Singaporeans or expats alike – It has been a commonplace phenomenon to see many of us crossing the border from our humble city to the nearby neighbour, be it for work or leisure. With plenty of night markets, shopping malls and long-standing family-run restaurants, it is no wonder locals are flocking to Johor Bahru (JB) for their mini weekend retreats.
With numerous options to get across the borders, we zoomed in on some of the more convenient routes for your next JB escapade.
Via Bus
*Bus fares are charged as per normal distance fares unless otherwise stated.
Kranji MRT
If you happen to stay near the north west area, hop on service 170X or CW1 heading towards Woodlands Checkpoint, from the bus stop directly outside the station (45139 Kranji Station). Both buses 170X and CW1 depart at frequent intervals throughout the day.
(See direction 1)
Do note the fares for Causeway link buses (CWX) are charged based on the present fixed rates.
Alternatively, cross the overhead bridge from the bus stop and board service 160 or 170 towards the checkpoint – but do note that these two services operate at lower intervals.
Woodlands Interchange
There are many bus services at Woodlands Interchange, located near Woodlands MRT, that can take you to Woodlands Checkpoint.
Bus 950 provides a direct service to Woodlands Checkpoint.
Buses 856, 903, 911, 912, 913 goes to Woodlands Train Checkpoint, afterwhich you will be required to travel by foot to the nearby Woodlands Checkpoint. This option is especially useful when the causeway or checkpoint is heavily jammed, in order to avoid the slow traffic during peak periods.
To check the updated bus intervals, routes and operating hours, refer here.
(Do note that buses 903 & 912 would take a longer route to Woodlands Train Checkpoint)
Jurong East Bus Interchange
Also along the stretch of the north south line (red line), Jurong East Bus Interchange sits just below Jurong East MRT.
Bus service 160 goes to Woodlands Checkpoint.
Moreover, you can board bus CW3 to get to Tuas Checkpoint, which goes to the Bukit Indah area before situating at Perling Mall in Johor Bahru.
Boon Lay MRT
Board service CW6 at the bus stop outside Boon Lay MRT, along Boon Lay Way, which goes to Tuas Checkpoint. Its destination ends at the Taman Bukit Indah area.
Queen Street Bus Terminal
To get to Queen Street Bus Terminal, start from Bugis MRT and head northwest on Rochor Road towards Victoria St. Thereafter, turn right at Queen St before a left turn at Ban San St to arrive at Queen Street Bus Terminal on your right.
Alternatively, take Bus 197 at the bus stop outside Bugis MRT’s Exit D (01139 Parkview Sq) along North Bridge Road. Alight a stop later at North Bridge Road, North Bride Commercial Complex (01039).
At Queen Street Bus Terminal, board service CW2 to get to JB CIQ, although you might wish to continue the journey if you are headed towards Larkin Bus Terminal.
(Prices last revised at 6 October 2014)
After immigration clearance at the Singapore Customs, join the single queue at the Public Bus Berth to continue your journey to JB CIQ.
Via Train
KTM’s Shuttle Tebrau
Operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), this is a direct, 5 minutes train shuttle that takes commuters from Woodlands Train Checkpoint to Johor Bahru (JB) Sentral – the fastest way to getting to JB even during peak hours where there are massive jams along the Singapore-JB causeway.
From Kranji MRT’s Exit C, cross the overhead bridge to get to the bus stop (45131 Opp Kranji Stn) opposite the MRT station. After which, board service 178 or 170 (ensure that this is a 170 red plate which states Woodlands Train Checkpoint/JB Larkin, as other 170 buses go to the Woodlands Checkpoint) and alight at Woodlands Train Checkpoint (46069) on the 5th stop.
Alternatively, from Marsiling MRT’s Exit C, cross the overhead bridge to get to the bus stop (46529 Opp Marsiling Stn) opposite the MRT station. After which, board service 856 and alight at Woodlands Train Checkpoint (46069) on the 3rd stop.
From the bus stop, walk towards the KTM office at the Woodlands Train Checkpoint building to purchase the train tickets over the counter.
Train tickets’ prices are at S$5 for the route from Woodlands to JB Sentral, and RM5 for that of JB Sentral returning to Woodlands. For the latest schedule of the train timings, refer here.
Online Purchase
As weekend & public holiday tickets sell out fast, you might opt to purchase online tickets prior to the date of travel from sites such as Easybook, 12Go Asia, BusOnlineTicket and KTM E-Ticket System. (Do note that prices differ across each booking website)
For those who purchase their tickets online, you’ll be asked to exchange for the original ticket at the counter with your e-ticket before you’re allowed to board, so do buffer some time for the ticket exchange.
However, do take note that with effect from 1 December 2016, Shuttle Tebrau tickets can no longer be booked in advance or online through all platforms. Ticket sales will only be released 1 day before departure at 8.30am at KTM Intercity counters only, limited to 4 tickets per person. Return tickets will no longer be possible with the strict guidelines on the charge of S$5 for all journeys departing from or purchased at Woodlands CIQ.
Passenger’s name & identity card or passport no. will be printed on the train ticket. Therefore, you are required to present your identity card or passport for ticket purchase as well as before entry into the station for inspection of tickets.
The train departs on time and it is based on free seating, hence it is recommended that you arrive at the train station at least half an hour prior to its departure.
After you presented our tickets and passport for boarding, you have to go through both the Singapore and Malaysia immigration before the Customs, effectively speeding up the clearance for passengers on the KTM to avoid additional time spent at the JB Immigration area.
in Johor Bahru
