What are the travel requirements to enter Malaysia from Singapore?
Malaysia has lifted all COVID era requirements and restrictions for all travelers entering Malaysia.
To enter Malaysia from Singapore by land (Johor Bahru) or by air (any airports in Malaysia), you just need the following:
- A passport with at least 6 months validity
- A visa (if you require one, not required for Singaporeans entering Malaysia)
- Properly set-up Mysejahtera mobile app and verify vaccination status (travelers can download the app but it is no longer a strict requirement)
How to setup MySejahtera and verify your vaccination status on MySejahtera
- Download MySejahtera mobile app (TraceTogether equivalent in Malaysia) and create an account using either email or mobile number.
- Retrieve your digital COVID-19 certificate. If you had your vaccination in Singapore, request your vaccination HealthCert using SingPass. A series of QR codes will be sent to your registered email.
- Register an account at MySafeTravel portal and stay logged on
- Enter your personal and travel information (point of entry, name, date of birth, passport number, email, vaccination country) via this link
- At the last step, verify your vaccination by either uploading your the QR code image in your vaccination certificate or scan the QR code using a mobile phone. We highly recommend the latter.
- You will receive an email (almost instantly) informing you whether the verification is successful or not. If it is not successful, simply go back to the application status an repeat step 5 above.
- Upon successful verification, it may take up to 2 days for your vaccination status to be updated on MySejahtera.
Is Mysejahtera still needed for travellers entering JB and Malaysia?
It is no longer a strict requirement to download and activate MySejahtera.
The Malaysian government’s MySafeTravel portal has advised travelers to download and activate the app before or after traveling to Malaysia as your COVID-19 risk status may be checked when entering some premises. However, there are no reports of such checks in Malaysia anymore.
What are the transport options to travel from Singapore to JB?
- Public Bus from Singapore to JB
- Singapore Bus Operators
- 160 – Jurong East Interchange to JB Sentral Bus Terminal
- 170 – Queen Street Terminal to Larkin Terminal
- 170X – Opposite Kranji MRT station to JB Sental Bus Terminal
- 950 – Woodlands Temp Bus Interchange to Johor Bahru Checkpoint
- TS1 – Changi Airport to Johor Bahru CIQ via Woodlands Checkpoint
- TS3 – Marina Square to Johor Bahru CIQ via Woodlands Checkpoint
- TS6 – Buona Vista to Gelang Patah Sentral via Tuas Checkpoint
- TS8 – Resort World Sentosa to Johor Bahru CIQ via Woodlans Checkpoint
- Malaysia Bus Operators
- CW1 – JB Custom to Kranji MRT Station
- CW2 – JB Custom to Queen Street Terminal
- This route will operate 24 hours from 1 August 2022. However, cashless payments will not be accepted for midnight service.
- CW3 – Perling Mall to Jurong East Interchange
- CW4S – Sutera Mall to Jurong East Interchange
- CW5 – JB Custom to Newton Circus
- CW6 – Perling Mall to Boon Lay Way Bus Stop
- CW7 – CIQ second link to Opposite Tuas Link MRT Station
- Singapore Bus Operators
- Shuttle Train from Singapore to JB
- Take KTM Shuttle Tebrau train service from Woodlands [Map] to JB Sentral [Map].
- SGD 5 / trip from Singapore to JB. MYR 5 / trip from JB to Singapore.
- Each trip can transport up to 320 passengers with a travel time of 5 minutes. The train frequency is 30 minutes.
- Ticket bookings can be made online via KTM Berhad’s KITS online system or physically at the counters.
- Note: From 1 August 2022, the gate will open 40 minutes before departure time and close 20 minutes before departure time. Arrive early to avoid missing the train.
- Taxis or Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) within Singapore to Woodlands Checkpoint only
- Take Taxi, Grab or GoJek to the checkpoint and walk to the Singapore immigration counters
- Drop off at Woodlands Checkpoint [Map]
- After clearing the immigration process, take one of the Singapore public buses to cross over to the Malaysian immigration complex.
- Cross Border Taxis from Singapore to JB
- Take one of the 240 approved taxis from Queen Street Taxi Terminal [Map] to Larkin Taxi Terminal in Johor Bahru [Map]
- SGD 48 per taxi / trip (authorities are in process of reviewing price adjustment to SGD 15 per person or SGD 60 per taxi / trip)
- Note: Taxis at this terminal are licensed to offer cross border services. It is illegal for unlicensed taxis and PHVs to offer cross border service. Penalty is a fine up to SGD 3000, jail term of up to 6 months, and possibility of vehicle being forfeited.
- Private vehicles from Singapore to JB
- If you are driving a Singapore-registered vehicle into peninsula Malaysia, you will need to have a Vehicle Entry Permit before you are allowed to drive across the border. Click here for more details about obtaining the permit.
- For each entry into peninsula Malaysia, each vehicle will be charged a fee of MYR 20.00.
How to avoid queues at JB checkpoint?
Choose the date and time of departure and return wisely
The two Johor ICQS complexes Johor Bahru ICQS and Sultan Abu Bakar ICQS have resumed 24 hours operations since 1 April 2022. Woodlands checkpoint and Tuas checkpoint in Singapore are also operating 24 hours now. As such, choosing the right hours for to depart and return is key to avoid joining unnecessary queues at the checkpoints.
As a casual traveler going to JB for a short break or holiday from Singapore, it will be best to avoid the peak hours below if you do not want to be involved in long snaking queues at the custom.
There are two large groups of travelers that usually crowd the immigration and custom counters:
- Weekdays – Mondays to Fridays: Malaysian workers and students commuting daily to Singapore
- Hundreds of thousands of Malaysians cross the border into Singapore daily to attend school and work. To avoid this crowd, refrain from:
- Departing from Malaysia to Singapore between 5:00am to 8:30am
- Return from Singapore to Malaysia between 5:30pm to 9:00pm
- Hundreds of thousands of Malaysians cross the border into Singapore daily to attend school and work. To avoid this crowd, refrain from:
- Weekends – Saturdays and Sundays: Singaporeans visiting JB over weekends with family and friends for social activities
- Thousands of Singaporeans go to JB on a day trip to enjoy good food, top up petrol, buy groceries, get a haircut and engage in a myriad of social activities with family and friends. To avoid this crowd, refrain from:
- Depart from Singapore to Malaysia between 8:30am to 1:00pm
- Return from Malaysia to Singapore between 4:30pm to 9:00pm
- Thousands of Singaporeans go to JB on a day trip to enjoy good food, top up petrol, buy groceries, get a haircut and engage in a myriad of social activities with family and friends. To avoid this crowd, refrain from:
Use the automated e-gates
Singaporeans who are MACS holders may submit MDAC and enroll yourself to use the automated e-gates and skip the queues at the immigration counter. Read the requirements and how to apply here.
Where to get early breakfast near JB customs?
The two major malls adjacent to the JB cutoms, City Square and JBCC, open only at 10:00am. If you arrive in JB earlier than 10:00am and are looking for early breakfast, just take a 5 to 10 minutes walk to the shophouses nearby. We have compiled a few options for you below:
- Reaz Corner (Indian Muslim – Halal)
- Operating Hours: 24 hour
- Location: 23 Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 [Map]
- Signature Dishes: Nasi Kandar, Roti Prata (Roti Canai), Teh Tarik
- JB Vegetarian Stall (Chinese – Vegetarian)
- Operating Hours: 6am to 3pm daily
- Location: 98 Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 [Map]
- Signature Dishes: Vegetarian economic rice
- Kedai Kopi Xuu Yau 品苑云吞面 (Chinese – Wantan Noodles)
- Operating Hours: 6:30am to 2:30pm daily, except Wednesday
- Location: 54, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 [Map]
- Signature Dishes: Wonton noodle, Fish ball soup
- Warung Pokok Cherry (Malay – Halal)
- Operating Hours: 7am to 10pm daily
- Location: Jalan Dato Dalam, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 [Map]
- Signature Dishes: Grilled fish, Kelantanese economic rice
- Johor Bahru Kam Long Curry Fish Head (Chinese – Curry Fish Head)
- Operating Hours: 8am to 4pm daily, except Monday
- Location: 74 Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 [Map]
- Hock Chiang Hin (Chinese – Dim Sum)
- Operating Hours: 7:30am – 2pm daily, except Sunday
- Location: 18, Jalan Siu Nam, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 [Map]
- Signature Dishes: Siew Mai, Fan Choy
- Restoran Kin Hua (Local Kopitiam)
- Operating Hours: 7am to 6pm daily, except Tuesday
- Location: 8, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 [Map]
- Signature Dishes: Kopi, Mee Rebus, Nasi Lemak, Popiah, Soft-boiled Egg
Going to JB from Singapore - Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory is famous for its charcoal-baked banana cake
Going to JB from Singapore - Jalan Tan Hiok Nee - A popular street filled with cafes, bakeries and restaurants visited by Singaporeans
Going to JB from Singapore - Laluan Kebudayaan Tan Hiok Nee 新山陈旭年文化街 - Cat resting on a chair outside a shop along the cultural street
As shops and shopping malls in the vicinity open, visit the Singaporeans’ favourite Instagram-worthy shops in JB that have been missed over the last 2 years. Shops that are open as of May 2022:
- Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory (Jalan Tan Hiok Nee) [Map]
- Chaiwalla & Co. Container Cafe (Jalan Tan Hiok Nee) [Map]
- Bev C’afe (Jalan Tan Hiok Nee) [Map]
- Flowers in the Window (Jalan Dhoby) [Map]
- It Roo Cafe (Jalan Dhoby) [Map]
- Salahuddin Bakery (Jalan Dhoby) [Map]
- Adam Hawa Cafe (Jalan Ngee Heng) [Map]
- Ah Ma Teochew Kuih (Jalan Trus) [Map]
JB Opening Hours Most of the shops and restaurants in Johor Bahru city centre near to the CIQ close at around 5pm on most days, except on special occasions. Shopping after 5pm is confined to KOMTAR JBCC, City Square, and malls in that area from 5pm until 10pm.
