Destinations > Asia > Malaysia > Singapore Border Crossing: Singapore to Johor Bahru and Vice Versa

MORE OF MALAYSIA: Kuala Lumpur, Penang, The Habitat, Historical Malacca, The Lost World of Ipoh,
Cameron Highlands, Johor Bahru, Delicious Straits Recipes, and Johor Bahru to Singapore

Border Crossing: Singapore & Malaysia

It’s no secret that staying in Singapore can be expensive, but it’s also no secret to Singaporeans that everything is cheaper in Malaysia. To save on expenses during our travels, we decided to stay at a resort hotel in Malaysia that is just around the corner from Legoland in Nusajaya, Johor Bahru. Our cost at this Bed and Breakfast was just under $630 USD per month and we stayed for 2 months. We’ve learned that crossing the border takes time, so if you are limited on time, we certainly wouldn’t recommend it.

However, if you only plan to cross the border into Singapore once or twice per week - and spend the rest of your time at Legoland, Hello Kitty Town, the DC Superheros Cafe, the Angry Birds Activity Park, Danga Bay, shopping and eating at the JB City Square, pampering yourself at the KSL City Mall with massages, manicures, hair treatments, and spas, being active at Paradigm Mall which has an indoor climbing gym, ice-skating ring, budget shopping, and the largest cinema in Johor Bahru, or simply relaxing by the pool at your resort hotel, then this might be the solution for you!

How to Cross the Border

1. Crossing by Bus - Singapore to Johor Bahru Bus

2. Crossing by Bus - Johor Bahru to Singapore Bus

3. Crossing by Taxi

4. Crossing by Train - Train to JB

5. Important Singapore Customs Information - and Exiting Singapore by Car

Malaysia is an amazing country, so it is no wonder that it was chosen as a filming location for movies such as Blackhat starring Chris Hemsworth, Anna and the King featuring Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat, Entrapment starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Fair Game starring Naomi Watts and Sean Penn, the less known The Sleeping Dictionary staring Jessica Alba and Brenda Blethyn, and Jackie Chan’s Police Story 3: Super Cop. The “Blue Mansion” (Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion) on Penang Island, Malaysia also appeared in Crazy Rich Asians! The country is really growing and is currently at the forefront of modernization while retaining its great value. It’s no wonder that it’s also a hot weekend destination for people living in Singapore!

And if you’re planning to visit Singapore, did you know that these movies were filmed in Singapore: Crazy Rich Asians, Hitman: Agent 47, and Independence Day: Resurgence. They feature some of the popular sightseeing spots like Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Gardens by the Bay, and Changi Airport.

You can also learn about Malaysian culture and customs from this book, or learn about Singaporean culture and customs from this book.

Crossing by Bus

We ended up crossing from Bukit Indah (Legoland area) in Malaysia to Singapore (and back) 3 separate times, and we will be crossing once more into Singapore to fly out of Changi Airport. Thus, we are very familiar with crossing over the border by bus in both directions. As we started our journeys from Medini Mall in Malaysia, we had to get on the CW7 bus (see below under “Johor Bahru to Singapore Bus” and “Through Bukit Indah into Tuas Checkpoint”) next to Legoland and then took the route to the Tuas Link MRT Station in Singapore. Although, we did not really end at the Tuas Link MRT station.

It isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Once you locate a bus stop (locations below), you will simply need to wait for the bus to arrive and then tell the driver that you are headed to Singapore. He will tell you the price and you will put the cash into the cash box near the bus driver (exact change only, or you may put in extra but there is NO CHANGE). It did cost us RM 4.50 each to get onto that bus, but the bus only went to the CIQ 2nd Link station (Malaysia Customs) even though the ticket says it goes all the way to Tuas Checkpoint (Singapore Customs).

That being said, you can’t just walk out of Singapore Customs - you need to take another bus to leave. So, instead of charging for a ticket at Singapore Customs to get somewhere else (as it would then be in Singapore Dollars), they charge at CIQ 2nd Link instead and then let you board whichever bus you desire once you clear through Singapore Customs. This extra ticket was an additional RM 2.60 each and states that it either brings you to “Tuas Link MRT” (the closest MRT link to Singapore Customs) or to “Boon Lay Way Bus” (which is close to Jurong Bird Park and another MRT stop). However, we took the Jurong East bus instead on two of the three occasions and got off at the Jurong East Interchange (and MRT station) and only once exited at Boon Lay. From here we had to either take the MRT line or grab a Taxi to where we were going (we required a legitimate Taxi through the Grab App, and not just a standard Grab because we have a baby. Taxis are exempt, like other public transportation, from baby seats - but regular cars and standard Grab’s are not).

On the way back into Malaysia, twice we grabbed the CW7 bus at the Tuas Link MRT station (which cost us S$4.00 each) and once tried to be dropped off via Taxi at the Tuas Checkpoint itself. When we got dropped off at the Tuas Checkpoint, the officials at the Singapore Customs would not allow us to walk in and stated that we must take a vehicle (such as the bus) to get in. So, we needed to get on another bus (S$1.50 each) to get back to the Tuas Link MRT station to catch the Causeway Link there (like the other two times). Either way, the S$4.00 ticket would get us all the way back to Bukit Indah (Aeon Mall) or East Ledang (“by request only” which was closer to Medini Mall as we were always too late to catch the last Medini Mall bus). We then had to take a Grab (like an Uber/Lyft) to get back to our place from there. So, the only additional cost on the way back was the Grab cost.

Singapore to Johor Bahru Bus

The buses that you’ll want to take to cross the border are the “Causeway Link” buses. You should be able to find a Causeway Link bus at the last MRT stop before the border from the Singapore side, but check the lists below for exact spots from either side of the boarder. Reaching our destination using busses (i.e. from Nusajaya to Gardens by the Bay) has generally taken us about 3 hours on weekdays and on a Saturday.

Through Woodlands Checkpoint into Johor Bahru
Note: You must take a BUS into the checkpoint, no Taxi Drop-off / Walk-in at Woodlands Checkpoint

• CW1 - Between Kranji MRT Station in Singapore & Larkin Bus Terminal in Malaysia

  • Stops: Woodlands Customs (Singapore) & Johor Bahru Customs (Malaysia)

  • Operates: Daily between 6:30 AM - 11:30 PM (every 15-30 minutes)

  • Fare / Tickets / Cost: S$1.50 (from Kranji MRT Station)

• CW2 - Between Queen Street Bus Terminal in Singapore & Larkin Bus Terminal in Malaysia

  • Stops: Woodlands Customs (Singapore) & Johor Bahru Customs (Malaysia)

  • Operates: Daily between 6:30 AM - 11:45 PM (every 15-30 minutes)

  • Fare / Tickets / Cost: S$3.50 (from Queen Street Bus Terminal)

• CW5 - Between Newton Circus in Singapore & Johor Bahru Customs in Malaysia

  • Stops: Woodlands Customs (Singapore)

  • Operates: Daily between 6:30 AM - 11:30 PM (every 20-30 minutes)

  • Fare / Tickets / Cost: S$3.50 (from Newton Circus)

• Public Bus 950 - From Woodlands Temp Int (near Woodlands MRT station) to JB Sentral.

  • Time: Roughly 45 minutes to arrive at JB Sentral

  • Fare / Tickets / Cost: S$1.47 (using the EZ Link pass) or S$2.30 in Cash

    • Senior Citizens $0.88 EZ or $1.30 Cash

    • Students $0.59 EZ or $0.85 Cash

    • Disabled Passengers $1.16 EZ or $2.30 Cash

Through Tuas Checkpoint into Bukit Indah (and Nusajaya)
Note: You must take a BUS into the checkpoint, no Taxi Drop-off / Walk-in at Tuas Checkpoint

• CW3 - Between Jurong East Interchange in Singapore & Larkin Bus Terminal in Malaysia

  • Stops: Tuas Checkpoint (Singapore), CIQ 2nc Link, Gelang Patah Bus Terminal, Taman Bukit Indah, Perling Mall, Taman Tasik

  • Operates: Daily between 6:45 AM - 11:45 PM (schedule varies)

  • Fare / Tickets / Cost: S$4.50 (from Jurong East Interchange)

• CW4 - Between Jurong East Interchange in Singapore & Pontian Bus Terminal in Malaysia

  • Stops: Tuas Checkpoint (Singapore), CIQ 2nc Link, Gelang Patah Bus Terminal

  • Operates: Daily between 7:30 AM - 7:20 PM (schedule varies by location)

  • Fare / Tickets / Cost: S$4.50 + RM 4.20 (from Jurong East Interchg + G. Patah)

• CW4S - Between Jurong East Interchange in Singapore & Sutera Mall in Malaysia

  • Stops: Tuas Checkpoint (Singapore), CIQ 2nc Link, Gelang Patah Bus Terminal, Lima Kedai, Taman Sri Orkid, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah

  • Operates: Refer CW3, CW6 & CW3S (schedule varies by location)

  • Fare / Tickets / Cost: S$4.50 (from Jurong East Interchange)

• CW6 - Between Boon Lay MRT Station in Singapore & Larkin Bus Terminal in Malaysia

  • Stops: Tuas Checkpoint (Singapore), CIQ 2nd Link, Taman Bukit Indah, Giant Nusa Bestari, Taman Tasik

  • Operates: Daily between 7:30 AM and 10:40 PM (every 15-25 minutes)

  • Fare / Tickets / Cost: S$4.50 (from Boon Lay MRT Station)

• CW7 - Between Tuas Link MRT Station in Singapore to Medini Mall (Legoland) in Malaysia

  • Stops: Tuas Checkpoint (Singapore), CIQ 2nd Link (Malaysia)

  • Operates: Daily between 7:30 AM and 11:00 PM (every 15-20 minutes)

  • Fare / Tickets / Cost: S$4.00 (at Tuas Link MRT Station)

Johor Bahru to Singapore Bus

The buses that you’ll want to take to cross the border are the “Causeway Link” buses. You should be able to find these buses at any of the spots listed below. You can also take public bus 950 from Woodlands to JB Sentral (see below).

Through Johor Bahru into Woodlands Checkpoint
Note: You must take a BUS into the checkpoint, no Taxi Drop-off / Walk-in at Woodlands Checkpoint

• CW1 - Between Larkin Bus Terminal in Malaysia & Kranji MRT Station in Singapore

  • Stops: Johor Bahru Customs (Malaysia) & Woodlands Customs (Singapore)

  • Operates: Daily between 4:10 AM and 10:40 PM (every 15-30 minutes)

  • Fare / Tickets / Cost: RM 1.90 (at Larkin Bus Terminal)

• CW2 - Between Larkin Bus Terminal in Malaysia & Queen Street Bus Terminal in Singapore

  • Stops: Johor Bahru Customs (Malaysia) & Woodlands Customs (Singapore)

  • Operates: Daily between 4:00 AM and 11:00 PM (every 15-30 minutes)

  • Fare / Tickets / Cost: RM 3.40 (from Larkin Bus Terminal)

• CW5 - Between Johor Bahru Customs in Malaysia & Newton Circus in Singapore

  • Stops: Woodlands Customs (Singapore)

  • Operates: Daily between 5:00 AM and 10:30 PM (every 20-30 minutes)

  • Fare / Tickets / Cost: RM 3.40 (from Johor Bahru Customs)

• Public Bus 950 - From JB Sentral to Woodlands Temp Int (near Woodlands MRT station)

  • Time: Roughly 47 minutes to arrive at JB Sentral

  • Fare / Tickets / Cost: S$1.51 (using the EZ Link pass) or S$2.30 in Cash

    • Senior Citizens $0.88 EZ or $1.30 Cash

    • Students $0.59 EZ or $0.85 Cash

    • Disabled Passengers $1.19 EZ or $2.30 Cash

Through Bukit Indah (and Nusajaya) into Tuas Checkpoint
Note: You must take a BUS into the checkpoint, no Taxi Drop-off / Walk-in at Tuas Checkpoint

• CW3 - Between Larkin Bus Terminal in Malaysia & Jurong East Interchange in Singapore

  • Stops: Taman Tasik, Perling Mall, Taman Bukit Indah, Gelang Patah Bus Terminal, CIQ 2nc Link, Tuas Checkpoint (Malaysia) & Jurong East Interchange (Singapore)

  • Operates from Perling Mall:

    • Mon-Fri: 4:35 AM - 9:50 PM (varies by schedule)

    • Sat: 4:55 AM - 9:30 PM (varies by schedule)

    • Sun & Public Holiday: 5:00 AM - 9:40 PM (varies by schedule)

  • Operates from Bukit Indah:

    • Mon-Fri: 5:15 AM - 10:00 PM (varies by schedule)

    • Sat, Sun, Public Holiday: 5:20 AM - 10:00 PM (varies by schedule)

  • Fare / Tickets / Cost: RM 5.00 (Bukit Indah) or RM 5.20 (Perling Mall)

• CW4 - Between Pontian Bus Terminal in Malaysia & Jurong East Interchange in Singapore

  • Stops: Gelang Patah Bus Terminal, CIQ 2nc Link, Tuas Checkpoint (Malaysia) & Jurong East Interchange (Singapore)

  • Operates: Daily between 5:30 AM and 7:20 PM (schedule varies by location)

  • Fare / Tickets / Cost: RM 8.00 (Pontian), or S$4.50 + RM 4.20 (Jurong East)

• CW4S - Between Sutera Mall in Malaysia & Jurong East Interchange in Singapore

  • Stops: Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Taman Sri Orkid, Lima Kedai, Gelang Patah Bus Terminal, CIQ 2nc Link, Tuas Checkpoint (Malaysia) & Jurong East Interchange (Singapore)

  • Operates: Daily 4:35-5:55 AM and 2:50-4:50 PM (schedule varies by location)

  • Fare / Tickets / Cost: RM 8.00 (Pontian), or S$4.50 + RM 4.20 (Jurong East)

• CW6 - Between Larkin Bus Terminal in Malaysia & Boon Lay MRT Station in Singapore

  • Stops: Taman Tasik, Giant Nusa Bestari, Taman Bukit Indah, CIQ 2nc Link, Tuas Checkpoint (Malaysia) & Boon Lay MRT Station (Singapore)

  • Operates:

    • Mon-Fri: 5:00 AM - 9:30 PM (every 15-25 minutes)

    • Sat, Sun, Public Holiday: 6:00 AM - 9:10 PM (every 15-20 mins)

  • Fare / Tickets / Cost: RM 5.00 (from Giant Nusa Bestari)

• CW7 - Between Medini Mall (Legoland) in Malaysia to Tuas Link MRT Station in Singapore

  • Stops: CIQ 2nd Link (Malaysia), Tuas Checkpoint (Singapore)

  • Operates: Daily between 5:00 AM and 9:30 PM (every 15-20 minutes)

  • Fare / Tickets / Cost: RM 4.50 (at Medini Mall)

Crossing by Taxi

Taxi services require licenses for both Malaysia and Singapore to cross over the border. Currently, the Grab App does not permit transfer across the border, so an independent taxi service must be requested. When we took BookMyTaxi.My it took us just under 30 minutes to cross the boarder from Nusajaya and 60 minutes total to reach Changi Airport on a Sunday morning. Here are a few of the ones that we have found:

1. Executive Taxi Services - Tourism Malaysia

   • Gunalan @ Mike: Taxi On-Call - Singapore Airport - JB to Singapore

     • WhatsApp or Phone: +60 16-700 6322

     • Email: gunalan5027@gmail.com

2. BookMyTaxi.My

   • Located in Medini / Nusajaya - Singapore / JB Transport Service

     • WhatsApp or Phone: +60 11-2737 8903

     • Easy Website Booking System: https://www.bookmytaxi.sg

     • Prices S$90 - S$200 depending on size of vehicle

       • Price based from Legoland to Changi Airport

3. Using the “GetTransfer” App

   • GetTransfer App allows you to place in your Pick-Up and Drop-Off locations

     • Download from your mobile app store

     • Prices are given as “bid offers” but generally range from about S$120 - S$218 depending on size & type of vehicle

       • Price based from Legoland to Changi Airport

     • Also: VIP (~S$216), Buses (~S$480) & Helicopters

       • Price based from Legoland to Changi Airport

Crossing by Train

The KTM Train runs between JB Sentral, Johor, Malaysia & Woodlands Train Checkpoint, Singapore.
Note: The Train is different from the Singapore MRT and the MRT does not get you to the KTM Train.

The closest that you can get to the Woodlands Checkpoint via MRT is currently at the Woodlands MRT station*. From the Woodlands MRT station, you will need to take bus 911 to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint to go through immigration (you cannot walk in on foot - you must take a bus or special taxi service). This bus takes roughly 14 minutes to arrive at the checkpoint and will cost you S$0.93 (using the EZ Link pass) or S$1.70 in cash (discounts for Senior Citizens [$0.62 EZ / $1.00 Cash], Students [$0.43 EZ / $0.65 Cash], and Disabled Passengers [$0.72 EZ / $1.70 Cash])**.

Additionally, you must arrive at the Woodlands KTM Train at least 30 minutes prior to the departure of your train. The train takes just 5 minutes to arrive at JB SENTRAL.

• Prices (after fees) from Malaysia to Singapore are MYR 6.00 per adult or child (S$2.10)

• Prices (after fees) from Singapore to Malaysia are MYR 20.87 per adult or child (S$7.09)

• There is also a KTM Concession Fare for Students, Senior Citizens and Disabled Passengers.

This train doesn’t just cross the border into Singapore. You can also take it all the way to Kuala Lumpur or even farther to the very Northwest and Northeast border with Thailand.

Once you arrive at the Woodlands Checkpoint in Singapore, you will need to take bus 911 (Woodlands Train Checkpoint) to the Woodlands MRT station to leave the checkpoint area. This bus takes roughly 14 minutes to arrive at the checkpoint and will cost you S$0.93 (using the EZ Link pass) or S$1.70 in cash (discounts for Senior Citizens [$0.62 EZ / $1.00 Cash], Students [$0.43 EZ / $0.65 Cash], and Disabled Passengers [$0.72 EZ / $1.70 Cash])

Once you are at the Woodlands MRT station you can follow the Singapore MRT map to your destination in Singapore (see map below).

*Thomson-East Coast Line is currently being created that will end at Woodlands North.

**Bus 950 (Woodlands Checkpoint) can go all the way from Woodlands Temp Int (bus stop next to Woodlands MRT station) to JB Sentral without the train. If you take the bus all the way, it takes roughly 45 minutes to arrive at JB Sentral and will cost you S$1.47 (using the EZ Link pass) or S$2.30 in cash (Senior Citizen / PWD # $0.88 EZ / $1.30 Cash - Student $0.59 EZ / $0.85 Cash - WTCS # $1.16 EZ / $2.30 Cash)

Important Singapore Customs Information

Three-Quarter Tank Rule

All Singapore-registered motor vehicles MUST HAVE at least 3/4 tank of motor fuel when DEPARTING Singapore. Failure to comply with this rule constitutes an offense! Upon the settlement of the offense, you may have to turn back to top up your fuel if you wish to continue the journey.

Goods & Services Tax (GST) Relief & Payment of Taxes

All goods imported into Singapore are subject to Goods & Services Tax (GST). If you are NOT a crew member OR a holder of a work permit, employment pass, student pass, dependent pass, or long-term pass issued by the Singapore Government - then you will be given GST relief on new articles, souvenirs, gifts, and food preparations intended for your personal use or consumption EXCEPT for intoxicating liquors and tobacco OR goods imported for commercial purposes. The relief amount is based on the duration that you have spent OUTSIDE Singapore prior to arrival (less than 48 hours: S$100 Value of Goods Granted GST Relief. OR 48+ hours: S$500 Value of Goods Granted GST Relief). Goods amounts exceeding the relief limits require Goods & Services Tax to be paid.

Duties and GST can be paid via:

• Customs@SG Mobile App (Google Play OR Apple App Store) and Web Payment

  • Advance declaration and payment of the duty and/or GST before arrival

  • The App will generate an e-receipt that can be stored in your mobile device as proof of declaration and tax payment.

  • You may use the Green Channel

• Singapore Customs Tax Payment Office

The Red & Green Channel

1. Green Channel - Nothing to Declare: Officers may still conduct selective checks at the Green Channel. If in doubt, proceed to the Red Channel.

2. Red Channel - Goods to Declare: Proceed to the Red Channel and declare to the officer if you carry any of the following items (you must produce the controlled goods together with the import permit or authorization form from the relevant authorities):

   • Dutiable or taxable goods exceeding your duty-free concession or GST relief

     • Intoxicating liquors, including spirits, wine, beer, ale, stout, and porter with alcoholic strength by volume exceeding 0.5% AND exceeding your duty-free concession*

     • Tobacco products such as cigarettes (including those marked with “SDPC” and vertical bar markings) and cigars (THERE IS NO DUTY-FREE CONCESSION ON ANY TOBACCO PRODUCTS)**.

     • Motor fuel including motor spirits, diesel products and compressed natural gas (CNG)

   • Controlled or restricted goods (import permit or authorization form required)

     • Medicines & Pharmecutical Products

     • CDs, DVDs, Films & Video Games

     • Animals, Birds, Fishes, Plants & their By-Products

     • Telecommunication & Radio Communication Equipment

     • Handcuffs & Nightsticks

     • Arms & Explosives

   • Prohibited goods (goods that are NOT allowed to be brought into Singapore)

     • Chewing Gum

     • Firecrackers

     • Controlled drugs & psychotropic substances

     • Endangered species of wildlife & their by-products

     • Cigarette lighters of pistol or revolver shape

     • Reproduction of copyright publications, video tapes, video discs, laser discs, records or cassettes

     • Chewing tobacco and any imitation tobacco products such as tobacco-free shisha and e-cigarettes

     • Obscene articles, publications, video tapes/discs & software

     • Seditious & treasonable materials

*Duty Free Liquor Concession: Must meet the following conditions: 18+ years old, spent 48+ hours outside of Singapore before arrival, NOT arriving from Malaysia, the liquor is for your own consumption, the liquor is not a prohibited liquor to import into Singapore. If all conditions are met, you can pass with either of the 5 options below. These options also apply to liquors consumed for health reasons and cooking.
Option A: 1 Litre of Spirits + 1 Litre of Wine
Option B: 1 Litre of Spirits + 1 Litre of Beer
Option C: 1 Litre of Wine + 1 Litre of Beer
Option D: 2 Litres of Wine
Option E: 2 Litres of Beer

**Customs Permit is required to bring in the following goods:
- more than 0.4 kg of cigarettes or other tobacco products
- more than 10 litres of liquor products
- more than 10 litres of motor fuel in a spare container of a motor vehicle
- more than 0.5 kg of investment precious metals for personal use
- goods for trade, commercial or business purposes in which the GST payable exceeds S$300
- goods clearly marked as trade samples (excluding liquor and tobacco products) the value on which exceeds S$400.

Looking to book a trip in Singapore and want to make it a bit easier? Consider the 4-day / 3-night Singapore City Stay tour - which includes pickup and drop-off at your arrival point, hotel stay for 3 nights, and unlimited travel on the SIA Hop-on Hop-off bus, plus access to more than 20 great deals for attractions such as Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Cable Car, Singapore River Cruise and more.

We also recommend trying the Original Singapore Duck Tour which tours you through the city streets, as well as through Marina Bay, to see all of Singapore’s highlights.

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