Travelling From Singapore To JB? 13 Tips We're Not Gatekeeping

Singaporeans love going to Johor Bahru (JB). Whether for delicious food options, shopping or an affordable getaway, there is always something to do there. Plus, with the new addition of the E-Gate, waiting times at JB customs are no longer a hassle and customs can be cleared as quickly as under five minutes! 

As lazy savvy people who go to JB frequently, we’ve definitely gotten smarter about things to do there and how to plan the most hassle-free trip. So if you’re planning a getaway trip that gives you ample time to sleep while maximising your time, here are some must-know tips when travelling from Singapore to JB for the most efficient trip.

1. Know the peak hours when travelling to JB

Frequent JB travellers would likely know this one. The peak hours for commuting to JB are a bit different from the regular peak hours in Singapore. It’s dependent on the time most Johorians who work in Singapore commute to get to work, especially those who do shift work. Generally, avoid going to Johor between 7am to 9am because the 12-hour night shift typically ends at 7am, so Johorians will be commuting home at that time. Friday nights are also usually quite crowded, as Johorians who live in Singapore usually take the opportunity to go home for the weekend. And of course, public holidays.

2. Use AirAsia Ride instead of Grab for transport

While Grab prices in JB are already very affordable, AirAsia Ride can offer even lower prices than Grab! And the price difference can actually be quite significant sometimes, with prices going for over 50% cheaper. AirAsia does have price surges as well, but in our experience, AirAsia Rides are still more affordable than Grab. The cars and service are the same as Grab and frankly, there’s not much difference other than the fact that the waiting times for Grab might still be a little shorter. Overall, if you’re looking to stretch that dollar, AirAsia Ride is definitely worth a shot.

3. KKday eSIM for data as cheap as $0.59

If you’re an avid traveller, you might have tried getting cheaper eSIMs from places like Shopee, Lazada or even Klook. While these platforms are equally affordable, we personally avoid them as they usually do not have access to social media platforms like TikTok, which unfortunately makes up a large portion of our screen time. 

KKday however, is an affordable eSIM option that doesn’t ban any social media platforms while being extremely convenient. If you’re the type to (we’re guilty) go to JB without any preparation, the KKday eSIM is perfect for any last-minute data purchase, even if you are already right at the checkpoint. 

Prices start at $0.59 for 500MB and vary depending on the selected limit. To purchase them, download the KKday app and select the Unlimited Data eSIM for Malaysia package. 

Download the app from Apple or Android. 

4. Travel cash-free with Touch ‘n Go

Don't think you need to bother exchanging currency for your JB trips because you think a multi-currency card on your phone is enough for everything? Well, that was me until I found myself stuck with no way to pay for my taxi fare. Save yourself the trouble by downloading the Touch ‘n Go app which is basically Malaysia’s version of Paynow. Make sure to set it up in Singapore before you go as the registration uses your Singapore phone number! 

Touch ‘n Go can be used in most places: malls, eateries, petrol stations, and hawkers. But with that being said, not every shop has it and spots that are more old-school or secluded definitely require cash. There’s also a small currency exchange charge that will differ according to which cards you use to top-up your Touch ‘n Go. 

Download the app from Apple or Android.

5. Avoid JB East Coast Pkway during peak hours

Try not to head towards the Permas Jaya area during the peak period at around 6pm! I made the mistake of going to AEON mall during this time and what was supposed to be a 15-minute car ride turned into an hour. According to my driver, this area is always heavily jammed due to how the four-way junction was constructed. 

But if you’re dead set on heading into this area, do yourself a favour and plan your trip during off-peak hours. Better yet, why not skip AEON mall entirely and visit Mid Valley Southkey which boasts an equal amount of shopping, entertainment and dining options minus the traffic jam?

6. Choose the right hotel for better convenience

For convenience, pick a hotel connected to the mall so you don’t have to lug your shopping buys over a distance. What’s better than that? Finding a mall that is not only near a hotel, but also has a slew of activities for kids! One of our favourite hotels to stay at is Hyatt Place, and it has direct access to Paradigm Mall. The mall’s top floor is basically for families and kids, and you can find indoor playgrounds (similar to Superpark) and a skating rink. You can even maximise your time by having your husband skate with the kids, while you buy “essential” household decor at Kaison (this is like Daiso on steroids) and homeware store Romantika. If your kid aspires to be the next Max Verstappen, he might enjoy the KF Kiddy Circuit @ Southkey Mid Valley. The shopping centre is connected to St Giles Southkey Hotel, and a short distance from Opero Hotel Southkey.

7. Or go for Airbnbs that are situated in malls

Alternatively, try Airbnbs. After staying in so many different Airbnbs in JB, the ones that we always gravitate towards are the ones situated in malls with late-night food options or a 24-hour convenience store. If you’re travelling with children, it is always better to have access to convenience stores in case you need any emergency supplies such as plasters, flu and cold medicine, or even water. And if the little ones are hungry at night, there will also be food options available for them. 

And sure, hotels like Capri by Fraser have their perks –  room service, hotel breakfasts, and a (usually) nicer aesthetic. But this also comes with a price tag that doubles your travelling budget. However, if you still want amenities such as the gym, swimming pools and other entertainment areas, AirBnbs like Shama Suasana offers these amenities as well, at the cost of a regular Airbnb in JB.

8. Choose Airbnbs that allow for late checkout

The usual checkout time for most Airbnb is 11am – fairly reasonable for most people. But for others who love their beauty sleep or simply need more time to get ready, a late checkout would definitely make things less hectic. Late checkout timings for Airbnbs in JB are usually pretty affordable, ranging from 20 to 50RM per hour. But do make sure to check with your hosts before checking out late as they might be preparing for another guest’s stay!

9. Don’t bring in Kyochon or Marrybrown chicken from Malaysia

We all love our fried chicken, but those wings might get you into legal trouble. It is illegal to bring in meat, including frozen meat, unless you get a proper license. This regulation was put in place to prevent unapproved imports that could carry diseases. You can check this list of countries from which you can bring meat in, and Malaysia is not one of them. Other prohibited non-food items include firecrackers or fireworks, vaping products, and weapons, including replicas. Yes, that includes the kitchen knife you bought at Daiso.

10. Cross the border the night before to fully maximise your day trip

Waking up early in the morning for a full-day trip can already be quite exhausting for adults, not to mention your little kiddos. To prevent any morning tantrums or the possibility of being stuck in a queue, consider crossing the border the night before your planned day trip. This way, the whole family gets enough rest and nobody is too tired or grumpy to enjoy the day. Plus, there are also family-friendly activities that are open till late at night! Some activities to consider include bowling, video game room, Pak Game @ Loud Speaker, or late-night movie screenings. 

Pak Game @ Loud Speaker is located at 135, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/2, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.

11. Join Telegram apps or Facebook groups to check on human traffic

Hate being stuck in crowds? Us too. Consider tracking the human traffic at the checkpoints before crossing over at this Telegram group: https://t.me/customhumantraffic. With over 30,000 members in the group, simply send a text for a live update of the checkpoint or keep a look out for the latest updates.

12. Skip the queues at the bus terminals from JB customs to Woodlands checkpoint

It’s time to head home now! The queues at the bus terminals from JB customs back to Singapore are usually the most crowded ones. Even if you were lucky enough to breeze through customs, the bus terminals are almost always crowded and hot. Not many people know this, but there is a bus queue that always has the shortest queue with the least number of passengers on the bus.

To find this specific bus queue, look for a zebra crossing after coming down from the escalator at Platform A. Cross the road and make your way to the other side, ignoring the queue for private buses. After that, turn right and continue walking straight all the way until you see the queue for bus 950. Congratulations, now you can board the bus easily without squeezing with a million other people.

13. Be careful about taking private car service

When you’re tired from shopping, it’s tempting to want to take a car back to Singapore so you don’t have to board and alight a few times at the immigration checkpoints. However, before you say yes to the uncles repeating “Lai, Singapore, lai!”, it’s important to find out whether they are licensed to provide cross-border services. Of course, asking the uncles might not be the best idea, so it might be easier to find licensed companies online. Some companies even put up ads in the shopping centres in Johor to advertise their services, so keep an eye out for those. If the drivers at CIQ have the necessary license, do clarify the price before boarding, because they usually charge by headcount, and not per car. If you don’t have a party of four, you might need to share the car with a stranger.

This article was originally published on Dec 29, 2024 and updated on July 24, 2025.