How to take RTS From Singapore to Johor Bahru (JB)

You just wanted a quick Johor Bahru (JB) day trip — some banana cake, a massage, maybe a late-night lok lok feast. But somehow, you ended up stuck in traffic on the Causeway for 2 hours, questioning every decision that led to this moment. Yeah, we’ve all been there.

That’s why the new RTS (Rapid Transit System) Link is a total game-changer.

Slated to launch by end-2026, this 4km cross-border shuttle will connect Woodlands North MRT in Singapore with Bukit Chagar Station in Johor Bahru, and it only takes 6 minutes!

Here’s everything you need to know before it opens. But before that, 2026 is still a while away so check out our guide on how to take the train to JB in the meantime.

Also read: Johor Bahru (JB) Weekend Trip Itinerary for Singaporeans: Things to Do on a 2D1N Trip

Where does the RTS start and end?

The RTS will begin at Woodlands North MRT Station (TE1), on the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). You won’t even have to exit the station — just transfer straight to the RTS Link underground.

From there, the train travels non-stop to Bukit Chagar Station in JB, which will be above ground and centrally located near City Square Mall. Great for food, shopping, or rushing to your hair appointment.

How fast and frequent is it?

The RTS Link promises to be fast. Like, you’ll barely have time to scroll two TikToks.

It’ll take just around six minutes to get from Woodlands North to Bukit Chagar. No stops, no traffic. And during peak hours, trains will be arriving roughly every 3.6 minutes, moving up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction.

Basically, you might spend more time choosing what to eat in JB than actually getting there.

Also read: 25 Shopping Malls in Johor Bahru (JB) Every Singaporean Must Visit

What about immigration?

So if speed alone isn’t enough of a game-changer, here’s the real kicker: you’ll only need to clear immigration once, at the departure station.

That means if you’re leaving from Singapore, you’ll do both SG and MY customs at Woodlands North, before you board the train. And once you hit JB,  you’re free to go.

That said, depending on the time of day, that line might still be long. But compared to doing the whole immigration queue twice, I think it’s still a massive win.

Truly, we are entering the next phase of the age of efficiency

Who’s building it, and when can we ride?

The RTS is operated by RTS Operations Pte Ltd, a joint venture between SMRT (Singapore) and Prasarana (Malaysia). Construction is well underway, with visible progress on both ends.

If all goes to plan, the line will be operational by the end of 2026.

Also read: How to Go to Johor Bahru (JB) from Singapore for the Newbies

What about ticket prices?

They haven’t dropped the exact fares yet, but here’s what we know: both SG and MY say prices will be set by the train operator (aka the SMRT–Prasarana collab), and they’ll be “competitive.”

In other words, it won’t break the bank especially since they’re taking into account things like demand, running costs, and what you’d normally pay for a bus, cab, or coach.

Why this actually matters for all of us

Let’s be real, the JB Causeway has become a love-hate relationship. We love what’s on the other side, but the journey? Not so much.

With the RTS Link, JB becomes a quick hop instead of a half-day expedition. It could mean spontaneous supper runs, easier commutes for those working across the border, and finally making that dental appointment on time.

What’s more, given the plethora of incredible destinations that can be found in Malaysia, voted Destination Of The Year at the TripZilla Excellence Awards 2024, the RTS Link may just open the gateway to longer trips to our neighbours up north! Imagine, the culinary havens of Ipoh and Penang, the cultural exploration along the East Coast, the untouched nature of Sabah and Sarawak (a quick, direct flight from Kuala Lumpur) — there’s just so much to be explore beyond Johor Bahru!