“Is the Causeway or Second Link better?”, “What is the best way to enter JB?”, “What else is there to do besides City Square and KSL?”
Last updated: 26 August 2024
Planning a weekend trip to JB? We’ve rounded up some of the most commonly asked questions about travelling to Johor from Singapore, including how to get there and what to do there!
1) Is Woodlands Causeway or Tuas Second Link better?
There are two land border crossings between Singapore and Johor — The Woodlands Causeway and the Tuas Second Link.
Choosing which land border is as easy as knowing where your intended areas of visit in Johor are. The Woodlands Causeway leads to the JB Sentral that’s connected to JB City Square, Komtar JBCC, and walking distance to Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, a haven for food lovers.
If you’re visiting Legoland, the Johor Premium Outlet, and around the areas of Bukit Indah, cross via the Tuas Second Link instead.
For us, we crossed the Woodlands Causeway for our day trip outing to JB as we wanted to check out the Johor SkyScape, Mount Austin, and Spring Labs districts.
Read also: Johor Day Trip Budget Itinerary — Where to Eat, Play and Shop Under S$65
2) How to enter Johor via Public Transport from Singapore?
If you’re entering JB via public transport, you have three options — Public buses, Grab buses or the KTM train.
Entering Johor by Bus:
Below are the public buses that run from Singapore to Johor. Passengers can simply tap their EZ-link cards to pay the bus fare of ~S$1.30. The bus fare for CW1 is S$2.60.
Do note that, however, SJE buses only accept cash payments.
| Bus | Board at | Alight at |
| 170X, CW1 | Kranji MRT bus stop | Woodlands Checkpoint |
| 160, 170 | Opp. Kranji MRT bus stop | Woodlands Checkpoint |
| 950 856, 903, 911, 912 | Woodlands Bus Interchange | Woodlands Checkpoint Woodlands Train Checkpoint |
| 170, CW2, SJE | Queen Street Terminal (Bugis) | Woodlands Checkpoint |
We took bus 170 from the Opp. Kranji MRT bus stop and the journey to Woodlands Checkpoint was around 30 minutes long as traffic was heavy. It should take around 15 minutes on a good day.
Bus passengers will have to alight at Woodlands Checkpoint to clear immigration, and reboard the bus to enter Johor.
Entering Johor by Train:
KTM train tickets can be purchased on-site at the KTM counter at both Woodlands CIQ and JB Sentral, or on the KTM website. The ticket costs S$5 from SG to JB and RM5 from JB to SG.
*Pro-tip: Save RM5 by purchasing to and fro tickets separately on the KTM website (RM17.65 + RM5 instead of RM35.30 for “return” tickets)
3) Should I take a bus or train to Johor from Singapore?
We’d really recommend taking the train simply because the whole process is a lot more seamless but here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros of taking a public bus into JB:
– Relatively cheaper at only ~S$3 roundtrip instead of RM17.65 (~S$5) by train
– Many buses to take so waiting time is cut down
– Buses operate till late
Cons of taking a bus into JB:
– Can get very crowded
– Journey duration depends on traffic conditions
– Having to get off at Woodlands Checkpoint for immigration clearance
Pros of taking the KTM train:
– No traffic congestion
– Trains are air-conditioned
– Journey is only 5-mins long
– You clear both SG and MY immigration at Woodlands CIQ before boarding the train
Cons of taking KTM train:
– Tickets sell out early (we recommend purchasing at least a week in advance)
– Woodlands CIQ is not located next to an MRT station, so you’ll need to either take a bus from Marsiling MRT station or walk 1.5km
– Costs more than taking a bus
3) How to use the e-gates at JB customs?
Honestly, it’s about time! To speed up the immigration process, Singaporeans can now finally use the e-gates when crossing the Causeway. Just ensure that your passport has at least 3 months of validity and submit a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) three days before entering the country.
Read also: Here’s Everything to Know About Using E-gates at JB Customs
4) How can I get around Johor if I’m not driving in?
If your agenda is only JB City Square Mall and the surrounding streets, walking is a great and efficient way to get around. However, for further distances such as KSL City Mall, Mount Austin and Spring Labs, your best travel buddy will be Grab — you can use your existing Singapore account!
Short distances such as one from JB City Square Mall to KSL City Mall cost around RM5 – 10 (~S$1.50 – 3), while longer distances from JB Sentral to Austin Heights cost around RM30 (~S$10).
5) What else besides JB City Square and KSL City Mall?
Johor isn’t just a place for cheap grocery runs. If you’re looking for things to do beyond just the malls, we’ve got some suggestions!
Skyscape Johor Bahru
Located in Komtar JBCC, stand atop the 149m high glass-floored Sky Bridge at Skyscape Johor Bahru. Skyscape is also JB’s first aerial entertainment space that has a variety of activities such as VR experiences, an LED tunnel, and interactive floor games.
Cost: ~S$11/pax
Opening hours: 9:30AM – 5:30PM
Address: Level 34, Menara JLand Johor Bahru City Centre, Komtar JBCC
Spring Labs
Spring Labs is a 30-minute car ride from JB Sentral — a chill retail park with cafes and IG-worthy photo spots.
Address: No. 1, Jalan Ekoflora, Taman Ekoflora, 81100 Tebrau, Johor Bahru
Mount Austin
Not too far from Spring Labs is Mount Austin, a residential compound with numerous cafes and bubble tea stores. According to Wikipedia, there are more than 30 bubble tea stores in this neighbourhood 😲🧋
It’s also where you’ll find the Shiba Cafe, home to over 10 adorable puppers.
Entrance fee: From RM32/pax (for 1hr, incl. 1 refillable drink)
Opening hours: 10AM – 3PM, 4PM – 8PM
Address: 12-01, Jalan Austin Heights 8/4 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Read also: JB Cafe-hopping — 13 Cool Cafes to Check Out in Johor Bahru
Malaysia’s Largest Travelling Carnival — Euro Fun Park
Euro Fun Park is Malaysia’s largest travelling night-time amusement park with classic rides like rollercoasters and ferris wheels. Be sure to check its official website for where it’ll be popping up next!
Entrance fee: RM5/adult (rides are at an additional RM8 – 30)
Opening hours: 7PM – 12AM
Address: Varies
6) Are cashless options widely available in Johor for travellers from Singapore?
Yes, cashless options are available at shopping malls, cafes and most restaurants, but cash is still king for roadside stalls and street food.
Apart from bringing cash, we’d recommend using multi-currency travel cards such as YouTrip or Revolut to save on currency conversion fees charged by credit card companies.
Based on our experience, Grab rides are also slightly more expensive if you pay via the app itself due to the conversion rate. The difference, however, is negligible at a few cents per ride.
Did we miss out on any questions about travelling to Johor from Singapore? Let us know in the comments and we’ll add it to the list!
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Do Bus passengers tap off TransitLink Card when alight at Woodlands Checkpoint to clear immigration? And re-tap TransitLink Card when reboarding the bus to enter Johor?