Travelling to Singapore by public transport from Johor Bahru (JB)? Below are the tips on how to get there!
Important Notice!
In view of COVID-19, the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) will be in place until 31 December 2020. Cross-border travel will be restricted travellers under the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) and Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) schemes.
Suspension and curtailment of cross-border bus services between Singapore and Johor Bahru from 18 March 2020 until further notice. Read more: Suspension of Singapore-Johor Bahru Cross-border Bus Services From 18 March 2020 |
Live Traffic Situation
Before that, let's first take a look at the live traffic situation at the checkpoints.
Woodlands Checkpoint
Location: Entering Woodlands Checkpoint (towards Singapore)Affects: All bus services to Singapore
Second Link
Location: Entering Tuas Checkpoint (towards Singapore)Affects: All buses via Tuas Checkpoint
Special Travel Arrangements
The Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) and Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) schemes are introduced to cater for the needs of cross-border travellers between Malaysia and Singapore.
Travellers entering Singapore from Johor Bahru are NOT ALLOWED to use the public transport upon arrival at Singapore, except for taxis, private hire cars or company arranged transport.
Similarly, travellers entering Johor Bahru from Singapore are also NOT ALLOWED to use the public transport upon arrival at Johor Bahru, and use transportation provided by the host organisation.
Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA)
Under the PCA scheme, Malaysia Citizens and Malaysia Permanent Residents (PRs) with valid Singapore work passes should remain in Singapore for at least 90 days before returning to Malaysia for home leave. The entry and exit between Singapore and Malaysia must be via Woodlands Checkpoint or Tuas Checkpoint in Singapore.
More information about the PCA scheme is available at ICA Singapore's website at https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/malaysia/pca/requirements-and-process
Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL)
Under the RGL scheme, business or official travellers seeking to make essential travel via the RGL to Singapore from Malaysia must be sponsored by either a Singapore-based company or a Singapore Government agency, which will file an application on behalf of the applicant for a SafeTravel Pass.
More information about the RGL scheme is available at ICA Singapore's website at https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/malaysia/rgl/requirements-and-process
Overall diagram for public transport between Johor Bahru and Singapore during the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) in view of COVID-19. (Click to view full size) |
During this period, free bus service between Johor Bahru CIQ and Woodlands Checkpoint will be provided by the Johor Public Transport Corporation (PAJ) hourly from 7:30am to 6:30pm daily, with break time between 12:30pm and 2:30pm. All cross-border bus services are currently suspended.
Selected bus routes are featured in the diagram above. Travel options between Woodlands Train Checkpoint and Woodlands is available below. Bus 950 has been suspended until further notice.
Easy Diagram for bus services between Woodlands Interchange and Woodlands Checkpoint. (Effective from 17 March 2019) |
Via Woodlands Checkpoint
Overall Easy Diagram of the cross-border bus network via Woodlands Checkpoint. |
Related: Bus Services From Singapore to Johor Bahru (via Woodlands)
Basically, all bus services going to Singapore via Woodlands Causeway will start from either Larkin bus terminal, JB Sentral or Johor Bahru Checkpoint (CIQ).
From Larkin
Routes: SBS Transit 170, Causeway Link CW1, CW2, CWL and Singapore-Johore Express (SJE)
Passengers travelling with Causeway Link may board either CW1, CW2 or CWL and purchase a ticket to Woodlands Checkpoint, Kranji, Queen Street or Newton Circus on board the buses.
Under good traffic condition, the bus journey from Larkin to JB CIQ could be as fast as 15 minutes. However, the entry of the checkpoint are often congested with cars during peak periods. Do allocate extra travel time for this stretch of route when you are planning for your trip to Singapore.
Card Fares
- Payment by Ez-Link Card is accepted on SBS Transit bus 170. Fares will be deducted in Singapore Dollars, in accordance to the distance fares as approved by Singapore's Public Transport Council.
- Payment by Manjalink Card is accepted on Causeway Link CW1, CW2 and CWL. Fares will be deducted in Malaysian Ringgit for trips beginning from Johor Bahru.
Cash Fares
- To Queen Street (Bugis): RM3.40 (for Causeway Link buses and SJE), S$2.60 (for SBS Transit 170).
- To Newton Circus: RM3.40 (Causeway Link buses).
- To Kranji MRT: RM1.90 (Causeway Link buses), S$2.30 (SBS Transit 170).
From JB Sentral
It is advisable to walk from JB Sentral to Johor Bahru Checkpoint (JB CIQ). Walking into the immigration complex would take about 5 to 10 minutes, which will help you to save some time, as compared to taking a bus from JB Sentral bus terminal.
Nonetheless, there are three routes SBS Transit bus 160, 170X and SMRT bus 950 from JB Sentral Terminal to JB CIQ. Be sure to stand near the road for boarding. These buses will generally pass by the terminal as it is usually packed with buses.
From Johor Bahru Checkpoint (JB CIQ)
160 | To Jurong East
To Kranji MRT
To Woodlands Checkpoint
Note: Children under 7 years old or below 0.9 metres can travel for free. |
170 | To Queen Street / Bugis
To Bukit Panjang MRT
To Kranji MRT
To Woodlands Checkpoint
Note: Children under 7 years old or below 0.9 metres can travel for free. |
170X | To Kranji MRT
To Woodlands Checkpoint
Note: Children under 7 years old or below 0.9 metres can travel for free. |
950 |
To Woodlands MRT & Marsiling MRT
To Woodlands Checkpoint
Note: Children under 7 years old or below 0.9 metres can travel for free. |
AC7 |
To Sembawang / Yishun
|
CW1 |
To Kranji MRT
To Woodlands Checkpoint
Note: Half price is applied to children from 7 to 12 years old, students in primary or secondary school uniform, senior citizens from 60 years old and disabled persons. Children under 7 years old can travel for free. |
CW2 |
To Queen Street / Bugis (Express)
To Woodlands Checkpoint
Note: Half price is applied to children from 7 to 12 years old, students in primary or secondary school uniform, senior citizens from 60 years old and disabled persons. Children under 7 years old can travel for free. |
SJE |
To Queen Street / Bugis (Express)
Note: 25% discounted fare is applied to children from 7 to 12 years old, senior citizens from 60 years old and disabled persons. Children under 7 years old can travel for free. |
TS1 |
To Expo / Changi Airport
Note: Half price is applied to children below 7 years old. |
TS3 |
To Marina Square / Chinatown
Note: Half price is applied to children below 7 years old. |
TS8 |
To Orchard / Outram Park / Resorts World Sentosa
Note: Half price is applied to children below 7 years old. |
Passengers may board any Causeway Link buses at Johor Bahru Checkpoint and make payment for the full fare to the intended destinations. For example, a passenger going to Kranji MRT may board a CW5 bus and purchase a CW1 ticket to Kranji MRT.
Buses operated by SBS Transit and SMRT Buses accepts CEPAS Ez-Link Card and deducts distance fare as approved by the Singapore's Public Transport Council.
During a traffic congestion, passengers may choose to walk to Woodlands Checkpoint. Walking to Woodlands Checkpoint will take about 20 - 30 minutes, depending on your walking speed.
At Woodlands Checkpoint
Do note that if you are beginning your bus journey from Woodlands Checkpoint by AC7, CW1, CW2, CW5, TS1, TS3 or TS8, bus fares shall be paid in Singapore Dollars, fares from JB CIQ will no longer be valid.
For cash paying passengers, please present a valid ticket to continue on the bus journey from Woodlands Checkpoint.
Alternatively, you may walk out to Woodlands Train Checkpoint for other buses connecting to your Singapore destination.
Via Second Link (Tuas)
Easy Diagram at a glance. (Click to Enlarge) |
Related: Bus Services From Singapore to Johor Bahru (via Second Link)
Several Causeway Link bus routes connect passengers from the western side of Johor Bahru to Singapore through the Second Link.
From Bukit Indah
Passengers travelling to Singapore from Bukit Indah are recommended to board the buses at AEON Bukit Indah or Giant Nusa Bestari, as most of the buses may already be fully packed when leaving AEON or Giant, especially during weekends.
Routes
- At AEON Bukit Indah: CW3, CW3E, CW3L & CW6
- At Giant Nusa Bestari: CW6
- Along Persiaran Indah (Taman Bukit Indah): CW3, CW3S & CW6
Fares
- To Jurong East / Boon Lay / Tuas Link: RM5.00
Please note that CW3E will ply via Sunway Iskandar before heading to CIQ Second Link. CW3 and CW3L is the fastest route from AEON Bukit Indah to CIQ Second Link.
From Perling Mall
Routes: CW3 & CW3L
Fare: To Jurong East / Boon Lay / Tuas Link - RM5.20
From Gelang Patah Town
Gelang Patah Terminal
Routes: CW4, CW4G & CW4S
Fare: To Jurong East / Boon Lay / Tuas Link - RM4.00
It is recommended to wait for the bus to Singapore at Gelang Patah Terminal. With the new terminal being built, it is a more comfortable experience to wait for the bus at the terminal than at the bus stop at Taman Nusa Perintis. Besides, buses departing Gelang Patah Terminal for Singapore may already be fully packed, and may no longer pick up more passengers along the route.
Gelang Patah Sentral (GP Sentral) Terminal
Route: CW4G
Fare: To Jurong East / Boon Lay / Tuas Link - RM5.00
Route: TS6
Adult Fare: To Tuas Link / Kent Ridge / One-north / Buona Vista - RM6.00 (Cash) / S$2.00 (Ez-Link Card)
Child Fare: To Tuas Link / Kent Ridge / One-north / Buona Vista - RM3.00 (Cash) / S$1.00 (Ez-Link Card)
Route: TS6 > 783
Adult Fare: To Changi Airport - RM26.00 or S$9.00 (Cash) / S$8.50 (Ez-Link Card)
Child Fare: To Changi Airport - RM13.00 or S$4.50 (Cash) / S$4.25 (Ez-Link Card)
From Iskandar Puteri
Legoland / Mall of Medini
Routes: CW7 & CW7L
Adult Fare: To Jurong East / Boon Lay / Tuas Link - RM4.50 (Cash) / RM4.30 (Manjalink Card)
Child Fare: To Jurong East / Boon Lay / Tuas Link - RM2.30 (Cash Only)
With huge car parks built next to Mall of Medini, drivers could look forward to save the toll fees at the checkpoints by parking their cars there and hop on to a Causeway Link bus to Singapore. Frequent departures for Causeway Link CW7 would bring more convenience to commuters.
Puteri Harbour Ferry Terminal
Route: TS6
Adult Fare: To Tuas Link / Kent Ridge / One-north / Buona Vista - RM6.00 (Cash) / S$2.00 (Ez-Link Card)
Child Fare: To Tuas Link / Kent Ridge / One-north / Buona Vista - RM3.00 (Cash) / S$1.00 (Ez-Link Card)
Route: TS6 > 783
Adult Fare: To Changi Airport - RM26.00 or S$9.00 (Cash) / S$8.50 (Ez-Link Card)
Child Fare: To Changi Airport - RM13.00 or S$4.50 (Cash) / S$4.25 (Ez-Link Card)
From Pontian / Pekan Nanas
Routes: CW4 & 52T
Fare: To Jurong East / Boon Lay / Tuas Link - RM8.00
Direct bus routes to Singapore via Second Link are available from Pontian bus terminal and Jalan Pontian at Pekan Nanas.
Alternatively, to cross the checkpoint at Woodlands, please take Maju express bus 96, or Transit Link JB bus 3 to Larkin. For journey from Larkin to Singapore, please refer to the first section of this article.
From Senai Airport
Causeway Link JPO2 was discontinued from 1 May 2019.
Alternatively, travelers can choose to go to Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint. Causeway Link offers a express bus service AA1 from Senai Airport to JB Sentral.
Travelers disembarking from an Air-Asia flight are able to purchase the add-on service at only RM6.00, for a direct bus service to CIQ Johor Bahru to travel to Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint. This service is only available for purchase during the booking of air ticket, and cannot be purchased over the counter at Senai Airport.
From Johor Premium Outlets (JPO)
Causeway Link JPO2 was discontinued from 1 May 2019.
Alternatively, travelers can choose to go to Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint. Causeway Link operates bus service JPO1 from Johor Premium Outlets to JB Sentral.
At CIQ Second Link
Causeway Link buses CW3E, CW3L, CW3S, CW4G & CW7L will turn back to Malaysia at CIQ Second Link, after dropping off passengers for immigration clearance.
Tickets to Singapore can be purchased onboard all these bus services. After immigration clearance, the same ticket could be used to board CW3, CW4, CW4S, CW6 & CW7.
Passenger boarding CW3, CW4, CW4S, CW6 or CW7 from CIQ Second Link without a valid ticket can pay for the fare of RM2.60 to travel to Boon Lay, Jurong East or Tuas Link.
Passengers are not allowed to walk along the highway to Tuas Checkpoint.
At Tuas Checkpoint
Passengers are not allowed to walk out of the checkpoint. Passengers boarding CW3, CW4, CW4S, CW6 or CW7 at Tuas Checkpoint without a valid ticket can pay for the fare of S$2.50 or RM6.00 to travel to Boon Lay, Jurong East or Tuas Link.
Available Full Route Information