Train Journeys, Regular Inter-City Trains: KTM Shuttle Tebrau from Johor Bahru to Woodlands

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Malaysia's KTM is currently the only service provider that runs regular trains between Johor Bahru in Malaysia and Woodlands in Singapore.

Nothing spectacular or amazing, I personally consider this as just a regular inter-city train connection between Peninsular Malaysia's southern most city of Johor Bahru (JB) with Singapore's northern region of Woodlands. The only difference between typical inter-city trains and this service, is that this train service actually crosses an international border between two countries even though the actual journey each way is less than 5 minutes. Therefore, passports and travel documents are required for immigration and customs clearance purposes.

Named the KTM Shuttle Tebrau, this train service is highly subsidised when tickets are purchased in Malaysia at JB Sentral Station's Ticket Counters. Return tickets from JB to Singapore generally cost only RM5 at the time of the publishing of this blog article. 

Buying the tickets in Singapore will naturally cost more since the subsidy in the ticket prices are meant for Malaysians traveling to and from JB to work in Singapore. Even then, tickets purchased in Singapore at the Woodlands Counter is still relatively affordable at just SGD$5.

Ticket prices do and may change over time to account for inflation and price increases due to a myriad of factors. Travellers are thus advised to refer to the official website of the service provider for the latest and most updated tickets price list.

A train servicing the KTM Shuttle Tebrau route between Johor Bahru and Woodlands, Singapore (2024)

What to Expect

Due to the affordable ticket prices and the convenience of the service, do expect the need to queue up for the trains. There are a total of more than 10 trips per day from Singapore to JB and vice versa. 

Expect a comfortable ride that will take you across the Causeway connecting Singapore to Johor Bahru (or vice versa). A short sight-seeing trip for first time travellers on this service from the views of Johor Bahru's skyscrapers and malls to Woodlands' residential blocks, with snapshots of the Straits of Johor included as a bonus!

Train platform at JB Sentral Station, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia (2024)

Tips and Advices

As mentioned previously, this is a very short train ride that tops 5 minutes maximum. A quick and convenient transit between Johor Bahru and Singapore.

Tickets should be purchased early before the trip, especially during peak travel periods. In addition, tickets bought in JB will be cheaper than tickets bought in Woodlands.

Kids under the age of four travels free. But they need to be registered at the Ticket Counter prior to departure from JB or Woodlands, depending on where travellers are boarding the service.

Travellers are reminded that this train service start and end at two different countries. Therefore, passports and travel documents are needed due to immigration and customs clearance requirements at the border checkpoints of both Malaysia and Singapore.

View of the seating arrangements in the train, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia (2024)

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