Singapore bans cross-border ride-hailing: how to get to Malaysia's Johor Bahru legally

Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) has been intensifying enforcement against unlicensed ride-hailing services in recent months. These private-hire cars may appear convenient and "normal," but they are not licensed or insured for cross-border travel, according to Singapore’s news site The Smart Local.

Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling said on Aug. 6 that "such services put passengers at risk, and harm the livelihoods of law-abiding licensed drivers." While the LTA said it is "open to ideas to improve the cross-border commuting experience," it has no plans to "fully liberalize" point-to-point transport, Must Share News reported.

For those looking to travel without breaking the law, here are the legal alternatives available.

The 1.05-kilometer Causeway connects Singapore and Malaysia. Photo from X

By bus

Public buses remain the cheapest option, The Straits Times reported. Services 160, 170, 170X, and 950 provide cross-border rides, with fares ranging between SGD1.81 and SGD2.41, according to the LTA’s fare calculator.

Private operator Causeway Link also runs buses from Kranji MRT station and Queen Street Bus Terminal, while licensed tour buses are available via booking platforms such as Easybook. Causeway Link fares range from SGD2.60 (US$2.30) to SGD5, while tour buses start from SGD6.

By bicycle or on foot

Cyclists can cross via the Woodlands Causeway, clearing immigration alongside motorcyclists, while pedestrians use a walkway after immigration at Woodlands Checkpoint.

On July 21, thousands of Malaysians working in Singapore were forced to walk across the 1.05-kilometer Causeway after about 100 cross-border bus drivers went on strike, Berita Harian reported.

By car

Traveling by private car is permitted, provided it is not a private-hire vehicle.

From Sept. 22, Singaporeans and foreign travelers can clear Johor land checkpoints using QR codes under Malaysia’s National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) pilot program, Channel News Asia reported. The trial will run until Feb. 28, 2026.

Groups of commuters can clear immigration using a single QR code, though passports and valid documents must still be carried, The Straits Times noted.

By taxi

Under the cross-border taxi scheme, about 400 licensed taxis operate between Singapore and Johor Bahru. Singapore taxis may only drop off at Larkin Sentral, while Malaysian taxis can only drop off at Ban San Street Terminal in Singapore.

Fares from Ban San Street Terminal cost SGD60 (US$47) per taxi. Taxi operators ComfortDelGro and Strides Premier also offer cross-border services from other Singapore locations at SGD80, except from airports where fares are SGD120.

By train

The only train service between the two countries currently runs between Woodlands and Johor Bahru. Tickets cost RM5 (US$1.20) from Johor Bahru to Singapore, and SGD5 in the opposite direction.

This service will cease operations within six months once the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link begins operations. The fare for the new link has not yet been announced.