Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Johor Bahru Shopping Trip 2018 - How to go to Johor Bahru Sentral by KTM Shuttle Train from Singapore Woodlands CIQ

Been to Johor Bahru many times for day shopping but normally by bus. This time, we tried taking the KTM Shuttle Train from Woodlands. Firstly, we booked our train tickets online at KTM website. Being the school holidays this month, train tickets were sold out quick, we managed to get tickets for the Woodlands CIQ to JB Sentral. If booked online in Singapore, the tickets were in S$5(Singapore Dollars) so normally, most people will buy the return ticket in JB Sentral at RM5 (malaysian ringgit).The exchange rate is S$1 = M$3.03(right at time of posting this article). Onced booked online, remember to print the e ticket.

We had to take bus from Woodlands Bus Interchange (same building as Woodlands MRT Station), we took Bus 911 to Woodlands CIQ (Checkpoint). But not sure the real reason, all the buses including the one we were on, were not stopping at bus stop infront of Woodlands CIQ checkpoint. We were so angry, we needed to walk about 5 to 6 mins from where the bus alighted us to the checkpoint to take the train.

Cut through an old abandoned buidling (used to be a cinema) and immediately, we were able to spot the checkpoint building.

Went to get our e ticket to be stamped on the ground level, then walked to level 2 to immigration to take the shuttle train.

It is very conveninet, as both the Singapore Custom and Malaysian custom are located in the same building, after clearing the Singapore custom, we just walked over to the malaysian custom to get our passport checked and stamped. After clearing immigration, we made our way to the train, is free seating. The train ride is a mere 5 minutes.

On arrival, after exiting the train station, there is a KTM counter infront of the exit, we can purchase train tickets (current or advance)from this counter.

I find it time consuming to take the KTM Shuttle train from woodlands to JB Sentral, we need to be early so as not to miss the train.

For the return trip, is ok to take the KTM Shuttle train from JB Sentral to Singapore cause the train station is just beside City Square, we can just pop over to the train station after shopping in City Square without worry about taking any additional transport to the train station. Whereas the train station in Woodlands is just by itself without any facilities like food court, malls, etc. Only vending machines selling drinks.

Refer to my previous post on how to take bus from Kranji MRT Station in Singapore to JB Sentral.

For my future trip I prefer to take the bus from Kranji MRT Station to JB Sentral rather than the KTM Shuttle train and for the return journey, both options of taking the KTM Shuttle train or bus are fine.

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