Your Johor Bahru staycations are about to get sweeter with our tried-and-tested tips for beating crowds and avoiding extra hassle.
If you live in Singapore, Johor Bahru is probably your go-to for a quick getaway. Delicious food, wallet-friendly shopping sprees and fun experiences – it’s easy to see the appeal. But are you really making the most out of your trip? As frequent Causeway crossers, we’ve rounded up five tips to help you navigate your journey like a pro. From beating the crowds to stress-free shopping, here’s how to experience the best of Johor Bahru on your next staycation.
5 tips for your next staycation to Johor Bahru
1. Get intel on real-time traffic conditions
Singaporeans may be known for our queuing culture, but getting stuck in traffic at the Causeway? No, thank you. Every minute in Johor Bahru counts, and we don’t want to waste a second.
As a rule of thumb, avoid early mornings and evenings on weekdays when working adults and students in Malaysia commute to work and back home. Queues are also known to be notorious on weekends and public holidays, but here’s our tip on beating the crowd: free mobile apps that offer real-time traffic feeds and information.
Some of our go-tos are Beat The Jam, an app that monitors traffic conditions at the Causeway and Second Link, and the Singapore Checkpoint Cameras app for live feeds of the Woodlands Causeway, Tuas Checkpoint and surrounding areas. Another popular option is Waze. A crowd-sourced platform, it allows users to contribute real-time traffic data, including information on any accidents, road closures and congestion.
2. Ditch the drive and hop on a bus
With the real-time traffic conditions in hand, it’ll help you make an informed decision: drive into Johor Bahru or head in via public transport. If live traffic looks heavy, the smart move is to ditch the drive and opt for a bus ride instead. Buses have dedicated road lanes which allow them to whiz along the Causeway even during heavier traffic conditions. Coupled with high bus frequency, the queues tend to move quickly, too.
Decided to hop on a bus? We’ve got intel on a nifty card to score extra perks. Meet the POSB Everyday Card, a fuss-free card for everyday spending, especially for transport, dining and in-store spend made in Malaysian Ringgit.
Thanks to its upsized rebates, POSB Everyday Cardmembers can enjoy 10% cash rebates on transport via SimplyGo (capped at Daily$20 per calendar month, T&Cs apply). Yes, that means your bus rides to and from Johor Bahru will earn you extra cash rebates! That’s another reason to ditch the car, we say.
3. Forget cash and currency woes
So, you’ve skipped the traffic jam and queues; now it’s time to forgo the money exchange lines and leave your cash behind. Trade the constant fumbling with the Malaysian Ringgit and calculating exchange rates with seamless transactions. Cards that allow foreign currency payment are a dime a dozen, but cards that let you do that while scoring sweet rewards at the same time? Now, that’s a game-changer.
We’re talking about the POSB Everyday Card, the versatile credit card that comes in handy for your everyday use. Besides rewarding you on dining and transport, it also comes up top for cross-border spending in Malaysia!
Pay for your shopping, dining and entertainment in Johor Bahru with the POSB Everyday Card, and say hello to 10% cash rebates on your in-store spend made in Malaysian Ringgit (capped at Daily$20 per calendar month, T&Cs apply). It’s a win-win situation that saves you the fuss of cash and conversions, while rewarding you.
4. Pick your ideal stay location
With a plethora of things to do, see and eat, a short staycation in Johor Bahru is simply not enough. Different areas also boast unique offerings to suit your desired activities. For the uninitiated, here’s a quick lowdown on the most popular destinations to flock to.
Adjacent to the Causeway, Johor Bahru City Square is most convenient for those running short on time. It’s a bustling, family-friendly mall with local and international brands, dining spots and stores all in one place. Meanwhile, KSL City is a short 10-minute drive away. Here’s where you can get things at a sweet bargain, including massages and beauty treatments. On Monday evenings, a night market comes alive outside – perfect for those looking to immerse in rich local culture.
Those keen to venture further can consider Mid Valley Southkey. A more upscale shopping paradise, it offers a mix of luxurious and global brands, a giant cinema complex, and the swanky St. Giles Southkey hotel.
Our personal favourite? The Mount Austin neighbourhood. Think of a vibrant complex with trendy cafes and restaurants, boutique stores, and nightlife offerings like karaoke spots, bars and arcades. If it’s your first time there, we recommend Knock Knock Cafe and Eden by Wizards for satisfying brunches, Dai Tao Lala Pot for comforting seafood broth, and Tian Tian Hotpot for an all-you-can-eat feast. End your day with a karaoke session at Loud Speaker Family Karaoke, or a late-night massage at Family Thai Spa Classic.
5. Live like a local
When in Johor Bahru, do as the locals do – we’re talking about using local apps and tools that make exploring a breeze. While Grab is easily available for ride-hailing, it’s worth checking out more commonly used local alternatives like Maxim and InDrive. These apps tend to offer lower fares, especially in instances where platforms like Grab experience surge pricing.
Getting around via public transport? Keep the MyJohor Transport app in your back pocket. It’s a savvy app that helps navigate Johor Bahru’s public bus system. This includes finding bus routes, checking bus schedules, and even digital onboarding and offboarding services. A must-have for those keen on trying local bus services.
Conquer your Johor Bahru staycation like a pro
Ready to conquer your next Causeway adventure? These five tried-and-tested tips will help you save precious time, score sweet perks and cross the border seamlessly.
While you’re planning your trip, don’t forget to check out the POSB Everyday Card with perks for everyday and cross-border spending. Clock a minimum qualified spend of $800 per calendar month on the card to unlock up to 10% cash rebates on dining, bus and train rides via SimplyGo, and in-store spend in Malaysian Ringgit. Plus, with no minimum spend, enjoy 5% and 6% cash rebates at Sheng Siong and Singapore Petroleum Company, respectively.
Perk alert: sign up for the POSB Everyday Card using the promo code ‘CASH300’ to enjoy $300 cashback.
Johor Bahru adventures, here we come!
This post is in partnership with POSB.
