Planning for your weekend getaway across the border? Check out this handy-dandy guide on all you need to know about causeway travel before you make that trip!
We know all too well that heavy traffic is always expected at both land checkpoints every long weekend. Our local Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has advised travellers entering Malaysia via the land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas over the next few weeks to factor in extra time for immigration clearance and to avoid travelling during peak hours if they can.
To help you out, we’ve put together a quick and easy guide (or refresher guide, for seasoned cross-border travellers) to help you navigate the crowds without worry.
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Tuas vs. Woodlands Checkpoint — Which Is Better?
Image credits: CNA
If you don’t know by now, there are two checkpoints between Singapore and Johor Bahru — Tuas Checkpoint (a.k.a. Second Link), and Woodlands Checkpoint (a.k.a. First Link).
Historically, the Woodlands Checkpoint is more popular (and therefore more hectic), due to its proximity to popular tourist spots such as Johor Bahru City Square, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Jalan Dhoby, and Larkin Terminal.
Tuas Checkpoint, as a result, is comparatively less crowded as it caters to crowds looking to head towards areas like Bukit Indah, Legoland, or Iskandar Puteri.
Unfortunately, this peak period means that both borders will likely be equally congested. Our recommendation is to simply do a quick check on Google Maps to assess the traffic conditions, and hope for the best!
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Ways To Enter Malaysia By Land:
1. Immigration E-Gates At Johor Land Checkpoints
Image credits: Human Resources Online
Previously limited to Malaysian passport holders, the e-gates are now open to Singaporeans who use e-passports! Say adios to the days of 2-hour queues (at best…) because now you’ll get to clear customs in a jiffy.
Here’s what you need to do:
1️⃣ Make sure your biometric passport has a validity period of at least three months
2️⃣ Submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online three days before your arrival in Malaysia
3️⃣ First-time users will still have to verify their biometrics at the immigration counter
4️⃣ And just like that you’re all set to skip the queue!
Causeway Travel And The Best Times To Cross It 2023: Click here to submit your Malaysia Digital Arrival Card
2. KTM Shuttle
Image credits: CNA
Also frequently known as Shuttle Tebrau, this railway service can whisk you to JB from Woodlands in just five minutes. While you can choose to buy your tickets at the train station, we’d recommend making a purchase online to avoid disappointment — especially if you’re travelling over the weekends or during the peak period.
What we love about the shuttle is that upon arrival at JB Sentral, you’ll pass through a separate customs area from those entering JB by bus or coach. Yes, that means immigration clearance is a lot less crowded.
Causeway Travel And The Best Times To Cross It 2023: Buy your KTM Shuttle tickets here
3. Cross-Border Taxi
Image credits: Seedly
If you don’t wish to jostle with the crowd on the buses, but also don’t plan to drive into Malaysia, then the cross-border taxi option might be the right option for you. Start your journey from Queen Street Taxi Terminal, and take your pick from over 240 licensed taxis before disembarking at the Larkin Taxi Terminal in JB. Simply head down to Ban San Street, or plan ahead by calling the ComfortDelGro Taxi, Trans-Cab, Strides, or Prime Taxi hotlines.
Causeway Travel And The Best Times To Cross It 2023: Find out more about Cross Border Taxi fares here
4. Private Vehicle
Image credits: Income
The beauty of driving into JB is that you get to avoid the physical queues and sit in the comforts of your car before your passports get checked. However, there are a few things to take note of if you go for this option.
For instance, you’ll need to purchase a Touch ‘n Go Motoring Card to pay for tolls. We recommend the EZ Link x Touch ’n Go Card which can be used to pay for your public transport in Malaysia but bear in mind that this cannot be used in Singapore.
Your vehicle will also need to have a valid Malaysia Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) RFID tag. This is valid for five years and can be synced to your Touch ’n Go eWallet.
Lastly, the three-quarter tank rule still applies. This means that all Singapore-registered vehicles are required to have a minimum of 3/4 tank of fuel when leaving for Malaysia. Remember: non-compliance may result in a fine!
Causeway Travel And The Best Times To Cross It 2023: Find out more about the Touch ‘n Go eWallet here
5. Bus Services
Image credits: MustShareNews
There are plenty of public bus options that operate islandwide and will drop you off at the respective checkpoints. While you can choose to go for our SBS and SMRT buses, we recommend going for the cross-border shuttle buses for their convenience. We especially like Causeway Link, simply because you can opt to hop on at more central areas like Newton Circus or Queen Street and be shuttled across the causeway for under S$5!
Causeway Travel And The Best Times To Cross It 2023: Find out more the Causeway Link here
6. Passport-Free Clearance For Those Travelling In By Cars To Be Implemented In 2024
Image credits: Yahoo News Singapore
Here’s some good news to brighten up your week: From 2024 onwards, Singapore residents and visitors leaving the country will be able to clear checkpoints with a QR code instead of a passport!
While officers will be stationed at manual counters during the first phase of implementation, the exciting news is that travellers will soon be able to perform self-clearance right from the comfort of their own vehicles.
How it works:
1️⃣ Using the MyICA mobile app, create a profile using details from your Singpass/passport BEFORE your trip
2️⃣ Generate an individual/group QR code
3️⃣ Scan the QR code yourselves at the checkpoint counter without needing to present your passports to the immigration officer
4️⃣ The very same QR code can be used for future trips if your passport details don’t need to be updated
5️⃣ “Facial image checks” of passengers will then be conducted
So, buckle up and get ready to experience a smoother and more convenient journey when crossing the border!
Causeway Travel And The Best Times To Cross It 2023: Find out more the Causeway Link here
Peak Hours To Avoid
Now the fun part — being strategic about the time you should cross that border. To help cut out the guesswork, ICA has kindly shared the time slots to avoid.
Image credits: CNA
Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean that easy breezy travel when you hop over during non-peak periods; the checkpoints tend to be slightly more hectic during the festive period, so our advice is to check out the One Motoring website, especially if you’re driving in, and to buffer a couple of extra hours for the unexpected immigration queues.
Causeway Travel And The Best Times To Cross It 2023: Book your Inland Sea Day Trip here
Pre-Departure Checklist
Image credits: Time Out
The long waits may not be within the realm of your control, but preparing your documents ahead of time is.
Before embarking on your travels don’t forget the following:
✅ Make sure that your passport has at least 6 months of validity. As you already know by now, passport applications have peaked in the past couple of months, causing delays in the processing time. So you should make plans to renew it now if you intend to travel out.
✅ Prepare all necessary vaccination certificates. You can download a soft copy from HealthHub, or it printed for extra peace of mind.
Causeway Travel And The Best Times To Cross It 2023: Check out our guides on the Best Supper Spots in JB!
Pack Your Bags — You’re Now Roadtrip-Ready!
Fretting over long queues and traffic jams may seem like a downer, but it shouldn’t deter you from making plans to visit loved ones or embarking on those much-needed weekend getaways. As always, don’t forget to use your YouTrip Card to lock in our ever-reliable wholesale exchange rates. A little goes a long, long way — especially if you’re off on that shopping spree or foodie tour!
As Singapore’s favourite multi-currency wallet, we aim to get those pesky fees out of the way and help you save on your travels. Don’t have a YouTrip Card yet? Sign up for your complimentary card today with <YTBLOG5> to get FREE S$5 in your account! Then, head over to our YouTrip Perks page for exclusive offers and promotions — we promise you won’t regret. For more great tips and articles like this, join our Telegram (@YouTripSG) and subscribe to our free weekly newsletter here or down below.
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Stay safe and happy travels!
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