city with high rise buildings during night time

Johor Bahru

A short land crossing from Singapore, royal palaces and hawker food make Johor Bahru a practical stop for a day or two.

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Johor Bahru is the capital of Johor, a state at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in Malaysia. It sits across the Johor Strait from Singapore and connects to it by the Causeway, a road and rail link, and by the Second Link bridge. Travelers often arrive from Singapore by land, so the city works well as a stop on a longer Malaysia trip or as a base for a short stay.

The city has a royal past. The Istana Besar, the former palace of the Johor sultans, and the Royal Abu Bakar Museum show that history, and the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque is one of its landmarks. Hawker stalls and food courts across the city serve Malay, Chinese and Indian dishes. Johor Bahru is hot and humid year-round, so plan outdoor walks for early morning or evening. Give it one full day for the center, or two to three days if you add a theme park in nearby Iskandar Puteri or a day trip into Singapore.

Johor Bahru in five

Check your entry rules before you bookMany passports enter Malaysia visa-free for short stays, but eligibility depends on nationality and rules can change. Check the Immigration Department site before you book, and carry your passport for every border crossing.Visas and entry
Set up mobile data before you crossGrab is the easiest way to get around Johor Bahru and across to Singapore, and it needs mobile data. Set up an eSIM or local SIM before you arrive, so the first ride does not depend on finding a shop.Phones and eSIM
Keep your passport ready at the CausewayYou pass immigration on both sides of the Causeway and Second Link, whether you travel by bus, taxi or Grab. Keep the passport in hand, not packed away, and allow extra time at peak hours.Getting around
Carry ringgit for hawker stallsHawker stalls and small shops often prefer cash, so carry small ringgit notes for breakfast and street food. Larger restaurants and malls are more likely to take cards and e-wallets.Money and costs
Dress modestly at mosques and templesMosques ask visitors to cover shoulders and knees and to remove shoes, and women may be asked to cover their hair. Carry a light scarf in your daypack, since it is hot and you will walk between sights.

Things to do in Johor Bahru

See all attractions in Johor Bahru

Temple · Johor BahruArulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple

Temple · Johor BahruJohor Ancient Temple

Park · Johor BahruLEGOLAND MalaysiaBuy tickets online in advance. They cost less than at the gate and save time in the queue.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Johor BahruPut the places you like in Johor Bahru on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Malaysian ringgit (MYR)
Entry: Visa-free for many passports; check the Immigration site before you book Read more
Emergency: 999 police and ambulance, 994 fire and rescue; 112 works from mobiles
Tipping: Not expected; some restaurants add a 10% service charge
Time: UTC+8, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Wet, humid
FebruaryRain17 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Wet, humid
MarchRain24 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Showery, hot
AprilRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Hot, humid
MayRain29 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Hot, showers
JuneRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Drier, hot
JulyRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Drier, hot
AugustRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Drier, hot
SeptemberRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Hot, showers
OctoberRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Wetter, humid
NovemberRain29 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Rainy season
DecemberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Wet, holidays

Average daily high and low in Johor Bahru, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Johor Bahru

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 30°
Humidity: 90%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Johor Bahru

08:57 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today32°23°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed30°23°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Thu31°23°100%Thursday: Rain. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Fri30°23°96%Friday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 96%.
Sat31°23°96%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 96%.
Sun30°23°99%Sunday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 99%.

Updated 08:57 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 4.057 MYR

Amount

Converted to

MYR · Malaysian Ringgit

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Singaporeabout 20 min to 2 hours, depending on the borderCross the Causeway by bus, taxi or Grab for a day in the city-state.
Melakaabout 2 hours by roadA historic port city with an old town, an easy day trip from Johor Bahru.
Desaruabout 1 to 1.5 hours by roadBeach resorts on the east coast of Johor, a slower change of pace.

Before you go to Johor Bahru

eSIM for Johor BahruGrab and maps across the borderRead the guide

Travel insurance for Johor BahruCover for border delays and day tripsRead the guide

Money and cards for MalaysiaRinggit cash and QR paymentsRead the guide

Stays in Johor BahruHotels near the Causeway and centreRead the guide

Rules for Johor Bahru, checked

Malaysia's drug laws are strict and include the death penalty for trafficking. Do not carry any drugs, even for someone else.
Declare goods and currency above the legal limits at customs on arrival. Check the current rules with Royal Malaysian Customs before you travel.Source
Check entry rules on the Immigration Department website before you book, since visa-free stays depend on your passport.Source
Dress modestly and remove shoes at mosques and some temples. Women may need to cover their hair.

Plan around Johor Bahru

All of Malaysia

Regions, entry rules and transport for a Malaysia trip

Read the guide Visas and entry

Who needs a visa and what to check before the border

Read the guide Getting around

Buses, taxis, Grab and the Causeway crossing

Read the guide Money and costs

Cash, cards and e-wallets for a short trip

Read the guide Where to stay

Places to base yourself in Johor Bahru

Read the guide

Johor Bahru FAQ

Is Johor Bahru worth visiting?

Yes if you want food, markets and a lower-cost base for Singapore. It has fewer headline sights than Singapore, so pair it with a day in Melaka or Desaru if you have time.

How do you get from Singapore to Johor Bahru?

Take a bus, taxi or Grab across the Causeway or Second Link, and carry your passport for immigration on both sides. Peak traffic can add a long wait, so allow extra time.

Do you need a visa for Malaysia?

Many passports enter visa-free for short stays, but eligibility depends on nationality. Check the Immigration Department site before you book, since rules can change.

How many days do you need in Johor Bahru?

One to two days covers the city center and a day trip to Singapore or Melaka. Stay longer if you want the Desaru beaches or the attractions in Iskandar Puteri.

Is Johor Bahru cheaper than Singapore?

Usually yes for hotels, food and taxis. Compare nightly rates and the cost of crossing the border.

What is the best way to get around Johor Bahru?

Grab is the easiest option for most trips and needs mobile data. Buses are cheap but harder to plan, so check routes in a map app before you go.