Land transfer SIN --> JB

[v8Statesman]

Next time I am up in Singapore, I am thinking of staying at the Hyatt in JB. The only problem I can see with this is the transfer. I know SIN Taxi's can not enter.

Has anyone done this? Am I just mad?

 

[Therma]

No idea why you would want to stay in JB unless you have business in JB! I stayed at Hyatt a few times before I got a car.

If you want to go to JB you have a few options. Singapore taxis can go into JB, but only to a fixed point, central bus terminal. You get them from the Lavender bus terminal in Singapore. There are also JB taxis there as well, they may well be alowed to go to places other than the JB bus terminal. I think the cost ex Singapore is about SGD 30. Singapore taxis go to a bus terminal in JB where you will need to get another Malaysian taxi, they will probably try to scalp you, but a fair price is about RM 10. I also have a couple of business cards of the Singaporean taxis who will pick you up from your destination and take you to the bus station in JB. They used to charge $35 a year ago.
If you intend to stay in JB for any length of time this is the preferred way. A few years ago I had a driver with a private car who used to take me from Hyatt to my condo directly but as a one off taxis are easier.

 

[Keith009]

Be prepared to spend more than an hour, sometimes almost 2 hours crossing the causeway when traffic is heavy, ie during peak hours or public holidays.

 

[ksthommo]

Doing similar in September when the Singapore GP is on due to the exhorbitant hotel rates during this period. Staying at The Puteri Pacific Hotel Johor Bahru.

Following is from wikitravel.

Normal Singaporean taxis are not allowed to cross into Malaysia (and vice versa). Specially licensed Singaporean taxis permitted to go to a single point in JB can be booked by phone (Johor Taxi Service from Singapore, tel. +65-6296-7054, S$45 one way to fixed point in JB, Kotaraya), while Malaysian taxis (which can go anywhere in Malaysia) can be taken from Queen Street at premium rates, around S$35 to points in central JB. A combination ride from anywhere in Singapore to anywhere in Malaysia can also be arranged, but you'll need to swap cabs halfway through: this will cost S$40 and up, paid to the Singaporean driver. In the reverse direction towards Singapore, you can take taxis from Kotaraya to any point in central Singapore (S$30) or Changi Airport (S$40).
You can also opt to share taxis from Queen Street, which usually works out to around S$8 per person with four people (or pay S$32 for the whole car). The main advantage here is that you don't need to lug your stuff (or yourself) through Customs at both ends; you can just sit in the car.
The most expensive option is to take a limousine taxi specially licensed to take passengers from any point to any destination, but only a few are available and they charge a steep RM150 per trip. Advance booking is highly recommended, tel. +60-7599-1622.

 

[v8Statesman]

Thanks for all the info. Just sounds way to hard.

Was thinking it would have a few $$$, but I think my stress levels kept low is worth more than it would save.

 

[Therma]

Thanks for all the info. Just sounds way to hard.

Was thinking it would have a few $$$, but I think my stress levels kept low is worth more than it would save.

Me bad. It is not Lavender (this is where buses go from), but Queen Street as mentioned above. I saw all the Malaysian taxis line up there today.

As far as the hassle:

Hyatt JB rooms are pretty good. Service is average, food below average, and there is really nowhere to eat around the hotel. Unless you are on a status run I would not stay there. You will be a prisoner in your room. JB is becoming increasingly more dangerous and there really is no nightlife of any form. If you had someone there to drive you around and take you to food markets and shopping centres, it would be different. I spent one week there with colleagues with cars and it was bearable. A week by myself was a torture.

It takes about 30-40 minutes to get to the checkpoint from city. The immigration is on both sides, with 2 forms. Singapore side is quick, Malaysian side less so. It can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 2 hours depending on the time of the day and day of the week. From there it is 5 minutes to the bus station in JB and 5 more to Hyatt. So I would not consider a daily commute to Singapore

 

[Mal]

Every time I've been in SIN for more than 2 days, I've wanted to hop across the border to JB.

However, I'm constantly seeing statements like:

JB is becoming increasingly more dangerous

(WikiTravel says something very similar, as do other reference sites on the net).

In what way is it dangerous? I spose I should find a local to venture with me to protect me, but I didn't think it could be too bad.

 

[Keith009]

JB is meant to be the crime capital of Malaysia, according to Malaysian and Singaporean media. I have family there so I'm there every so often - so far so good, I've not been shot, stabbed, robbed or otherwise come to any harm yet. Then again neither was I shot riding the subway in NYC at 4am in the morning from Brooklyn back to Manhattan; nor have I been mugged walking through New Orleans at similar hours.

It's just like any other city and it helps to be sensible (eg no dark alleys) I'd think. Just avoid looking vulnerable (lost, drunk etc) and you ought to be fine. Then again - s*it happens.

 

[Cynicor]

Just my 2 cents: JB is pretty bad crime-wise, and is getting worse. I'm not worried when I go (being large, male and half-asian) but I would not recommend it for anyone travelling without large males in the group. Bag snatching is rife (happened to my girlfriend's sister and her mum while they were on holiday) and it just feels 'dodgy' now. It didn't seem that way 10 years ago and I've been almost every year for the past 15 or so.

Being with a local won't necessarily help much in a bag snatching, as the 2 i know were with locals and being driven in a private car... It probably feels even more unsafe when compared with Sinagpore or coughet, where travellers have usually been.

Bottom line- Go to check it out but I wouldn't stay more than a night. Singapore has nightlife, convenience and safe streets.

Jon M

Sorry if this double posts, didn't work the first time