Bus Services From Singapore to Johor Bahru (via Woodlands)

Intending to travel to Johor Bahru by public transport via Woodlands Causeway? Below are the tips on how to get there!

 

Live Traffic Situation

Let's first take a look at the live traffic situation at the checkpoints.

Causeway

Location: Entering Woodlands Checkpoint (towards Singapore)
Affects all cross-border bus services

Woodlands Checkpoint

Location: Entering Woodlands Checkpoint (towards Johor Bahru)
Affects all cross-border bus services

Woodlands Flyover

Location: BKE - Woodlands Flyover (towards Johor Bahru)
Affects CW2, CW5, SJE, TS3 & TS8 buses


Overall Easy Diagram

Easy route map for cross-border public bus services between Singapore and Johor Bahru (JB) via Woodlands

Overall easy diagram for the entire cross-border public bus network via Woodlands. (Click to view full size)

Related: Bus Services From Johor Bahru to Singapore


Article Overview

Boarding locations in Singapore

After Immigration Clearance at Woodlands Checkpoint


From Singapore

From Woodlands

Route Board At
856 Berth B11 - Woodlands ITH
via Marsiling MRT. Alight at Woodlands Train Checkpoint.
856A Berth B11 - Woodlands ITH
Same queue and routing as 856. Terminates at Woodlands Train Checkpoint.
903 Berth B4 - Woodlands ITH
via Riverside Road, Marsiling Lane. Alight at Woodlands Train Checkpoint.
911 Berth B12 - Woodlands ITH
Shortest route to Woodlands Train Checkpoint.
911T Berth B12 - Woodlands ITH
Same queue and routing as 911.
912 Berth B12 - Woodlands ITH
via Woodlands Avenue 1. Longest route to Woodlands Train Checkpoint, not recommended.
912B Berth B12 - Woodlands ITH
via Woodlands Avenue 1. Longest route to Woodlands Train Checkpoint, not recommended.
950 Berth B2 - Woodlands TBI
via Marsiling MRT. Direct service to Woodlands Checkpoint.

Choices

  • Board SMRT 950 at Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (TBI) for direct service to Woodlands Checkpoint.
  • Board SMRT 856, 856A, 903, 911, 912, 912B at Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub (ITH) to Woodlands Train Checkpoint, and walk to Woodlands Checkpoint thereafter. This option is useful when the causeway or checkpoint is heavily jammed, as you are able to reduce some journey time by walking.
  • The fastest alternative from Woodlands to Woodlands Train Checkpoint is 856 and 911.
  • Bus services 903, 912 & 912B would take a longer route to Woodlands Train Checkpoint.
  • Bus service 903 is a good alternative during severe traffic congestion. See below for explanation.

Be mindful of which bus service you are boarding, as Intra-town bus services 911 has two different routes. For trips terminating at Woodlands Interchange, 911T will be displayed on the buses, routing will remain the same as the usual 911. 

Do note that SMRT 912A will ply towards Admiralty MRT, while SMRT 912B will ply towards Woodlands Train Checkpoint. One easy way to remember is: A for Admiralty, B for border. 

From 17 March 2019, Service 913 was amended to loop at Marsiling MRT Station and no longer serve Woodlands Train Checkpoint.

Please also note that if you intend to alight at Woodlands Train Checkpoint, your card's journey will not be suspended like 950 at Woodlands Checkpoint. Boarding any SBS Transit or SMRT bus at Woodlands Checkpoint will become a transfer or New Ride* to those bus services at checkpoint.

*New Ride is only applicable if your transfer allowance time has expired.

Refer to the easy diagram below for illustration.

Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange and Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub Layout

Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange and Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub Layout. (Updated 5 June 2022)

 

Bus services between Woodlands Interchange and Woodlands Checkpoint.

Easy Diagram for bus services between Woodlands Interchange and Woodlands Checkpoint. (Updated on 5 June 2022)

Card Fares

All Singapore public buses accepts CEPAS Ez-Link Card and deducts distance fare as approved by the Singapore's Public Transport Council.

Cash Fares

To Woodlands Train Checkpoint: S$1.70 (for SMRT 903, 911, 912 & 912B), S$1.90 (for SMRT 856 & 856A).
To Johor Bahru Checkpoint: S$1.90 by SMRT 950

Please note that cash payment trips are not transferable. 


Alternatives during Severe Traffic Congestion

SMRT Bus Service 903 is the best alternative bus service between Woodlands Interchange and Woodlands Checkpoint during severe traffic congestion.

SMRT Bus Service 903 serves the area closest to Woodlands Train Checkpoint, the best alternative during severe traffic congestion. (Click to enlarge)

Look out for a few things before proceeding with the last resort.

  • Dark red on traffic indicator in Google Maps along Woodlands Centre Road stretching from Marsiling MRT.
  • Buses running on bus service 856 are not actively moving towards Woodlands Interchange.
    (Check bus location and arrival timings at bus stop 46541, Opp Blk 347 along Woodlands Ave 3)
  • Unusually long queue for bus services 856, 911 & 950 at Woodlands Interchange. 

Decide on whether to proceed with the last resort based on real-time information.

Last resort during severe traffic congestion

  • Board 903 at Berth B4, Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub.
  • Alight at Blk 203, Marsiling Drive.
  • Walk about 10 minutes to Woodlands Train Checkpoint.

Full route information & map for Service 903

Marsiling Drive is the nearest accessible location with shortest walking distance during severe traffic congestion.

Occasionally, bus service 903 were observed to loop back from Marsiling Drive and skip Woodlands Train Checkpoint during congestion. As such, buses can continue to run Service 903 without being affected by the congestion. However, please note that this arrangement may not always happen.


Alternative Drop-off By Car / Taxi

If you are coming to Woodlands Train Checkpoint by car or taxi during a severe traffic congestion near the checkpoint, it is advisable to request to drop off at Blk 25 Marsiling Drive. 

Directions from SLE

  • Exit at Woodlands Ave 2.
  • Proceed straight to Admiralty Road.
  • Turn right at Marsiling Drive and turn left into the car park.
    or
    If Admiralty Road is also affected by the congestion, turn right at Marsiling Lane, turn left into Marsiling Drive and turn right into the car park.

From Kranji MRT Station

Route Board At
160 Opposite Kranji MRT Station
Proceeds directly to Woodlands Checkpoint via Woodlands Road.
170 Opposite Kranji MRT Station
Will detour to Woodlands Train Checkpoint before entering Woodlands Checkpoint.
170X Kranji MRT Station
Proceeds directly to Woodlands Checkpoint via Woodlands Road.
178 Opposite Kranji MRT Station
Does not go into Woodlands Checkpoint, alight at Woodlands Train Checkpoint.
CW1 Kranji MRT Station
Non-stop direct service to Woodlands Checkpoint.

Choices

  • Board SBS Transit 160, 170, 170X and Causeway Link CW1 for direct service to Woodlands Checkpoint.
  • Board SBS Transit 170 and SMRT 178 to Woodlands Train Checkpoint, and walk to Woodlands Checkpoint thereafter. This option is useful when the causeway or checkpoint is heavily congested, as you are able to cut some journey time by walking. 

Please also note that if you intend to alight at Woodlands Train Checkpoint, your journey will not be suspended like 160, 170 at Woodlands Checkpoint. Boarding any SBS Transit or SMRT bus at Woodlands Checkpoint will become a transfer or New Ride* to those bus services at the checkpoint.

*New Ride is only applicable if your transfer allowance time has expired.

In the event of a congestion, 160, 170, 170X, 178 & CW1 may be diverted to use Woodlands Avenue 3 and Woodlands Centre Road.

Please refer to the easy diagram below for illustration.

Bus guide from Kranji MRT station

Boarding bus stops at Kranji MRT Station.

Fare Information

Adult Card Fares

  • Singapore Buses
    All Singapore public buses accepts CEPAS Ez-Link Card and deducts distance fare as approved by the Singapore's Public Transport Council.
  • Causeway Link CW1
    S$2.00 by Manjalink, Ez-link, NETS Flashpay and Visa Cards.

Adult Cash Fares

  • To Woodlands Train Checkpoint
    S$1.70 by SMRT 178.
  • To Johor Bahru Checkpoint
    S$2.60 by Causeway Link CW1, S$1.90 by SBST 160, 170 or 170X.
  • To Larkin Terminal
    S$2.60 by Causeway Link CW1 or S$2.50 by SBST 170.

Please note that cash payment trips are not transferable. 


From Bugis MRT Station / Queen Street Bus Terminal

170 Queen Street ⇔ Larkin
via Little India, Newton, Botanic Gardens, King Albert Park, Bukit Panjang, Kranji
CW2 Queen Street ⇔ Larkin
Express bus service via PIE / BKE
SJE Queen Street ⇔ Larkin
Express bus service via PIE / BKE

Boarding Location: Queen Street Terminal.

All of these bus services listed above goes direct to Woodlands Checkpoint. 

It is recommended to take CW2 or SJE from Queen Street, as these services will head straight to Woodlands Checkpoint via the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) and Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE).

SBS Transit 170 will have to stop at all bus stops along Bukit Timah Road, Upper Bukit Timah Road and Woodlands Road before heading to the checkpoint. Should there be no CW2 or SJE for a long duration, 170 will become a useful bus service to get away from the crowd.

Boarding point for 170, CW2 and Singapore-Johore Express at Queen Street Terminal

Board 170, CW2 or SJE at Queen Street Terminal.

Fare Information

Card Fares

  • SBS Transit 170
    Accepts CEPAS Ez-Link Card and deducts distance fare as approved by the Singapore's Public Transport Council.
  • Causeway Link CW2
    S$4.80 by Manjalink, Ez-link, NETS Flashpay and Visa Cards.

Cash Fares

  • SBS Transit 170
    Adult & WTCS Holders: S$2.80, Student: S$1.05, Senior Citizens: S$1.50
  • Causeway Link CW2
    Adult: S$4.80, Child: S$2.40
  • Singapore-Johore Express (SJE)
    Adult: S$4.80

From Changi Airport

858 Woodlands ⊃ Changi Airport
Alternative bus service for Transtar TS1
TS1 Changi Airport T2 ⇔ Johor Bahru Checkpoint
via T3, T1, T4, Expo, TPE / SLE, Woodlands Civic Centre, Marsiling MRT

Passengers may take Transtar TS1 from Changi Airport to CIQ Johor Bahru. Alternatively, passengers may also ride on SMRT bus service 858 from Changi Airport to Woodlands. While bus service 858 provides direct connection between Changi Airport and Woodlands, it is recommended to alight at Khatib MRT and take the North-South Line to Woodlands for a faster journey. The bus journey between Khatib MRT and Woodlands Interchange typically takes around 40 to 50 minutes.


From CBD on Weekdays

Connecting to City Direct 665 for express bus service to Central Business District (CBD)

Connecting to City Direct 665 for express bus service to CBD. (Click to view full size)

If you are exploring on taking the bus from Singapore's Central Business District, City Direct 665 provides direct connection from Tanjong Pagar, Raffles Place and Dhoby Ghaut to Marsiling Drive. Marsiling Drive is about 10 minutes walk from the Woodlands Checkpoint. You may also consider boarding bus 903 to connect directly to Woodlands Train Checkpoint.

Note that the expected travel time will be at least 1 hour. Do plan your schedule early, and take a nap on the bus. This could be an ideal option if you want to have a seat from the CBD.

The bus stop at Blk 32 along Marsiling Drive is the first stop for City Direct 665. Likewise, the bus stop at Blk 203 is the final stop for 665. Check out the route details here.

Alternatively, you may also take Transtar TS3 from the CBD.


From Other Locations In Singapore

AC7 Yishun ⇔ Johor Bahru Checkpoint
via Chong Pang, Sembawang, Republic Poly, Marsiling CC
CW5 Newton Circus ⇔ Johor Bahru Checkpoint
Express bus service via PIE / BKE
TS3 Marina Square ⇔ Johor Bahru Checkpoint
via Marina Bay Sands, Downtown, Telok Ayer, Chinatown, Clarke Quay, Fort Canning, Orchard, PIE / BKE
TS8 Resorts World Sentosa ⇔ Johor Bahru Checkpoint
via Outram Park, Great World City, Far East Plaza, Stevens, PIE / BKE

Booking and payment of tickets for Transtar Cross-border bus services TS1, TS3 and TS8 can be made through Easybook. Payment of bus fare can be made on board the bus as well.

Please refer to the dropdown menu below for the full list of bus services available from Singapore to Johor Bahru via Woodlands. For information on bus services to Johor Bahru via Second Link, please read Bus Services From Singapore to Johor Bahru (via Second Link).


Crossing The Causeway

From Woodlands Checkpoint, passengers may choose to switch to other bus routes, or in the event of heavy congestion, passengers can walk to Johor Bahru Checkpoint.

Passengers do not have to board back the same bus service as they have alighted from. Ez-Link Card users can continue their journey with SBS Transit bus 160, 170, 170X & SMRT 950. Manjalink users or Causeway Link ticket holders can continue their journey with any of the Causeway Link buses.

For AC7, SJE, TS1, TS3 & TS8, passengers can only board back the same bus, as the ticket is not interchangeable with other bus services. 

Passengers walked in from Woodlands Train Checkpoint are allowed to board any of the bus services, except Singapore-Johore Express (SJE), which only allows SJE ticket holders to board only.

Walking from Woodlands Checkpoint to Johor Bahru Checkpoint generally takes about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on your walking speed.


At CIQ Johor Bahru

Passengers may choose to:

  • Walk out to JB Sentral.
  • Continue their journey by bus:
    • 170, CWL, SJE to Larkin Terminal
    • 160, 170X, 950 to JB Sentral Terminal (Not recommended as JB Sentral is within walking distance)


Available Full Route Bus Service Information

The menu below only lists the bus routes plying CIQ Johor Bahru. For all other local bus services, please refer to Bus Routes in Johor Bahru.


More Related Information