RTS Link Singapore–Johor Bahru: Complete Guide for Travellers
Planning to travel between Singapore and Johor Bahru by RTS Link? Learn how the RTS works, where the stations are, how immigration is handled and what travellers should know before the service begins.
RTS Link Singapore–Johor Bahru: Complete Guide for Travellers
The Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is a cross-border rail project connecting Singapore and Johor Bahru.
The line will connect Woodlands North in Singapore with Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru, providing a dedicated rail connection across the Straits of Johor.
The RTS Link is designed to make cross-border travel between Singapore and Johor Bahru more direct, while also helping improve connectivity and ease pressure on the Causeway.
Passenger service is currently targeted to begin by the end of December 2026.
If you're planning future trips between Singapore and Johor Bahru, here's what you should know about the new connection.
What Is the RTS Link?
The RTS Link is a bilateral rail project between Malaysia and Singapore.
Unlike a normal domestic train service, it is specifically designed for cross-border travel between the two countries.
The line is approximately 4 kilometres long and connects two terminal stations:
| Country | RTS Station |
|---|---|
| Singapore | Woodlands North |
| Malaysia | Bukit Chagar, Johor Bahru |
The train journey between the two stations is expected to take approximately five minutes.
The system is designed to handle up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction during peak periods.
RTS Link at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Route | Singapore ↔ Johor Bahru |
| Singapore station | Woodlands North |
| Malaysia station | Bukit Chagar |
| Rail distance | Approximately 4 km |
| Train journey | About 5 minutes |
| Peak capacity | Up to 10,000 passengers per hour per direction |
| Passenger service | Targeted for end-2026 |
| Cross-border CIQ | Located at both stations |
| Singapore rail connection | Thomson-East Coast Line at Woodlands North |
Source: Singapore LTA and ICA.
Where Is the RTS Link?
The RTS Link has two stations.
Woodlands North — Singapore
The Singapore terminus is located at Woodlands North.
The RTS Link station will be connected to Singapore's existing Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) Woodlands North MRT station, allowing passengers to connect with Singapore's MRT network.
This means travellers arriving at Woodlands North will have a rail connection into Singapore beyond the RTS station itself.
Bukit Chagar — Johor Bahru
The Malaysian terminus is located at Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru.
For travellers entering Malaysia, Bukit Chagar will become an important arrival point for accessing Johor Bahru and the surrounding area.
From there, travellers can continue their journey using local transport, e-hailing, taxis or other transport options.
How Long Does the RTS Journey Take?
The actual train journey between Woodlands North and Bukit Chagar is expected to take approximately five minutes.
However, travellers should not think of the entire Singapore-to-Johor Bahru journey as only five minutes.
You also need to allow time for:
- Getting to the station
- Ticketing or entry procedures
- Security or operational procedures
- Customs and immigration clearance
- Walking through the station
- Continuing to your final destination
The five-minute figure refers to the train journey itself, not the complete door-to-door journey.
How Will Immigration Work?
One of the important features of the RTS Link is its co-located Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facilities.
Passengers will clear the relevant Singapore and Malaysian immigration authorities at the point of departure rather than completing another immigration clearance at the arrival station.
In simple terms:
Singapore → Malaysia
Woodlands North
↓
Singapore + Malaysia clearance
↓
RTS train
↓
Bukit Chagar
↓
Continue into Johor Bahru
And in the opposite direction:
Malaysia → Singapore
Bukit Chagar
↓
Malaysia + Singapore clearance
↓
RTS train
↓
Woodlands North
↓
Continue into Singapore
This arrangement is designed to make the cross-border journey more seamless.
For the detailed immigration process, we will cover that separately in:
How Immigration Works on the RTS Link Between Singapore and Malaysia
Is the RTS Link the Same as the Causeway?
No.
The RTS Link and the Causeway are two different ways of crossing between Singapore and Johor Bahru.
| Feature | RTS Link | Causeway |
|---|---|---|
| Transport | Rail | Road / rail |
| Singapore side | Woodlands North | Woodlands |
| Malaysia side | Bukit Chagar | Johor Bahru / CIQ |
| Main users | Train passengers | Cars, buses, motorcycles, trains |
| Cross-border mode | Dedicated rail link | Road and existing rail connection |
| Journey across link | About 5-minute train journey | Depends heavily on traffic and clearance |
The RTS Link is being developed as an additional cross-border transport connection and is intended to help ease congestion along the Causeway.
For a detailed comparison, see:
RTS Link vs Causeway: Different Ways to Travel Between Singapore and JB
What Can You Do After Arriving at Bukit Chagar?
Arriving at Bukit Chagar does not mean your journey ends there.
Bukit Chagar will be a starting point for continuing into Johor Bahru.
Depending on your destination, you may use:
- E-hailing
- Taxi
- Local public transport
- Private transfer
- Rental car
- Walking for nearby destinations where practical
For travellers planning to explore beyond central Johor Bahru, a rental car can provide more flexibility.
For example, you could travel:
Bukit Chagar → Johor Bahru → Iskandar Puteri → Desaru → Mersing
The best transport option depends on your itinerary, budget and destination.
RTS Link + Car Rental in Johor Bahru
This is particularly interesting for travellers coming from Singapore who want to explore more than central JB.
Instead of bringing a Singapore-registered car across the border, you could travel to Johor Bahru first and arrange a Malaysian rental car.
A possible journey could look like:
Singapore
↓
Woodlands North RTS
↓
Bukit Chagar RTS
↓
Collect rental car
↓
Explore Johor
This separates your international border crossing from your Malaysian road trip.
Senjalan already provides information for Singaporean travellers who are considering renting a Malaysian car after arriving in Johor Bahru.
Read:
Car Rental in Johor Bahru: What Singaporeans Need to Know
Can You Use a Malaysian Rental Car to Go Back to Singapore?
Do not assume that a Malaysian rental car can automatically cross back into Singapore.
International border travel is different from travelling between states in Malaysia.
Rental companies may have their own restrictions regarding:
- Cross-border travel
- Vehicle eligibility
- Insurance
- Documentation
- Additional charges
- Where the vehicle can be returned
For Senjalan's current self-drive rental service, rental vehicles are intended for travel within Malaysia and are not available for self-drive entry into Singapore.
If you are planning a Singapore–Johor Bahru trip, make sure you understand the rental company's policy before booking.
You can read:
Can You Drive a Rental Car from Malaysia to Singapore?
What Will the RTS Link Mean for Johor Bahru Travellers?
The RTS Link will provide another way for travellers to move between Singapore and Johor Bahru.
For visitors, this can make it easier to separate the journey into two parts:
Cross-border transport
Singapore → Johor Bahru
and then:
Local travel
Johor Bahru → attractions → food → shopping → other Johor destinations
This is useful because Johor Bahru is only one part of Johor.
Travellers with more time can potentially continue towards destinations such as:
| Destination | Type of Trip |
|---|---|
| Johor Bahru | City, shopping, food |
| Iskandar Puteri | Attractions and family activities |
| Desaru | Beach and resort getaway |
| Kota Tinggi | Nature and local experiences |
| Mersing | Coastal trips and island gateway |
| Kluang | Food, cafés and countryside |
| Pontian | Coastal and local food experiences |
Actual travel times and transport options vary by destination, so plan the onward journey separately from the RTS journey itself.
Is RTS Useful for a Day Trip to Johor Bahru?
Potentially, yes.
The RTS Link is designed specifically for cross-border passenger travel, and the short train journey could make it practical for travellers planning shorter visits.
A simple day trip could look like:
| Time | Example Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Travel from Singapore to Woodlands North |
| Morning | RTS to Bukit Chagar |
| Late morning | Continue into Johor Bahru |
| Afternoon | Food / shopping / attractions |
| Evening | Return towards Bukit Chagar |
| Evening | RTS back to Singapore |
This is only an example itinerary.
Your actual schedule should account for immigration, station access, waiting times and the operating arrangements available when the RTS begins passenger service.
Who Can Benefit From the RTS Link?
The RTS Link may be useful for different types of travellers.
Weekend Travellers
Useful for short Singapore–JB trips.
Families
A dedicated rail connection can provide another option for families travelling between the two cities.
Workers and Regular Commuters
The system is designed to improve cross-border connectivity and support regular movement between Singapore and Johor Bahru.
Tourists
Visitors can use the connection as the first part of a larger Johor itinerary.
Singapore Travellers Exploring Johor
The RTS can be combined with other local transport options to explore destinations beyond the city centre.
What Should Travellers Prepare Before Using the RTS?
Although detailed operating arrangements and ticketing information should be checked closer to launch, travellers should generally plan around several things.
| Before Your Trip | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Travel documents | Passport and applicable entry documents |
| Immigration requirements | Current Malaysia / Singapore requirements |
| Station | Woodlands North or Bukit Chagar |
| Ticket | Official ticketing arrangements once available |
| Timing | Train operating schedule |
| Onward transport | How you will reach your final destination |
| Accommodation | Hotel location and check-in time |
| Luggage | Your planned bags and belongings |
| Return journey | Departure time from the other country |
Do not rely on old information when planning your trip.
The RTS is a new service, so ticketing procedures, fares, operating hours and other passenger arrangements should be checked against official information when they are released.
What About RTS Link Ticket Prices?
At the time of writing, travellers should check the official RTS operator and government channels for the latest fare information once ticketing arrangements are announced.
Avoid relying on unofficial websites or social media posts for final fare information.
For this reason, this article does not publish an estimated fare as if it were an official price.
When planning your trip, check the latest information from the relevant official transport authorities.
What About Operating Hours?
The same principle applies to operating hours.
The RTS Link is targeted to begin passenger service by the end of 2026, but travellers should confirm the actual operating schedule once the service is launched.
Operating information may be particularly important if you are:
- Planning a day trip
- Travelling late at night
- Connecting to another train
- Booking accommodation around your arrival
- Planning a return journey to Singapore
Always allow some flexibility rather than planning your entire trip around the five-minute train journey alone.
Why Is the RTS Link Being Built?
The RTS Link is a bilateral project between Malaysia and Singapore.
One of its major objectives is to improve connectivity between Johor Bahru and Singapore while helping to ease congestion along the Causeway.
It is also intended to provide a high-capacity public transport connection.
The system is designed to carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction during peak periods.
This makes the RTS more than simply a short train crossing.
It forms part of the wider transport connection between the two cities.
RTS Link and Johor Bahru Travel Planning
For travellers visiting JB, the RTS can be thought of as the entry point, rather than the entire trip.
For example:
Singapore
↓
Woodlands North
↓
RTS Link
↓
Bukit Chagar
↓
Johor Bahru
↓
Food / Shopping / Attractions
↓
Rental Car / E-hailing / Taxi
↓
Explore Johor
This is where the RTS can connect naturally with Senjalan's travel ecosystem.
You can use the RTS to enter Johor Bahru, then use Senjalan to discover places to visit, plan your journey and arrange suitable transport.
RTS Link Travel Planning Tips
1. Check Official Information
RTS is a new cross-border service, so information can change before and after launch.
Check official sources before travelling.
2. Don't Plan Around Train Time Alone
The train journey is approximately five minutes, but your complete journey involves station access and immigration procedures.
3. Plan Your Onward Transport
Know how you will travel from Bukit Chagar to your hotel, restaurant, attraction or rental car pickup point.
4. Keep Your Travel Documents Ready
Cross-border travel still involves immigration and entry requirements.
5. Check Your Return Journey
If you're visiting JB for the day, don't leave your return journey until the last minute.
6. Plan Beyond JB
If you have more time, consider destinations outside the city centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTS Link?
The RTS Link is a cross-border rail service connecting Woodlands North in Singapore with Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru.
How long is the RTS Link?
The rail connection is approximately 4 kilometres long, with a train journey of about five minutes.
When will the RTS Link open?
Passenger service is currently targeted to begin by the end of December 2026.
Where is the RTS station in Singapore?
The Singapore terminus is at Woodlands North, with a connection to the Thomson-East Coast Line's Woodlands North MRT station.
Where is the RTS station in Johor Bahru?
The Malaysian terminus is at Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru.
Do passengers need to clear immigration?
Yes. The RTS has co-located Singapore and Malaysian CIQ facilities. Passengers will clear the relevant immigration authorities at the point of departure.
Is the RTS Link the same as the Causeway?
No. The RTS Link is a dedicated cross-border rail connection between Woodlands North and Bukit Chagar. The Causeway is a separate crossing used by road and rail traffic.
Can I use the RTS Link for a day trip to JB?
The RTS is designed for cross-border passenger travel, so it can be considered as an option for a short JB trip. However, actual schedules and ticketing arrangements should be checked when the service begins.
Can I rent a car after arriving in Johor Bahru?
Yes, travellers can arrange Malaysian car rental separately after arriving in JB, subject to the rental company's pickup locations and requirements.
Need a Car After Arriving in Johor Bahru?
The RTS Link can get you from Singapore to Johor Bahru, but your journey doesn't have to stop at the station.
Once you arrive in JB, you can continue exploring the city or travel further into Johor.
From shopping and local food to beaches, attractions and road trip destinations, having the right transport can make it easier to explore beyond the city centre.
If you're planning to rent a car in Johor Bahru, explore the available options with Senjalan.
Explore Car RentalSenjalan Car Rental