Transit Options from Singapore Airport to Johor Bahru
Are you landing at Singapore International Airport, but your final destination is Johor Bahru in neighboring Malaysia? You’ll find various ways to make your way to the famous Malaysian destination. Thus, you can opt for a taxi ride or a private airport transfer. However, only licensed taxis can cross the two countries’ borders. On the other hand, shuttle buses run from the airport to Johor Bahru, while another reasonably-priced but tedious alternative would be to use the MRT trains and the public bus network to reach your journey’s end. Finally, if you are planning on exploring several Malaysian attractions besides Johor Bahru, an airport car rental would guarantee autonomous rides.
Please remember that either way, you’ll have to clear immigration at the Woodlands Checkpoint and the Johor Bahru Checkpoint to enter Malaysia.
| Options | Price (S$) | Price ($) | Price (€) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 52.60 | 39.16 | 36.11 | 50 min |
| Train & Bus | 2.37 | 1.76 | 1.62 | 130 min |
| Shuttle Coach | 11 | 8.17 | 7.55 | 100 min |
Singapore Changi Airport to Johor Bahru by Taxi
Changi airport taxis are a convenient way to travel around Singapore. They are always available at the SIN taxi ranks lying right outside the Arrivals halls of all four terminals and are known for their efficient and reliable services. Each taxi company has similarly-colored vehicles and offers three types of cabs: the most affordable standard taxis, the premium vehicles, and the pricier limousines. If you want to save money on your airport taxi ride, you should pick the first standard cab in line.
Although airport taxis offer door-to-door services, they can’t cross borders to reach Johor Bahru. Verily, only licensed taxis can get to Johor Bahru (only to Larkin terminal). However, those taxis are available only at the Ban San Street terminal. Thus, you’ll have to catch an airport taxi to Woodlands Checkpoints and catch one bus to reach your Malaysian destination. You’ll find several bus lines running from that location. For instance, the CW1 Causeway Link Bus heads to JB Custom, costing S$2.60/$1.93/€1.78. It reaches its route’s end in about 7 minutes. Contactless payments are accepted, and you can also purchase your ticket online.
Please note that there are 2 border checkpoints. You should head to SG Woodlands CIQ and make your way to the Johor Bahru CIQ (the Sultan Iskandar Complex), also known as First Link, as the JB CIQ is a few steps away from Johor Bahru City Square.
Singapore taxis are metered. All taxi companies have different rates, yet prices are more or less the same. Thus, you should expect a 40-minute ride from Changi Airport to Woodlands Checkpoint (up to 55 minutes during peak hours) and a S$50/$37.20/€34.34 cost. An airport fee of S$8/$6/€5.55 will be added to the final rate if the ride takes place from 05:00 pm to midnight, while at other times, the airport surcharge is S$6/$4.46/€4.13. Moreover, journeys during peak hours (from 06:00 am to 09:30 am from Monday to Friday, from 05:00 pm to midnight every day (on public holidays too), and from 10:00 am to 02:00 pm on weekends and holidays) are 25% more expensive, while a 50% surcharge applies to night rides (from midnight to 06:00 am). Any ERP fees (toll fees) should also be included in the final fare, while luggage doesn’t bring an extra charge, and tipping is optional. On the other hand, even though cash and card payments are equally accepted, e-payments are 10% costlier (plus GTS).
Our Tip: If you are interested in booking a ride-sharing service (for example, Grab) from Changi Airport to the borders, you’ll find various companies operating at SIN Airport.
Singapore Changi Airport to Johor Bahru by Train & Bus
If you are looking for a cheap transit option and don’t mind the hassle and the lengthy journey, there are various alternatives for your ride to Johor Bahru. Still, neither of them is direct. One of the most comfortable choices is to combine MRT train rides and a bus journey. Thus, you should head to the airport’s MRT Station. It is to be found on the basement levels of T2 and T3. As a result, passengers arriving at T1 can make their way to the train station via the free SkyTrain, and those landing at T4 can use the courtesy shuttle bus to T2/MRT. The Changi airport train runs from 05:31 am (05:59 am on weekends) to 11:18 pm every 7-12 minutes. Once it reaches Tanah Merah Interchange Station, it splits into two branches. Hence, you’ll have to hop on the train (the East West Green Line) that terminates its route at Tuas Link Station, operating on a 3-16.5-minute frequency. Your alighting station will be Outram Park. From that point, you’ll catch the Thomson-East Coast Line and disembark at Woodlands Station. Once you get there, you’ll have to reach Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (WTBI) and catch Bus 950, running from 05:30 am to 11:30 every 10 minutes. Bus 950 reaches the Sentral Bus Terminal in Johor Bahru.
Even during bus journeys from Woodlands to Johor Bahru, passengers have to disembark from the vehicles and clear immigration at both checkpoints.
The journey from Singapore Changi Airport to Johor Bahru should last about 130 minutes. Moreover, Singapore bus and train rides are dependent on the traveling distance. Thus, your fare will be just S$2.37/$1.76/€1.62, while children with an up-to-0.9m (2ft 11.43in) height travel out of charge.
Contactless payments are accepted (although an admin fee applies to foreign cards) as well as mobile wallets. On the other hand, many travelers purchase reloadable EZ-Link Cards that cost S$12/$8.90/€8.20 (still, the S$7/$5.20/€4.80 amount is credited for onward rides) and can be used in Singapore trains, buses, and even for some retail purchases. Alternatively, Singapore Tourist Passes (there are three types of those passes) are special EZ-Link Cards that allow unlimited public rides and offer several perks and discounts. That being said, they can’t be used for journeys with Sentosa Express, premium buses, express buses, and RWS8. If you are interested in buying a pass, you can make your pick among:
- Singapore Tourist Pass: It offers unlimited train and bus rides for 1, 2, or 3 days. The 1-day pass costs S$22/$16.36/€15.13, the 2-day card is priced at S$29/$21.56/€19.93, and the 3-day pass is higher-priced, at S$34/$25.28/€23.35. However, the S$10/$7.44/€6.88 is a rental deposit. Thus, if you return the card to one of the SimplyGo Ticket Offices, you’ll get it back.
- SG Tourist Pass / SG Tourist Pass (Red): It costs S$29/$21.56/€19.93 and is valid for 3 days.
- Singapore Tourist Pass Plus: The most expensive option (costing S$48/$35.69/€33) is valid for unlimited rides during a 3-day time frame. Furthermore, it includes an Xplore 1-hour Tour, free postcards, and a S$5/$3.72/€3.44 credit for Changi Travel Concierge Service.
Once your pass expires (and unless you want to get back the rental deposit), you can use it as an EZ-Link Card and load it with money. In any case, Singapore Tourist Passes and EZ-Link Cards are available at the Changi Recommends Stores, the Cheers Outlets, the Passenger Service Center, and the ticket offices at Changi MRT Station.
You must tap in and out at the train stations and when boarding or alighting from the bus. Please remember to use the same card or device to avoid getting overcharged.
Singapore Changi Airport to Johor Bahru by Shuttle Bus
You’ll find a coach bus traveling from Singapore Airport to Johor Bahru. The Transtar Cross Border Services (provided by Transtar Travel) are the most comfortable mode of mass transit from the airport. The TS1 Cross Border Bus departs from Changi airport T1. The bus stop is to be found at the Arrival Coach Bay Lot B/C. Travelers from T1 and T3 can easily reach the pick-up point on foot, while those landing at T2 have to use the SkyTrain, and passengers from T4 have to catch the complimentary shuttle bus. The coaches travel to Johor Bahru CIQ via the Woodlands Checkpoint. In fact, they reach their destination in about 100 minutes. Passengers still have to get off the buses and pass through immigration at the two checkpoints.
The buses run from 08:15 am to 09:15 pm. They have 6 available routes per day (approximately every 2 hours). Their fare is S$11/$8.17/€7.55 for adult passengers and S$5.50/$4.09/€3.78 for children younger than 7. One piece of luggage and one carry-on is accepted. However, more pieces of baggage are extra charged. Payments can be made in cash or via EZ-Link Cards. However, passengers opting for a cash payment should pay the exact fare as they won’t be given back change.
Our Tip: Should you have any questions, you can always address the Transtar Travel’s Counter, lying at the Arrivals of SIN terminal 1. It is open from 10:00 am to 07:00 pm.
Car Rental from Singapore Airport to Johor Bahru
Changi airport car rentals are highly recommended as Singapore features an excellent-maintained road network, local drivers are careful, and traffic overall remains within normal levels. Do you want to drive from Changi Airport to Johor Bahru? A Singapore car rental would still be a good idea. Verily, various car hire providers operate at SIN Airport, and many of them allow rides to Malaysia, usually for a fee. Hence, if you want to save money on your rental expenses, you should check the options and compare the fares. In any case, early bookings usually come with more tempting deals.
If you rent a car from Singapore Airport, you should expect a 50-minute ride from Changi Airport to Johor Bahru. Still, during peak hours, rides might be longer. The traveling time might be up to 80 minutes. What’s more, you might waste a lot of time waiting in line at Woodlands Checkpoint and Johor Bahru CIQ. Indeed, during rush hours, the relevant procedures can be time-consuming. Once you reach Johor Bahru, and unless your hotel has parking facilities, you’ll spot various car parks around the city. On the other hand, street parking is also possible in some areas. Please note that payments can be made via an app.
Private Airport Transfers from Singapore Airport to Johor Bahru
Private airport transfers are the most lavish and comfortable way to travel from Changi Airport to Johor Bahru. Their services are top-rated, and they offer many side amenities that allow passengers to optimize their journeys by customizing them to their needs. Moreover, many private airport transfer companies have fleets consisting of vehicles licensed to cross the borders in Malaysia. Thus, although you’ll have to pass through the time-consuming immigration processes, you’ll travel directly to your destination in Johor Bahru, removing all hassle from your journey.
FAQs
How to get to Johor Bahru from Singapore Changi Airport?
You can catch an airport taxi to get you to the Woodlands Checkpoint and catch a bus to Johor Bahru or enjoy a seamless private airport transfer from Singapore Airport to Johor Bahru. Alternatively, you can catch the MRT train to Woodlands and change to Bus 950. However, your ride will be long and tiring. On the other hand, airport car rentals are always a good idea, while the Transtar Cross-Border Coaches offer a direct ride to the Malaysian destination at a reasonable price.
Is there a train from Changi to Johor Bahru?
You won’t find a train line directly linking Singapore Airport to Johor Bahru. Even more so, you’ll have to catch a bus as well to reach your destination. Thus, you can use the MRT trains to reach Woodlands (two changes of lines will be required) before hopping on Bus 950 to Johor Bahru.