A little adventure outside your serviced apartment to Johor Bahru
Sometimes, all you need is a little getaway. If you’re halfway across the world, the last thing you’d want to do is pass up the opportunity to explore the neighbouring countries. So lock the serviced apartment, drop your briefcase and pick up a backpack – because we’re going to Johor Bahru (JB). Don’t forget your passport!
Planning your journey.
Train.
Taking the train is highly advisable for a day trip to Johor Bahru – there are no jams like the one at the customs or on the Johor-Singapore Causeway (the freeway linking Malaysia and Singapore) and it takes only 5 minutes. You can get a one-way ticket at about S$5, online or at the Woodlands Train Station (must be purchased 4 hours before departure).
Bus.
You can either take a shuttle bus or the public buses to get to JB. Buses do have a bus lane, but often times you will see cars cutting in and out of the bus lane to get ahead in traffic. Here are the locations and public bus services to get to JB:
Woodlands Interchange
950: Goes directly to Woodlands Checkpoint.
856, 856A, 903, 911, 912, 912B, 913: Drop off at Woodlands Train Checkpoint, and make your way to Woodlands Checkpoint.
Kranji MRT Station
160, 170, 170X and Causeway Link CW1: Goes directly to Woodlands Checkpoint.
170, 170A and SMRT 178: To Woodlands Train Checkpoint, and walk to Woodlands Checkpoint.
From Bugis MRT Station / Queen Street Bus Terminal
170, 170A, Causeway Link CW2 and Singapore-Johore Express (SJE): Board from Queen Street Terminal.
All of these buses except 170A goes directly to Woodlands Checkpoint.
Car.
Cars are great for people who are particularly picky about the personal space they get. You can easily rent a car for a day for a drive to Malaysia. If you are intending on going further than JB, it might be financially wiser to get to JB and rent a car from there instead of one in Singapore.
Items for your itinerary.
Street food and seafood.
In food trucks and stalls littered around the streets of JB, you can find Lok Lok. Lok Lok translates to boil boil in Cantonese – meats and vegetables are displayed on skewers and you pick what you want. Great for a late night supper or a tea-time snack, Lok Lok is sinfully delicious.
For a bigger selection of street food, hit the Meldrum Night Market, and you’ll find Laksa, oyster omelettes and more. Seafood is also a popular choice amongst Singaporeans as it’s considerably cheaper in JB.
Meldrum Night Market
Address: 23, Jalan Meldrum, Bandar Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Daily 5PM-12AM
A bakery that sticks fiercely to its roots.
Source: Paul, on Flickr
Sticking to their traditional roots, the puffs and pastries made at Salahuddin Bakery are baked the old-fashioned way in a wood-fired oven. Try bread that has been perfected after generations of baking.
Address: 26, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Legoland.
The whole of Legoland is built on blocks of large Legos. Fun for the family or the Lego enthusiast, there is even a waterpark at Legoland to get your feet wet. With over 40 rides, relive the childhood memories of playing with Legos and building up whatever your heart desires.
Your regular retail therapy malls with a hefty discount.
A list of malls to hit:
Johor Premium Outlets (Great for luxury brands on a discount, find Burberry, Michael Kors and more.)
Address: Jalan Premium Outlets Indahpura, 81000 Kulai, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily (10am to 10pm)
KSL City (Sporting goods, cinemas – they’re considerably cheaper than in Singapore and grocery shopping.)
Address: 33, Jalan Seladang, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Daily (10am to 10pm)
Komtar JBCC (Great for kids with an Angry Birds Activity Park, and great brands like Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works and Marks & Spencer.)
Address: Johor Bahru City Centre, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Daily (10am to 10pm)
Paradigm Mall (The biggest mall in all of JB. From Samsung to Adidas to Harvey Norman, this mall has it all.)
Address: Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru, Jalan Skudai, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily (10am to 10pm)
Johor Bahru City Square (Your touch point once you reach JB, you can find a lot of food options here.)
Address: Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Darul Ta’zim, 80000 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily (10am – 10pm)
A dollar shop… that charges less than a dollar.
Source: Andrew Chanks, on Facebook.
The Eco-shop is a value shopper’s haven with everything going for RM2 – which is about S$0.65. Stationary, snacks, glassware and more can be found in this dollar store.
Address: 83, 85, 87 (Ground & 1st Floor), Jalan Jelutong 1, Taman Desaru Utama, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 6.00pm, Saturday: 8.30am -12.30pm
Find something shiny in the Rusty Market.
For the expat on a budget the flea market fun continues here: Pasar Karat is a huge flea market in JB where you can find plenty of preloved one-of-a-kinds, trinkets and knick-knacks. You can even find live animals sold as pets!
Address: Jalan Segget, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 8pm till late
Enjoy and safe travels!
