Johor Bahru (JB) is just a land border across Singapore. Singaporeans usually frequent there conveniently via Woodlands or Tuas checkpoint.

Many would have figured their way out travelling into Malaysia, Johor Bahru (JB) but maybe a handful is still finding the best way to head there for a fun getaway.

Like what’s the fastest yet convenient way to go JB? Any shortcuts? What transport should we take?

Why not continue to read on below as some of the different travelling methods to go to Johor Bahru would be covered for your easy research.

 

Table of Contents
1. Private Car From Singapore To Johor Bahru (JB)
2. KTM Train From Singapore To Johor Bahru (JB)
3. Bus From Singapore To Johor Bahru (JB)
4. Car To Johor Bahru (JB) From Singapore (Self-Driving)

 

1. Private Car From Singapore To Johor Bahru (JB)

Compared with self-drive, this travelling mode is definitely one for those who don’t mind forking out slightly more to get the preferred kind of comfort they want.

Depending on the type of private car (3 types) accommodating the number of passengers, the price per vehicle varies.

 

Why Choose Singapore to Johor Bahru By Private Car?

  • Save the hassle of leaving the car to clear the immigration checks and customs.
  • A personalised driver will meet you at your place and alight you at your destination.
  • Flexible itinerary: customise and plan your preferred route/locations.
  • Comfortable seating; no need to worry about squeezing with strangers. This happens regularly during traffic jams.
  • Reliable & punctual driver, familiar with local traffic conditions.
  • Convenient transport option especially for family with elderly & children.

 

Reminders:

  • Passport has a validity of at least 6 months.
  • Ensure that you have properly communicated your itineraries with your driver.
  • It is recommended that you book your private car at least 2 days in advance.

 

Headache which car service to opt for? Consider Johor Premium Transport as your private car service.

 

Step 1: Check The Private Car Rates Here

Easy and comprehensive car rates. Look at your preferred initial and final destination based on the type of car. Check out the “Vehicles” Section regarding luggage storage, especially when you are going in large groups.

 

Step 2: Book a Private Car Via WhatsApp To Submit The Trip Details

If you have any questions or doubts, just send them a text and you will get your questions cleared quickly.

 

Step 3: Get Confirmation & Enjoy Private Car Transfer Service

Once there’s confirmation from the private car rental service, there’s nothing much to fret and worry. Just wait for the final day to arrive and enjoy the journey experience in the car.

 

2. KTM Train From Singapore To Johor Bahru (JB)

It’s definitely a recommended transport option for travelling across the customs, but tickets need to be booked in advance during peak hours.

Travel From Singapore To JB By Train

Park your luggage in the train compartment & enjoy the short train ride before reaching Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Singapore).

 

Why Choose Singapore to Johor Bahru By Train?

  • Wallet-Friendly 
  • Save Time & no need to join the crazy human jam.
  • Only 5 minutes train ride! (excluding the boarding time and immigration checking time at Malaysia and Singapore side, which is located inside the train checkpoint).
  • No need to withstand long queues and beat the jam with others. Just find an empty seat on the train (no need to follow the ticket seat number).

 

Reminders:

  • The train from Singapore to Johor Bahru will open 30 minutes before boarding time. Therefore, it is essential to reach earlier.
  • You need to book your train tickets in advance if you want to catch the train to JB on weekends and Friday nights, as same-day tickets are almost always sold out fast. 
  • Ensure your passport has a validity of 6 months.

 

You must be thinking how to take the KTM train?

 

Step 1: Book Your KTM Train Ticket Earlier From the KTMB Shuttle Tebrau Website

KTM Shuttle Tebrau Website

Book your train tickets HERE

 

Price of KTM Train Ticket:

  • Woodlands Train Checkpoint to Johor Bahru cost SGD5 (MYR~16.5)
  • Johor Bahru to Woodlands Train Checkpoint cost MYR5 (SGD~1.52)

 

Tip 1: Since the tickets are in RM, consider a multicurrency card like a mile card, which helps you to earn a higher rate on overseas spending.

 

Tip 2: To avoid any disappointment, buy a ticket online rather than over at the manual counters. The ticket really sold out fast, especially during peak times.

 

Step 2: Head Over To Woodlands Train Checkpoint Level 2

Woodlands Train Checkpoint
Address: 11 Woodlands Crossing, Singapore 738103.
Nearest MRT: Marsiling Station Or Woodlands Station.
Available Buses: 170, 178, 856, 903, 911, 912, 913, 950.

 

Be at the train checkpoint at least 30 minutes earlier, check the ticket timing else you might miss boarding the train. The boarding date closes 10 minutes before train departure time.

If you are unsure how to locate the Woodlands Train Checkpoint, go to Level 2. Just follow the crowd and join the queue on the left-hand side of the walkway heading to the train direction. You will see the signage there upon reaching.

 

Step 3: Scan Your E-ticket/Physical Ticket For Boarding

Basically, it is better to screenshot your E-ticket and store it in your phone gallery for easy reference when the officer requests it.

Woodlands Train Checkpoint Level 2

Documents To Prepare: Train E-ticket, Passport (at least 6 months validity), and Train Physical Ticket (you may want to print just in case, but my experience is the officers do not check physical tickets nowadays)

 

Step 4: Take The KTM Train Ride To JB From Singapore (Only 5 Minutes)

You will pass through Singapore Customs and get your passport checked. Thereafter, pass through the automated gates.
Continue to walk till you reach Malaysia customs to get your passport checked and chopped. Require to go through the baggage scanning machine.

KTM Train Shuttle Tebrau Woodlands To JB

After which, just walk over to board the train. Pick any empty seat you want, as you do not need to follow the seat number.

Shuttle Tebrau Train Woodlands To JB

 

(PS: If you are slightly early after all the immigration checks, you can sit and wait for the train to board).

 

3. Bus From Singapore To Johor Bahru (JB)

Travelling to JB via bus is definitely one of the most common, convenient and economical ways for travellers who are looking for a quick getaway.

Causeway Link Bus From SG To JB

You need not worry if there’s only 1 bus company as there are over 110 daily buses travelling in and out from Singapore to Johor Bahru.

 

Why Choose Singapore to Johor Bahru By Bus?

  • Budget-Friendly (cost from SGD 2.50 to SGD 11, depending on the bus operator).
  • Fast and convenient. The distance between the 2 cities is only 30 km, and the journey takes 1 hour (average journey).

 

Reminders:

  • Give yourself extra time to travel in case of jam and waiting time, especially during Friday evenings, weekends and public holidays.
  • Most of the bus services accept Singapore Ez-Link Card (You can top up cash in the card in advance at Singapore, e.g. the MRT Stations)
  • It is required to alight from the bus upon reaching Singapore customs to go through the Singapore immigration procedures.

 

Step 1: Board Any Bus That Travels To Woodlands Checkpoint

The below table shows the different buses & locations which you can take to travel to JB.

Location Bus Cost Operating Hours Notes
Kranji MRT Station (Exit C) 1. SBS Bus 170X

2. Causeway Link Bus CW1

1. Approx S$1.55 by EZ-Link card; or S$2.30 by cash

2. S$2.60 by ManjaLink or Visa

1. From Kranji: 5.36am to 11.30pm
From JB Sentral: 6.10 am to 12 midnight2. From Kranji: 6.00am to 11.30pm.From JB CIQ: 4.00 am to 10.30 pm
1. For the SBS bus, you need to tap every time you board & alight

2. For the CW bus, tap your card when boarding/re-boarding. No need to tap when alighting.

Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange SMRT Bus 950 Approx S$1.25 by EZ-Link card; or S$1.90 by cash Approx S$1.25 by EZ-Link card; or S$1.90 by cash Bus Route:
https://www.transitlink.com.sg/eservice/eguide/service_route.php?service=950
Woodlands Bus Interchange Bus 856, 903, 911, 911T, 912, 912B, Alights at Woodlands Train Checkpoint. Follow the crowd, enter the building, go up and follow the direction towards Woodlands Checkpoint.
Queen Street Terminal (Nearest MRT stations: Bugis and Rochor Exit A/B) 1. SBS Bus 170

2. Causeway Link Bus CW2 (Day Service)

3. Singapore-Johore Express Bus / SJE

1. Approx S$2.04 by EZ-Link card; or S$ 2.80 by cash.

2. S$4.80 by ManjaLink or Visa

3. S$3.30 by cash

1. From Queen Street Terminal: 5.20 am to 00.10 am
Jurong East Interim Bus Interchange SBS Bus 160 Approx S$1.84 by EZ-Link Card; S$ 2.50 by cash Jurong East Bus Interchange: 5.30 am to 12midnight For the SBS bus, you need to tap every time you board & alight
Newton Food Centre (Walkable distance from Newton MRT Station) CW5 S$4.60 by ManjaLink or Visa From Newton: 6.45 am to 11.30 pm.
F om JB CIQ: 5.00am to 9.30pm
Boon Lay MRT Station Bus CW6 via Tuas 2nd Link S$5 by ManjaLink From Boon Lay: 7.30 am to 11 pm.

From JB CIQ 2nd Link: 5.00 am to 10.30 pm

Changi Airport (Terminal 1) Transtar Bus TS1 S$11 by EZ-Link or cash 1. From Changi Airport: 8.15 am to 9.15 pm (frequency 1-2 hrs, only 6 trips a day)

From JB CIQ: 5.00 am to 7.15 pm (frequency 1-2 hrs, only 6 trips a day)

Pay exact fare on board
Resort World Sentosa (Nearest MRT station: Harbourfront) Transtar Bus TS8 from Basement Coach Bay. S$8 by EZ-Link or cash 1. From RWS: 8.00 am to 10.00 pm (only 8 trips a day, the frequency varies between 1 hour to 4 hours

2. From JB CIQ: 5.30 am to 9.00 pm (only 9 trips a day, the frequency varies between 1 hour to 4 hours

Pay exact fare on board
Yishun Bus Interchange Bus AC7 S$2.20 by EZ-Link Card; S$2.50 by cash 1. From Yishun: 5.40 am to 11.30 pm
2. from JB CIQ: 5.20 am to 11.30 pm
Tuas Link MRT (Bus Boarding Point at Exit A) Bus CW7 S$4.50 by ManjaLink 1. From Tuas Link MRT: 7.30am to 11.00pm

2. From JB Second Link CIQ: 5.00am to 10.15pm

 

FYI, ManjaLink is a bus card issued by Causeway Link. It can be used on any Causeway Link bus (cross-border or local bus). You can purchase it online or from the CW counters.

 

Step 2: Clear Singapore Immigration At Woodlands Checkpoint

Woodlands Checkpoint Singapore

 

Step 3: Board Any Bus From Woodlands Checkpoint To JB Checkpoint

For travellers who paid the full fare for Transtar Bus (TS) and Causeway Buses (CW), just board the same bus without the need to pay extra fares.

Transtar Travel Cross Border Coach SG To JB

Please show your physical/ digital ticket to the bus driver upon boarding the bus.

 

Step 4: Clear JB Immigration At JB Checkpoint

Take note the travelling time can be crazy as the jam can hit up to 4hrs (peak period) during off-work hours (Friday after 6 p.m.), weekends and public holidays.

Johor Bahru Checkpoint CIQ

You may want to check the Google Maps traffic mode for traffic conditions.

 

4. Car To Johor Bahru (JB) From Singapore (Self-Driving)

Some of you prefer privacy and space with your friends or loved ones so self-driving would be a better choice for you.

Do note for traffic-free days, the journey would take an hour or less; however, the journey would stretch up to 4 to 5 hours and more during peak periods, school and public holidays.

Therefore, plan your time wisely.

 

Why Choose From Singapore To Johor Bahru By Car?

  • Travelling at your own pace and visiting places/attractions that might not be easily accessible via public transport.
  • Convenient, especially if you are travelling with kids and elderly folks.
  • Hassle-Free in a way that you do not need to get out of the car to go through the immigration customs

 

Reminders:

  • Check that your passport has at least 6 months of validity.
  • Ensure that the three-quarter tank rule is observed in your petrol tanks. As much as you are concerned, you do not want to be stopped by the officers to turn back and waste your journey.
  • Make sure that your car insurance is valid when travelling out of Singapore. This is to ensure the insurance covers the cost in case of any accidents or car breakdowns.
  • Getting proper travel insurance to cover any emergencies/hospitalisation costs.

 

Step 1: Apply For A Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) into Malaysia online

All Singapore-registered vehicles are required to have a VEP (compulsory) in order to enter Malaysia else there could be a fine incurred.

Malaysia Vehicle Entry Permit Website

This will come with a VEP-RFID tag that can then be tagged to your Touch ‘n Go eWallet, which enables you to pay for road charges and highway tolls in Malaysia.

Register your profile using your email address to fill in your personal particulars.

 

Step 2: Apply For Your Touch n Go eWallet 

Download the Touch n Go from your app store. Singaporeans choose NRIC as their “ID type” upon registration for the account.

Touch N Go Card And eWallet

To get the Touch n Go Physical Card, you can get it almost everywhere in Malaysia, e.g. 7-11 stores.

 

Step 3: Submit The Required Documents

Documents required: Touch ‘n Go eWallet details, your COE, NRIC, car insurance, and authorisation letter. An email will be sent to you once your application has been approved.

 

Step 4: Collect & Install your VEP-RFID Tag

You can collect your VEP-RFID tag through post or self-collection in Malaysia.

Vehicle Entry Permit RFID Tag

Prior appointment is needed for self-collection. Remember to bring along your appointment slip and VEP approval letter.

 

Step 5: Check Your Passport Validity (6 Months) & Petrol (3/4 full)

 

Step 6: Drive Safely