Haze October 2026: Travelling Between Singapore and Malaysia

Smoke haze from fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan has pushed air quality in Singapore and much of Peninsular Malaysia into the unhealthy range since early October 2026. Schools in several Malaysian states have closed, Firefly has cancelled its Subang–Seletar flights, and Singapore has switched on haze subsidies at clinics. Road travel between the two countries is running as normal, but it pays to check the air, plan for less time outdoors and keep your dates flexible.

The situation changes daily, sometimes hourly. Everything below is correct as of 14 October 2026; always check the official sources linked here before you set off.

What happened

Singapore: PSI in the unhealthy range

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said on 9 October that the 24-hour PSI stood at 135–192 at 6pm, in the Unhealthy range, with moderate to dense smoke haze drifting in from southern and central Sumatra (NEA update, 9 October). By 7pm on 13 October, NEA put the 24-hour PSI at 111–160, still Unhealthy, and forecast it to stay in that range as smoke from Kalimantan and southern Sumatra kept drifting towards Singapore (NEA update, 13 October).

The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on 11 October that the Haze Subsidy Scheme would start on 12 October at Public Health Preparedness Clinics and polyclinics. All Singapore Citizens can use it at polyclinics; at participating GP clinics it covers groups such as children 18 and under and seniors 65 and above. Eligible patients pay no more than $10 for haze-related conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and allergic rhinitis, and less for Pioneer and Merdeka Generation seniors (MOH, 11 October).

Malaysia: school closures

Johor closed all its schools on 8 and 9 October on the Regent's decree, Malay Mail reported on 7 October. From 9 October, schools in Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya were also ordered shut, with lessons moving online, according to The Star and Malay Mail. Closures have since been decided area by area as readings rise and fall; Bernama reported on 13 October that all schools in Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan would be closed again on 14 October.

Flights: Firefly's Subang–Seletar route

Firefly cancelled all flights between Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang and Seletar Airport from 10 October, calling it a precaution over haze and weather conditions, The Star and Bernama reported on 11 October. Affected passengers were offered seats on Malaysia Airlines flights between KLIA and Changi, subject to availability, or a full refund. News agencies reported on 13 October that the cancellations had been extended to 14 October. Check Firefly's website or your booking for the latest.

What it means for your trip

Check the air at both ends

Singapore and Malaysia measure air quality with different indices, so look at each one on its own scale. In Singapore, NEA advises using the 24-hour PSI forecast to plan ahead and the 1-hour PM2.5 reading for what you do in the next hour. In Malaysia, the Department of Environment's APIMS map shows the Air Pollutant Index (API) by station, which is useful because a reading in Johor Bahru can be very different from one in Kuala Lumpur or Melaka on the same afternoon.

Swap outdoor plans for indoor ones

NEA's advice while the PSI is Unhealthy is for healthy people to cut down on prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity, and for the elderly, pregnant women and children to keep it to a minimum. People with chronic heart or lung conditions are advised to avoid it. For a Johor or Malaysia trip, that means leaning towards malls, museums, indoor attractions and restaurants, and keeping theme-park, hiking or beach days for when the air clears.

If your flight is cancelled

Flights are the part of a KL trip most exposed to low visibility. If your Firefly flight has been cancelled and the alternative seats are full, driving is a practical fallback: the road trip from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur takes about four to five hours plus border time, and a car can take you straight to your hotel, office or KLIA for an onward flight. See our Singapore to Kuala Lumpur page for routes and fares (from SGD 340 one way in a Toyota Innova).

Crossing the border in haze

On a bus, passengers get off at both checkpoints, clear immigration on foot and wait at the boarding bays before carrying on. In a private car you stay seated through both Woodlands or Tuas and the Malaysian checkpoint, which keeps time spent outdoors to a minimum.

What to check before you go

• haze.gov.sg (NEA): 24-hour PSI, 1-hour PM2.5, forecasts and health advice for Singapore.
• APIMS (Malaysia's Department of Environment): live API readings by location.
• MOH haze page: health advice and the list of clinics in the Haze Subsidy Scheme.
• Your airline's website or app for flight status, and the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoint traffic page on the day.

Travelling with Luxway SGMY during the haze

Our cars pick you up at your door anywhere in Singapore and you stay inside an air-conditioned car through both checkpoints, with windows closed and the air set to recirculate. For grandparents, young children or anyone who finds the haze hard going, an MPV such as the Toyota Alphard or Hyundai Staria gives more room to rest on longer drives. There is no deposit and you pay the driver on arrival, so if readings spike the night before, you can simply message us to move the pick-up time or date.

Planning a trip into Johor or further into Malaysia this week? Whatsapp us with your dates and destination, or book online, and we will confirm the car and the best time to leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 14 October 2026