Johor Bahru day trip from Singapore: the train, the bus, the Malaysian arrival card and what to see

In this guide

💡 The Short Version: Take the KTM Shuttle Tebrau train from Woodlands Train Checkpoint to JB Sentral: the border crossing takes 5 minutes and costs S$5 one way, operating 13 departures daily between 08:30 and 23:45. Alternatively, hop on a Causeway Link bus (CW1, CW2, or CW5) for around S$2 to S$4.80 one way. Book the train 30 days in advance: weekend tickets disappear within hours of release. Submit your border forms: the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card within 3 days before entering Malaysia, and the free SG Arrival Card within 3 days before returning to Singapore. Or book a tour: travellers wanting a seamless border crossing without navigating queues can reserve a private transfer from Singapore to Johor Bahruad from S$180.

Johor Bahru sits directly across the 1-kilometre Johor-Singapore Causeway. The southern capital of Johor state offers an immediate transition from Singapore’s futuristic high-rises to traditional heritage streets, wood-fired heritage bakeries, ornate religious landmarks, and sprawling shopping malls where dining and retail cost roughly half to one-third of Singapore prices.

Crossing the international border requires careful timing. The Causeway ranks among the busiest land border crossings on earth, handling upwards of 300,000 commuters daily. Choosing the right transport mode and avoiding commuter rush hours makes the difference between a brisk 30-minute excursion and a grueling four-hour crawl in border traffic.

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Getting to Johor Bahru: train vs bus vs taxi

Three primary transport methods link Singapore to Johor Bahru across the Causeway: the dedicated shuttle train, scheduled cross-border buses, and licensed cross-border taxis.

The Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque in Johor Bahru. Photo: Chongkian, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The KTM Shuttle Tebrau train

The KTM Shuttle Tebrau is by far the fastest and most reliable way to cross the Causeway. Operated by Malaysian national rail operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), the diesel shuttle travels from Woodlands Train Checkpoint directly into JB Sentral in just five minutes.

Crucially, train passengers pass through dedicated Singapore and Malaysian immigration desks inside the train terminal before boarding. Both exit clearance from Singapore and entry clearance into Malaysia happen under one roof at Woodlands before you board the train. When you arrive at JB Sentral, you walk straight off the platform into Malaysia without clearing further border checks.

Tickets cost S$5 per passenger for trips departing Singapore, and RM5 (approximately S$1.50) for trips departing JB Sentral. The train has 320 seats per service.

Because capacity is capped and demand is enormous, tickets sell out rapidly. KTMB opens online ticket sales 30 days in advance via the official KTMB KITS portal and mobile app. Friday evening services from Singapore, Saturday morning departures (especially the 08:30, 09:45, and 11:00 services), and Sunday afternoon/evening returns (16:00 to 22:15) sell out within hours of opening. If you plan a weekend excursion, register an account on the KTMB portal and book both your outward and return journeys the moment the 30-day window unlocks.

The Woodlands Train Checkpoint is separate from Woodlands MRT station. From Woodlands MRT station (NS9/TE2) or Marsiling MRT station (NS8), take public SMRT bus 856 or 911 directly to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint bus stop. Arrive at the checkpoint at least 30 to 45 minutes before train departure; the boarding gates close strictly 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure.

Cross-border public buses

If train tickets are sold out, cross-border express buses run continuously:

• Causeway Link CW1: Departs from Kranji MRT station bus stop. Fare is S$2.60 payable via contactless card (Visa, Mastercard, ManjaLink) or cash.
• Causeway Link CW2: Departs from Queen Street Bus Terminal near Bugis MRT. This route operates 24 hours daily (fares S$4.80 during regular hours), providing a reliable midnight transport option.
• Causeway Link CW5: Departs from Newton Circus Carpark near Newton MRT station (DT11/NS21).
• Public SMRT/SBS Buses: SBS Transit bus 160 (from Jurong East), bus 170 (from Queen Street), and bus 170X (from Kranji MRT) accept standard Singapore public transport contactless bank cards (SimplyGo).

When riding cross-border buses, the journey involves two separate immigration stops:

1. The bus drops passengers at Singapore’s Woodlands Checkpoint. You alight, proceed up escalators through Singapore exit immigration, and walk to the departure bus bays.
2. You board any bus from the same operator (hold on to your ticket or tap the same payment card) to cross the Causeway bridge.
3. The bus deposits you at Johor Bahru CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex) at Sultan Iskandar Building. You alight with all your luggage, pass through Malaysian border control, and emerge into JB Sentral.

During weekday peak hours (06:30–09:30 into Singapore, 17:30–20:30 into Malaysia) and all day Saturday and Sunday, Causeway bridge traffic frequently grinds to a standstill. A bus journey that normally takes 40 minutes can stretch to two or three hours. Travel during off-peak windows—mid-morning between 10:00 and 14:00 on weekdays offers the smoothest crossing.

Licensed cross-border taxis

Standard Singapore taxis and app-based Grab cars cannot legally operate across the international border without commercial cross-border permits.

Travellers seeking a taxi ride must use designated cross-border taxis departing from Ban San Street Taxi Kiosk (near Queen Street Bus Terminal in Bugis). A chartered ride costs approximately S$60 to S$80 per vehicle (or S$15 to S$20 per passenger on a shared 4-passenger arrangement) to JB Sentral. The key benefit of the taxi is vehicle clearance: passengers remain inside the car with air-conditioning while passports are handed through the car window to border control officers.

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Immigration rules and arrival cards

Entering Malaysia requires fulfilling standard international entry rules:

• Passport validity: Must have at least six months of validity remaining from the date of arrival.
• Visa requirements: UK, Canadian, Australian, US, New Zealand, and EU passport holders do not require a visa for tourism stays up to 90 days.
• Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC): All foreign nationals must register their arrival online within three days prior to crossing the border. Registration is completely free on the official Malaysian Immigration portal. Singapore citizens, diplomatic passport holders, and Malaysian long-term pass holders are exempt. Ensure you keep the confirmation PDF on your phone.
• Malaysian Autogates: Eligible foreign passport holders (including UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and EU countries) can use the automated biometric e-gates at JB CIQ. First-time visitors must register at a manual immigration counter upon first arrival; subsequent entries can pass directly through the electronic gates.
• SG Arrival Card on return: Within three days before returning to Singapore, all visitors and residents must complete the mandatory, free online SG Arrival Card via the ICA website or MyICA mobile app.

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Tours vs independent day trip

Most travellers find Johor Bahru straightforward to explore independently by train or bus and local Grab rides. However, organised tours offer private door-to-door transport, direct vehicular customs processing, and guided commentary covering historic highlights and distant sights like Kota Tinggi waterfalls or theme parks.

Recommended Johor Bahru tours

Private Day Trip to Johor Bahru from Singapore

From S$180 · 4.8 stars from 12 reviews · 8 hours · Private group

This full-day private charter provides private door-to-door transport directly from your Singapore hotel across the Causeway into Johor Bahru. It eliminates the hassle of navigating train ticketing windows and terminal bus queues. The private itinerary is fully flexible, allowing guests to visit the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque, the Old Railway Station, historic bakeries in the heritage precinct, and Johor Premium Outlets before a relaxing return drive to Singapore. Book on GetYourGuidead.

Round Ketam Kayaking Adventure at Pulau Ubin

From S$110 · 5.0 stars from 8 reviews · 4 hours · Eco-tour

For travellers seeking an outdoor island escape without international border crossings, this guided sea kayaking expedition explores the tranquil mangrove ecosystems of Singapore’s Pulau Ubin. Paddle past kelongs, observe native wildlife, and experience Singapore’s rural coastal heritage. Book on GetYourGuidead.

Batam Culture Day Tour with Lunch & Massage

From S$162 · 4.8 stars from 42 reviews · Full day · Island excursion

If you are looking for an international island day trip across the Singapore Strait, this guided day tour takes high-speed ferries to Batam, Indonesia. The package includes round-trip ferry bookings, private island transport, cultural temple visits, a fresh seafood lunch, and a traditional Indonesian massage. Book on GetYourGuidead.

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What to see and do in Johor Bahru

Once through JB Sentral customs, Johor Bahru’s cultural, architectural, and culinary highlights are within walking distance or a short 5- to 10-minute Grab ride.

Inside the Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple. Photo: Georgia National Guard, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.

Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple

Located on Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, roughly five minutes by taxi from JB Sentral, the Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple is one of the most remarkable Hindu temples in Southeast Asia.

Founded in 1922 and reconstructed in 2008–2009, nearly 90 percent of the temple’s pillars, ceilings, and walls are adorned with more than 300,000 multifaceted glass mosaics in blue, red, gold, and white imported from Thailand and Belgium. Crystal chandeliers illuminate statues of Hindu deities including Lord Shiva, alongside figures of Buddha, Jesus Christ, and Guru Nanak, reflecting universal spiritual harmony.

• Admission: Free for worshippers; foreign visitors pay RM10 for entry and RM3 for photography permits.
• Opening hours: Daily from 07:00 to 22:00 (tourist visiting hours typically 13:00 to 17:00).
• Etiquette: Remove footwear outside; ensure knees and shoulders are covered.

Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque

Perched high on a hill overlooking the Straits of Johor along Jalan Skudai, the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque was commissioned in 1892 by Sultan Abu Bakar (known as the Father of Modern Johor) and completed in 1900.

Designed by Johor chief architect Tuan Haji Mohamed Arif bin Punak, the mosque fuses classical Victorian English architecture with traditional Moorish Islamic minarets and Italian Renaissance clock towers. The whitewashed structure can accommodate 2,000 worshippers and features Italian marble interiors, hand-carved woodwork, and sweeping vistas across the strait toward Singapore.

• Admission: Free. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome outside prayer times with respectful attire (robes and scarves are provided at the entrance).
• Opening hours: Daily 09:00 to 17:00 (closed to visitors during Friday congregational prayers).

The Red House on Jalan Tan Hiok Nee in Johor Bahru. Photo: Encik Tekateki, Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0.

Jalan Tan Hiok Nee and the Heritage Quarter

Just a 10-minute walk south of JB Sentral across the pedestrian overhead bridge lies the Jalan Tan Hiok Nee Cultural Street and surrounding Jalan Dhoby. Named after a prominent 19th-century pepper and gambier merchant, this charming conservation enclave features pre-war shophouses, street art murals, modern indie cafes, and historic food institutions:

• Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory (13 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee): Established in 1919, this legendary bakery bakes fragrant banana cakes and coconut buns daily using a century-old wood-fired brick oven fueled by rubber wood. Queues form before the fresh batches emerge at 11:30 and 14:00 (RM12 for a 10-piece box).
• Salahuddin Bakery (26 Jalan Dhoby): Operating since 1937, this Indian-Muslim heritage bakery uses a traditional charcoal-fired wood oven to bake triangular crispy beef and mutton curry puffs and fresh crusty loaves.
• Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum (42 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee): Housed in a restored four-storey shophouse, this museum documents the migration, culture, and economic contributions of the five main Chinese dialect groups in Johor. Admission is RM6 adult, RM3 child.
• Cafe hopping: Contemporary roasteries such as Flowers in the Window, The Replacement Lodge & Kitchen, and Principle Cafe serve specialty flat whites and artisanal brunch dishes alongside traditional heritage facades.

Retail and shopping complexes

Many visitors cross the border primarily for dining and shopping:

• Johor Bahru City Square & Komtar JBCC: Directly linked to JB Sentral immigration via covered air-conditioned pedestrian skybridges. Packed with retail boutiques, cosmetics outlets, pharmacies, and dozens of Malaysian dining chains at roughly one-third of Singapore prices.
• Mid Valley Southkey: A short 10-minute Grab ride (RM8–RM12) north of JB Sentral, this mega-mall is the largest retail destination in southern Malaysia, housing the flagship Sogo department store, international fashion brands, a cinema complex, and extensive supermarket and culinary offerings.

Legoland Malaysia Resort

Located in Iskandar Puteri, roughly 20 to 25 minutes west of JB Sentral by taxi or Grab (RM25–RM35), Legoland Malaysia is Southeast Asia’s first Lego theme park. Featuring over 40 interactive rides, an expansive Water Park, and the Sea Life aquarium, it is the premier family excursion from Singapore.

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The RTS Link: what to expect in 2027

To eliminate the chronic border congestion of the Causeway, the governments of Singapore and Malaysia are constructing the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.

According to official updates from Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Malaysia’s Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp), the 4-kilometre transit line connects Woodlands North MRT station (the northern terminus of Singapore’s Thomson-East Coast Line) with Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru.

Key features of the RTS Link include:

• High capacity: Peak capacity of 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction, reducing cross-border rail travel to just four minutes.
• Single co-located customs clearance: Passengers will clear both Singapore and Malaysian immigration exit and entry checks simultaneously at the station of departure before boarding the train. Upon arrival on the other side, passengers simply exit directly into the city.
• Target completion: Commercial passenger operations are planned to begin by early 2027 following comprehensive testing and safety certification.

Until the RTS Link opens, the KTM Shuttle Tebrau and Causeway express buses remain the backbone of cross-Causeway passenger transit.

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Practical tips for a smooth day trip

1. Exchange currency or use multi-currency cards: The local currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). While credit cards and multi-currency debit cards like Wise, Revolut, and Trust are widely accepted across shopping malls and cafes, small cash notes (RM1, RM5, RM10) are essential for traditional bakeries, street hawkers, and temple donations. Licensed money changers are abundant inside JB Sentral and City Square.
2. Download the Grab app: Local taxis without meters frequently overcharge tourists outside JB Sentral. Use the Grab ride-hailing app for transparent, fixed-price fares (most inner-city trips cost RM5 to RM15).
3. Get mobile data roaming: Turn on data roaming or activate a regional eSIM before crossing the Causeway so your phone connects immediately to Malaysian networks (Celcom, Maxis, or Digi) upon arrival. See our guide on eSIMs for Singapore.
4. Mind duty-free limits and customs declarations: Singapore has strict customs laws regarding imports from Malaysia. Unlike airport arrivals, there is no duty-free alcohol concession for arrivals by land across the Causeway. Chewing gum and e-cigarettes/vapes are strictly prohibited from entering Singapore under heavy financial penalties.
5. Time your return to avoid the Sunday rush: Thousands of weekend holidaymakers return to Singapore on Sunday evenings. Avoid returning between 16:00 and 21:00 on Sunday, or ensure you have a pre-booked KTM Shuttle Tebrau ticket.

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More Singapore guides

Plan your wider itinerary and cross-border explorations with our regional guides:

• Day trips from Singapore: comprehensive comparisons of Batam, Bintan, Johor Bahru, and Pulau Ubin.
• Legoland Malaysia day trip: complete ticketing guide, transport options, and water park tips.
• Singapore public transport: complete guide to MRT lines, buses, and contactless fares.
• Changi Airport to Singapore city: express train, bus, and taxi options.
• Where to eat in Singapore: best restaurants, cafes, and dining quarters.
• What to book before you go to Singapore: complete ticket planning and booking checklist.

Common questions

How do you get from Singapore to Johor Bahru?

By KTM Shuttle Tebrau train from the Woodlands Train Checkpoint to JB Sentral, taking 5 minutes and costing S$5 one way, or by Causeway Link bus (CW1, CW2 or CW5) costing roughly S$2 to S$4.80 one way in 45 to 90 minutes depending on border traffic. The train operates 13 daily departures from Woodlands between 08:30 and 23:45.

Do you need to book the train to Johor Bahru in advance?

Yes. Shuttle Tebrau tickets are released 30 days ahead online through the official KTMB Integrated Ticketing System (KITS) and weekend slots routinely sell out within hours. Counter tickets at Woodlands are sold only if unreserved seats remain, up to 20 minutes before departure.

Do you need a visa for Johor Bahru?

Citizens of the United Kingdom, European Union countries, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand receive visa-free entry for up to 90 days. All foreign visitors must submit the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within three days before entry, and submit the SG Arrival Card before returning to Singapore.

Is Johor Bahru worth visiting on a day trip?

Yes. Within easy reach of JB Sentral, visitors explore the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque, the mosaic glass interior of Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Temple, century-old bakeries along Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, and major shopping complexes like Mid Valley Southkey and City Square.

When does the RTS Link open?

The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is scheduled to commence commercial passenger service by early 2027. The cross-strait rail connection will link Woodlands North MRT with Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru with single-point co-located customs clearance.