Singapore to Johor Bahru: Private Car vs Bus vs Train vs RTS Link — Which Is Best in 2027?
Travelling from Singapore to Johor Bahru has always involved a choice between convenience, cost and time. In 2027, however, travellers will have another major option to consider: the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System Link, better known as the RTS Link.
With the RTS expected to connect Woodlands North in Singapore directly with Bukit Chagar in central Johor Bahru, travelling across the border may become easier than ever.
But does that mean the RTS will automatically be the best way to travel from Singapore to JB?
Not necessarily.
A solo traveller heading to City Square may make a very different choice from a family travelling to Legoland with children and luggage. Likewise, someone travelling directly from Changi Airport to a hotel in Johor may value door-to-door convenience more than the lowest possible fare.
This guide compares the main ways to travel from Singapore to Johor Bahru in 2027: private car, bus, KTM train and the new RTS Link.
Singapore to Johor Bahru Transport Options at a Glance
| Transport | Best For | Main Advantage | Main Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private cross-border car | Families, groups, luggage, door-to-door journeys | Direct pickup and drop-off | Costs more than public transport |
| RTS Link | Solo travellers, couples and central JB trips | Fast cross-border rail journey | Requires transport to and from the stations |
| Cross-border bus | Budget travellers | Low cost and many services | Queues and transfers can be tiring |
| KTM Shuttle Tebrau | Travellers who secure tickets | Short rail crossing | Limited capacity and expected to cease after RTS begins |
There is no single winner for every traveller. The best option depends on where your journey begins, where you are going in Johor and who you are travelling with.
Option 1: RTS Link From Singapore to Johor Bahru
The biggest change to Singapore–Johor travel in 2027 is expected to be the RTS Link.
The approximately 4km rail connection links Woodlands North in Singapore with Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru.
According to Singapore’s Land Transport Authority, the train journey itself is designed to take about five minutes, with capacity of up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction during peak periods.
One particularly important feature is the use of co-located Customs, Immigration and Quarantine facilities.
Instead of clearing immigration separately after arriving on the other side of the border, passengers are expected to complete both Singapore and Malaysia immigration procedures at the departure station before boarding.
This should make the actual border crossing considerably more straightforward.
Official RTS Link information can be found on the Singapore Land Transport Authority RTS Link page.
The RTS Link connects Woodlands North with Bukit Chagar, creating a new starting point for Johor Bahru trips.
Who is the RTS best for?
The RTS should be particularly attractive if:
- You are travelling alone or as a couple.
- You are travelling light.
- Your destination is around central Johor Bahru.
- You can conveniently reach Woodlands North MRT.
- You want to reduce your exposure to Causeway road congestion.
For example, a Singapore traveller who wants to spend the afternoon around City Square, Komtar JBCC or Jalan Tan Hiok Nee may find the RTS extremely convenient.
The RTS does not solve the entire journey
Remember that the five-minute figure refers to the train journey between the two RTS stations. Your total travel time will still include travelling to Woodlands North, immigration and boarding procedures, and onward transport after reaching Bukit Chagar.
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If your final destination is Legoland Malaysia, Johor Premium Outlets, Mount Austin, Eco Botanic, Desaru or another part of Johor, you will still need onward transport.
This is why travellers may increasingly combine the RTS with a private day vehicle from Bukit Chagar.
Option 2: Private Car From Singapore to Johor Bahru
Private cross-border transport remains the most straightforward option for travellers who value convenience.
Instead of travelling to a station or bus terminal, your driver can collect you from your preferred pickup location in Singapore and take you directly to your destination in Johor.
This makes private transport particularly useful for journeys such as:
- Singapore hotel to Johor Bahru hotel
- Changi Airport to Johor Bahru
- Singapore to Legoland Malaysia
- Singapore to Desaru Coast
- Singapore to Senai International Airport
- Family trips with children or elderly passengers
With suitable cross-border private vehicles, passengers can also remain inside the vehicle during land immigration clearance, making the journey considerably easier when travelling with children, elderly family members or substantial luggage.
Singapore travellers can view the available BookMyTaxi.my private transport services, including MPVs, luxury MPVs, larger vehicles and day transport.
When is a private car better than the RTS?
Consider a family of four staying in eastern Singapore and heading to Legoland Malaysia.
Using the RTS could mean travelling across Singapore to Woodlands North, completing immigration, taking the RTS to Bukit Chagar and then arranging another vehicle for the journey to Iskandar Puteri.
A private cross-border transfer can instead collect the family from home or hotel and take everyone directly to Legoland.
The RTS journey itself may be faster, but the door-to-door journey is what travellers should compare.
Example: Singapore to central JB
If you live near the Thomson-East Coast Line and are visiting central Johor Bahru, the RTS could be extremely convenient.
Likely winner: RTS Link.
Example: Changi Airport to a JB hotel
Travelling from Changi to Woodlands North with suitcases, taking the RTS and then arranging another transfer in Johor Bahru adds multiple journey stages.
A direct airport pickup may be much easier.
Likely winner: Private transfer.
Example: Family travelling to Legoland
Parents travelling with children, a pushchair and bags to Legoland Malaysia may value a single vehicle from pickup to destination more than shaving minutes off the border crossing.
Likely winner: Private transfer.
A New Way to Think About Singapore–Johor Travel
The arrival of the RTS Link does not mean travellers have to choose between rail and private transport for every journey.
In fact, one of the most useful combinations in 2027 may be:
Singapore → RTS Link → Bukit Chagar → private Johor day transport.
A traveller could use the RTS for the border crossing, meet a pre-arranged driver at Bukit Chagar and spend the rest of the day visiting several destinations across Johor.
This can work particularly well for itineraries involving places such as Legoland Malaysia, Johor Premium Outlets, Mount Austin or other attractions outside central JB.
Travellers planning a longer journey can also continue from Bukit Chagar to destinations such as Desaru Coast or Senai International Airport.
Read our Bukit Chagar RTS Johor Bahru day-trip and transport guide for ideas on what to do after arriving in Johor.
So, Which Is the Best Way From Singapore to JB in 2027?
The answer is simple: the best transport option is the one that makes your entire journey easier, not merely the border crossing.
For solo travellers visiting central Johor Bahru, the RTS Link is likely to be difficult to beat for speed and convenience.
For budget travellers, buses should remain an economical choice.
For families, groups, airport passengers and travellers heading beyond central JB to destinations such as Legoland Malaysia, Desaru, Johor Premium Outlets or Senai Airport, direct private transport may continue to provide the simplest door-to-door experience.
And for travellers who want the best of both worlds, taking the RTS to Bukit Chagar before continuing around Johor with a private day vehicle could become one of the most convenient ways to explore Johor in 2027.
BookMyTaxi.my provides Singapore–Malaysia private transfers as well as pre-arranged transport from Bukit Chagar for travellers who prefer to spend less time organising transport and more time enjoying their trip.
Cross the RTS. We’ll handle the rest.
Need Help Planning Your Singapore–Johor Bahru Journey?
Not sure whether the RTS Link, private transfer, bus or train is the best option for your trip?
Speak directly with the BookMyTaxi.my team for help with your itinerary, private transfer arrangements, Bukit Chagar pickup, day transport or journeys to destinations across Johor and Malaysia.
WhatsApp us: +60 11-2183 8820
Tell us your pickup location, destination, travel date, number of passengers and luggage requirements, and we’ll help you find a suitable transport option.
