Train to JB from Singapore: KTM Shuttle Tebrau Guide

Taking the train to JB from Singapore? The KTM Shuttle Tebrau connects Woodlands Train Checkpoint with JB Sentral, with the scheduled train journey taking around five minutes.

Here’s how to book your KTM train ticket, check the 2026 timetable and reach Woodlands Train Checkpoint, plus what to know about immigration, the return journey and the upcoming RTS Link.

We'll also introduce the Wise card, a handy travel companion to make seamless card payments when you're overseas.

Singapore to JB train at a glance

The Shuttle Tebrau is a short cross-border service, but the complete journey also includes travelling to Woodlands Train Checkpoint, clearing immigration and boarding before the gate closes.

The train runs directly between Woodlands and JB Sentral, so you do not need to change services. JB Sentral is in central Johor Bahru, close to JB City Square and Komtar JBCC.

Your passport details are required when booking, and your passport serves as your boarding pass.¹ Tickets are limited, so booking ahead is sensible when your travel time is fixed.

Information checked on 17 August 2026. Fares, schedules and booking rules can change, so check KTMB before travelling.

How to book KTM train tickets to JB

You can buy a KTM train ticket to JB through KTMB’s online ticketing system or at its ticket counters at Woodlands and JB Sentral.¹

Booking online

Follow these steps to book online:

1. Go to the KTMB online ticketing website.
2. Select Shuttle Tebrau.
3. Choose Woodlands to JB Sentral and your travel date.
4. Select an available departure time.
5. Enter each passenger’s details exactly as they appear on their passport.
6. Check the direction, date and passenger information.
7. Pay and save your booking details.

KTMB requires each passenger’s passport number and expiry date. Bring the same passport when travelling because it will be scanned at the boarding gate.

Online purchases are currently limited to six tickets per transaction, while counter purchases are limited to four. Check every detail carefully before paying.

How early should you book?

Popular departures can sell out, particularly around weekends and public holidays. If your travel date and time are fixed, book once your preferred departure becomes available.

Consider booking both directions in advance. If your preferred return train sells out, you may need to travel back to Singapore by bus or another form of transport.

Can you buy KTM tickets at Woodlands?

Yes. KTMB sells Shuttle Tebrau tickets at the Woodlands ticket counter if seats are still available.

Counter sales stop 20 minutes before departure. Buying at the station does not guarantee that a ticket will be available, so avoid relying on a walk-up purchase when you must travel at a particular time.

KTM train to JB ticket price

The current one-way Shuttle Tebrau fare depends on the direction and whether the passenger is a verified Malaysian citizen.

Malaysian citizens must complete KTMB’s verification process to receive the MYR 5 fare when departing from Woodlands.

Children under four can travel free, but they must be registered at the ticket counter before departure. Children aged four and above need a ticket. KTMB does not currently offer concession fares for the Shuttle Tebrau.

KTM train to JB timetable 2026

The current Woodlands to JB train timetable has 13 scheduled departures each day. The first train leaves Woodlands at 8.30am and the final departure is at 11.45pm.²

The published JB Sentral–Woodlands timetable is effective from 1 January 2026. Check the live KTMB timetable when booking in case your departure changes.

How to get to Woodlands Train Checkpoint

Woodlands Train Checkpoint is not the same place as Woodlands MRT station.

If you travel by MRT, you will need to continue from the station to the train checkpoint. SMRT bus service 856A runs from Woodlands Interchange to Woodlands Train Checkpoint at bus stop 46069.⁵

You can also take a taxi or private-hire car directly to Woodlands Train Checkpoint.

Allow enough time for this transfer. Reaching Woodlands MRT shortly before your train departs will not leave enough time to reach the checkpoint, find the departure area and complete boarding.

How to take the train from Singapore to JB

Once you reach Woodlands Train Checkpoint, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Shuttle Tebrau departure area. Have your passport ready and follow the signs.
2. Enter during the boarding window. Do not wait until the scheduled departure time.
3. Scan your passport. KTMB uses your passport as your boarding pass.
4. Clear immigration. Singapore and Malaysia have co-located Customs, Immigration and Quarantine facilities at Woodlands Train Checkpoint.⁴
5. Board the train. The scheduled journey to JB Sentral takes around five minutes.
6. Exit at JB Sentral. Follow the signs into central Johor Bahru.

Bring the same passport you used when booking your ticket.

What time should you arrive for the KTM train to JB?

Do not treat the train’s departure time as your arrival time at Woodlands.

Boarding at Woodlands currently:

• Opens 40 minutes before departure
• Closes 20 minutes before departure

Arrive early enough to find the departure area and enter before the boarding gate closes. Missing the gate may mean missing the train even if you have a valid ticket.

For the return journey from JB Sentral, boarding opens 30 minutes before departure and closes 10 minutes before departure.

Do you need an MDAC for the train to JB?

Most foreign visitors entering Malaysia need to submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within three days before arrival, subject to exemptions.³

Whether you need an MDAC depends on your nationality and immigration status. Check the latest requirements and submit it through Malaysia Immigration’s official MDAC website if it applies to you.

Taking the train from JB to Singapore

For the return journey, book JB Sentral to Woodlands.

The current one-way fare is MYR 5, including for non-Malaysian passengers. Your passport is again required for boarding.

There are more JB-to-Singapore departures than Singapore-to-JB departures. The current timetable starts at 5.00am from JB Sentral, with the final scheduled departure at 10.45pm.² Check the live schedule for your travel date.

Boarding at JB Sentral opens 30 minutes before departure and closes 10 minutes before departure. Allow enough time to find the departure area and enter before the gate closes.

Foreign visitors should also check Singapore’s current entry requirements before returning. Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders returning through the land checkpoints are exempt from submitting the Singapore Arrival Card.

What about the RTS Link to JB?

The Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS Link is targeted to begin passenger service at the end of 2026. It will connect Woodlands North in Singapore with Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru.

The scheduled train journey will take around five minutes. Passengers will clear both Singapore and Malaysia immigration at the departure station before boarding.⁶

The RTS Link fare has not been announced. RTS Operations will set and publish the fare separately.⁷

Singapore and Malaysia have agreed that KTMB railway services in Singapore will cease within six months after RTS Link passenger services begin.⁸

Information checked on 17 August 2026. Check official updates if you are travelling in late 2026 or 2027.

Train vs bus to JB: which should you choose?

The train avoids Causeway road congestion once you have a confirmed ticket. Buses offer more departure points and greater flexibility.

Choose the train if you can commit to a specific departure and want to avoid road congestion. Choose the bus if the train is sold out or a bus boarding point is more convenient.

Get the most out of your SGD to MYR conversions on your holiday with Wise

Malaysia uses the Malaysian ringgit, so you will switch from SGD to MYR after crossing the border.

With Wise, you can use the Wise card where cards are accepted. You can also open the Wise app and scan a supported DuitNow QR code to pay participating merchants in Malaysia—without needing a Malaysian bank account or separate local wallet.

To scan and pay:

1. Open the Wise app and tap Scan on the Home tab.
2. Scan the merchant’s supported DuitNow QR code, or import it from your phone.
3. Enter the payment amount if required.
4. Review the payment details and any fees.
5. Confirm the payment in the app.

Wise converts your money using the mid-market exchange rate and shows the applicable fee before you confirm. This gives you more ways to pay in JB while keeping your currency-conversion costs visible.

Here’s how Wise can help you manage your money and payments during your trip:

The Wise card lets you spend in 40+ currencies at the mid-market rate including MYR, JPY, CNY, and USD so you know you'll be getting a great deal in over 150+ countries. Simply create a free Wise account, order a card and top-up SGD to get started.

Virtual cards are free and can be added to your Google or Apple Pay wallet, while a physical Wise card can be ordered for a low fee of 8.50 SGD. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as free ATM withdrawals up to the value of 100 SGD each month, before low fees start.

While abroad, you can choose to spend with directly in SGD and let auto-conversion do the trick, or convert to your desired currency with your Wise account. Either way, you’ll get the exchange rate you see on Google, with low, transparent fees from 0.26%.

Plus, you can activate Wise Interest to earn returns* on your SGD and other currencies, meaning your travel money could be growing right up until you spend it.

*Growth is not guaranteed. Capital at risk.

🚀 Get Started with Wise

---

Before taking the train to JB: checklist

• Book both directions early if your travel times are fixed
• Enter your passport details exactly as shown on the document
• Bring the same passport used for the booking
• Check the live KTMB timetable before travelling
• Allow time to travel from Woodlands MRT to the train checkpoint
• Reach the checkpoint before the boarding gate closes
• Submit the MDAC if it applies to you
• Check Singapore’s entry requirements for your return
• Prepare Malaysian ringgit or another way to pay in JB
• Check RTS Link updates if travelling in late 2026 or 2027

---

Frequently asked questions

Is there a direct train from Singapore to JB?

Yes. The KTM Shuttle Tebrau runs directly from Woodlands Train Checkpoint to JB Sentral without any changes.

How much is the train from Singapore to JB?

The current Woodlands-to-JB Sentral fare is SGD 5 for non-Malaysians. Verified Malaysian citizens pay MYR 5.¹

How long is the train from Singapore to JB?

The scheduled train journey takes around five minutes. The complete trip takes longer because you must travel to Woodlands Train Checkpoint, board and clear immigration.

Where do you take the train to JB in Singapore?

The Shuttle Tebrau departs from Woodlands Train Checkpoint, not Woodlands MRT station.

How early should you arrive at Woodlands Train Checkpoint?

Boarding currently opens 40 minutes before departure and closes 20 minutes before departure. Arrive before the boarding window closes.¹

Is the Singapore–JB RTS Link open?

No. As of 17 August 2026, passenger service is targeted to begin at the end of 2026.⁶ Check the latest official update before travelling.

---

Sources:

1. KTMB — Shuttle Tebrau FAQ
2. KTMB — Train timetable
3. Malaysia Immigration — Malaysia Digital Arrival Card
4. ICA — Woodlands Train Checkpoint immigration facilities
5. SMRT — Bus service 856A
6. LTA — Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS Link
7. Ministry of Transport — RTS Link fare
8. Ministry of Transport — Shuttle Tebrau after the RTS Link opens