For many of us, weekend plans often include a quick getaway to our neighbouring country Malaysia. After all, there’s plenty to see and do in Johor Bahru, from indulging in tasty lok lok to unwinding with an affordable massage. But if there’s one thing that puts us off, it’s the notorious traffic jams at the Causeway. To make your journey smoother (and far less painful), we’ve rounded up the best times to travel from Singapore to JB.
Best times to travel to JB by car
As a rule of thumb, avoid travelling during peak hours on weekdays when Malaysians commute to Singapore for work in the morning and return home in the evening. This means steering clear of the rush from 7am to 9am and 6pm to 8pm, when both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints are heaving with traffic. Friday evenings are especially busy as many Malaysians head home for the weekend – so if possible, give that timing a miss altogether.
For weekends, aim to drive into JB early in the morning before 8am or later in the afternoon from 1pm onwards. Heavy traffic usually kicks in around 5pm, as there are still some Malaysians returning home to JB after work. When heading back to Singapore, it’s best to drive back before the post-dinner rush at 7pm or late at night after 11pm.
Waiting times for cars have improved over the past year thanks to the introduction of the QR code system. Travellers are encouraged to use QR codes instead of scanning passports, as this helps ICA officers speed up immigration clearance.
While there’s no single car lane that’s consistently the fastest, most drivers tend to favour the right lanes to stay on the viaduct. As a result, the left lanes might move quicker at times.
Best times to travel to JB by bus
Buses are one of the most cost-efficient ways to get to JB and can sometimes be even faster than driving as there is a high frequency of buses. Plus, there are plenty of buses departing from various locations in Singapore, including Kranji, Bugis, and Jurong. Some of the newer bus services even go directly to Johor Premium Outlets.
The first buses leave around 5am, and these early departures typically don’t meet with heavy traffic. Similar to driving, it’s best to steer clear of peak hours between 7am to 9am and 6pm to 8pm, as many Malaysians also commute by bus.
If you’re open to travelling at odd hours, consider taking the CW2 bus. It runs 24 hours daily from Queen Street Terminal to Woodlands Checkpoint, and bus intervals range between 10 to 20 minutes.
Best times to travel to JB by train
This option is best for those who can plan ahead, as tickets must be booked in advance. Plus, seats for weekends and public holidays tend to sell out fast. The KTM Shuttle Tebrau is a popular choice, taking just five minutes to travel from the Woodlands Train Checkpoint to JB Sentral.
Train timings are fixed so there’s no specific ideal time to travel. However, to maximise your chances of securing tickets, we’d recommend booking as early as two months in advance. A one-way ticket from Woodlands to JB on KTM costs $5, while the return journey from JB to Singapore is priced at 5 ringgit.
Of course, there’s also the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link to look forward to in 2026 – hopefully with fares that can compete with KTM.
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