Taking the public bus to Johor Bahru

I’ll admit it – I’m a passenger princess. I can’t drive to save my life. But does that mean I can’t join every other Singaporean driving across the border to JB for the weekend? Heck nah. The lovely city across the strait is well worth figuring out how to get to Johor Bahru by bus.

If you’re a fellow cheapo, here’s how to make the trip across the Causeway for under $2, so you can go as often as your heart – and wallet – desires. Believe it or not, taking the Singapore public bus is the most cost-effective way to get to Johor Bahru, and we’ll show you exactly how to do it.

Is it better to take the train or bus to JB?

While the KTM Shuttle Tebrau train is commonly said to be the “best” way to cross the border, there’s one big caveat: you need to be able to lock down your tickets in advance. Now, if you’re a last-minute planner and the idea of booking 12 weeks in advance is a no-go, then buses are definitely the more practical choice.

There are several SG to JB bus services from Causeway Link to Transtar but today we’re breaking down the process of taking the SMRT/SBS buses a.k.a the most affordable option.

Start at Woodlands Interchange

Woodlands Interchange is where many Singaporeans begin their journey to the wondrous land of lok lok and massages. We consider this a great starting point because there are plenty of shops and amenities in the area, including money changers, snack stores and supermarkets – for those who need to grab any last-minute supplies.

You can also find fairly clean toilets within the bus interchange to hit the loo.

The “best” bus: SMRT 950

There are plenty of buses that depart from Woodlands Interchange and you’ll see that the most popular one is SMRT 950. 950 takes you right to Woodlands Checkpoint instead of Woodlands Train Checkpoint. The key difference is that the former has a slightly shorter walking distance to customs after you alight.

To board bus 950, head to Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange. This is located on the ground floor. Don’t confuse this with Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub (ITH) in the air-conditioned basement area where a lot of the other buses go.

950 serves so many travellers that an entire berth is dedicated to the bus. 

The bus is expected to come once every 10-15 minutes which we found to be fairly accurate. Although there were quite a few people in line, we managed to get on board within 20 minutes.

P.S. If you want to dodge the crowds, we have a few alternative buses you can try rounded up below.

Just like all other SBS and SMRT buses, you can use your EZ-Link card or SimplyGo to board.

Alight when you see Woodlands Checkpoint

When you see the building with the massive sign “Woodlands Checkpoint”, that’s your sign to alight. Everyone else on the bus will be getting off as well.

Note: Take all your bags with you and don’t leave anything on the bus. This isn’t like the tour buses you take to Genting with your ahgong ahma.

Head up the escalator and you’ll be at the Singapore customs. Getting through is usually pretty quick as there are plenty of e-gates, with some lanes dedicated to Singaporean travellers. You’ll also want to consider heading to the right side of the hall where ICA often opens up additional lanes during peak periods.

After clearing customs, head down the escalators and turn left to find the SBS/SMRT bus lanes.

There’s a toilet here too if you gotta hit the loo again.

You can board any of the SBS or SMRT buses here to cross the causeway. Contrary to what the blue signboards might seem to indicate, all the lanes are the same, so you just need to join the shortest-looking queue.

The buses can be a bit of a wait during peak hours. Now’s a good time to yap with your travel buddy or listen to music. When it’s your turn to board, be sure to tap the same EZ-Link or SimplyGo card.

The good news is that once you hop on board again, the drive is typically pretty smooth. You’ll be at the Malaysia customs in no time at all provided no other drivers decide to be a goodu  – *deep breathing* –  and hog the bus lane.

Alight to clear Malaysia customs

Here, you’ll be on Malaysian soil, so make sure your travel e-sims are activated!

Alight with everyone else at the Malaysian customs. Sometimes, bus drivers let passengers off ahead of the actual drop off point if there’s congestion in the bus lanes.

Some great news for everyone who hates waiting in line: Since the implementation of additional Malaysia e-gates in early 2025, going through the JB customs is usually a breeze – even on weekends.

Singaporeans can use these e-gates without prior registration and they are located on both ends the hall. Tip: The left side has more e-gates!

Once you’re through customs, walk straight and turn left at the minimart to go to City Square Mall or JB Sentral – where you can take buses to other parts of JB.

Bus fare: For the journey between Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange to JB Checkpoint, my card was charged S$1.85. This is slightly different from the S$1.50 stated on the LTA Fare Calculator. It’s possible that transfers might have affected the prices – either way, both fares are under S$2 and very much still affordable.

Less-crowded alternative buses to JB

Alternative 1: SMRT Bus 856, 856A, 903, 911 & 911T from Woodlands ITH

Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub.

If the 950 queue is looking a little too long on your day of visit, you might want to consider some of these other buses from the nearby Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub.

All are comparable alternatives to 950, except you drop off at Woodlands Train Checkpoint instead. Thereafter, simply walk down the only path, past the KTM train queue, and you’ll be at the Singapore customs in about 5 minutes.

After you clear the Singapore customs, you can board any SBS or SMRT bus to continue your journey across the causeway.

Bus fare (856, 856A, 903, 911 & 911): S$1.50
According to the LTA Fare calculator for adult fares.

Alternative 2: SBS Bus 160, 170, 170x & 178 from Kranji MRT

You can also take SBS 160,170, 178 (from Opp Kranji Station) and 170x (from Kranji Station) – all of which are fairly popular options. Some people prefer departing from this MRT station since it’s generally less chaotic than Woodlands Interchange.

It’s worth noting that some of the buses here will be arriving from other parts of Singapore, like Queens Street and Boon Lay, so there’s a chance your bus might be full when it’s time for you to board.

170x would be your best bet here since it’s the first stop of its route and it arrives as frequently as once every 2 minutes during peak hours.

Bus fare (160, 170): S$1.50
Bus fare (170x): S$1.40
Bus fare (178): S$1.19
According to the LTA Fare calculator for adult fares. 

Which is the best bus service to JB?

Our take is that Woodlands Interchange is the ideal starting point. It offers more bus options, convenient amenities like snack shops and money changers, and a better setup if you need to make any last-minute purchases. If you prefer less walking, Bus 950 is your best bet. Just be prepared for longer queues and switch to alternate buses if needed.

However, many of our friends have different preferences, with many also preferring 170x from Kranji MRT. Ultimately, all the SBS and SMRT options are extremely affordable and accessible so any bus will be fine if you’re not picky about the nitty gritty.

Should I take Causeway Link or SBS/SMRT buses?

Choose SMRT/SBS if you are: Budget conscious and travelling during peak hours.

Choose Causeway Link if you are: A late-night traveller and prefer to depart from more central parts of Singapore like Queens Street and Newton.

It’s worth noting that for the journey back from JB to Singapore, Causeway Link buses are generally cheaper since they are priced in Ringgit.

Read our full Causeway Link bus breakdown and experience.

How to get to Johor Bahru from Singapore via public buses

Getting to JB is fairly easy – you don’t need a car or KTM train booking to make it work, especially in 2025. There are plenty of buses available, plus human traffic at the Malaysia customs flows more smoothly now. So, go out there and get your cafe hopping, massage, and dim sum fix!

If you’re worried about feeling overwhelmed, tag along with someone who’s been through the journey before. Also, always make sure you activate your travel SIM cards before you cross the causeway so you’ll be able to Google your answers away if any problems arise.

More JB travel guides:

• Using a QR code to cross the Causeway
• Best timings to visit JB
• Things to do near JB causeway
• JB public transport guide
• 1-Day JB itinerary 

Photography by Andrea Wong.