Welcome to the second installment of our Ultimate Guide, where we delve deeper into beating the causeway traffic and minimizing waiting times at the Singapore-Malaysia land checkpoints. Whether your journey is for work or leisure, here's a comprehensive guide to help you plan your travel seamlessly.
How to avoid jam:
1. Best Time to Go JB on Fridays (From Singapore)
Fridays mark one of the busiest days at both Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints. To navigate the JB traffic more smoothly, consider these optimal timings:
1.1 Woodlands Checkpoint Jam Timing on Friday
Travelers and Road-users from Singapore to JB on Fridays:
Typical Peak Hours and Traveler Demographics on a Friday
| 3pm to 4pm | Day shift workers going back to JB |
| 5pm to 10pm | 1. Full day workers (majority workers) going back to JB 2. Singaporeans planning for weekend trip to Malaysia |
| After 11pm | Night shift workers going back to JB |
Tips: Avoid peak from 5:00pm onwards due to Malaysians going back home and Singaporeans who plan to go for a weekend trip to Malaysia.
1.2 Tuas Checkpoint Jam Timing on Friday
Although Tuas checkpoint generally has better traffic conditions, expect jams during peak hours:
2. Best Time to go JB on Saturdays (From Singapore)
The traffic from Singapore to JB on a Saturday can be a nightmare for many (traffic can be crazy and may result to 2-4 hours waiting time in queues at checkpoints).
However, there is a small window of opportunity for travelling to JB on a Saturday if you have no other options.
Best Time to go JB on a Saturday:
In case you really need to travel on to JB on a Saturday, do plan your trip during these times:
2.1 Woodlands Checkpoint Jam Timing on Saturdays
Typical Peak Hours and Traveler Demographics on a Saturday
| 12pm to 8pm | 1. Half-day first shift workers going back to JB at about 12:00pm onwards 2. Half-day second shift workers going back to JB at about 4:00pm |
| 5pm to 10pm | Singaporean travelers going on short trip (usually for dinner and partying) |
Tips: Traffic reach a high peak from 12:00pm onwards due to the cluster of travelers (Malaysians going back home and Singaporeans planning a weekend trip to Malaysia)
2.2 Tuas Checkpoint Jam Timing on Saturdays
Just like Woodlands Checkpoint, Saturdays’ traffic condition is very bad. Hence, it is best not to travel to JB on a Saturday.
However, if you really need to travel from Singapore to JB on a Saturday, you can plan your trip during the following times:
Best Time to go JB on a Saturday:
3. Best Time to go JB on Sundays (From Singapore)
Sunday is the “best day of the weekend” when it comes to the traffic situation at the checkpoints.
Best Time to go JB on a Sunday:
Generally, travelling to JB from Singapore on a Sunday can be done any time.
However, to have the best timing for seamless travel, you would want to travel during the following times:
3.1 Woodlands Checkpoint Jam Timing on Sunday
Travelers and Road-users from Singapore to JB on Sundays
Typical Peak Hours and Traveler Demographics on a Sunday
Tips: Traffic builds up at around 9:00am onwards because Singaporean day trippers usually like to reach the shopping malls in JB by 10:00am
3.2 Tuas Checkpoint Jam Timing on Sunday
Like Woodlands Checkpoint, Sunday is the best day during the weekends to travel to JB from Singapore.
Therefore, the Best Time to go JB on a Sunday:
4. Best Time to Cross Woodlands Checkpoint during Weekdays
If you are travelling from Singapore to JB on a weekday (Mondays to Thursdays), do travel during these timings for seamless travel without jams and long waiting time.
Best Time to go JB on A Weekday:
4.1 Woodlands Checkpoint Jam Timing on Weekdays
Travelers and Road-users from Singapore to JB on Weekdays (Monday to Thursday):
Typical Peak Hours and Traveler Demographics on Weekdays
| 3pm to 4pm | Day shift workers going back to JB |
| 5pm to 8pm | Full day workers (majority workers) going back to JB |
| After 11pm | Night shift workers going back to JB |
Tips:
4.2 Tuas Checkpoint Jam Timing on Weekdays
Just like Woodlands Checkpoint, the travelers on weekdays (Monday to Thursday) consists mostly of Malaysians working in Singapore.
Best Time to go JB on a Weekday:
5. Best Time to go to Singapore on a Saturday (From JB)
Traffic from JB to Singapore is generally quite smooth flowing on a Saturday.
Best Time to get to Singapore on a Saturday from Johor Bahru:
5.1 Causeway Jam Timing on Saturday
Travelers and Road users from JB to Singapore on Saturday:
Typical Peak Hours and Traveler Demographics on Saturdays
| 10am to 11am | Second shift half-day workers travelling to Singapore |
8. Best Time to go to Singapore on Sunday from Johor Bahru
The best time to enter Singapore from JB on a Sunday is ANYTIME because traffic is generally smooth flowing on a Sunday.
8.1 Causeway Jam Timing on Sunday
Travelers and Road Users from JB to Singapore on Sunday:
Typical Peak Hours and Traveler Demographics on Sundays
| 3pm to 4pm | Singaporeans travelling home |
Bonus Tip: How to speed up your travel time across Singapore & Johor Customs if you are taking public bus
Majority of travelers hop on one of the many public buses (refer to our previous post on a guide on what buses and how to take them from Singapore to Johor Bahru!) to travel between Singapore and JB.
There are some tricks that not many know about, which will help you shave some time of your travelling. Do not worry, they are 100% legal!
Step 1: Queue at BOTH lanes for bus to JB
Queue at BOTH lanes for Bus 160 and Bus 170 because both queues lead to the same bus.
Step 2: When you arrive at Singapore customs from Johor, go towards the further left lanes labelled as “Singapore, Singapore PR and Malaysia Passport” & scan your passport using ACS Machines.
(These lanes are located right next to Singapore Passport Only lanes. Queues are usually shorter at these lanes as they have more ACS (Automated Clearance System) machines.)
Step 3: Travel light with a small backpack
Do take note that big luggage will need to be scanned through the X-ray machines and may be required to be opened for further checks by the immigration officer for security reasons.
By travelling light when you take public buses to travel between Singapore and Johor, boarding and alighting from buses will also be easier.
Step 4: When you arrive at Malaysia customs from Woodlands checkpoint, Singapore, queue at the back rows at JB CIQ. These queues tend to lead to 2 counters, meaning your waiting time can be much shorter.
