Johor Bahru
Southeast Asia · Malaysia
Did you know?
- Heritage areas include Chinatown, Little India and Kampung Melayu.
- Local dining includes laksa and Indian banana-leaf meals.
- Visitors from Singapore come across for shopping and lower prices.
See also
Iskandar Puteri
Malaysia1.47°N 103.60°E
Pasir Gudang
Malaysia1.45°N 103.89°E
Singapore
Singapore1.29°N 103.82°E
Kota Tinggi
Malaysia1.73°N 103.90°E · 28 m
Overview
Johor Bahru is a city near Singapore with shopping malls, hawker food and heritage districts. Explore Chinatown and Little India, or visit the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque and Old Chinese Temple.
Languages: English, Malay
Why go?
Johor Bahru is Malaysia's second largest city, a fast-growing urban center with a population of about 860,000. Due to its proximity to Singapore, it is frequently visited by Singaporeans looking for lower prices. The city offers a wide variety of shopping, dining from street food to fine dining, spas, nightlife, and cultural attractions. It serves as a bedroom community for Malaysians working in Singapore.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting in
Senai International Airport (JHB) serves domestic flights from KL and Penang via AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, and others. From Singapore, the Causeway connects directly; buses from Singapore's Queen Street Terminal cost around S$2.50. Long-distance buses arrive at Larkin Sentral Terminal. KTM trains from Gemas and Singapore stop at JB Sentral and Kempas Baru.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
Johor Bahru has an equatorial climate with consistent temperatures year-round, averaging 26-28°C. It has considerable rain and high humidity. Daytime can be hot, and rain can pour unexpectedly. Bring a hat or umbrella.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get around
Public transportation is limited, but inexpensive ride-hailing apps like Grab are widely used. The city center is walkable, but many attractions are in suburbs.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
There is plenty of accommodation for all budgets. Budget double rooms in the city center start from RM50 per night. Backpacker hostels with dorms are less common than in other Malaysian cities. Airbnb is also available. Note: tourism tax of RM10 per room per night applies for non-Malaysians.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and drink
Johor Bahru offers a wide range of dining, from budget hawker centres to high-end restaurants. Local specialties include laksa, mee hoon kueh, and Indian banana-leaf meals. There are approximately 200 vegetarian eateries. Nightlife is concentrated in Mount Austin and Sutera Utama for younger crowds, and The ZON duty-free area for coastal bars.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
Johor Bahru has many attractions: heritage areas like Chinatown, Little India, and Kampung Melayu; cultural sites like the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque and Old Chinese Temple; museums; parks; and entertainment like Legoland Malaysia, water parks, and golf courses. Many malls also have cinemas and indoor activities.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Safety
Johor Bahru has the second lowest crime rate in Malaysia as of 2025, but avoid carrying handbags due to snatch thieves. Keep passport safe, lock car doors, avoid walking alone, and stick to well-secured areas at night.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
Nearby destinations include Desaru (seaside resort), Iskandar Puteri (Legoland), Endau Rompin National Park, Mount Ledang, Kota Tinggi, Kukup, Mersing (gateway to Tioman Island), Sibu Island, Batam (Indonesia), and Singapore across the Causeway.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- buy
AEON Mall Bandar Dato' Onn
Shopping mall with beer garden and small outdoor gym facilities. This is the major and largest mall in the northern part of the city.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- buy
AEON Tebrau City
Almost half of the mall's three-level floor area is occupied by the AEON hypermarket (on all the 3 levels). There are numerous international fashion shops like Giordano, MNG, Esprit, Dorothy Perkins. It is at the junction of Tebrau Highway (also known as Jalan Pandan) and Jalan Desa Tebrau. It consists of Japanese-themed section called Japan Village featuring many Japanese restaurants and shops and Fanpekka Theme Park for children.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Aerofly Johor Light Aircraft and RC Plane Runway
Open space runway for light aircraft and aeromodellers enthusiasts, suitable for fixed-wing, gliders, helicopters and drones.
Recorded price: Free
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- buy
Angsana Johor Bahru Mall
A shopping mall for traditional clothes and electronic goods hunting, located at the western side of the city.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Austin Heights Golf and Hotel Resort
Nestled amidst the lush greens of the 27-hole golf course, the resort clubhouse boasts 66 exclusive suites, free-form swimming pool, tennis courts, 8-lane bowling alley, sauna, jacuzzi, karaoke and banqueting facilities all under one roof.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Austin Heights Water and Adventure Park
Water Park Big Splash, Adventure Park, Jump Street Austin Heights, Drift in Austin, Skating Rink Austin Heights.
Recorded price: Water park RM88, adventure park RM88, jump street RM228, skating rink RM228, drift RM228
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- buy
Beletime Danga Bay
Shopping mall facing the Tebrau Strait.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Blue Ice Skating Rink
Ice skating.
Recorded price: RM25-30 (non-member), RM20-25 (member)
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Connectivity
SIM cards are easy to buy at airports and malls (e.g., Digi, Maxis). Free WiFi in many cafes and malls.
Culture
Respect local customs: remove shoes before entering mosques and temples, dress modestly, and use right hand for eating.
Health
Tap water is not drinkable; stick to bottled water. Hawker food is generally hygienic, but avoid stalls with poor cleanliness.
Language
Malay is official; English is widely used. Chinese dialects and Tamil also spoken.
Local transport
Grab is the easiest way to get around; download the app. Taxis are metered but less reliable.
Money
Prices are much lower than in Singapore. Budget double rooms from RM50, meals from RM4.
Safety
Snatch thieves operate on motorcycles; do not carry handbags. Keep passport secure.
Visa context
Visa rules depend on passport; check current entry rules before booking.