Singapore Malaysia Causeway: A Complete Crossing Guide (2026)

The Johor–Singapore Causeway is the 1 km road-and-rail bridge linking Woodlands in Singapore to Johor Bahru in Malaysia, and one of the busiest land crossings in the world. Around 300,000 people use it on a typical day, mostly workers, students and weekend visitors.

This guide is for anyone crossing for the first time or wanting a smoother trip: which route to take, what documents and apps you need, what it costs, and how to avoid the worst queues. Rules change often, so check the official links at the end before you travel.

Causeway quick facts

Item	Detail
Connects	Woodlands, Singapore ↔ Johor Bahru city centre, Malaysia
Length	About 1 km across the Straits of Johor
Opened	1923 (road and rail), officially opened 1924
Singapore checkpoint	Woodlands Checkpoint (road); Woodlands Train Checkpoint (rail)
Malaysia checkpoint	Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) CIQ complex; JB Sentral (rail)
Daily travellers	More than 300,000
Modes	Car, motorcycle, bus, taxi, KTM Shuttle Tebrau train
Open	24 hours, every day

Causeway, Second Link or RTS Link: which one?

The Causeway is best if you are heading to JB city centre, JB Sentral or City Square. The Second Link (Tuas) suits west Johor destinations like Legoland, Puteri Harbour and Gelang Patah, and is usually less jammed, though its Singapore toll for cars is higher.

	Causeway (Woodlands)	Second Link (Tuas)	RTS Link (rail)
Lands you in	JB city centre	Gelang Patah, west Johor	Bukit Chagar, near JB Sentral
Best for	Day trips, food, shopping, commuters	Legoland, Iskandar Puteri, driving north	Car-free day trips and daily commuting
Traffic	Heaviest	Lighter	No road traffic
Status	Open	Open	Targeted to open end-2026; some reports say January 2027

The RTS Link is a 4 km rail line between Woodlands North (Thomson-East Coast Line) and Bukit Chagar. It will carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour each way, with both countries’ immigration co-located so you clear once at departure. Fares have not been officially confirmed; media estimates range from S5toS7. The KTM Shuttle Tebrau is due to stop within six months of the RTS Link opening.

How to cross the Causeway

The train is the fastest and most predictable option today; the bus is the cheapest. Fares below are one way, as reported in mid-2026, so confirm with the operator before you go.

Mode	From → to	Fare (one way)	Typical total time	Booking
KTM Shuttle Tebrau	Woodlands Train Checkpoint → JB Sentral	S$5 (SG→JB); RM5 (JB→SG)	5 min ride, 20–40 min with clearance	Yes, sells out fast
Causeway Link CW1	Kranji MRT → JB Sentral	About S$2.60	45 min to 2 hours	No, tap and go
Causeway Link CW2	Queen Street (Bugis) → JB	About S$4.80	1 to 2+ hours	No
SBS 160/170, SMRT 950	Kranji / Woodlands → BSI	About S1–S2	45 min to 2 hours	No
Cross-border taxi	Fixed stands both sides	Varies	Depends on queue	Optional
Own car or motorcycle	Any	Tolls plus permits (see below)	15 min to 3+ hours	No

By train: Buy Shuttle Tebrau tickets in the KTMB (KITS) app. The Woodlands counter accepts only KTM Wallet, not cash. Trains run roughly 8:30am to 11:45pm from Woodlands and 5am to 10:45pm from JB Sentral.

By bus: Pay with EZ-Link or a contactless Visa or Mastercard. You get off at each checkpoint to clear immigration, then reboard any bus of the same service. Keep your ticket or card handy.

On foot: There is no proper pedestrian path, and authorities discourage walking for safety. Some bus passengers walk during heavy jams, but plan on a bus or train.

By car or motorcycle: Driving gives flexibility but carries the most uncertainty. Read the permits and fees sections below before you go.

Documents and clearance apps

Carry your passport (valid at least six months) on every trip, even if you plan to use a QR code. What else you need depends on your nationality and direction.

Traveller	Into Malaysia	Into Singapore
Singapore citizen	Passport; MDAC not required	Passport or MyICA QR code; no SG Arrival Card by land
Malaysian citizen	MyKad / passport; MyNIISe QR code	Passport; SG Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival
Other foreigners	Passport, visa if required, MDAC within 3 days before arrival	Passport, visa if required, SG Arrival Card

SG Arrival Card rules: Wikipedia summary of ICA policy.

QR code clearance. Both sides now let eligible travellers clear with a QR code instead of handing over a passport:

Into Singapore: generate a code in the MyICA Mobile app. One code can cover everyone in a car.
Into Malaysia: use the MyNIISe app, which replaced MyBorderPass. It covers Malaysians and visitors from 63 countries, and groups can share one code (Malay Mail). Nearly 20 million QR clearances had been recorded at the Johor checkpoints by June 2026 (NST).

Driving a Singapore car into Malaysia. You need an activated Malaysian VEP RFID tag linked to a Touch ‘n Go eWallet. Register at vep.jpj.gov.my; the tag costs RM10 and lasts five years. Entering without one risks a RM300 compound, and you cannot leave Malaysia until it is paid (The Sun).

Driving a Malaysian car into Singapore. You need an Autopass card for tolls and VEP charges, and a way to pay ERP (an OBU, or the daily flat charge).

Tolls and fees for drivers

Charge	Who pays	Amount	Paid with
Malaysia VEP RFID tag	Singapore cars entering Malaysia	RM10, valid 5 years	Online at vep.jpj.gov.my
Malaysia road charge	Singapore cars entering Malaysia	RM20 per entry	Touch ‘n Go eWallet
Singapore VEP (cars), to 31 Dec 2026	Foreign cars in Singapore	S$35/day on weekdays; 10 free days a year; free on weekends and SG public holidays	Autopass card
Singapore VEP (cars), from 1 Jan 2027	Foreign cars in Singapore	S$50/day on weekdays; no free days	Autopass card
Singapore VEP (motorcycles)	Foreign motorcycles	S4/day,risingtoS7 in 2027	Autopass card
Checkpoint tolls	All vehicles, both sides	A few dollars or ringgit per crossing; set by each side	Autopass (SG), Touch ‘n Go (MY)

Best times to cross

The Causeway is quietest mid-morning to mid-afternoon on weekdays and late at night. Jams follow a predictable pattern:

When	Direction	Why
Weekdays 5am–9am	JB → Singapore	Workers commuting in
Weekdays 5pm–9pm	Singapore → JB	Workers heading home
Friday evening, Saturday morning	Singapore → JB	Weekend trips
Sunday afternoon and evening	JB → Singapore	Return trips
Eve of long weekends and school holidays	Both	Holiday traffic, often 2–3+ hours

Check live conditions before you leave. Useful tools include the checkpoint cameras on the LTA OneMotoring site, ICA’s social media updates, Google Maps or Waze, and the traffic camera feeds in apps like Motorist.

Rules and practical tips

A few rules catch first-timers out. These are long-standing, but check the official sites for current amounts.

Three-quarter tank rule. Singapore-registered cars must leave Singapore with at least a three-quarter full tank, or face a fine.
No subsidised petrol for foreign cars. Foreign-registered vehicles in Malaysia cannot buy subsidised RON95; pump RON97 instead.
No duty-free liquor or tobacco into Singapore. Travellers arriving from Malaysia get no duty-free allowance for alcohol, and all cigarettes are taxable. Declare them at the red channel.
Banned and restricted items. Chewing gum (beyond personal use), e-cigarettes and vapes are prohibited in Singapore. Check customs rules for meat and plant products.
Top up before you go. Keep enough value on your Autopass card, Touch ‘n Go eWallet and transit card. Running short at the booth holds everyone up.
Get your QR codes ready. Generate them before you join the queue, not at the counter.
Change some money. Small vendors in JB often prefer ringgit cash or Malaysian e-wallets.
Allow buffer time. Even on a good day, add an hour for anything time-critical, such as a flight or meeting.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to cross the Causeway?

Off-peak, 30 to 45 minutes door to door from Woodlands to JB city by bus. At peak times or before holidays, two to three hours or more is common. The Shuttle Tebrau train takes about five minutes on the rail itself.

What is the cheapest way from Singapore to JB?

A public bus such as SBS 170 or SMRT 950, or Causeway Link CW1 from Kranji, for roughly S1toS3.

Can I cross the Causeway without a passport?

No. QR codes speed up clearance, but you must still carry a valid passport.

When will the RTS Link open?

It is targeted for end-2026, with some reports pointing to January 2027. Fares are not yet confirmed.

Do Singaporeans need the MDAC?

No. Singapore citizens are exempt; most other foreigners must submit it within three days before arrival.

Do I need a VEP to drive a Singapore car into Johor?

Yes. An activated Malaysian VEP RFID tag is compulsory, and driving without one risks a RM300 compound.

Final Thoughts

The Singapore Malaysia Causeway remains an important connection for people travelling between Singapore and Johor Bahru. Whether you are visiting Malaysia for shopping, a weekend holiday, business or a family trip, planning your border crossing can make the journey easier.

Check traffic conditions before departure, prepare your travel documents and choose the transport option that best suits your destination.

For families and groups who prefer a direct journey, a prearranged private car service can offer additional comfort and convenience.