Exploring Johor Bahru (JB) using cross-border bus

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JB in a Day from Singapore

Crossing the Causeway to Johor Bahru is a weekend ritual for many Singaporeans. With the favourable exchange rate (1 SGD ≈ 3.2 MYR), a day in JB means cheaper meals, affordable massages, and stocking up on groceries and toiletries — all within an hour of home. I frequently made the trip via the Transtar TS1 cross-border bus. Here's what to expect, how to get there, and how to plan your own JB day trip.

📋 Quick Facts

Best time to crossWeekday mornings, 9–11am
AvoidFriday evenings, Sunday evenings, public holidays
CurrencyMalaysian Ringgit (MYR)
Passport validityMinimum 6 months
Travel time30–90 minutes one-way (depends on queues)
RTS Link opensEnd of 2026 (4 km, 5-minute ride, 10,000 passengers/hour)

🚌 How to Get to JB: Transport Options

The options to cross into JB are wide. Here's a comparison to help you choose:

Option From Cost (one-way) Pros Cons
Transtar TS1 Changi Airport / Expo SGD 11 (Airport) → SGD 9 (Expo) Direct, comfortable, great for east-siders EZ-Link machine often down; bring exact cash
Causeway Link CW2 Queen St (Bugis) ~SGD 3–4 Frequent, cheap, air-conditioned Can get crowded
SBS 170 / 170X Kranji MRT SGD 1.50 (EZ-Link) / SGD 2 (cash) Cheapest option Must re-board after immigration
KTM Shuttle Tebrau Woodlands Train Checkpoint SGD 5 Fastest (5 min ride), bypasses Causeway jams Fixed schedule; book ahead; limited seats
Private car / Grab Anywhere SGD 80–120 Door-to-door Most expensive; driver waits at checkpoints. Use Grab within JB is cheaper.

💡 Tip: After clearing Singapore immigration at Woodlands, you must re-board a bus from the same company (e.g., CW2 → another CW2). Keep your ticket or tap your card again.

My Experience on Transtar TS1

I hopped onto a Transtar cross-border bus that originated from the various terminals of Changi Airport to JB CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine). The bus fare is SGD 11 if you start your journey from Changi Airport. The fare gradually goes down to SGD 9 from Expo and the stop after that. The return fare is MYR 13 from JB.

Sometimes I tried using my EZ-Link card but the machine was down, so I paid using cash instead. Their EZ-Link machine does not seem to be working at times, so it's better to prepare some exact cash, as the drivers do not give change. The ride was comfortable and smooth. During weekdays, getting a seat is not a problem.

Cross-border bus at CIQ busbay

Transtar bus TS1 service is especially great for those living in the east, or for Malaysian workers working at Changi Airport. Or for travellers needing to go straight to JB after landing at the airport. For those living in the west, Causeway Link buses are probably the way to go. The Transtar cross-border bus schedule and pick-up points can be found on their official website.

Cross-border bus at Jewel/ Changi Airport T1

KTM Shuttle Tebrau (Train)

You can also take the KTM Shuttle Tebrau railway from Woodlands Train Station to JB Sentral, which is just next to the CIQ building. The ride is only 5 minutes, though customs and immigration may add 30 minutes each way to the journey — which is acceptable as they have dedicated services for rail passengers.

This is especially handy during peak long weekend holiday seasons, but you have to book really well in advance. The ticket is very affordable at only SGD 5 going and MYR 5 (~SGD 1.45) returning. The numbers are the same but the currency is different — so now you can see why people love going to JB!

🛂 The Border Crossing: What to Expect

First-timers are often nervous about the border. Here's a step-by-step guide:

  1. Board your bus in Singapore (Changi, Kranji, Queen St, etc.).
  2. Arrive at Woodlands Checkpoint. Take all your belongings and clear Singapore exit immigration.
  3. Re-board the bus (same company) to cross the Causeway (~5 min drive).
  4. Arrive at JB CIQ (Sultan Iskandar). Clear Malaysian entry immigration.
  5. Walk into JB. City Square Mall is directly connected to the CIQ building.

Total time: 30 minutes on a good day; 2–3 hours during peak holiday weekends.

⚠️ Warning: If it's a holiday, it's better to stay clear of going to JB outright unless that is the only time you can go. We have seen reports of half a million people crossing the borders during some public holidays! Not to mention you may have to stand for a very long time in a crowded bus if there's a traffic jam along the Causeway, at the crowded bus terminals, or at the immigration counters. The bus terminal below the CIQ is not air-conditioned, so it can be hot and dusty from exhaust fumes — wear a face mask.

🚆 The RTS Link: Game Changer Coming End of 2026

Now with the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link currently under construction and slated to be operational by the end of 2026, that will be a game changer for people movement between Singapore and JB. The 4 km elevated rail line will connect Woodlands North to Bukit Chagar in JB, with a 5-minute ride and capacity for 10,000 passengers per hour per direction.

RTS Line under Construction

Looking forward to the day when RTS is up and running — though hopefully the Transtar and other cross-border buses are still running, as the MRT station being located in the far north at Woodlands may not be as convenient for everyone. Certainly very useful for people living in the north. So far, the experience with this cross-border service has been comfortable and convenient.

🍜 What to Do in JB: A Suggested Day Trip Itinerary

Taking advantage of the favourable exchange rate, people eat, shop, have a haircut, go for massage, drink that bitter herbal flower tea, even visit a chiropractor or a dentist. The nearest shopping malls just next to the CIQ are City Square Mall and Komtar JBCC.

City Square Mall is the busier and more popular of the two, though Komtar has its appeal too. The topmost floor of Komtar has a large food court with stalls selling delicious Malay food. For foodies and old-school café lovers, walk over to the nearby Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, which is near Little India in JB. Singapore has Little India, so does JB. After all, Singapore and Malaysia are culturally connected and we both speak similar languages.

Some would Grab or taxi to other shopping malls beyond City Square, like KSL City Mall, Midvalley Southkey, or Aeon Mall Tebrau City. Indeed JB has many shopping malls and eateries and the choices are wide. Or people simply go to JB just for durians! Though durians are seasonal and prices vary. Some may head to Johor to have a feast at a durian plantation, though it may take about an hour by Grab.

Yes, it is possible to have breakfast, visit a dentist, have a massage, eat lunch, enjoy a cup of teh tarik, and pack home some bakeries or toiletries — all within a day, even half a day in JB.

📅 Suggested Timeline

Time Activity Notes
07:30 Depart Singapore Transtar TS1, TS8, Bus 170, or CW2
09:00 Arrive JB CIQ & clear immigration Walk into City Square Mall
09:30 Breakfast at Jalan Tan Hiok Nee Hiap Joo banana cake, roti canai, kopi — ~MYR 6–13
11:00 Heritage walk Jalan Dhoby street art, Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, shophouses
13:00 Lunch Kam Long Curry Fish Head, IT Roo Cafe,  Restoran Teck Sing or wherever you fancy, the options are unlimited
14:30 Shopping City Square / KSL / Midvalley — toiletries, chocolates, clothing, bakeries
16:30 Massage or café break Foot reflexology ~MYR 40–60, or coffee at Faculty of Caffeine
18:00 Dinner Danga Bay seafood, or a final meal near CIQ
19:30 Head back to Singapore Aim before 20:00 to beat evening queues

🍽️ Where to Eat in JB

Jalan Tan Hiok Nee (Heritage Food Street)

Just like in Singapore, just follow the long lines and you know you're at the popular food places. This street is JB's heritage food hub:

  • Hiap Joo Bakery — Famous banana cake, baked in a wood-fired oven. Cash only, sells out fast. Go early.
  • Roti canai and kopi at any local kopitiam along the street.
  • Salahuddin Bakery — Another heritage bakery with curry puffs and buns.

Some Local Favourites

  • Kam Long Curry Fish Head — A JB institution. Go early to avoid the queue.
  • IT Roo Cafe — Famous for Hainanese chicken chop.
  • Restoran Teck Sing — Known for paper-wrapped chicken and herbal soup.
  • Restoran Hua Mui — Another heritage spot for chicken chop and kaya toast.

Near CIQ / City Square

  • Komtar JBCC Food Court (top floor) — Malay food stalls with affordable prices (although it could have shuttered).
  • Mr Teh Tarik — For a quick teh tarik fix.

💰 Money, SIM & Practical Tips

Money & Payments

  • Cash is king at hawker stalls and small shops. Malls generally accept cards.
  • Exchange some MYR in Singapore (Little India / Mustafa) or at JB CIQ money changers.
  • Count your change at money changers before leaving the counter.
  • Many Singaporeans use the favourable exchange rate to stock up on toiletries, chocolates, and household items.

Mobile Data

  • Your Singapore SIM will roam, but charges may appl. Many Singapore telcos provide complimentary roaming to many South-East Asian and Asia Pacific countries.
  • Best option: Buy a Malaysian prepaid SIM (Hotlink / Digi / Celcom) at JB Sentral for MYR 10–30.
  • You need local data for Grab to work properly in JB.

Safety

  • JB is generally safe in malls and tourist areas during the day.
  • Use Grab only — ignore taxi touts at CIQ.
  • Keep bags on the side away from traffic (snatch theft risk).
  • Don't flash expensive watches or jewellery.

📅 When to Go — & When to Avoid

✅ Best Times ❌ Avoid
Weekday mornings (9–11am) Friday evenings (5–9pm)
Tuesday–Thursday Sunday evenings (4–8pm)
Off-peak weekends (early Saturday) Singapore & Malaysia public holidays
School term weekdays Long weekends (e.g., Hari Raya, Chinese New Year)

🎯 Final Tips

  • Since it's quite convenient to go to JB as day trips, many people run errands there just like other normal errands and split the tasks depending on what they need at the point in time. They know they can be back in Singapore whenever they want — though it may take longer during weekends or public holidays than during weekdays. The suggested best days are Tuesday to Thursday, although Mondays and Fridays are fine too, as long as they are not close to the long weekends of public or school holidays.
  • Once the RTS Link is operational, people may cross the border just about every other day or make impromptu visits, since it could be really convenient, especially for those living in the west and the north.
  • Just like in Singapore, follow the queue — long lines usually mean good food.
  • Bring an umbrella. JB can be just as hot and humid as Singapore, with sudden tropical downpours.

Have you done a JB day trip recently? Share your favourite stalls and tips in the comments below! And if you're staying in Singapore, don't miss our guide to Singapore's Hawker Centres — the heart of local food culture.

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