How to travel to Johor Bahru from Singapore

One undermining issue when it comes to travelling is transportation. In this case, the usage of private cars seems to be an underrated option.

As COVID cases in Malaysia cease to elevate, it's the best time to travel to the closest destination from Singapore. The best contender would be the prominent land of Johor Bahru; the capital city and the economic centre of the state.

A trip to Johor Bahru would involve well-grounded transportation that calls for all your needs during your great trip to Johor Bahru. With the revamped transportation system, travelling from Singapore to Johor Bahru is nothing short of zero inconveniences. With transportation ranging from buses to trains and private cars by the honourable private transportation company.

Why travel to Johor Bahru?

Johor Bahru connects Singapore to Malaysia in a neat fashion. Many tourists coming from Singapore go to Johor Bahru on a day trip to visit various attractions. Mainly comprising of Legoland theme park, Johor Bahru's art scene, historical landmarks such as the Chinese Heritage Museum and a bunch of shopping malls to keep you busy. 

One added bonus is that you're longer required to use mySejahtera during your trip! (But do make sure that you're qualified and vaccinated)

MyICA Mobile App

On 26 April 2022, the immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) launched a new mobile application, MyICA Mobile. No matter what type of transportation is used, all passengers are required to fill in applications for going abroad. Now with this app, this process can be replaced with an e-service called SG arrival card service. It is meant for electronic submissions of trip details, personal information and more.

For more information, check the MyICA Mobile website.

Another question is: how do I get there? Well, we've also got you covered because here is the guide to travelling to JB from SG.

How to travel to Johor Bahru from Singapore

1) Our most recommended option:

As of today, we believe the best way to travel from Singapore to Johor Bahru is through a private car service, that is the SGJBCharteredTAXI private taxi service. It has a hassle-free service to keep your comfort in check. 

Ease of Transport

• Pick out your preferred schedule
• Pick out and drop off from any location 
• The most optimal path for a minimal time
• No need of clearing the immigration off the vehicle when crossing the Singapore & Malaysia border
• Personalized non-sharing ride for comfort 
• Access to additional riders ranging from 5 to 10 people (recommended for families)

Experienced and friendly drivers

• Punctual drivers that place rider's schedule in first
• Adept drivers with a full scope understanding of Singapore and JB road
• Deductive drivers with the ability to optimise pathways
• Attentive drivers that practice all safety procedures
• Direct drivers with clear communication

Well-maintained and spacious fleets

• Persistently executed Safety procedure 
• Frequently cleaned vehicles
• A vast quantity of vehicles to be booked

it certainly is worth the shot for the most well-appointed travelling service for SG to JB.

How to book SGMY private taxi/ private car:

• Whatsapp us at number +6016-768 3773
• Fill in the Reservation Form.
• Don’t know booking procedures, click here: How To Book

2) Public bus From Singapore

If you're wondering about options for instance buses to get to your Johor Bahru, it's a great option when in several conditions. For instance, whether it be travelling individually or on a tight budget. Then, a bus ride would be a good option.

However, that's pretty much all the functions that the buses have. It only provides simple and direct transport without ease and freedom. The lack of capacity for more luggage would be inconvenient for those that travel in groups. Additionally, due to recent price increases bus fares by about 37%.

On a side note, if buses still sound ideal to you, we want to show you a few options for buses to get from Singapore to Johor Bahru:

a) 170x (SBS TRANSIT) Line

• Route: Woodlands Road(Kranji MRT Station) -> JB Sentral Bus Terminal
• Pass through: W'lands Crossing
• Travelling time: 45 mins (subject to traffic conditions)
• Departure hours: 5:36 - 00:00
• Return hours: 06:10 - 00:00
• Fare: charges regular distance fares

b) SMRT Bus Service 950 

• Route: Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange -> JB Sentral Bus Terminal (loop)
• Pass through: Woodlands Ave 3, Woodlands Ctr Rd, Woodlands CIQ, Sultan Iskandar CIQ
• Travelling time: 50 mins+ (subject to traffic conditions)
• Departure hours: 05:30 - 23:30 (Daily)
• Return hours: 06:00 - 00:00 (JB Sentral) / 05:15 - 00:18 (Johor Bahru Checkpoint)
• Fare: charges regular distance fares

c) Tower Transit Bus Service 856

• Route: Yishin Bus Interchange -> Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub
• Pass through: Sembawang Rd, Canberra Rd, Admiralty Rd West, Senoko Dr, Admiralty Rd, Woodlands Ctr Rd
• Travelling Time: 60 mins
• Departure hours: 05:30 - 23:45 (Daily)
• Return hours: 05:30 - 23:50 (Daily)
• Fare: charges regular distance fares

d) SBS Transit Bus Service 170 (Red Plate)

• Route: Queen Street Bus Terminal -> Larkin Bus Terminal
• Pass through: Bt Timah Rd, Upp Bt Timah Rd / Dunearn Rd, Woodlands Rd, Woodlands Crossing
• travelling time: 100 mins (off-peak) / 120 mins / (peak) 
• Departure hours: 05:20 - 00:10 (Daily)
• Return hours: 05:20 - 00:30
• Fare: charges regular distance fares

e) SBS Transit Bus Service 160

• Route: Jurong East Bus Interchange -> JB Sentral Bus Terminal (loop)
• Pass through: Bukit Batok Rd, Phoenix, Woodlands Rd, Kranji MRT, Woodlands CIQ, Sultan Iskandar CIQ
• Travelling time: 200 mins (full loop)
• Operating hours: 05:30 - 00:00 (Daily)
• Fare: charges regular distance fares

f) Transtar Cross-Border Bus TS1

• Route: Changi Airport -> JB CIQ
• Pass through: Airport Blvd, Expo MRT, Upp Changi Rd East, Woodlands Ave 5, Marsiling MRT, Woodlands Checkpoint
• Travelling time: 60-120 mins (Changi Airport) / 60-135 mins (JB CIQ)
• Departure hours: 08:15 - 21:15 (Daily)
• Return hours: 05:00 - 19:15 (Daily)
• Departure fare: S$11.00 (Max) [Section fare payment, EZ-Link Card Accepted]
• Return fare: RM13.00 (Max)

Bonus) Causeway Link CWL

1. CW1

• Route: Woodlands Road(Kranji MRT Station) -> JB CIQ 
• Pass through: Causeway, Woodlands CIQ
• Frequency: 15-20 mins 
• Departure hours: 04:00 - 22:30
• Return hours: 06:00 - 23:30
• Departure fare: S$2.60 (Max) towards JB / Larkin / [accepted payment: Section fare, Manjalink, Visa Card (Ez-Link, NETS Flashpay RM2.60 (Max) towards Kranji MRT - only in SG)]

2. CW2

• Route: Queen Street Bus Terminal -> JB CIQ
• Pass through: Woodlands CIQ
• Frequency: 15-20 mins day frequency | 45 mins night frequency (23:00-5:00)
• From JB CIQ (night) - 23:00, 23:45, 00:30, 01:15, 02:00, 02:45, 03:30, 04:15
• From Queen St (night) - 23:45, 00:30, 01:15 02:00, 02:45, 03:30, 04:15, 05:00
• Departure fare: S$4.80 (Max) [ManjaLink/Visa Card accepted.
  EZ-Link / NETS Flashpay accepted from Queen Street (unavailable from 23:30–6:30)]
• Return Fare: RM4.80 (Max)

3. CW5

• Route:  Newton Circus -> JB CIQ Complex
• Pass through: Causeway, Woodlands CIQ 
• Frequency: 45 mins 
• Departure hours: 06:45 - 23:30 (Daily)
• Return hours: 05:00-  21:30 (Daily)
• Departure fare: S$4.60 (Max) [accepted payment: Section fare, Manjalink, Visa Card (Ez-Link, NETS Flashpay - only from SG)]
• Return Fare: RM4.60 (Max)

5) Public train from Singapore

Usually, taking the train from Singapore to Johor Bahru is a lot more undemanding compared to buses, and the queue is a lot more bearable. Even more, it's a short ride although it cost slightly more price than buses. 

For trains, you can either book the ticket online, or purchase it at one of the main train stations in Singapore at Woodlands Train Checkpoint. 

*SGD 5 per ticket if purchased at counter

How to book the train ticket online:

1. Go to the KTM Website

2. Sign in or Register for an account if you haven't already done so!

3. Select either one-way or return tickets

4. Select Singapore (Woodlands CIQ) to Johor Bahru (JB Sentral), and select your desired timeslot to book the ticket!

5. You will be asked to select your seats but do note that it is in actual fact, free seating!

6. Key in your particulars

7. Printout the confirmation/e-ticket

8. If you are holding onto a confirmation, you'll have to exchange the confirmation to an actual ticket on the first floor of the Woodlands Train Checkpoint. Otherwise, head straight to the gates on the 2nd floor (at least 20 minutes before the train departure time).

4) Singapore taxi

One particular spot in Singapore is located at Ban Ban St. Taxi Stand at Ronchor Rd all the way to Larxin Taxi & Bus Terminal. One main advantage is that you do not need to carry your luggage through customs at both ends and the service is available 24 hours a day.

The disadvantage comes with sharing a cab for cheaper booking. Another is the higher chance of encountering traffic jams at peak hours. You also need to waste more unflexible time negotiating taxi fares with drivers when travelling to places outside Ban San St or Larkin Terminal as there are no fixed rates.

Fares:

• Ban Ban St. Taxi Stand: SGD 15 per person(share-a-cab) / SGD 60 (+ SGD 10 for advance booking)
• Changi Airport: SGD 120
• Seletar Airport: SGD 120