Singapore to JB With Kids: RTS vs Private Car (2027)
Singapore to JB With Kids (2027): RTS vs Private Car for Families
Travelling from Singapore to Johor Bahru with children is very different from making the same journey alone.
A five-minute train ride may sound like the obvious choice, but parents usually have more to think about: a stroller, backpacks, milk bottles, shopping bags, sleepy children and the journey from the station to the actual destination.
With the Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS Link targeted to begin passenger service around the end of 2026, families travelling in 2027 will have another useful cross-border option. The RTS will connect Woodlands North in Singapore with Bukit Chagar in central Johor Bahru, with both countries’ immigration clearance handled at the point of departure.
So which is easier for a family: RTS or a private cross-border car?
The answer depends less on the border crossing itself and more on where your family starts, where you are going after crossing, how much you are carrying and how many children are travelling with you.
RTS vs Private Car for Families: Quick Answer
| Family situation | Usually the easier starting choice |
|---|---|
| Couple with one older child, travelling light to central JB | RTS |
| Parents with baby, stroller and several bags | Private car |
| Family going directly to Legoland Malaysia | Private car |
| Family spending the day around JB City Square and central JB | RTS |
| Large family or multi-generation group | Private MPV or larger vehicle |
| Family visiting several Johor attractions in one day | RTS + private Johor day transport, or direct private car |
This is only a practical starting point. The best option for your family depends on the complete door-to-door journey, not simply which vehicle crosses the border fastest.
What Changes With the RTS Link?
The RTS Link is designed to connect Woodlands North with Bukit Chagar in approximately five minutes by train. According to Singapore’s Land Transport Authority, the system will have capacity for up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction during peak periods.
One of the most important features for families is the co-located Customs, Immigration and Quarantine arrangement. Travellers will clear both Singapore and Malaysian immigration authorities at their point of departure rather than completing another immigration process after arriving at the other end.
You can check the latest official information on the Land Transport Authority RTS Link page.
For families whose destination is central Johor Bahru, this could make the RTS extremely convenient.
But Bukit Chagar is still a station, not the final destination for many visitors.
When the RTS May Be Better for Families
1. You are travelling light
If your children are old enough to walk comfortably and everyone has only a small bag, using public transport becomes much easier.
A family staying near Singapore’s Thomson-East Coast Line could travel towards Woodlands North, take the RTS and arrive at Bukit Chagar before continuing into central JB.
2. Your destination is central Johor Bahru
If the plan is simply to eat, shop and explore around the city centre, the RTS could be one of the most convenient ways to make the crossing.
You may not need a vehicle for the entire day. Once you arrive at Bukit Chagar RTS, you can decide whether to continue locally by public transport, ride-hailing or a pre-arranged vehicle.
3. Your children enjoy travelling by train
For some families, the journey itself is part of the experience. A cross-border rail trip can be exciting for children and removes the need to sit in road traffic during the rail portion of the journey.
When a Private Car May Be Easier
Travelling with a baby or toddler
Parents of very young children tend to carry more than they expect: stroller, nappies, milk, spare clothes, snacks and sometimes a child carrier as well.
The RTS journey itself may be short, but the total trip can involve getting from home or hotel to Woodlands North, entering the station, clearing immigration, boarding the train, arriving at Bukit Chagar and then arranging onward transportation.
A private cross-border vehicle can reduce the number of separate transport stages because pickup can be arranged closer to your home, hotel or airport and the family can be taken towards the final Johor destination.
Travelling with a stroller
A stroller is manageable on public transport, but it changes how a family moves through stations, lifts and walkways—especially when one parent is also carrying luggage.
For a short central-JB visit, this may be perfectly acceptable. For a full-day family trip involving several destinations, keeping the stroller and bags with one vehicle can be considerably more convenient.
Travelling with lots of luggage
This matters particularly for families arriving from Changi Airport, returning from an overseas holiday or checking into a Johor hotel.
Compare the whole journey:
Public transport + RTS: Airport or hotel → Singapore rail journey → Woodlands North → RTS → Bukit Chagar → onward vehicle → hotel.
Private transfer: Pickup → border crossing → destination.
The RTS may have the faster rail crossing, while the private vehicle may involve fewer changes. For parents, those are two different definitions of convenience.
Going to Legoland Malaysia With Children
This is one of the clearest examples of why families should compare the complete journey rather than only the border crossing.
Legoland Malaysia is in Iskandar Puteri, not beside Bukit Chagar.
A family using the RTS will therefore still need to travel from Bukit Chagar to Legoland after arriving in Johor Bahru.
That is not necessarily a disadvantage. Families who want to experience the RTS can combine the train with a pre-arranged Johor vehicle:
Singapore → Woodlands North → RTS → Bukit Chagar → private vehicle → Legoland Malaysia.
However, parents with two or three young children, a stroller and bags may prefer a direct private transfer from their Singapore pickup point to Legoland.
Neither option is automatically better. The question is whether your family values the RTS experience or the simplicity of reducing transport changes.
What About a Large Family Group?
The calculation changes again when grandparents, cousins or several children are travelling together.
A group of six, eight or ten passengers may find it difficult to stay together when repeatedly changing vehicles.
For larger groups, booking a suitable MPV or larger vehicle can allow everyone to follow the same itinerary while keeping luggage together.
This is particularly useful for:
- multi-generation family holidays;
- families celebrating birthdays in Johor;
- groups travelling to theme parks;
- airport transfers with multiple suitcases;
- wedding or family-event travel; and
- several families travelling together.
RTS Plus a Johor Day Vehicle: A Useful Third Option
The decision does not always have to be RTS versus private car.
For many travellers, the most useful combination may be:
RTS to Bukit Chagar + a private vehicle for the Johor portion of the day.
This allows your family to use the new rail connection for the cross-border journey while having a vehicle available once you reach Malaysia.
For example, a family could arrange:
- Bukit Chagar pickup;
- breakfast in Johor Bahru;
- Legoland Malaysia;
- dinner in central JB; and
- return to Bukit Chagar for the RTS journey back to Singapore.
Alternatively, a shopping-focused family might combine central JB with Johor Premium Outlets.
Families spending more time in Johor could travel onwards to Desaru or arrange hotel and airport transfers.
Three Family Journeys Compared
Family A: Parents + two school-age children visiting City Square
They live near an MRT connection, have no stroller and carry only small backpacks.
Likely choice: RTS.
Their destination is central JB, so the benefit of a direct road vehicle is relatively small.
Family B: Parents + toddler + baby travelling to Legoland
They have a stroller, changing bag, backpacks and an overnight suitcase.
Likely choice: Private car.
The convenience of a more direct pickup-to-destination journey may outweigh the benefit of the short RTS crossing.
Family C: Eight relatives planning food, shopping and sightseeing
They want breakfast in central JB, shopping later in the day and dinner before returning to Singapore.
Likely choice: Larger private vehicle or RTS combined with a Johor day booking.
Keeping the group together is likely to matter more than choosing the cheapest individual ticket.
Family Travel Tips Before Leaving Singapore
- Check passports early. Do not wait until travel day to discover that a child’s travel document needs attention.
- Check current immigration requirements. Border procedures can change, so confirm official requirements before travelling.
- Pack a small children’s essentials bag. Keep snacks, wipes, medication and spare clothing easy to reach.
- Consider your final destination. Bukit Chagar is convenient for central JB, but Legoland, JPO and Desaru require additional travel.
- Choose the vehicle based on passengers plus luggage. A vehicle that seats everyone may still be unsuitable if every passenger has a large suitcase.
- Avoid over-planning. Children often enjoy three relaxed stops more than six rushed ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RTS better than a private car from Singapore to JB with children?
It depends on the family’s starting point and final destination. The RTS is likely to be very convenient for families travelling light to central Johor Bahru. A private vehicle may be easier for families with babies, strollers, substantial luggage or destinations outside central JB.
Can I take the RTS from Singapore directly to Legoland Malaysia?
No. The RTS terminates at Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru. Families heading to Legoland Malaysia will need onward transport from Bukit Chagar to Iskandar Puteri.
Is the RTS useful if we have a stroller?
It can be. The main consideration is not simply whether a stroller can be taken on the journey, but how comfortable your family is moving the stroller and other belongings through the complete door-to-door trip.
What if we want to take the RTS but still have a driver in Johor?
You can combine both. Travel by RTS to Bukit Chagar and arrange a Johor day vehicle for the destinations you want to visit after arrival.
What is easiest for a large family?
If several adults and children are travelling together, a private MPV or larger vehicle can make it easier to keep the group and luggage together, particularly when the itinerary includes multiple stops.
So, Which Should Your Family Choose in 2027?
The RTS Link will give families an important new way to travel between Singapore and Johor Bahru. For a light, simple trip to central JB, it may become the most attractive option for many visitors.
But families rarely travel under identical circumstances.
A parent with two young children and a stroller has different priorities from a couple travelling with a teenager. A family going to City Square has a very different journey from one heading straight to Legoland or Desaru.
The useful question is therefore not simply “Which crosses the border faster?”
Ask instead:
“Which option makes our entire family journey easier?”
If the RTS suits the cross-border part of your journey but you still need transport after arriving in Johor, BookMyTaxi.my can arrange private onward transportation from Bukit Chagar. Families who prefer a direct journey from Singapore can also arrange cross-border transport based on their passenger count, luggage and destination.
Plan the route around your family—not the other way around.
Planning a family trip from Singapore to Johor Bahru and not sure which transport option suits your group best? Contact BookMyTaxi.my for help arranging private cross-border transfers, Bukit Chagar RTS pickups, day transport, airport transfers and customised multi-stop journeys around Johor. Simply send us your travel date, pickup point, destination, number of passengers and luggage details, and we can recommend a suitable transport arrangement for your trip. WhatsApp us at +60 11-2183 8820 or contact us online for a quote.
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