Johor Bahru Travel Guide

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Johor Bahru Travel Overview:

Sitting at the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia, with a 1056-metre Causeway over the narrow Johor Straits connecting to Singapore, a comprehensive highway system extending onto either coasts and an international airport linking it to the rest of southeast Asia and beyond, Johor Bahru enjoys a preeminent distinction just for its unique strategic location.
As the state capital for Johor, and one of the largest urban areas and most significant industrial hubs in Malaysia, Johor Bahru has all the blessings and blemishes of a rapidly developing metropolis.
Like it or not, its kaleidoscopic blend of fair-weather commercialism and the fascinating tropical environs, the flashily chrome-plated glitz and the fairly decadent royal grandeur, and fabulous local cuisine and dining scene and fun-filled entertainment and recreational activities, does promise something for everyone.
The comparison between Johor Bahru and its neighboring city-state is unavoidable and writ large. While those traveling south use Johor Bahru as a stopover en route to Singapore, Singaporeans stream through the Causeway to take advantage of all that this "half-price bazaar" has to offer. Given the favorable currency exchange rates, Singaporeans can get everything from groceries to golf, from foodstuff to flights, for roughly half price across the border.
Nearby Cities: Singapore, KL
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What To Do in Johor Bahru

1. Sightseeing

Historical/Heritage landmarks:
Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque (Tel: +60-7-223 4935/224 9960; Sat-Thu: 10:00am- 6:00pm);
Sultan Ibrahim Building (Tel: +60-7-222 3... More>>>

1. Sightseeing

Historical/Heritage landmarks:
Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque (Tel: +60-7-223 4935/224 9960; Sat-Thu: 10:00am- 6:00pm);
Sultan Ibrahim Building (Tel: +60-7-222 3591; Mon-Sat, 8:00am-4:30pm);
Johor Lama (Tel: +60-7-223 4935/224 9960; Remains of a 1540 fort);
Istana Bukit Serene/Serene Hill Palace (Tel: +607-223 4935/224 9960);
Johor Old Chinese Temple (Tel: +60-7-277 7858);
Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Mausoleum (Tel: +60-7-228 2525);
Sri Mariamman Temple (Tel: +60-7-228 2525);
Saint Christopher's Anglican Church (Tel: +60-7-224 3054),
Nature/Agro/Eco getaways:
Istana Garden (Tel: +60-7-223 4935/224 9960; Within the compound of the Grand Palace);
Lido Beach (Tel: +60-7-228 2525);
Stulang Laut Beach (Tel: +60-7-223 4935/224 9960);
Taman Rekreasi Hutan Bandar (32 hectare recreational park);
Tropical Village (Tel: +60-7-758 2170);
Johor Zoo (Tel: +60-7-223 4935/224 9960; Opposite Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque);
Orchid Valley (Tel: +607-527 1122; Mon-Fri 11:00am-4:00pm; 100acre enclave of over 80 breeds of tropical orchids).
Museums and art galleries:
Royal Abu Bakar Museum (Tel: +60-7-223 0555; Sat-Thu: 9:00am-5:00pm; Within the grounds of Istana Besar (Grand Palace));
Johor Art Gallery (Tel: +60-7-224 5488);
JARO Malaysia Handicrafts Centre (Tel: +60-7-224 5632).

2. Shopping:

Shopping centers:
Johor Bahru City Square (Tel: +60-7-226 3668; Mon-Sun 10:00am-10:00pm; Opposite the train station in the Central Business District);
Plaza Kotaraya (Mon-Sun 10:00am-10:00pm; 1km north of Johor Bahru Immigration complex);
ZON Shopping Complex (Mon-Sun 10:00am-10:00pm; duty-free area in at the Johor Bahru International Ferry Terminal);
KOMTAR/Tun Abdul Razak Complex (Mon-Sun 10:30am-9:00pm; Next to City Square);
Holiday Plaza (Tel: +60-7-276 2620; 5 km north of downtown, next to Mutiara/Crowne Plaza Hotel);
Plaza Pelangi (Tel: +60-7-276 2216; Very up-market; On Jalan Kuning 10 minutes drive north of the causeway);
Pelangi Leisure Mall (Tel: +60-7-335 2317);
Plaza Angsana (Tel: +60-7-235 1420),
Jusco Tebrau City (Latest and largest shopping mall in Johor Bahru, Accessible via a RM20 taxi ride from the causeway).
Night Market/ Pasar Malam:
Mondays: Century Gardens, Kg. Melayu, Kota Tinggi, Permas Jaya;
Tuesdays: Taman Pelangi, Bukit Chagar, Johor Jaya;
Wednesdays: Tmn Daya, Ungku Mohsin, Tmn Selesa Jaya, Plentong Baru;
Fridays: Puteri Wangsa;
Saturdays: Tun Aminah, Pasir Gudang, Jln.Nong Chik;
Sundays: Seri Pandan, Taman Johor.
Department Stores:
Carrefour (Tel: +60-7-351 0200; Mon-Sun 9:30am-10:30pm; At Kota Tinggi highway);
Makro (Tel: +60-7-353 9888)

3. Nightlife and entertainment

Bars and Pubs:
Bongo Pub (Tel: +60-7-221 6666, Grand BlueWave Hotel, level 2; Average Cost: MYR20);
Caesar Karaoke and Musical Lounge (Tel: +60-7-221 0333; Eden Floating Palace, 2nd Deck; Average Cost: MYR30);
Lobby Lounge at The Puteri Pan Pacific (Tel: +60-7-223 3333; Average Cost: MYR25);
Palm Lounge (Tel: +60-7-221 9999; Zon Regency Hotel By The Sea, Level 5; Average Cost: MYR15);
TGI Friday's (Tel: +60-7-221 3380; Average Cost: MYR50);
T.A.M. Disc Laser Karaoke Lounge (Tel: +60-7-331 8907; Average Cost: MYR50);
VOR Viking Discotheque (Tel: +60 7 221 8000;
Eden Floating Palace Restaurant, Main Deck; Average Cost: MYR30)
Cinemas:
Mega Pavilion Cinemas at Level 5 City Square;
Golden Screen Cinemas in Pelangi Leisure Mall;
Tanjung Golden Village, in Jusco Tebrau City.

4. Golfing
Austin Hills Country Club (Tel: +60-7-352 4300; 36-hole par-72; Peter Dalkeith Scott designed);
Palm Resort Golf and Country Club (Tel: +60-7-599 6222; 54-hole; Ronald Fream and Hirosama Inagawa designed);
Ponderosa Golf and Country Club (Tel: +60-7-354 9999; 18-hole par-72; Max Wexler designed);
Royal Johor Country Club (Tel: +60-7-223 3322/224 2098; par-72; 10 minutes from Hyatt Regency Hotel);
Starhill Golf and Country Club (Tel: +60-7-556 6325; 36-hole);
Daiman 18 (Tel: +60-7-353 3100; 18-hole);
Pulai Spring Resort (Tel: +60-7-521 2121; 36-hole);
Tanjung Puteri Golf and Country Club (Tel: +60-7-271 1888; 54-hole; 40-minute drive east of Johor Bahru).

5. Day trips

To the south:
Singapore
To the north:
Ayer Hitam (knick-knacks, ceramic wares and local specialities);
Kota Tinggi (Kota Tinggi Waterfalls);
Mersing (fishing villages, good seafood restaurants, and Tioman Island and a string of smaller islands);
Endau-Rompin National Park (Tel: +60-7-223 7471; The oldest tropical rainforests in the world; For camping, bird-watching, fishing, jungle trekking and four-wheel drive excursions);
Mount Ophir/ Gunung Ledang (Tallest mountain in Johor);;
To the west:
Kukup (Plenty of cheap seafood dishes and stilted clapboard restaurants);
Tanjung Piai (More seafood restaurants and the Tanjung Piai Resort);
Pontian (Stilted fishing villages, Muzium Bugis, Gunung Pulai Waterfalls, Gunung Pulai Recreational Forest.)
To the east:
Ayer Papan (Known for durian and other tropical fruits, and kayaking and boating activities along the beach);
Desaru well-developed sandy beaches and golf courses-the Sebana Cove and Desaru Golf and Country Resort);
Tanjung Balau (Tanjung Balau Fishing Village and the Fishermen's Museum).

What To Wear in Johor Bahru

As a city bordering Singapore, Johor Bahru is as hot and humid, and liberal and tolerant, as its neighbor. Proper clothing and footwear here can be whatever you have on in Singapore, such as sleeve... More>>>

What To Eat in Johor Bahru

1. Hawker fare
Taman Sri Tebrau Hawker Centre (Tel: +60-7-228 2525): Off Tebrau Highway, near Crystal Crown Hotel, 3 km north of downtown; Average Cost MYR3.
Tepian Tebrau Hawker Centre (Tel: +60-7-223 4935):Just past the Sultan Aminah Hospital along the Straits-fronting Jalan Skudai on Lido Beach.
Menara Landmark Food Court (Tel: +60-7-224 2000): At Basement One Menara Landmark; Average Cost MYR5.
Lucky Food Court (Tel: +60-7-223-6310): Adjacent to the Causeway; Average Cost MYR4.50.
Danga Bay Bayleaf Food Park: In waterfront complex overlooking a quiet inlet off Johor Straits, 2 miles west of the causeway.
2. Malaysian
Restoran ZZ (Tel: +60-7-224 0417; Behind Sultanah Aminah Hospital; Average Cost MYR7);
Salt 'n' Pepper Cafe Restaurant (Tel: +60-7-221 9999 x5106);
Zon Regency Hotel By The Sea, Level 5; Average Cost MYR 15);
Restoran Kerala (Tel: +60-7-223 4282; Average Cost MYR8);
Mee Rebus Stulang Laut (Beside Open University campus);
Nasi Lemak Senibong (In Kampung Senibong; Average Cost MYR 4).
3. Asian
Hyatt Regency Coffeehouse (Tel: +60-7-222 1234; Average Cost MYR 25);
Newsroom Cafe (Tel: +60-7-223 3333 x3160);
Puteri Pan Pacific Johor Bahru; Average Cost MYR 20);
Orient Express Coffee House (Tel: +60-7-221 6666);
Grand BlueWave Hotel, Ground Floor; Average Cost MYR 10).
4. Chinese
Hai Tien Lo Chinese Restaurant (Tel: +60-7-223 3333; Puteri Pan Pacific Johor Bahru);
Kang Seng Bird's Nest and Desserts (Tel: +60-7-334 8159);
Komplek Lien Hoe shopping center, Block D Ground Floor; Average Cost MYR 20);
Lotus Garden Shark's Fin and Abalone Restaurant (Tel: +60-7-221 9999 x5512);
Zon Regency Hotel By The Sea, Level 5; Average Cost MYR 50);
Nan Yuen Chinese Restaurant (Tel: +60-7-221 6666; Grand Bluewave Hotel, Level 6);
New Hong Kong Restaurant (Tel: +60-7-222 2608);
Restoran Swee Kee Chicken Rice (Tel: +60-7-598 4231; Average Cost MYR 7).
5. Seafood
Eden Palace Seafood Restaurant (Tel: Eden Floating Palace, 1st Deck; average cost: MYR 60);
Hollywood Seafood Restaurant (Tel: +60-7-331 0191; Pelangi Golf Driving Range; Average Cost MYR 20);
Ocean Garden Seafood Restaurant (Average Cost MYR 25);
Senibong Village Seafood (Tel: +60-7-338 1188; average cost: MYR 400);
Straits View Palace Marina Seafood Restaurant (Tel: +60-7-224 1400; Straits View Hotel; Average Cost MYR 20).
6. Indian
Rang Mahal Tandoori Restaurant (Tel: +60-7-222 9988; Johor Bahru??s premier bona fide Indian restaurant);
Restoran Kerala (Tel: +60-7-223 4282; Average Cost MYR8).
7. Thai
Sukhothai (Tel: +60-7-221 9999): In Zon Regency Hotel By The Sea, on Level 6; Average Cost MYR 20.
8. Indonesian
House of Sundanese Food (Tel: +60-7-226 8788): Block M3, Level 4,5,6, City Square; Average Cost MYR 20.
9. Japanese
ASKA (Tel: +60-7-222 1234; Hyatt Regency Johor Bahru; Average Cost MYR 70);
Agehan Japanese Restaurant (Tel: +60-7-221 6666; Grand BlueWave Hotel, Level 7; Average Cost MYR 30);
Sushi Kappo Kasuga Japanese Restaurant (Tel: +60-7-335 7787; Average Cost MYR 25)
10. American/Mexican
Manhattan Grill (Tel: +60-7-223 3960; Lot 110, Plaza Kotaraya, Level 5; Average Cost MYR 40);
TGI Friday??s (Tel: +60-7-221 3380; Average Cost MYR 50)
11. French
Chez Papa French Bistro and Wine Room (Tel: +60-7-333 4988) Average Cost MYR 70.
12. Italian
Rosmarino Italian Restaurant (Tel: +60-7-222 1820); In Taman Sri Setia/Serene Park.
13. Mediterranean
Paolo Restaurant (Tel: +60-7-223 3333): average cost: MYR 30.
14. Others
Lavender Cake Shop (Tel: +60-7-335 9966): Near Pelangi Leisure Mall; Specialties include pastries and sweets, most notably the best moon cakes during Mid-Autumn Festival; Light meals, coffee, soft drinks and cold beverages also available; Average Cost: MYR 8.

Where To Stay in Johor Bahru

1.Puteri Pan Pacific Hotel Johor Bahru
Tel. +60-7-223-3333; Five star; Known for central location and extra measures of privacy and luxury; Linked to the Persada Johor International Convention Centre; 500 metres away from City Square; 5 minutes walk to JB train station and Plaza Kotaraya; 5 minutes drive from the Causeway; 500 rooms with city or straits views; Singles start from MYR198, Doubles from MYR208, Suites from MYR228.
2. Mutiara Johor Bahru
Tel: +60-7-332 3800 /332 4000; Five star; Formerly the Crowne Plaza Hotel; Adjacent to Holiday Plaza; 10 minute drive from the city center and the Causeway; 330 rooms in total; Singles start from MYR220, Doubles from MYR220, Suites from MYR350.
3. Hyatt Regency Johor Bahru
Tel: +60-7-222-1234; Five star; Hillock location fronting the Straits of Johor; Business-resort hotel known for elegance and serenity; Near the Sultan's Palace; 10 minutes from downtown; 400 rooms in total; Singles start from MYR 180, Doubles from MYR180, Suites from MYR350.
4. Sofitel Palm Resort Johor Bahru
Tel: +60-7-599 6000; Five star; Located within the compounds of the 54-hole Palm Resort Golf and Country Club in Senai; 3 minutes drive from the Sultan Ismail International Airport; 30 minutes from city center; 350 rooms in total; Singles start from MYR 250, Doubles from MYR 250.
5. Zon Regency Hotel By The Sea
Tel: +60-7-221-9999; Five star; Formerly the Eden Garden Hotel; Located within the duty free zone, near the Johor Bahru International Ferry Terminal; 5 minutes drive from the central business district, the railway station, and the Causeway; 400 rooms in total; Singles start from MYR195, Doubles from MYR195, Suites from MYR320.
6. Grand BlueWave Hotel Johor Bahru
Tel: +607 221 6666; Four star; one of the closest hotels to the Railway Station and the customs checkpoint; 5 minutes walk from City Square, Komtar, and Kotaraya shopping complexes; 184 rooms in total; Singles start from MYR 180, Doubles from MYR180, Suites from MYR210.
7. Hotel Selesa Johor Bahru
Tel: +60-7332-3999; Four star; Formerly the Grand Centennial Hotel; Located on Jalan Tebrau; Easy walk to Plaza Pelangi, Holiday Plaza, Lien Hoe Complex, Pelangi Leisure Mall, Best World Plaza; 288 rooms in total, Singles start from MYR125, Doubles from MYR125, Suites from MYR310.
8. Crystal Crown Hotel Johor Bahru
Tel: +60-7-333 4422; Three star; Located along Jalan Tebrau in the heart of the suburban business enclaves; Close to principal shopping centers, entertainment venues and food courts; 250 rooms in total; Singles from MYR128, Doubles from MYR138.
9. Tropical Inn Johor Bahru
Tel: +60-7-224 7888; Three star; One of the oldest sizeable downtown hotels and one of the most famous budget hotels in Johor Bahru with decent standards of service at competitive prices; 160 rooms in total; Singles start from MYR 125, Doubles from MYR168, Suites from MYR180.
10. A' Vista Melati Hotel
Tel: +60-7-222 2888l In the heart of THE Central Business District; Anchors the north end of Meldrum Walk; Minutes from the railway station and the Causeway; Surrounded by shopping centers, office blocks, dining and entertainment venues, historic and cultural attractions and transportation options; 121 rooms in total; Singles start from MYR 95, Doubles from MYR95.

How To Go Johor Bahru

1. By air
The Sultan Ismail/Senai International Airport: located 28 km to the north-west of the metropolitan area. Contact +60-7-599-4737 for more details.
Malaysia Airlines (direct flight to/from Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu);
AirAsia (low-cost direct flights to/from Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Palembang, Macau, and Jakarta).
Airport transfer:
Causeway Link Express - City Airport Lounge (at Kotaraya II bus terminal in the heart of the city), RM8.
Buses (No. 207, 333, AA1, and the GML Line G3) - Kotaraya II bus terminal, RM4;
Buses (No. 207, 333, AA1, and the GML Line G3) - Larkin bus terminal, RM3.2
Taxi - city center, RM40.

2. By rail
Johor Bahru Railway Station: at Jalan Tun Abdul Razak right in the center of the city, just next to the Customs and Immigration Checkpoint in Malaysia.
Trains to/from Kuala Lumpur cost about RM29 ($7.65) or RM33 ($8.70);
Contact KL Sentral (Tel: +63-2-267 1200) for more details.
Trains to/from Singapore cost S$2.90 (US$1.70);
Contact Singapore Railway Station (Tel: +65-6-222 5165), or Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (Tel: +60-3-2267 1200) for more details.

3. By bus

Larkin bus terminal:
Long-distance buses to/from other parts of Malaysia, as well as Singapore
Larkin is 3km away north of the city centre, from where you can transfer to the local yellow bus or Singapore SBS bus to get to other parts of Johor Bahru or into Singapore.
Contact Transnasional Bus (Tel: +60-3-20703300) for more details.
Kotaraya 2 Bus Terminal:
SBS170, 160, SMRT 950, and Singapore-Johor Express to/from Singapore
Kotaraya is right in the city center.
Contact SBS (1800-2255663), SMRT (1800 3368 900)950, and Singapore-Johor Express (+65-6-292 8149) for more details.
Note:
While crossing the national border, passengers have to disembark with all their luggage on both sides of the Causeway.

4. By road
If driving a car from Singapore, crossing is made possible via the Causeway between Woodlands Singapore and Johor Bahru city center, or the Second Link in the west of the city. Small tolls are charged at either crossing. The Causeway is likely to be jam-packed during peak hours and weekends, while the Second Link is considerably less congested, albeit slightly out of the way from the city center.
If driving from major cities in the north, accessing the city is made possible via the North-South Expressway (NSE), Federal Route One and Federal Route Three (East Coast Road), all of which terminate at Johor Bahru.

5. By boat
Johor Bahru International Ferry Terminal: Ferry links to/from Batam and Bintan in Indonesia.
The ferry terminal is located in a duty free area called the Zon some 2 km east of the Causeway:
For more details, check out Tenggara Senandung (Tel: +60-7-2211677).

What to be noted in Johor Bahru

1.Currency
For the moment, 1 Singapore Dollar (SGD) = 2.31305 Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). There are Money changers everywhere in Johor Bahru, most often to be found at shopping centers, along Jln. Wong Ah Fook, and at Larkin and Kotaraya Bus Terminals. Singaporeans are advised to change some ringgit for small tolls before entering Malaysia, as Singapore dollars are accepted only at the unfavorable rate of 1:1.
2. The Second Link
For those coming to/from Jurong or Western side of Singapore Island, the Second Link will be closer. This alternative crossing is also strongly recommended if you're driving on your own, since the Causeway is always busy and often get congested during peak hours of the day, Fridays and Sundays of the week, and public and school holidays of both countries. Walking across is not allowed.
3. Safety and security
Johor Bahru is claimed to be a crime-ridden tourist-hostile area. Administrative action has been taken against the high crime rate and things have become better. Extra precautions are still advisable to be taken while visiting the city. Walking alone at night, carrying valuables or belongings around town, using restrooms in petrol kiosks after sunset, leaving your car unlocked, and exposing your wealth in public are ill-advised. Tourists requiring urgent police assistance can call +60-7-221 2999.
Prepare some medications for diarrhea, which come very useful should you drank tap water directly, or ate something unhygienic at some dirty roadside hawkers.
4. Immigration Formalities
Non-citizens need to complete the Immigration Card (White Card) to enter Malaysia; For Singaporeans who routinely make their weekend shopping in Johor Bahru, ask for more White Cards and fill up beforehand to save your time in the long waiting queue during your next trip.
5. Getting around
For touring Johor Bahru alone, traveling by taxi or bus can be fairly cheap and efficient. Moving around downtown in taxi could cost you no more than RM5, and even considerably less when you opt for a bus. Note that taxi drivers usually refuse to use meter, and Johor Bahru's bus network is rather limited around the city center, and there are no clear signs of the bus stops, so you'd better negotiate the price if you're taking a taxi, or make sure exactly which bus will take you where you??re going.
It makes much sense for Singaporeans to drive to Johor Bahru in their own cars, or rant a car in Johor Bahru to explore the city and the other parts of Malaysia, as fuel costs and car rentals are half price in Johor Bahru, and it is more complicated and expensive for a Malaysian-registered car to enter Singapore. When returning to Singapore, don't forget to fill up your gas tank.

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Johor Bahru Travel Guide