JB trip hacks

Crossing the Causeway to Johor Bahru is practically a rite of passage for Singaporeans. Some go for the massages and haircuts, others for café-hopping, grocery runs, or even a quick adrenaline fix – think go-karting, laser tag, or a round of bowling. But since most of us are only there for a day or two, everyone’s looking to make the most of their trip across the border.

If you think you’ve got your JB routine down to a science, these insider JB trip hacks from seasoned travellers might just level up your next trip. From dodging the worst traffic to scoring sweet Visa perks on food and transport, here are some tips from 5 Singaporeans for you to make the most of your getaway.

1. Time your border crossing like a pro

Avoiding weekends is a no-brainer, but Kezia Tan swears by this strategy: check real-time traffic updates using One Motoring or the Beat The Jam app right before you leave. Unsurprisingly, late mornings or mid-afternoons on weekdays tend to be less crowded than early mornings – if your schedule’s flexible.

If you’re planning to cross on a long weekend, skip Friday nights entirely. The traffic jam can be even worse than Saturday mornings. And if you’re really craving a longer trip, take half a day’s leave or head in earlier to beat the rush. We’d recommend taking the bus instead of driving in as there are dedicated bus lanes, which allow you to skip the jam. But if you do need a car to get around in JB, read our guide to driving to Johor Bahru from Singapore.

For those hopping on the KTM Shuttle Tebrau, book your tickets well in advance, especially for return trips. These are known to be very popular, and they usually sell out early.

And as for heading back to Singapore, weekday mornings after 9am are your best bet to dodge the working crowd. On weekends, avoid the 6pm to 9pm window – that’s when most day-trippers make their way home. If it’s a public holiday, aim to return before 6pm. Anything later and you might be crawling through the Causeway till midnight. For an in-depth guide, check out article on the best time to go to and from JB.

2. If you’re driving in, save time with the MyICA app

No one likes fumbling with passports at the checkpoint, especially when you’re the designated driver collecting everyone’s documents. Aditi Kashyap recommends using the MyICA mobile app to breeze through immigration with a group QR code. That way, you don’t have to scramble for everybody’s passports at the last minute.

You can generate a group QR code with a minimum of 2, and up to 10, members. It works whether you’re entering Malaysia via car, bus, lorry, or motorcycle. Just add each person’s profile via Singpass, passport scan, or manual input and you are good to go. Once done, immigration officers simply scan the code, and you’re off.

Image adapted from: ICA 

Bonus: these QR codes can be reused for future trips, as long as the travellers’ details stay the same. You can even save multiple codes for different kakis, making this a no-brainer if you’re a frequent JB-goer. Just double-check that the names and group size match.

3. Head to The Mall, MidValley Southkey as a one-stop destination

If you’ve only got time for one mall in JB, make it The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey – especially if you’re heading in with kids. Persis Gan names this as her top pick, and it’s not hard to see why. The sprawling complex is a one-stop destination with familiar names like Uniqlo, Sephora, and Innisfree alongside luxury favourites such as Dior Beauty and Gucci Beauty.

Parents will appreciate the kid-friendly entertainment, too. There’s a kid’s cinema hall under GSC’s IMAX cinema with tickets from just RM14. And if the young ones have got the zoomies, take them to KF Kiddy Circuit on the 4th floor. It’s a 200m indoor track where little ones can zip around in mini cars for just RM35 per 8-minute ride.

Bonus: Visa cardholders enjoy free parking for the first 3 hours on weekends with a minimum RM200 spend. And if you spend RM500, you get to redeem a RM30 F&B voucher which you can use at participating eateries at The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey.

4. Use Visa to pay like a JB regular & score exclusive deals

There’s no need to make last-minute trips to the money changer. In JB, cash is optional if you plan it smart – and especially if you’re travelling with your Visa card. That’s Carmen Yeo’s preferred method of payment. Whether you’re shopping at malls, riding with Grab, or paying at food stalls, Visa’s 500 layers of security make it a safe and convenient option.

Mid Valley Southkey.

Beyond just convenience, there are juicy perks, too. In addition to the offers at The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey, Din Tai Fung outlets in JB – City Square, Mid Valley Southkey, and Aeon Mall Tebrau City – also offer RM35 (~S$10.66) off when you spend RM180 (~S$54.87). Plus, travellers with dietary requirements would be happy to know that the Din Tai Fung outlet at Mid-Valley Southkey is a non-pork outlet.

Beyond that, Singapore Visa cardholders enjoy 30% off GrabFood Dine Out Deals (capped at RM15/~S$4.57). Extra foodie rewards await at popular cafes like JWC, The Factory 30, and OLIVA Café at Opero Hotel Southkey. We’re talking free coffee or up to 15% off your bill.

And if you’ve newly added your Visa credit card as a payment method on Grab, you’ll get RM10 (~S$3.04) off your first ride when you pay with Visa.

5. Download Touch n’ Go & load your Visa card

While we love going cashless when travelling, not every spot in JB takes credit cards. Just ask Kezia Tan, who’s missed out on a warm Roti Boy bun at JB Sentral.

Image credit: Touch ‘n Go

To avoid FOMO, download the Touch ’n Go eWallet app and load it up with your Visa card. It’s a secure and fuss-free way to pay at smaller stalls and cash-only shops, while still enjoying Visa’s protection and perks. Plus, topping up your eWallet on the go will be even more convenient.

Up your JB game with Visa

With these smart JB trip hacks, every run across the border gets a little smoother. And a lot more worth it, if you ask us. From avoiding border jams to scoring deals on good food and Grab rides, there’s no reason not to level up your next trip. And with Visa’s sweet perks in the mix, you’ll be travelling like a JB regular in no time.

And when you travel with Visa, you can skip the money changer queue and pay securely and conveniently across town – whether it’s mobile payments, for your Grab ride, Touch ’n Go top-ups, or a meal at Din Tai Fung. For more exclusive perks, check out all the JB Visa deals and start planning your next weekend escape.

Find out more about Visa perks in JB

This post was brought to you by Visa.
Photography by: Matin Hakam