How Do You Travel from Singapore to Johor Bahru in 2025?
Singapore and Johor Bahru (JB) sit across the Straits of Johor. The Johor–Singapore Causeway is about 1.06 km long, and the Tuas Second Link bridge is about 1.9 km long. From downtown Singapore to JB Sentral, it is roughly 25–30 km by road. Whether you’re planning an afternoon of café-hopping, a weekend of shopping, or a longer stay in Malaysia, 2025 gives you many ways to cross. This guide compares every option—train, bus, taxi, private car, and the under-construction RTS Link—so you can choose what fits your time, comfort, and budget.
All the Choices Of Travel to Johor Bahru
| Mode | Typical Time* | Cost (one-way) | Where to Board (SG) | Where You Arrive (JB) | Best For |
| KTM Shuttle Tebrau train | 5 min track time / 15–25 min door-to-door | S$5 | Woodlands Train Checkpoint | JB Sentral | Speed & reliability |
| Public buses (SBS 160, 170/170X, SMRT 950) | 30–90 min | S$2.20–S$3.00 | Jurong East, Queen St., Woodlands | JB CIQ / Larkin | Budget travellers |
| Causeway Link buses (CW1, CW2, CW5) | 30–90 min | S$2.60–S$4.80 | Kranji, Queen St., Newton | JB CIQ / Larkin | Shoppers, day-trippers |
| Licensed cross-border taxi | ~60 min | S$60 (per cab) | Ban San St. Terminal | Larkin | Small groups without luggage lugging |
| Private MPV/car service | 45–120 min | S$90–S$150 (per car) | Door-to-door pickup | Door-to-door drop | Families & larger parties |
| Self-drive | 45–120 min | Fuel + VEP S$5/day + tolls | Woodlands / Tuas Checkpoints | Anywhere | Flexibility & spontaneity |
* Off-peak vs. peak congestion can double travel time on the causeway.
By Train “KTM Shuttle Tebrau”
Why Choose the Train?
- Fastest border crossing. Track time is five minutes; immigration for both countries is completed on the platform, so there’s no second queue.
- Predictable timing. Trains adhere to their schedule even when road traffic is at a crawl.
- Comfortable for all ages. Reserved seating and air conditioning make it stress-free for kids and seniors.
Timetable & Booking Tips
- Up to 36 departures daily, starting at 05:00 from Woodlands and 05:30 from JB Sentral, with the last trains near midnight.
- Book online or via KTM’s mobile app up to 30 days ahead. Weekends, school holidays, and Friday evenings sell out quickest.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure; gates close 10 minutes before departure, and latecomers will be denied boarding.
Immigration Process
Your passport is stamped out of Singapore and into Malaysia (or vice-versa) on opposite sides of the same platform. Keep your boarding pass and passport in hand; you won’t retrieve luggage until JB Sentral. The whole procedure averages 15 minutes.
By Public Bus
Public buses are the cheapest way to hop the border. You have two operators: Singapore’s SBS/SMRT routes and Malaysia-based Causeway Link.
Cross-Border Routes & Fares
| Bus | SG Start Point | JB Endpoint | Cash Fare (SGD) | Notes |
| SBS 160 | Jurong East Interchange | JB CIQ | 2.00 | Long route via Bukit Timah |
| SBS 170 | Queen St. Terminal | JB CIQ | 2.20 | Regular stops along Bukit Timah |
| SBS 170X | Kranji MRT | JB CIQ | 2.20 | Express skips intermediate stops |
| SMRT 950 | Woodlands Interchange | JB Sentral | 2.20 | 24-hour loop service |
| CW1 | Kranji MRT | JB CIQ | 2.60 | Popular with outlet shoppers |
| CW2 | Queen St. Terminal | Larkin Bus Terminal | 4.80 | Direct link to long-distance buses |
| CW5 | Newton Circus | JB CIQ | 4.80 | Handy for Orchard / Newton hotels |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Lightest on the wallet.
- No pre-booking needed—just tap EZ-Link or pay exact cash on the Singapore leg.
- High frequency: a bus departs every few minutes during peak hours.
Cons
- Subject to Causeway jams that can push the trip past 90 minutes.
- Overcrowding is common on weekends; standing room only.
- You must alight twice for immigration inspections—once to exit Singapore, again to enter Malaysia.
Comfort Tips
- Travel off-peak. Before 7 am or after 10 pm on weekdays is ideal.
- Carry exact change. Ticket machines in JB do not accept Singapore coins.
- Pack light. Large suitcases slow boarding and may incur surcharges.
By Private Car or Self-Drive
Driving gives total control over schedule and side-trips—from Legoland to seafood dinners in Johor’s coastal villages.
Vehicle Entry Permit & Tolls
- Foreign vehicles entering Singapore pay a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) of S$5 per day after the first 10 fee-free days each calendar year.
- Electronic tolls apply at both Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints. Your Autopass (for foreign plates) or NETS CashCard (for SG plates) deducts tolls automatically.
- Remember, fuel is costlier in Singapore; fill up in JB before returning if possible.
Insurance & Compliance
Check that your car insurance covers Malaysia. If driving a rental, inform the agency; cross-border surcharges and paperwork vary. Tire tread depth and headlight alignment may be inspected at random.
Best Itineraries for Drivers
- Day-trip Shoppers: Exit Woodlands, park at JB City Square, explore café streets, then drive to Paradigm Mall before heading back.
- Family Fun Weekend: Take the Tuas Second Link to skip city congestion, overnight near Legoland Malaysia, and swing by IKEA Tebrau on Sunday before returning.
- Foodie Night Run: Evening drive to Permas Jaya for seafood, return after 11 pm when causeway traffic thins.
By Licensed Taxi or MPV
Cross-Border Yellow-Roof Taxis
Operating from Ban San St. (Queen Street) in Bugis, these cabs run on a regulated S$60 flat fare to Larkin Bus Terminal. You pay per cab, not per head, so fares split cheaply among four passengers. Note: taxis cannot pick up random passengers in JB, so arrange a JB taxi separately for onward journeys.
Pre-Booked MPV Services
Online platforms let you reserve a Toyota Innova, Alphard, or Hyundai Starex for S$90–S$150 door-to-door. Drivers hold special licences to use private-car immigration lanes, so you remain seated throughout passport control—ideal if you’re travelling with elders, toddlers, or bulky luggage. Peak-day surcharges apply on public holidays and midnight pickups.
Ride-Hail Apps: What’s Allowed?
Grab, Gojek, and TADA cannot legally ferry passengers across the border. They operate only within their respective countries. Common workaround:
- Book a Grab to Woodlands Checkpoint.
- Walk through immigration.
- On the JB side, open Grab MY for a local ride.
Unofficial “cross-border car-pool” groups on social media exist, but enforcement is tightening; hefty fines await rogue drivers.
The Rapid Transit System Link
A dedicated metro line, the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, is on schedule for December 2026. Trains will run every four minutes from Woodlands North MRT to Bukit Chagar station in JB, slicing commute time to under 10 minutes and moving 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction. Until then, the Shuttle Tebrau remains the quickest rail option.
Travel Documents & Border Checks
Passport Validity
Both Singapore and Malaysia require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry. Immigration officers can deny entry if it falls short, even by a day.
Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)
From 2024, most foreigners must complete the MDAC online within three days of arrival. Singapore citizens are exempt, but permanent residents and long-term pass holders are not. Save a screenshot of the confirmation QR in case of system downtime.
Customs Rules
- Currency declaration: Any cash or bearer instruments exceeding S$20,000 or RM30,000 must be declared.
- Duty-free allowances: Each adult may bring 1 litre of spirits, wine, or beer back into Singapore if away for more than 48 hours. Tobacco remains heavily taxed.
- Food and plants: Fresh produce must comply with Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority guidelines random inspections are common.
Best Time to Cross in 2025
- Avoid: Friday 4 pm–10 pm (SG → JB) and Sunday 4 pm–10 pm (JB → SG).
- Public-holiday eves: Traffic can spike to four-hour waits.
- Sweet spot: Weekday mornings before 7 am or late nights after 11 pm. If you prefer daylight, aim for Saturday before 10 am.
Sample Trip Budgets
| Traveller Profile | Transport Choice | Round-Trip Cost | Why It Works |
| Solo backpacker | Public bus | < S$6 | Lowest price, accepts EZ-Link / cash |
| A couple on a date day | KTM train + Grab in JB | ~ S$30 | Punctual train + inexpensive local rides |
| Family of five | Private MPV | ~ S$180 | Door-to-door, no luggage hauling |
| Friends on a foodie crawl | Self-drive | S$5 VEP + tolls + fuel | Flexible stops, trunk space for snacks |
Quick, Practical Tips
- Book train tickets early. Weekend slots sell out within hours.
- Use ManjaLink cards on Causeway Link buses. It saves a few cents per ride and saves fumbling with coins.
- Download traffic apps. OneMotoring (SG) and (MY) offer live camera views and estimated wait times.
- Travel light. Border X-ray scanners pull aside large suitcases and slow you down.
- Stay online. Malaysian eSIMs start at RM10 for 3 GB; order before you travel to keep navigation smooth.
- Plan your return. Sunday evening crowding is legendary. Leave JB by lunchtime or stay for supper and return after 10 pm.
FAQs
What is the fastest way to travel from Singapore to Johor Bahru?
The KTM Shuttle Tebrau train is the quickest, taking only five minutes of track time and about 20 minutes total, including immigration.
Do Singapore citizens need the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card?
No. Singapore passport holders are exempt, though other nationalities, including Singapore PRs, must submit the MDAC.
Can I drive my Singapore-registered car into JB without extra paperwork?
Yes, provided you have a valid Vehicle Entry Permit and Autopass card. After your first ten crossings each year, you’ll pay S$5 per day in VEP fees plus checkpoint tolls.
Are Grab or Gojek rides allowed to cross the border?
No. Ride-hail services can take you only to the checkpoint. For a direct car ride, book a licensed cross-border taxi or a private MPV.
All Categories
Tags
