Taking a quick weekend trip across the Causeway is practically a Singaporean national pastime. Who doesn't love the idea of hopping over the border for a day of cafe hopping, cheap massages, and late-night lok lok? When you are craving a quick getaway, it sounds like a dream.
However, you don't need to own a car or pay exorbitant private hire fees to make the trip. Taking the bus from Singapore to Johor Bahru is by far the most cost-effective method of travel. But figuring out the cross-border bus system can feel a bit overwhelming if you haven't done it recently. With multiple operators, different checkpoints, and varying payment methods, it pays to know your route before you leave the house.
This guide breaks down exactly which buses go to Johor Bahru, how much they cost, and where you can catch them.
Which public buses go from Singapore to JB via Woodlands?
The Woodlands Checkpoint (the Causeway) is the most popular route for getting into JB Sentral. SBS Transit and SMRT operate several public bus routes that take you directly to the immigration checkpoints. These are the cheapest options available, with fares coming in at under S$2.00.
Here are the primary public bus routes you can take:
SMRT 950: This bus departs from the Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange and goes straight to the Woodlands Checkpoint. The fare is approximately S$1.85. Because it has a dedicated berth and drops you off very close to the immigration halls, SMRT 950 is arguably the most popular public bus for this route.
SBS 170X: If you prefer to start your journey slightly away from the Woodlands crowds, you can catch SBS 170X from Kranji MRT station. This bus arrives very frequently (sometimes every two minutes during peak hours) and costs roughly S$1.28.
SBS 160: This route starts at the Jurong Town Hall Interchange and makes its way through Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang before crossing the Causeway.
SBS 170: For those starting closer to the city centre, SBS 170 departs from the Queen Street Terminal and travels along Bukit Timah before hitting the Woodlands Checkpoint.
Which Causeway Link buses go to Johor Bahru?
Causeway Link is a private Malaysian bus operator easily identified by its bright yellow buses. Causeway Link operates several cross-border routes that serve both the Woodlands Checkpoint and the Tuas Second Link.
While slightly more expensive than SBS Transit or SMRT, Causeway Link buses offer great connectivity and faster routes from central locations.
Causeway Link CW1: Departs from Kranji MRT and goes to JB CIQ via Woodlands. The fare is S$2.60.
Causeway Link CW2: Departs from Queen Street Terminal and goes directly to JB CIQ. The fare is S$4.80. Notably, Causeway Link CW2 is the only cross-border bus service that operates 24 hours a day.
Causeway Link CW3: If you want to avoid the Causeway traffic and head straight to Bukit Indah or Perling Mall, CW3 departs from Jurong East Interchange and crosses via the Tuas Second Link. The fare is S$5.00.
Causeway Link CW5: Departs from Newton Circus and crosses via Woodlands, costing S$4.60.
Causeway Link CW6: Departs from Boon Lay and crosses via the Tuas Second Link for S$5.00.
Should I take SBS Transit, SMRT, or Causeway Link?
Deciding which bus to take depends entirely on your budget, your starting location, and the time of day you are travelling.
Choose SBS Transit or SMRT public buses if keeping costs as low as possible matters more than premium comfort, or if you are travelling during regular daytime hours. Choose Causeway Link if you are travelling late at night, or if you want a direct route from the city centre (like Queen Street) without numerous public bus stops along the way.
Here is a quick comparison table to help you decide:
What is the step-by-step process for crossing the border?
Riding a cross-border bus requires a little more active participation than a standard bus ride. You cannot just fall asleep at Kranji and wake up in JB Sentral.
Here is exactly how the process works:
Board the bus in Singapore: Tap your EZ-Link, SimplyGo, or ManjaLink card when you board the bus at your starting point.
Alight at the Singapore Checkpoint: When the bus arrives at either Woodlands Checkpoint or Tuas Checkpoint, you must take all your belongings and alight. Tap out with your card.
Clear Singapore Customs: Walk through the immigration hall and clear Singapore customs using the automated gates.
Re-board the bus: Head down to the bus bays. If you took an SBS Transit or SMRT bus, you can board any SBS Transit or SMRT bus that pulls up—you do not have to wait for the exact same bus number. Tap your card again; the system will register it as a continuous journey. If you took Causeway Link, you must board a Causeway Link bus.
Alight at the Malaysia Checkpoint: The bus will drive across the bridge. Alight again at the Sultan Iskandar CIQ Complex (JB CIQ) or Sultan Abu Bakar CIQ Complex (Tuas).
Clear Malaysia Customs: Proceed through Malaysian immigration. Once you clear customs, you are officially in Johor Bahru. You can walk straight into City Square Mall or take a local bus to your final destination.
Ready for your next weekend trip to Johor Bahru?
Getting a bus to JB is incredibly easy once you understand how the routes operate. You save money, skip the stress of driving in heavy traffic, and get to spend your extra cash on delicious food and shopping.
Pack your bags, grab your passport, make sure your EZ-Link card is topped up, and head to your nearest bus interchange. The incredible food scene in Johor Bahru is just a quick bus ride away.
Frequently asked questions about buses to JB
How much does it cost to take the bus to JB?
Fares depend on the operator. Public buses run by SBS Transit and SMRT cost between S$1.28 and S$1.85 per trip. Private express buses run by Causeway Link cost between S$2.60 and S$5.00 when departing from Singapore. Fares returning from Malaysia are typically cheaper as they are charged in Malaysian Ringgit (RM).
How do I pay for the bus from Singapore to JB?
For SBS Transit and SMRT buses, you can pay using your EZ-Link card, SimplyGo, NETS, or a contactless Visa/Mastercard. For Causeway Link buses, you can pay using a ManjaLink card, EZ-Link, Visa, or exact cash.
Are there any 24-hour buses to Johor Bahru?
Yes. The Causeway Link CW2 bus operates 24 hours a day. It departs from the Queen Street Terminal in Singapore and drops passengers off at the JB CIQ via the Woodlands Checkpoint.
Can I change bus operators at the immigration checkpoint?
You can switch between SBS Transit and SMRT buses at the checkpoints without being charged for a new trip, as they share the public transport fare system. However, you cannot switch between a public bus and a Causeway Link bus without paying a separate fare.
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