly with Scoot from Singapore to Ipoh, or fly to Kuala Lumpur (KL) and take a 2-hour train or bus ride to Ipoh. The direct flight is fastest at just over an hour, while the KL connection adds about 2.5 hours and often costs less.

Are there any transit flights from Singapore to Ipoh with a stopover?

Yes — if you’re flexible, you can fly Singapore → Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines or AirAsia, then connect to Ipoh on a Malaysia Airlines or Firefly flight. This route takes about 3–4 hours including the stopover, and can sometimes be cheaper than the direct Scoot flight.

Is Scoot the only airline flying from Singapore to Ipoh?

Yes — as of 2025, Scoot is the sole carrier operating the Singapore–Ipoh route. No other airline currently offers direct scheduled service on this sector.

Is there any train from Johor Bahru to Ipoh?

Yes — you can take the ETS (Electric Train Service) from JB Sentral to Ipoh, though it’s a longer journey: about 5–6 hours. The train typically requires a transfer at Gemas, but if you book the through-train, you won’t need to worry about catching a connection.

Is there Wi‑Fi or in‑flight entertainment on Scoot flights?

Scoot offers an in-flight entertainment portal called ScootHub, which you can access via your own device. It’s free for basic content — think short clips and a few shows — but the full library costs about S$6. Wi-Fi is available for purchase on some aircraft, though it’s not guaranteed on every plane on this route.