Public Transport from Woodlands to JB: Complete Guide

Introduction

Crossing from Singapore to JB without a car is easier and more affordable than many travelers realize. Public transport options include direct cross-border buses, walk-across via MRT, and the upcoming RTS Link rapid transit (2026).

This comprehensive guide covers all public transport routes from Woodlands to JB, step-by-step crossing procedures, costs, and time estimates.

Direct Bus Services (Singapore ↔ JB)

Bus 170 (Queen Street ↔ Larkin Sentral)

Route: Singapore Queen Street Terminal ↔ JB Larkin Terminal
Checkpoint: Crosses at Woodlands
Frequency: Every 10-15 minutes (peak hours)
Fare: ~SGD 1.50-2.50 (pay in SGD or MYR)
Journey time: 60-90 minutes (depending on immigration queues)
Immigration: Remain on bus, alighting for clearance at both checkpoints
Best for: Direct travel to JB city areas

Bus 160 (Newton Circus ↔ Johor Bahru)

Route: Singapore Newton ↔ JB (via Tuas)
Checkpoint: Crosses at Tuas Second Link
Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes
Fare: ~SGD 2-3
Journey time: 75-105 minutes
Best for: Western Singapore residents, avoiding Woodlands congestion

Causeway Link Bus Services

CW1, CW2, CW3: Various routes serving JB destinations
Frequency: 15-30 minute intervals
Fares: SGD 1.20-3.50 depending on route
Purchase: At Kranji, Woodlands, or Queen Street terminals

Walk Across + Local Transport

Step 1: Take MRT to Woodlands

MRT Line: North-South Line (red line)
Terminus: Woodlands MRT Station
Travel time from Orchard: ~35 minutes
Fare: SGD 1.50-2.20 (depending on origin)

Step 2: Walk to Woodlands Checkpoint

Distance: ~1 km from Woodlands MRT
Walking time: 10-15 minutes
Route: Follow signs for “Causeway” or “JB”
Sheltered: Partially covered walkway

Step 3: Cross Immigration

Singapore side: Clear immigration at Woodlands Checkpoint
Walk across causeway: ~15-20 minutes (1.056 km)
Malaysia side: Clear immigration at JB CIQ
Total crossing time: 45-90 minutes (depending on queues)

Step 4: Take Bus from JB CIQ

Bus 170: To Larkin Sentral (RM 1.50)
Bus CW1/CW2: To JB city areas (RM 1-2)
Grab/Taxi: RM 10-15 to JB city center

MRT + Walk Strategy (Budget Option)

Total cost breakdown:

MRT to Woodlands: ~SGD 2
Walk across: Free
JB bus to city: ~RM 1.50 (SGD 0.50)
Total: ~SGD 2.50 (cheapest option)

Total time:

MRT: 30-40 minutes
Walk to checkpoint + immigration: 30-60 minutes
JB bus: 15-20 minutes
Total: 75-120 minutes

Best for:

Budget travelers
Off-peak travel (avoid walking during extreme heat/rain)
Those comfortable with 1 km walk
Traveling light (no large luggage)

RTS Link Rapid Transit (Opening 2026)

The future of cross-border public transport:

Route:

Singapore: Woodlands North Station
Malaysia: Bukit Chagar Station (JB city center)

Specifications:

Journey time: 5 minutes
Capacity: 10,000 passengers/hour per direction
Frequency: Every 90-100 seconds during peak
Integrated immigration clearance at stations
No walk across causeway required

Expected fare: ~SGD 1-2 (official pricing TBD)

Impact: Will revolutionize Singapore-JB public transport, eliminating checkpoint queues for train passengers.

Bus vs Walk-Across Comparison

Factor	Direct Bus (170)	Walk + Local Bus
Cost	SGD 2.50	SGD 2.50
Time	60-90 min	75-120 min
Convenience	Stay on bus	Walk 1+ km
Luggage	Easy	Difficult
Weather	Not a factor	Rain/heat affects comfort
Immigration	Get off bus twice	Walk through both sides
Best for	Comfort, luggage	Budget, exercise

Tips for Using Public Transport

Before departing:

Check live traffic cameras - if heavy congestion, expect longer bus travel times
Carry both SGD and MYR (some buses accept both)
Have exact change (not all buses give change)
Bring water (especially for walk-across)
Wear comfortable shoes (if walking)

During journey:

Keep passport easily accessible
Follow bus conductor instructions at immigration
Don’t leave belongings on bus when clearing immigration
Stay hydrated during walk-across (bring water bottle)
Use sunscreen and hat for daytime walk

Immigration tips:

Enroll in autogate for faster clearance (both countries)
Avoid peak hours (6-10 AM, 5-9 PM weekdays)
Weekend afternoons lighter than Friday/Sunday evenings
Have passport valid for 6+ months

Accessibility Considerations

For elderly/disabled travelers:

Direct bus 170 preferable (less walking)
Walk-across involves 1 km + stairs/ramps at checkpoints
Wheelchair access available but limited
Consider taxi/Grab for door-to-door service

For travelers with luggage:

Direct bus 170 recommended
Walk-across difficult with heavy bags
RTS Link (2026) will be best option with luggage

Quick Tips Summary

Bus 170 most convenient for JB city center (direct service)
MRT + walk cheapest option (~SGD 2.50 total)
Walk-across requires 1 km walk + ~1 hour for immigration
RTS Link (2026) will be fastest, most convenient
Avoid public transport during peak hours (longer immigration waits)
Carry water and sunscreen for walk-across
Have passport ready and valid 6+ months
Enroll in autogate to save 20-40 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which is faster, bus or walk-across? Direct bus (170) is usually faster and more comfortable. Walk-across only makes sense if you enjoy walking or want extreme budget savings.

Q: Can I walk across Woodlands Causeway at night? Yes, the causeway is accessible 24/7 with lighting. However, services in JB may be limited after midnight.

Q: Where do I catch bus 170 in Singapore? Queen Street Terminal (main terminus), or board along the route at various stops. Check bus route maps.

Q: Do I need to pay for the walk across causeway? No, walking across is free. You only pay for immigration processing (none) and onward transport.

Q: Is walking safe for solo female travelers? Yes, the causeway has pedestrian paths and is generally safe. However, use caution during very early morning/late night hours. Walking during daytime is safest.

Q: How much faster will RTS Link be? RTS Link (2026) will reduce crossing time from 60-90 minutes (bus) to approximately 20-25 minutes (including immigration).

Check our live traffic dashboard for checkpoint conditions before using public transport.