Getting to Johor Bahru from Singapore
If you've been itching to hop over to JB for some budget-friendly shopping, relaxing massages, and delicious food, this guide is tailor-made for you. Learn about various transportation options, their anticipated costs, and some handy tips for your journey. Let’s get you on your way to JB!
Before departing to Johor Bahru
Register for Malaysia JB Autogate
(Source: The Straits Times)
For those of you looking for a hassle-free travel solution - you can now bypass the winding queues at JB customs by opting for automated clearance through E-Gates.
This swift process is exclusively available for Singaporeans, Malaysian Permanent Residents, and Malaysia Automated Clearance System pass holders arriving by bus and train.
If you qualify and hold a biometric passport with at least 3 months’ validity, simply submit a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card up to 3 days before your trip for expedited entry. Once you arrive in JB, visit the manual counter to register your passport for the first time, ensuring smooth electronic customs clearance on all your future visits.
Once you arrive JB
Purchase a data plan for you to use in Malaysia
Once you’ve arrived at JB Sentral, you might want to purchase a SIM card with a data plan so you can shoot a quick message to your folks in SG, letting them know you've made it here safe and sound!
The stalls selling SIM cards mostly have options from three major Malaysian telcos which are Maxis, Celcom, Digi, U Mobile, and the recently merged CelcomDigi. However, be sure to verify the prices since there are specific rates for Malaysians and different ones for non-Malaysians.
For Singaporeans opting for e-sim options, you can purchase them online before arriving in Malaysia for your convenience and to avoid high roaming charges. These are 3 trusted e-sim card providers that have been proven to be reliable:
Now, you’re all good to kick off your JB journey!
Singapore to Johor Bahru - transportation options
By taxi or car
Consider the convenience and comfort of a taxi for your journey to JB, granting you the autonomy to tailor your route and travel timetable according to your preferences. While this option may incur slightly higher expenses due to fuel costs or service fees, the flexibility it affords is well worth it. Travel times can vary between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your chosen route.
One of the significant advantages of this choice is the direct transfer between Singapore and Johor Bahru, ensuring a seamless and uninterrupted ride throughout. Furthermore, you have full control over scheduling, enabling you to pick the most suitable pick-up time.
What's more – crossing the Singapore-Malaysia border is a breeze, eliminating the need for immigration clearance stops. With well-planned routes, you can optimize your travel time for a swift and smooth journey.
However, it's important to be aware of the legal regulations. All vehicles without a Public Service Vehicle Licence, including privately-owned Malaysia-registered cars, are prohibited from providing taxi or chauffeur private-hire car services in Singapore.
Additionally, good news if you are entering Johor by Woodlands or Tuas Checkpoint via car or taxi - you may create a profile and generate either an Individual or Group QR code in the MyICA mobile app to scan upon entry to speed up your journey instead of going through the
Best for:
Families traveling with kids or elderly
Group of friends with 5-10 people
Estimated cost:
From SGD$60 - SGD$120 depending on the taxi operator and pick-up and drop-off points
Going to Johor Bahru:
TransCab | SGD$80 from the preferred pick-up point to Larkin Sentral |
SGD$60 from Queen Street Terminal to Larkin Sentral | |
SGD$120 from Singapore airport to Larkin Sentral | |
Comfort Del Gro (Johor Bahru Taxi Service) | SGD$80 from the preferred pick-up point to Larkin Sentral |
SGD$15 per head, shared ride if pick-up from Queen Street Terminal |
Coming back to Singapore:
TransCab | SGD$70 booked directly from TransCab from Larkin Sentral back to the preferred drop-off point |
SGD$60 hailed on the spot from Larkin Sentral to the preferred drop-off point | |
Comfort Del Gro (Johor Bahru Taxi Service) | SGD$60 booked directly from Comfort Del Gro to the preferred drop-off point |
Note: Taxi services are recommended for weekdays due to the potential high traffic on weekends and eve of public holidays.
By bus
Now, accessing Johor Bahru has become a breeze with the well-established coach services, offering a reliable and efficient mode of transportation. Journey durations typically vary from 40 minutes to 2 hours, contingent on prevailing traffic conditions.
A significant advantage lies in the cost-effectiveness of public buses, emerging as the most economical choice and a pocket-friendly travel alternative!
Best for:
Travelers on a budget
Families with teenagers or youth
Travelers with less luggage
Estimated cost:
From SGD$1.39 via SBS Transit Bus (Bus Service No. 170X)
Bus Route and Service | Bus Operator | Bus Service No. | Schedule |
From Yishun - CIQ Johor Bahru (JB) | Ridewell Travel | AC7 | Daily: 05:40 - 23:30 (Sundays: 06:00 - 23:30) |
From Jurong East to Johor Bahru (JB) | Causeway Link Bus | CW3 | Daily: 7:10 - 23:45 (Weekends: 7:30 - 23:45), every 10-30 mins |
Causeway Link Bus | CW4 | Daily: 7:30 - 19:20, every 30 mins | |
Causeway Link Bus | CW4S | Varies - see schedule | |
SBS Transit | 160 | Daily: 5:30 - 00:00, every 8-17 mins | |
From Kranji to Johor Bahru (JB) | Causeway Link Bus | CW1 | Daily: 4:30 - 23:30, every 15-30 mins |
SBS Transit | 170X | Daily: 5:36 - 23:30 (Sat until 00:00), every 5-13 mins | |
From Queen Street to Johor Bahru (JB) | Causeway Link Bus | CW2 | Daily: 6:00 - 23:45, every 15-30 mins |
SBS Transit | 170 (170A) | Daily: 170 - 5:20 - 00:10, every 11-16 mins. 170A - 6:00 - 00:00, every 14-22 mins | |
Singapore-Johor Express | SJE | Daily: 6:30 - 22:30, every 15-30 mins | |
From CIQ 2nd Link to Johor Bahru (JB) | Causeway Link Bus | CW3S (SL1, CW4G) | Varies - see schedule |
From Newton Circus to Johor Bahru (JB) | Causeway Link Bus | CW5 | Daily: 6:00 - 23:30, every 15-30 mins |
From Boon Lay to Johor Bahru (JB) | Causeway Link Bus | CW6 | Daily: 7:30 - 22:40, every 15-25 mins |
From Woodlands to Johor Bahru (JB) | SMRT Bus | 950 | Daily: 5:30 - 23:30, every 9-14 mins |
From Changi Airport to Johor Bahru (JB) | Transtar Bus | TS1 | Daily: 8:15 - 23:15, every 1 hour |
From Marina Square to Johor Bahru (JB) | Transtar Bus | TS3 | Mon-Fri: 8:00 - 00:00, every 1 hour. Sat, Sun & PH: 9:00 - 00:00, every 1 hour |
From Resort World Sentosa to Johor Bahru (JB) | Transtar Bus | TS8 | Daily: 8:00 - 00:15, every 1 hour |
From Buona Vista to Johor Bahru (JB) | Transtar Bus | TS6 | Mon-Sat: 7:00 - 23:00, every 30-60 mins. Sun & PH: 8:00 - 00:00, every 30-60 mins |
Please note:
Retain your bus tickets as they are necessary to continue your journey after passing through immigration at Singapore Checkpoints.
You'll need to disembark from the buses twice to complete the immigration process.
You don't have to board the same bus, but you should use buses from the same service.
Buses don't go directly to the checkpoints; they make stops at all bus stops along the route to pick up passengers.
Expect long queues most of the time.
Evenings, especially Fridays, are peak hours, and clearing immigration may take several hours. Refer to this link for the best time to travel to JB.
EZ Link card payment is accepted on buses 170, 160, 950, TS1, and TS8. For more accurate bus schedules and additional details, please visit the websites of the transport companies: SBS Transit (bus 160, 170, 170A, & 170X), SMRT (bus 950), Causeway Link (bus CW1-CW6), Transtar (bus TS1 & TS8)
By train
(Source: CNA)
Since its launch on July 1, 2015, the Shuttle Tebrau by KTM has provided a practical solution for traveling to Johor Bahru from Singapore, alleviating traffic congestion. With four coaches accommodating up to 320 passengers, this high-speed train offers a swift 5-minute journey from the Woodlands Train Checkpoint to JB Sentral.
Notably, it's a cost-effective option and ensures a comfortable ride. However, tickets sell out fast, so early booking or online purchase is advised.
In other transit news, the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, a light rail stretching 4km, is set to revolutionize connectivity between the two countries by the end of 2026. This RM10 billion (S$2.9 billion) project, first announced in 2010, aims to alleviate traffic congestion on the Causeway, a long-standing concern for commuters and day-trippers.
Best for:
Travelers who need to reach JB urgently
Business travelers
Estimated cost:
From SGD$5 per person
Arriving in Malaysia
Singaporean citizens traveling to Malaysia are exempt from completing the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC). However, all other foreign citizens must complete the MDAC. Starting January 1, 2024, MDAC completion will be mandatory for all travelers except Singaporeans. For more information and to complete the MDAC, please visit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card website.
Getting back to Singapore
Returning to Singapore, and back to reality, after an enjoyable time in JB is a straightforward process. If traveling by land, follow the same steps as when you arrived: clear customs, complete passport and luggage checks, and head to the nearest bus or train station. For those traveling by sea, the ferry from Tanjung Pengelih port to Tanah Merah in Singapore is the closest route.
Upon arrival in Singapore, Singaporeans and other nationalities are not required to submit an
SG Arrival Card if arriving by land. However, for other modes of transportation, please verify the SG Arrival Card requirements.
Ferry schedule from Singapore to Desaru Coast
Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal – Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal Schedule (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday)
Days Of Operation | Tanah Merah to Desaru | Desaru to Tanah Merah |
Thursday | 8:30am | 5:30pm |
Friday | 8:30am | 5:30pm |
Saturday | 8:30am | 5:30pm |
Sunday | 8:30am | 5:30pm |
Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal – Tanjung Pengelih Ferry Terminal Schedule (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
Days Of Operation | Tanah Merah to Tanjung Pengelih | Tanjung Pengelih to Tanah Merah |
Friday | 8:50am | 5:40pm |
Saturday | 8:50am | 5:40pm |
Sunday | 8:50am | 5:40pm |
Monday | 7:30am | 4:00pm |
Got some travel wisdom for the journey to JB from Singapore?
Whether you're a frequent traveler for business or leisure, share your experiences and tips with us! Shoot us an email at gomalaysia@uee.com.sg and join our thriving travel community. Your insights could make the next journey even more epic!
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