Tumbleweeds,
Just to clarify, two things:
1) when I took this train about 12 years ago, Malaysian customs and immigration was at the Singapore station and I assumed we were travelling in "Malaysian territory" along the train line. It sounds like this is no longer the case...? Now exit in singapore and clear again in Johor?
2) If you do get off in Johor, do you have to clear all of your luggage as well?
Thanks
Cliff
Sorry for the confusion, Cliff. Yes, you go through Malaysian customs at the Singapore train station before you board the train. However, the train still stops at Singapore immigration, where you get off, get your passport stamped, etc. This is where there were delays as they searched for Mas Selamat Kastari, though when I went through there last week, it was back to normal.
The train does stop in JB, but you do not need to get off the train as you have already cleared Malaysian customs while in Singapore.
Quick reply on last post:
1) It is Malaysian teritory (Railway track + 6m to each side and the train station).
You clear Malaysian customs at the station and then clear the Singapore customs - so you first enter Malaysia and then leave Singapore...
If you arrive at 5:30pm you should be able to leave the airport at 6:30pm.
The trip to Kranji MRT should take you a bit more than 1 hour, let's say you arrive there at 8pm.
The trip to the customs (Bus 170 or Causewaylink Express) should be around 30min, so you arrive at the Signapore customs at 8:30pm.
The time spend to cross over to Johor from Singapore can take anything from 30 mins to 3 hours, really. Normal would be 1 to 1.5 hours.
The Johor Train Station is close to the Malaysian customs.
There are special Taxis that can cross the immigration and go to Johor, you can get one at Queen Street (Bus Station). There are also buses that go to Johor straight from there, they might be faster than taking the MRT.
I'd just take the train from Singapore, the hassle of crossing the boarder is not worth it (only have to get off the train once for Singapore customs and it's a special customs terminal).
Hm, actually I'd take a bus from Singapore to KL, it's faster and easier ;)
Edited by: morid
Much quicker and easier getting into JB if you take train direct from Singapore Central, about $5. There are many each day.
At the moment it can take a long time crossing the causeway (particularly in peak hours) because the authorities are searching for an alleged terrorist who 'escaped' from jail a month or so ago.
Definitely cheaper to buy onward passage to KL in JB, but the bus service is also very good and cheap. You get what you pay for (as always) but quality ranges from standard tour bus to super comfy liners with personal video screens and business class style service.
Happy travels.
try taking Bus No. 858 from the airport bus stop - it go all the way to Woodlands Regional interchange (abt 45mins). Change to bus no. 950 that go all the way to JB or take bus 911to the old woodland interchange and walk in to the departure hall. Nowadays, bus 170 & 160 can be slower then bus 950 as they tends to get stuck at Kranji.