Crossing The Land Border Between Singapore & Malaysia
No matter where you are in the world, crossing a land border can be something of a minefield, particularly if it’s your first attempt to do so.
If you are starting your Southeast Asia backpacking trip in Singapore and want to make your way up north via Malaysia, then it’s likely you’ll be crossing by land.
We recently used the train shuttle service between the two countries and I hope my brief and cohesive overview of the entire process will be helpful; making the ordeal a little bit less daunting!
Here goes…
Did you know you cannot cross the Singapore – Malaysia border on foot? You can take a bus, train or drive but there is not yet the option to walk across!
Booking Your Train Ticket
You will be crossing the border from Woodlands CIQ (Singapore) to JB Sentral (Malaysia) via the Shuttle Tebrau. Purchase your ticket in advance here.
A one-way ticket will cost approximately £3.17 (true as of 2023).
We booked our ticket out of Singapore before we flew into the country so that we had proof of onward travel should we be asked for it.
You can buy tickets at the border crossing point, but some trains do sell out in advance!
Starting In Singapore
Getting around Singapore is incredibly cheap and easy with the city’s MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system and it comes in very handy when you need to make your way from the city center (where most travelers will be staying) to the very north of the country to cross the border.
Despite us thinking Woodlands MRT station was the closest stop to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint, the nearest station to the checkpoint is in fact, Marsiling (on the North-South Line). We would recommend heading here.
The journey time to Marsiling from the city center is approximately an hour, but I would allow some extra time as we encountered some signal-related delays.
We would also recommend using the toilets at Marsiling station when you arrive as there are none at the Singaporean border until you pass immigration and security.
From Marsiling To The Train Checkpoint
Once you have arrived at Marsiling MRT station, you can either get the bus to the checkpoint or simply use your offline Google Maps (an essential tool when backpacking!) to direct you on the 20 minute walk there.
The walk is pretty straightforward, albeit hot – as the weather always is in Singapore!
We couldn’t find any shops or vending machines at the border, so make sure you stock up on water and snacks beforehand!
At The Woodlands Train Checkpoint
Once you have arrived at the checkpoint building, keep an eye out for signs labeled ‘Train’ versus other routes (like buses). It sounds obvious but the queue to get onto the train is difficult to miss.
There’s an air conditioned waiting room downstairs, but the actual queue is on the second floor just as you ascend the lift/escalator.
You’ll be able to tell where to queue as there is a series of temporary, yellow zig-zag railings. There will be a monitor showing a train timetable in front of you, with a queue barrier located on the left of that monitor.
DO NOT do what we did and continue walking all the way through the building to the other side where you will quickly notice that nobody has luggage and is heading for a bus rather than the train!
Immigration/Passport Control
When pre-booking a ticket online we were required to insert our passport details. We presume it’s the same case if you book in person. Your passport is your ticket! So no need to print out your booking confirmation.
Once you have queued and have your passport (ticket) scanned, you will first find yourself at a check-point to leave Singapore. You may (or may not) have your fingerprints scanned, will have your photo taken and passport checked again. This time by border security. Don’t expect a stamp here – I asked and apparently the process is all done digitally on the Singapore end.
Once you have cleared through the Singapore-side of passport control you will then move your way along to the Malaysian check-point. The same deal applies here – you may have your fingerprints scanned and will probably be asked questions about your time in Malaysia. The final step is having your luggage scanned.
Proof Of Onward Journey
In our experience it’s a real mixed bag at borders as to how in-depth you will be questioned about your onward journey plans. We have crossed this border twice however and both times myself and Adam were quizzed in depth on how long we were going to spend in Malaysia.
I would highly recommend that you confidently state your travel plans when questioned and always have an exit journey booked, with proof to hand should it be needed. Read more about onward journey tips and tricks here.
Be sure to double-check that your passport has been stamped at this point and check how many days your visa is valid for!
We saw a family of western travellers get pulled to one side as they didn’t have the right onward journey information. It’s one of the stricter borders we have encountered!
The Fun Bit (Not Really) – The Train Ride!
Once you’ve lugged your stuff halfway across Singapore and gone through all the passport checks, you can now enjoy the fun bit – getting on and riding the train into Malaysia!
The 5 minute ride from Singapore to Malaysia’s Johor Bahru is pretty smooth, but uneventful – definitely a means to an end.
There are toilets on the train should you need them.
Arrival in Malaysia
There are no further checks when you enter Malaysia, so you simply follow the crowd up the escalators into the train station.
The Malaysian side of the border has a lot more amenities. Free toilets, ATMs, currency exchange, lots of shops and places to eat. There’s also a mall next door if you need to stock up on anything.
There are very clear signs to the taxi rank to help you get to your next location.
Moving On From Johor?
Whether you are looking to explore Melaka, Kuala Lumpur or anywhere else after arriving in the border city of Johor in Malaysia, getting the bus is by far the easiest way to get there.
The central bus terminal, Larkin Sentral, is about a 15 minute drive from the border and has plenty of places to eat. There are toilets but you will need to pay.
Use BusOnlineTicket.com to pre-book your bus tickets and then exchange your email confirmation for printed versions at the ticket kiosk inside the terminal.
You will be charged RM2 for the pleasure, but it’s a necessary step as your printed ticket needs to be scanned at a turnstile before you can get access to the buses via a waiting room.
Be sure to check the board in the main waiting room for which bay your bus is departing from – I’ve seen many people hop on to the wrong bus! Your designated bus bay is typically announced 30 minutes before departure.
You can, ofcourse, buy your bus tickets on the day but you will have less choice on seats and better buses. We used the bus company KKKL which comes very highly rated and offers an extremely comfortable journey – ample leg room, consistent air-con and comfy reclining seats. I would highly recommend them.
Enjoy your travels, friends!
Until next time,
Lica xoxo
