Malaysian Johor Bahru is a town located on the border with Singapore. Singapore city is only 23 miles away. We stopped in Johor Bahru on our way from Kuala Lumpur, spent a few days, and after that, we went exploring Singapore with kids. Even though the crossing border was easy, it wasn’t as straight forward as arriving by plane. So I decided to prepare a guide on how to cross the border from Johor Bahru to Singapore – so it will be extra easy for you.

Johor Bahru to Singapore how to cross the border

There are many ways to travel from Johor Bahru to Singapore, including a public bus, train, private car, and taxi. Unfortunately, there is no flight connecting JB to Singapore. 

In this guide, we are going to share how you can travel from Johor Bahru to Singapore. 

Getting from Johor Bahru to Singapore by public bus.

How to pay for the public bus fare 

First thing first, you need to know how you are going to pay for your bus fare. But because it is a public bus, there is nothing more complicated. You can pay your fare using cash, ManjaLink (for Causeway buses), or EZ-Link. 

If you chose to pay by cash, make sure that you have an exact amount because you will not be given change if you have a large amount. You will be given a ticket after paying cash. Keep this ticket safely throughout the entire journey. 

Causeway buses, however, will give you a change if you don’t have an exact amount, provided you pay at the counters. 

Other bus companies do not have counters, thus why they don’t give change. 

What is the duration of the journey? 

The travel time from Johor Bahru usually depends on the traffic on the causeway connecting Malaysia to Singapore. But usually, it will take about an hour during off-peak, which is generally during weekdays afternoon. Sometimes it can take up to 4 hours, especially on the eve of a weekend or a public holiday in either country. 

Ideally, it will take you about 2 hours to cross over to Singapore from Johor Bahru.

Because of many uncertainties, it better to allow some buffer for your journey, especially if you are in a rush. 

The Border Checkpoints 

Since you are crossing from one state to another, it is important to know the custom practices at the border to make sure you have all the required documents. 

Find the custom immigration checkpoint at the Johor Bahru city center. You can get there as early as 5 am since the checkpoints are open 24/7

If you want to use the Causeway Express buses, their bus station is just outside the Malaysian immigration offices. 

There are three different bus routes operated by the Causeway Express – CW1, CW2, and CW5. It doesn’t matter which one you take since the bus you get on from the station is going to take you across the cause, at which point you will again have to get off and go through the immigration process under the Singaporean authorities. So just chose whichever bus you find first (this is only applicable to Causeway Express buses). 

Ticket sells for RM$3.30, so make sure you pay at the counter if you want to be given change if you have a bigger bill. 

Advantages of taking a bus from JB to Singapore 

Disadvantages of taking the bus from Johor Bahru to Singapore 

Taking a bus from Johor Bahru to Singapore is suitable for travelers with less luggage, budget travelers, or family will toddlers or teenagers.

Singapore is a perfect and safe place for a family holiday. When planning your visit, know about things to do in Singapore – Read our guide

Different buses from Johor Bahru to Singapore include: 

Transtar, TS1 

This bus operates between the Johor Bahru checkpoint and Changi Airport. The ticket price is only RM 10 and travels every 1 to 2 hours every day from 5 am to 9:15 pm. 

Transtar, TS3

TS3 operates from the JB checkpoint to Marina Square in Singapore. The prices are RM7 cash or pay SGD$2.40 using EZ-Link. 

The schedule is Monday to Friday from 5:45 am to 9:45 every 30 to 60 minutes, and Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays from 6.45 am to 9.45 pm every one hour.

Transtar, TS8 

This bus operates between the JB checkpoint and the Resorts World Sentosa. The ticket price is paid in cash and it just RM7.

The schedule is Monday to Friday from 5:30 am to 10 pm ever 45 to 60 minutes. Then Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays the bus operates between 6 am and 1 pm every one hour. 

The above buses depart from Johor Bahru checkpoints to Singapore.

Larkin Bus Terminal to Singapore 

Causeway Link, CW1

This Causeway Link bus departs from Larkin Bus Terminal to Kranji MRT in Singapore. The ticket price is just RM1.90, while the bus operates daily from 6 am to 10:30 pm every 15 to 30 minutes. 

Causeway Link, CW2

This bus heads to Queen Street Bus Terminal in Singapore from the Larkin Bus Terminal. Tickets go for RM3.40. The bus operates daily from 6 am to 10:30 every 15 to 30 minutes.

SBS Transit Bus, 170 

SBS buses leave Larkin Bus Terminal and stop at Queen Street Bus Terminal in Singapore. The bus fare costs SGD$1.95, while the buses operate daily from 5:20 am to 12:30 am ever 15 to 20 minutes. 

Singapore-Johor Express, SJE 

This bus company also leaves the Larkin Bus Terminal and stops at Queen Street Bus Terminal in Singapore. It operates daily between 6:30 am and 11:30 am every 15 to 30 minutes. 

Perling Mall to Singapore 

Causeway Link, CW3

The bus departs Perling Mall to Jurong East Interchange, in Singapore. Tickets price is RM5.20 and the bus operates Monday to Friday from 4:35 am to 9:50 pm ever 5 to 30 minutes depending on the crowd, Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays from 5 am to 9:50 pm every 20 to 30 minutes. 

GP Sentral JB to Singapore 

Causeway Link, CW4G 

The bus leaves the station for CIQ 2nd Link in Singapore. It leaves daily from 5:30 am to 9 pm every 40 to 45 minutes. Ticket goes for RM5.00 

Bukit Indah to Singapore 

Causeway Link, CW3

This bus leaves the station for Jurong East Interchange in Singapore. The ticket goes for RM5.00, and the bus operates from Monday to Friday between 5 am to 9:35 pm every 5 to 40 minutes. On Saturday the bus leaves from 5:20 am to 10 pm every 10 to 30 minutes. Sunday and public holidays the bus leaves from 5:25 am to 10 pm every 15 to 30 minutes. 

Pontian to Singapore 

Causeway Link, CW4 

This bus operated between Pontian and Jurong East Interchange in Singapore. Ticket goes for RM8.00 and the bus travels daily at 5:30 am, 6 am, 10:30 am, 2:30 pm, 3 pm, and 4:30 pm. 

Sutera Mall to Singapore 

Causeway Link, CW4S 

CW4S lives the station at JB to Jurong East Interchange in Singapore. The ticket goes for RM 6.00. 

The bust leaves every Monday to Saturday and public holidays from 4:35 am to 4:50 pm every 10 to 50 minutes. 

On Sunday, the bus leaves between 4:35 am to 8:20 pm every 10 to 40 minutes. 

JB Sentral to Singapore 

Causeway Link, CW4S

This bus route operates between Sutera Mall in Johor Bahru and Jurong East Interchange in Singapore. The bus leaves JB from Monday to Saturday and public holidays from 4:35 am to 4:50 pm every 10 to 50 minutes and on Sunday from 4:35 am to 8:20 pm every 10 to 40 minutes. 

Taman Ungku Tun Aminah to Singapore 

Causeway Link, CW3S 

This stops at CIQ 2nd Link in Singapore. The bus schedule is from Monday to Friday from 5:30 am to 9 pm every 30 to 60 minutes. Tickets go for RM6.20. 

Causeway Link, SL1 

This bus also leaves the station to the same destination as CW3S above in Singapore. It usually departs Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 6 pm every 90 minutes. 

Giant Nusa Bestari to Singapore 

Causeway Link, CW6 

This bus leaves Johor Bahru for Boon Lay, Singapore every Monday to Friday from 5 am to 9:30 pm every 15 to 25 minutes. On Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays the bus operates between 6 am and 9:10 pm every 15 to 20 minutes. 

Things to Know Before Boarding a Bus from JB to Singapore 

  • Don’t lose your bus ticket. At least hold it in your hand or where you can reach for it quickly because this is a journey of two halves; you will have to get out of your bus at the Singapore checkpoints before proceeding into Singapore.
  • Ticket prices, as well as departure times, may vary from time to time. 
  • None of these buses travel directly to Singapore. They tend to make several stops along the way. 
  • The lines at both JB custom checkpoints and Singapore checkpoints are typically long in the evenings.

Taking Train from Johor Bahru Sentral to Singapore 

Travelers can now go from Johor Bahru Sentral to Woodlands CIQ in Singapore using a shuttle train called KTM Shuttle Tebrau. The shuttle train was launched on 1st of July 2015 to help reduce traffic jam along the Malaysia-Singapore causeway and makes crossing the borders of the two countries more efficient and in a short time.

Carrying 320 passengers, the train takes just 5 minutes to reach Woodland CIQ. This is the quickest and most comfortable way to travel between BJ and Singapore. 

Due to its convenience and less time, the shuttle train is usually in high demand, so make sure you book in advance.

Advantages of Using Train to Travel from JB Sentral to Singapore 

As you can imagine, there are loads of pros of using a train to cross the borders, including: 

Disadvantages 

The train tickets are sold at KOMTAR JBCC opposite JB City Square. You can also buy tickets online at KMT official website.

The train operates from 5 am to 9:30 pm every 30 and 60 minutes. 

Things to Know About Using Train to Travel To Singapore from JB 

Self-Driving to Singapore from JB 

To adventure to your journey, you can drive yourself to Singapore from Johor Bahru. But you will still not be able to avoid traffic jams. 

Advantages of Self-Driving to Singapore from JB 

Disadvantages 

Johor to Singapore: Walking 

Just clear with the immigration checkpoints at both Malaysia and Singapore and you can walk from JB to the other side. The Woodlands Causeway is just 1 kilometer and has 2 custom checkpoints along its length, namely Sultan Iskandar Complex (CIQ) in JB and Woodlands Checkpoint in Singapore. 

The toll-free for both checkpoints is zero. 

Alternatively, you can use the Tuas Second Link bridge, which is about 2 kilometers at most. There are also 2 custom checkpoints to be cleared. 

JB to Singapore by Private Taxi 

The second most convenient way to travel from BJ to Singapore, after the train shuttle, is by hiring a taxi. The private taxi will take care of any bother along the way, so you can just sit and relax. 

Advantages of Traveling to Singapore from JB by Taxi 

Disadvantages 

How to get from Johor Bahru (Malaysia) to Singapore

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