For years, getting from Singapore to Johor Bahru meant choosing between a car queue on the Causeway or squeezing onto a bus. The JB-Singapore RTS Link changes that. When it opens later in 2026, you can take a train from Woodlands North MRT straight to Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru in about five minutes, with immigration cleared before you board. No traffic. No second queue at the other end.
If you have never been to JB before, or have only gone by car or bus, this guide covers everything you need to know about taking the RTS Link from Singapore to JB for the first time — how immigration works, what the RTS Link fare will cost, where the station is, and what to do once you arrive.
What is the RTS Link and when does it open?
The JB-Singapore RTS Link is a 4km rail shuttle running between Woodlands North MRT station in Singapore and Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru. It is the first direct train from Singapore to Johor Bahru that connects seamlessly to the Singapore MRT network. It is operated by RTS Operations, a joint venture between Singapore’s SMRT and Malaysia’s Prasarana.
Key facts to know before you go:
- Journey time is about five minutes between the two stations
- Trains run from 6am to midnight daily
- During peak hours, a train comes every 3.6 minutes
- RTS Link fare: expected to be between S$5 and S$7 per trip, though exact pricing will be confirmed closer to the launch date. Off-peak fares and season passes are also expected.
- Trains are fully driverless and run automatically
- Each train holds up to 607 seated and standing passengers, with a maximum of around 1,000 at peak capacity
- Interior cabins look similar to the Singapore MRT trains
How to get from Singapore to JB by train: starting at Woodlands North MRT
Woodlands North is on the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). It is the northern terminus of the line.
From the city, take the TEL northbound toward Woodlands North. The station connects directly to the RTS Link departure hall, so there is no need to exit and re-enter. Once you are at Woodlands North, follow the signs for the RTS Link.
If you are coming from the East or West side of Singapore, the fastest route is usually to transfer to the TEL at one of its interchange stations such as Woodlands, Stevens, Orchard, or Gardens by the Bay, then head north.
How RTS Link immigration works: clearing customs before you board
This is the part that is genuinely different from crossing by bus or car, and it is a big improvement.
With the RTS Link, you clear both Singapore and Malaysian immigration at your point of departure, before you get on the train. So if you are travelling from Singapore to JB, you clear both countries’ checkpoints at Woodlands North before boarding. When you step off at Bukit Chagar, you walk straight out. No second queue, no second passport scan.
The Bukit Chagar ICQ (Immigration, Customs and Quarantine) complex will have 100 AI-powered e-gates, each expected to process a traveller in about seven seconds. There will also be 10 security screening lanes and 18 baggage scanners, plus dedicated lanes for those without luggage.
What you need to bring:
- A valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining
- Your return trip payment method (exact ticketing details to be confirmed at launch)
You do not need to fill in a Malaysia arrival card for short visits as a Singaporean, but always verify the current entry requirements before your trip as these can change.
Getting around Johor Bahru without a car after the RTS
One of the biggest adjustments for Singaporeans used to driving to JB is planning a day out without a car. The RTS makes this very workable, but you need to think ahead.
We have a full guide covering all your options — Grab, local buses, walking routes, and car rental — right here: How to get to and around Johor Bahru
Where is Bukit Chagar station and what is near it?
Bukit Chagar station is in the heart of Johor Bahru city centre, near JB Sentral. When you step off the train and clear exit, you are already in the middle of downtown JB.
Pedestrian bridges will connect the station directly to Komtar JBCC mall and JB Sentral, which links to local buses and the KTM intercity train network. Johor Bahru City Square is also within a short walk.
What to do near Bukit Chagar station
Because the station is in the centre of JB, there is plenty you can do without going far.
Shopping and eating at Komtar JBCC and Johor Bahru City Square are the most immediate options, both connected to or a short walk from the station. These are large malls with restaurants, fashion shops, nail and hair salons. Good for a quick half-day trip.
Further down past these two malls is downtown JB, made up of a cluster of kopitiams, bakeries and cafes. Jalan Tan Hiok Nee heritage street, Chinese Heritage Museum, and Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque are some of the attractions in this area. If you have not eaten in JB before, this is a reasonable first stop to get a sense of local food prices.
Skyscape JB is an observation deck on the 34th floor of Menara Jland, directly across from Bukit Chagar station. It has a glass sky bridge 149 metres above ground with views across JB and toward Woodlands. Entry starts from around S$11.49 for adults. Worth doing once, especially if you are bringing family.
Dentists, salons, and clinics in the surrounding streets around JB Sentral are easy to access on foot or by a short Grab. This is where your first visit to JB via the RTS becomes genuinely useful: book an appointment, arrive by train, get your dental work or massage done, have lunch, and head back. No car needed, no parking stress, done in a few hours.
Practical things to know before your first trip
Paying in JB: Touch n Go and cards first, cash as backup. Cash is no longer king in JB. Touch n Go (TnG) has become the go-to payment method across JB. Most malls, restaurants, pharmacies, and supermarkets now accept TnG, credit and debit cards. You can use the TnG eWallet app on your phone to pay at most shops, cafes, car parks, and even at hawker stalls — just scan the QR code. Download the app and top it up before you go. You can load it using credit or debit cards. For smaller kopitiam stalls, wet markets, or roadside vendors that have not gone cashless, ringgit coins and notes are still needed, so bring some as a backup.
Mobile data. Your Singapore SIM may roam in Malaysia but charges can add up. For a day trip, roaming is usually fine. For regular trips, consider getting a Malaysian SIM or a travel data add-on from your telco.
Food you can bring back. A reminder if you plan to do any grocery shopping: raw meat and bak kwa from Malaysia are not permitted back into Singapore. Processed snacks, dry goods, and beverages in reasonable quantities for personal use are generally fine. Limit is 5kg of processed food per person. Check the SFA website for the full current list before you go.
Dress practically. JB is hot and humid. Comfortable shoes matter if you plan to walk around. Most malls are heavily air-conditioned, so a light layer is useful if you are sensitive to the cold.
Return trip timing. Check the RTS schedule before heading back. Trains run until midnight, and frequency drops during off-peak hours to about every six minutes. If you are planning a late dinner, make sure you are not cutting it close.
RTS Link opening date: when can you take the train to JB?
The RTS Link is targeted to begin passenger operations by the end of 2026, with some sources suggesting early 2027. Testing of the trains began in late 2025 and is ongoing. Fares and exact ticketing details will be announced in the second half of 2026.
We will update this article as details are confirmed. Bookmark it and check back closer to launch.
Looking for things to do once you arrive? Browse our JB business listings for dentists, salons, car workshops, and more, all selected for Singaporeans making the trip across.
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