Private Car vs Bus vs Train to Johor Bahru: Which is Best?

Private Car vs Bus vs Train to Johor Bahru: Which is Best?

Getting from Singapore to Johor Bahru is one of the most travelled routes in Southeast Asia — and one of the most frequently asked questions among Singapore residents and visitors alike. The options are genuinely good but each one suits a different type of trip, budget, and group size. This guide cuts through the noise and tells you honestly which option works best for your situation.

For a full breakdown of the JB crossing process, border tips, and what to do once you are there, read our complete Singapore to Johor Bahru guide.

Private Car vs Bus vs Train to Johor Bahru

Option 1: Private Car or Rental Car

Cost: SGD 80 to 350+ per day depending on vehicle class, plus RM20 road charge and Malaysian tolls Time: 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on queue times Best for: Families, groups of 3 or more, those exploring beyond JB city centre

Driving across the border gives you the most flexibility of any option. You choose your departure time, your crossing point — either the Johor-Singapore Causeway at Woodlands or the Second Link at Tuas — and your itinerary on the Malaysian side. Nobody else's schedule affects yours.

The Second Link is consistently less congested than the Causeway, particularly on weekends and public holidays. If you are driving, always consider the Second Link first unless your destination in JB specifically favours the Causeway route.

• What you need to know before driving:

If you are taking your own Singapore-registered car, your VEP must be registered and the RFID tag installed before you cross. Enforcement has been strict since July 2025 — a RM300 fine applies and you cannot exit Malaysia without paying it. Ensure your Touch 'n Go card has sufficient balance for the RM20 road charge, which is cashless only.

• The three-quarter tank rule

applies to all Singapore-registered vehicles — your tank must be at least three-quarters full when you exit Singapore at the checkpoint. This is actively enforced.

If you are renting a car, confirm your rental operator explicitly permits cross-border travel and that the vehicle has a valid VEP before you drive off the lot. Not all rental companies allow Malaysia trips — check before booking.

• For groups: 

A rental car for a day trip to JB typically costs SGD 80 to 130 for an economy vehicle. Split four ways that is SGD 20 to 33 per person — competitive with the bus once you factor in the flexibility and door-to-door convenience.

Option 2: Licensed Cross-Border Taxi

Cost: SGD 60 per taxi one way, or SGD 15 per person Time: 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on border queues Best for: Solo travellers and small groups who want a direct trip without driving

Licensed cross-border taxis are the only legal point-to-point taxi service between Singapore and Malaysia. They operate from two fixed terminals — Ban San Street Terminal in Singapore near Bugis, and Larkin Sentral Terminal in JB.

Singapore taxis pick up anywhere in Singapore but must drop passengers at Larkin Sentral in JB. From Larkin you take a Grab to your final destination. Malaysian taxis work in reverse — pick up only at Ban San Street, drop anywhere in JB.

Fixed fares apply: SGD 60 per taxi regardless of passenger count, or SGD 15 per person if sharing. For two passengers the per-taxi fare works out to SGD 30 each — reasonable for the convenience. For a solo traveller the SGD 60 flat rate makes this the most expensive per-person option.

Important: Private hire vehicles including Grab, Gojek, and any sedan, SUV, or MPV that is not a licensed cross-border taxi cannot legally carry passengers across the border for hire or reward. This applies to Singapore-registered and Malaysian-registered PHVs alike. If you use an unlicensed vehicle and there is an accident, you have no insurance coverage. The driver risks fines of up to SGD 3,000 or six months' jail under Singapore's Road Traffic Act.

Option 3: Public Bus

Cost: SGD 3.50 to 5.00 each way Time: 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on immigration queues Best for: Budget travellers, solo trips, those travelling light

The public bus is the cheapest way to cross and is perfectly comfortable for most journeys. Two main operators — Causeway Link and Transtar — run regular services throughout the day from Queen Street Bus Terminal and Woodlands Checkpoint directly into JB Sentral.

The process: board the bus in Singapore, disembark at Singapore immigration for clearance, reboard the same bus, cross the Causeway, disembark again at Malaysian immigration, reboard and continue to JB Sentral. The bus waits for all passengers at each immigration stop — you will not be left behind.

During peak periods the immigration queues can stretch to 1.5 to 2 hours — this is the bus's main limitation. If you are crossing on a Friday evening or the eve of a Malaysian public holiday, the bus can take considerably longer than a car that uses the Second Link.

Practical tip: Bring small change for the exact fare if paying cash. Most buses accept EZ-Link and contactless payment but cash is a reliable fallback. Luggage storage on buses is limited — the bus is most practical for day trips with minimal bags.

Option 4: KTM Shuttle Train

Cost: Around SGD 5 each way Time: 5 minutes on the train, plus immigration processing time at both ends Best for: Those who want to avoid road congestion entirely, relaxed solo travellers

The KTM Shuttle Tebrau runs between Woodlands Train Checkpoint and JB Sentral. The train itself takes just five minutes — it is one of the shortest international rail journeys in the world. The total time from clearing Singapore immigration to arriving at JB Sentral is typically 30 to 45 minutes, making this the most consistent option in terms of journey time since the train is unaffected by road congestion.

The limitation is frequency — trains do not run as frequently as buses and the schedule is fixed. Check the KTM timetable before planning your trip and book tickets in advance online during peak periods. The last train back to Singapore typically departs JB Sentral in the early evening — confirm your return time before crossing.

The train station at Woodlands is accessible via MRT — take the North-South Line to Woodlands station, then it is a short walk to the checkpoint. This makes the train a particularly convenient option if you are based in the north of Singapore.

Head to Head Comparison

Option	Cost (per person)	Journey Time	Flexibility	Best For
Private car (own)	RM20 road charge + fuel	45 min – 2 hrs	Highest	Families, frequent crossers
Rental car	SGD 20–80/person/day	45 min – 2 hrs	High	Groups of 3–4, day trips
Cross-border taxi	SGD 15–60	45 min – 2 hrs	Medium	Solo, small groups
Public bus	SGD 3.50–5.00	45 min – 2 hrs	Low	Budget travellers
KTM train	~SGD 5	30–45 min	Low	Avoiding road congestion

Comparison Table: Private Car vs Bus vs Train to Johor Bahru

Which Should You Choose?

• Travelling as a family or group of 3 or more 

Private car or rental car. The cost per person becomes competitive and you get full flexibility on timing and itinerary. Use the Second Link to avoid Causeway queues.

• Solo traveller on a budget 

Public bus from Woodlands or Queen Street. SGD 4 each way, perfectly comfortable, and you arrive directly at JB Sentral.

• Solo traveller who wants door-to-door service 

Cross-border taxi from Ban San Street. More expensive but no transfers needed in Singapore before you cross.

Avoiding Friday evening traffic 

KTM train. Fixed journey time regardless of road conditions — the most predictable option when the Causeway and Second Link are congested.

Travelling with young children or heavy luggage 

Private car or rental car. Managing luggage and children through bus immigration stops is stressful. A car removes that entirely.

Spontaneous trip with no planning 

Bus. No booking required, frequent departures, just turn up and go.

For everything you need to know about the JB crossing — border process, what to do, exchange rates, and duty free rules — read our complete Singapore to Johor Bahru guide. Browse all our curated transport picks on the Travel & Transport Singapore page.