How to get to Singapore by bus from Johor Bahru (tips from a cheapskate)

Hellewww..

Can't believe it's been 2 month after my trip and I haven't got the chance to document it here. Ya lar, for future reference.

Where should I start?

Let's see if my brain can remember how to get to the place.

Alright..let's start from JB CIQ.

 JB SENTRAL

This is JB Sentral. Walk up a bit then you will see JB CIQ. Get your Gardenia and Roti Boy fix here and bring it to Singapore if you don't feel like buying foods from the island. I am a pokkai Malaysian, so must eat cheap foods to curb hunger..gitewwww.

Ha! JB Sentral. Not to be mistaken with Larkin Bus Terminal and CIQ 2. This is CIQ 1. You are going to Singapore via Woodland. CIQ 2 go Singapore too but via Tuas or something. Don't ask la, I don't know laaa.

Tips: If you want to save on lodging, stay in JB. At least you are spending the weakening Ringgit (I see no humor in this but this is the truth haiyahhhhhhh I want to cry when I go to the money changer) instead of paying everything times by 2.58 (September 2014) for a cheap hotel in Singapore. Money is hard to come by, be cokot (cheapskate).

PLACE(S) TO STAY
I'm staying at Amansari City Centre which is ..ermm..like 5 minutes walk to JB Sentral. Tips: If you are planning to go to Singapore by bus, look for a hotel located near JB Sentral, within walking distance as you would not want to spend moolah on taxi.

JB CIQ
OK, now that you know how JB Sentral look like, next step is to go to CIQ at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (not to be mistaken with the one in Kuching. This one is your passage to Singapore. Hahahaa)

 If you see this sign, then you are on the right track. Congrats. You are on your way to Singapore. No, you have not reach Woodlands yet but you are on your way to Woodlands. So close yet so far.

Next, you gotta walk and walk and walk...til u see the counter and show the officer your passport la. Then go down the stairs..and...wait for a bus.

The CIQ is the opposite building. This is Dewan Utama JB Sentral. Walk straight, cross the road and voila! CIQ.

OK. I can't take photo at the CIQ itself, so now, next step is to go to the counter and had your passport checked. Usually the just open it and look at it only. Now, that you are done, you will see a stair, it says Platform A and Platform B. Go to Platform A. My instinct says so, just follow lar. Here, queue up for the bus. Different lines cater for different bus company.

If you see this signage, then you are on the right track.

Choose the smiley bus (you can choose other bus too, but that's the bus that I am familiar with). Oh, it's called Causeway Link (as long you see a yellow bus and it's smiling, then just naik saja lar).

Don't be surprise. This is what you will see at 7:30am. So for those of you who wants to go over the weekend and wanted to save on money, please don't.This is still JB CIQ.

BUS(ES)

From here if you want to go to:

(a) Kranji (take CW1 if you are taking Causeway Link, the smiley bus or any other bus - just look for Kranji, senang cerita).

(b) Queens Street (take CW2 or any other bus that heading to the same route)

But first, you will stop at Woodlands CIQ / Checkpoint to get your passport stamped.

That, my friend is where you gonna get your passport stamped.

Here, you must fill up the white card or something. Can't remember what it is called. After that, board the same bus (same bus number). KEEP THE TICKET because you need to show it to the bus driver, the bus won't wait but you can take another bus from the same company without paying again. So, it is important that you keep the ticket.

Bear in mind that this is a WEEKDAY, WORKING DAY. And we managed to get into the bus after waiting for almost 1 and half hour. Think twice if you just want to spend your weekend in Singapore via land transport because you are actually pressed for time. And those outside is still waiting for the bus. This is Woodlands CIQ. You are actually in Singapore soil sudah.

Since I am heading to Sentosa Island, I am using CW1 - Kranji MRT Station (this I will explain in another post. Hopefully before the year END which is in about 2 days).

So, guys, girls, nenek, makcik, pakcik, datuk, abang, kakak, adik manis, that is how you get to Singapore by land.

okthxbye!