Planning a trip to Singapore? Here’s my number one budget tip before we get into anything else: stay in Johor Bahru and just hop over to Singapore for the day. (Even if you’re visiting for a few days.)
Hotels in Singapore can be eye-watering. Staying in Johor Bahru and crossing the border daily? Completely doable (and dramatically cheaper)
In this guide, I’ll break down exactly how to get from JB to Singapore, which option makes sense, which one absolutely does not, how the immigration process actually works and what you need to know before you go, so you can cross smoothly, cheaply and without any unpleasant surprises.
The 3 Ways to Cross from JB to Singapore
Option 1: Taxi (For People Who Hate Their Bank Account)
Before you reach for your phone to open Grab or Bolt, let me stop you right there. Regular ride-hailing apps don’t work for border crossings, drivers need special cross-border licences, and your usual guy doesn’t have one. You’ll need to book through dedicated cross-border taxi companies instead.
The starting price for a standard 5-seater? SGD 100. Each way.
One hundred Singapore dollars. To sit in a car for 45 minutes. You could buy approximately 25 plates of chicken rice for that. You could have several very decent cocktails at a rooftop bar. You could, frankly, do almost anything else with that money and have a better time.
Now, to be fair … if you’re travelling in a group and splitting the cost, it becomes slightly less offensive. And if you’re the type of person who flies business class and considers anything less a personal insult, sure, go for it. The rest of us will see you on the other side. 😎
Option 2: Train (The Budget Option with a Catch)
The train is cheap, reliable, and departs from JB Sentral, which is convenient since it’s also where most buses leave from (more on that in a moment).
Prices:
- JB → Singapore: MYR 5
- Singapore → JB: MYR 15.60
Yes, the return is noticeably pricier — welcome to Singapore pricing logic.
The train deposits you at Woodlands station, which is technically in Singapore the same way that a car park on the outskirts of town is technically “near the city centre.” You’re there, but you’re not there there. You’ll still need to catch another bus into the city if you want to actually see anything worth photographing.
Not a dealbreaker, just something to know before you find yourself standing in Woodlands at 10am wondering where all the famous things are.
Option 3: Bus — The Best Way (Seriously, Just Take the Bus) 🚌
This is the one. The winner. The option that makes sense for almost everyone.
You still start at JB Sentral, so no extra effort there. After going through Malaysian customs, follow the signs out to the bus area. There are several operators running the route, but the most reliable and popular is Causeway Link, which offers three final destinations in Singapore.
The stop to aim for: Queen Street Bus Terminal. It puts you right in the thick of central Singapore, within walking distance of major attractions or a short MRT ride from wherever you need to be.
Prices:
- JB → Singapore: MYR 4.80
- Singapore → JB: SGD 4.60
Payment is easy: just tap your credit card as you board. Cash is also accepted if you’re old school about it.
The Border Crossing: Demystified
Here’s where first-timers sometimes panic unnecessarily, so let’s walk through it:
- Clear Malaysian customs at JB Sentral, then head to Platform B for the Causeway Link buses.
They go in three directions, the one you want is the bus to Queen Street (that’s the most convenient stop for tourist areas).
2. Board the bus.
3. The bus drives to the Singapore checkpoint, where everyone gets off to go through Singapore immigration. Yes, everyone. Yes, you too. Make sure to take all your belongings too.
4. Clear immigration, walk back out to the bus area and board any Causeway Link bus heading to your destination (it doesn’t have to be the exact same one you arrived on). There are multiple buses running to the same final stops, so just get on whichever one is ready. You’ll tap your card again at the door, but don’t panic – it won’t charge you twice. It’s just confirming you’re continuing the same journey.
5. Sit back, relax, maybe stare out the window at the Causeway, and about 40 minutes later you’ll roll into Queen Street Bus Terminal, smack in the middle of Singapore.
6.From there you can walk to plenty of the main attractions or hop on the MRT to get literally anywhere else.
No drama. No guesswork. Cheaper than a large McFlurry.
Quick Reality Check: Singapore Is Not the Place to “See What Happens” ⚠️
Before you casually roll up to immigration with your “it’ll be fine” energy… pause!
Singapore is extremely strict about what you bring in.
Here’s the simple version:
- Chewing gum? Basically no. Leave it at home.
- Alcohol? Any amount must be declared. Yes, even one bottle. Declare it and pay the duty.
- Cigarettes? Same story. Any amount. Even one pack. Even if it’s open. Declare and pay tax.
- Vapes? Completely forbidden. Don’t bring one. Not in your bag, not in your pocket, not “just in case.” They are illegal and the fines are high AF.
“But Do They Actually Check?”
Here’s the honest answer.
I’ve crossed the border multiple times.
- Sometimes they checked everyone.
- Sometimes they checked random people.
- Sometimes nobody was checked at all.
It varies.
But here’s the part that matters:
The fines are extremely high. We’re talking SGD 10,000 and potencially 6 years in prison.
Quick Comparison
| Option | Cost (One Way) | Drops You In the Centre? | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | ~SGD 100 | ✅ Yes | Skip it |
| Train | MYR 5 | ❌ Woodlands only | Decent backup |
| Bus (Causeway Link) | MYR 4.80 | ✅ Yes (Queen Street) | Do this |
Final Thoughts
Getting from Johor Bahru to Singapore is one of the easier border crossings in Southeast Asia. Skip the taxi unless money is no object, consider the train if you’re heading to the north of Singapore, and take the Causeway Link bus to Queen Street for just about everything else. It’s cheap, straightforward, and the staff will make sure you don’t accidentally get stranded between two countries.
