Say Goodbye to Causeway Jams: The Ultimate Guide to Riding the RTS Link from JB to Singapore

  

For decades, crossing the Johor-Singapore Causeway has been an endurance sport. Whether you are a daily commuter or a weekend traveler heading from Johor Bahru (JB) to Singapore, you have likely suffered through unpredictable traffic, grueling multi-hour queues, and the dreaded double-immigration clearing process.

That era is finally coming to an end. With the highly anticipated launch of the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, your cross-border commute is shrinking into a predictable, breeze-like journey. Here is everything you need to know about how to travel from JB to Singapore using the brand-new RTS Link, complete with step-by-step instructions and a realistic budget breakdown.

What is the RTS Link?

The RTS Link is a dedicated, 4-kilometer cross-border rail shuttle connecting Bukit Chagar Station in Johor Bahru (located right next to JB Sentral) directly to Woodlands North MRT Station in Singapore.

Forget about getting stuck in traffic gridlocks. The fully automated, driverless trains slide across a dedicated marine viaduct at speeds of up to 80 km/h, making the station-to-station transit time a jaw-dropping 5 minutes.

Key Highlights at a Glance

• Peak Frequency: Trains run every 3.6 minutes during peak hours.

• Operating Hours: 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM (Midnight) daily.

• Massive Capacity: Built to transport up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction.

The Magic Feature: Clear Immigration Just Once

The absolute best part of the RTS Link is its co-located Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) facilities.

Under the old system, you had to clear Malaysian customs, hop on a bus or train, get off, and queue all over again at Singapore customs. The RTS Link completely eliminates this double-handling. You will clear both Malaysia’s exit immigration and Singapore’s entry immigration at Bukit Chagar Station before you even board the train.

When you step off the train at Woodlands North, you are already legally processed into Singapore. You simply tap out and walk straight into the city.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Go to Singapore via RTS Link

Getting from downtown JB into Singapore is now as simple as catching a regular subway ride. Here is how the process works from Bukit Chagar:

Step 1: Arrive at Bukit Chagar Station

Head to the newly built Bukit Chagar Station in JB. If you are arriving from other parts of Johor, you can easily take a Grab, a local bus, or walk via the covered pedestrian linkways from JB Sentral.

Step 2: Purchase or Scan Your Ticket

You can purchase tickets online via official mobile apps or use contactless payment methods at the automated fare gates. While peak and off-peak structures vary, one-way fares are expected to sit comfortably around RM15.50 to RM21.70 (equivalent to S$5 to S$7).

Step 3: Streamlined Border Clearance

Follow the signs to the immigration hall. Here, you will pass through Malaysia’s automated e-gates to exit the country, and then immediately walk over to the Singapore ICA counters (featuring AI-powered e-gates with a 7-second clearance time) to enter Singapore.

Pro Tip: Ensure your passport has at least 6 months of validity and you have submitted your SG Arrival Card (SGAC) online up to 3 days before your trip.

Step 4: Board the Train and Zip Across

Once cleared, head down to the platform and board the next available 4-car shuttle. Find a spot, get comfortable, and enjoy the scenic 5-minute ride over the Strait of Johor.

Step 5: Arrive and Explore Singapore

The train terminates at Woodlands North Station. Since you cleared immigration back in JB, you can walk right out of the station. Woodlands North seamlessly interchanges with Singapore's Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), giving you a direct underground connection to Orchard, Marina Bay, and the rest of the MRT network.

Estimated Travel Budget Breakdown

Traveling via the RTS Link is incredibly cost-effective compared to private car charters or taxis. Here is a realistic budget breakdown for a one-way trip from JB into Singapore's city center.

Expense Item	Cost in MYR	Cost in SGD	Notes
RTS Link Ticket (One-way)	RM15.50 – RM21.70	S$5.00 – S$7.00	Expected base pricing structure
Singapore MRT Fare (Woodlands North to Orchard)	~RM7.50	~S$2.40	Paid via SimplyGo (contactless bank card)
Sim Card / Data Roaming	RM10.00 – RM20.00	S$3.00 – S$6.00	Daily tourist eSIM or roaming top-up
Incidentals (Water/Snacks)	RM10.00	S$3.00	Optional quick bites at the station
Total Estimated Cost	RM43.00 – RM59.20	S$13.40 – S$18.40	Highly affordable, highly predictable

Bottom Line: Is it Worth It?

Absolutely. While taking a public bus across the Causeway remains slightly cheaper, the hours you save by avoiding traffic gridlock make the RTS Link an absolute no-brainer. It transforms a stressful, half-day ordeal into a smooth, predictable 20-minute door-to-door transit. Whether you are commuting for work, heading down for a concert, or enjoying a weekend holiday, the RTS Link is officially the smartest way to travel to Singapore from JB.

which payment cards are accepted at the RTS fare gates

The ticketing system for the Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS Link is integrated across both sides of the border to support seamless cross-border travel. Because the system utilizes an open-loop automated fare gate framework (similar to Singapore's SimplyGo and Malaysia's newer transit gates), you can tap past the gates using major contactless bank cards, mobile wallets, and regional transit cards.

The specific accepted payment methods at the RTS Link automated fare gates include:

1. Contactless Bank Cards (Debit & Credit)

You can directly tap your physical bank card at the gates, provided it has contactless payment enabled. If you are using a card issued outside the station's host country (e.g., using a Malaysian card when traveling or vice versa), remember to enable overseas/international transactions via your banking app before you tap.

• Visa (Contactless)

• Mastercard (Contactless)

• Multi-currency travel cards (such as YouTrip, Wise, or BigPay cards linked to Visa/Mastercard networks)

2. Digital & Mobile Wallets

If you prefer to leave your physical cards in your wallet, you can use your smartphone or smartwatch. The automated fare gates support major international mobile wallets that house an eligible Visa or Mastercard debit/credit card:

• Apple Pay

• Google Wallet / Google Pay

• Samsung Wallet / Samsung Pay

3. Regional Transit Cards

To facilitate daily commuters from both Malaysia and Singapore, regional closed-loop transit cards are fully integrated into the RTS ticketing infrastructure:

• Touch 'n Go (TNG) Cards: The standard Malaysian transit card can be tapped directly at the fare gates (ensure it is topped up, or use an enhanced TNG card).

• EZ-Link & NETS Cards: Singapore’s account-based transit cards are accepted seamlessly across the RTS system, allowing commuters to use their existing transport wallets.

⚠️ Crucial Commuter Tip: Always use the exact same card or device to tap in and tap out for a single journey. If you tap in with your physical Mastercard but try to tap out using Apple Pay on your phone (even if it's linked to the exact same Mastercard), the system will flag them as two separate transactions. This will result in an error or maximum fare overcharges on both ends.