By Trip.com
September 24, 2026
Heading to Johor Bahru from Singapore is about to get a whole lot easier. The long-awaited Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is nearing the final stage of testing, bringing a new cross-border rail option between Singapore and JB.
Instead of sitting in traffic along the Causeway, travellers will be able to take a short train ride between Woodlands North and Bukit Chagar. The journey itself is expected to take only about five minutes.
If you are planning your next JB shopping trip, cafe hopping or short getaway, here is what to know about the opening date, routes and fares forRTS Link.
The RTS Link is a new 4km cross-border rail service connecting Singapore and Johor Bahru. The actual train ride is expected to take around five minutes between Woodlands North and Bukit Chagar.
It will operate a standalone Light Rail Transit (LRT) system, with one station on each side of the border:
Singapore | Johor Bahru |
Woodlands North RTS Link Station | Bukit Chagar RTS Link Station |
Connected to Woodlands North MRT | Near JB Sentral |
Thomson-East Coast Line | Johor Bahru city centre |
The line will cross the Straits of Johor on a dedicated bridge before reaching Bukit Chagar in JB.
The RTS Link is designated to carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction during peak periods, giving Singaporeans another option for getting into JB without relying entirely on cars, buses or the Causeway.
The exact operating hours have also not been confirmed.
The official operating schedule should be checked once the RTS Link launch details are released.
The official RTS Link fare has not been announced yet.
This is important because several estimated fares have been circulating online. In August 2026, Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the official fare announcement would be made jointly by the transport ministries of Malaysia and Singapore.
So for now, travellers should treat figures such as S$5 to S$7 one way as an estimate rather than a confirmed ticket price.
Once the official fare is announced, we will update them so stay tuned!
This is probably the biggest question for anyone waiting to try the new service.
The RTS Link was previously targeted to begin passenger service by the end of 2026. However, the latest updates in 2026 show that the project is still undergoing final integration and testing, with passenger operations now expected in 2027. An exact opening date has not yet been announced.
The project is nevertheless getting very close to the finish line. Woodlands North RTS Link Station was completed on 4 September 2026, while the Malaysian side has also reached the final stages of construction and testing.
So if you are planning a JB trip soon, don't book your travel around a specific RTS Link opening date just yet. The official launch date and other key details are expected to be announced jointly by Singapore and Malaysia.
Discover the world with Trip.com! Book the perfect hotel anywhere in the world and get an unbeatable 10% discount if you're a first-time user! Download our app now and start planning your next trip with ease.
The RTS Link is a short route but its location is designed to make cross-border travel much easier.
On the Singapore side, the RTS Link terminus is at Woodlands North.
One of the biggest advantages for Singapore travellers its connection to be existing Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). The RTS Link station will be connected to the Woodlands North Station, making it easier to continue your journey from other parts of Singapore.
For example, if you are coming from Orchard, Marina Bay or other TEL stations, you can take the MRT towards Woodlands North and transfer to the RTS Link.
On the Malaysia side, the train arrives in Bukit Chagar next to the JB Sentral area.
This puts travellers close to central Johor Bahru, making it convenient for continuing your trip to shopping malls, cafes, restaurants and other attractions around the city.
The Malaysian Ministry of Transport describes Bukit Chagar as being next to JB Sentral, giving the RTS Link a useful connection with Johor Bahru's existing transport network.
This is one of the most useful features of the RTS Link.
The Singapore and Malaysian Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facilities will be co-located at the RTS Link stations. This means travellers will clear the required immigration authorities at the point of departure rather than going through another immigration clearance after getting off the train.
For example, when travelling from Singapore to JB, you will complete the relevant Singapore and Malaysia border clearance at Woodlands North before boarding.
Once you arrive at Bukit Chagar, you will not need to go through another immigration clearance there.
The same principle applies in the opposite direction when travelling from JB to Singapore.
This is particularly useful for weekend travellers who are used to dealing with queues at the Causeway and land checkpoints.
Discover the world with Trip.com! Book cheap flights to destinations worldwide and enjoy S$5 off flight bookings over S$150 or S$20 off over S$450 (before tax). Start your journey today!
This RTS Link will not completely replace buses, cars or other ways of travelling between Singapore and JB. Instead, it gives travellers another option to cross the borders.
Feature | RTS Link | Causeway by road |
Transport | Cross-border rail | Car, bus, taxi and other road transport |
Route | Woodlands North to Bukit Chagar | Woodlands to Johor Bahru |
Train journey | About 5 minutes | Depends heavily on traffic |
Immigration | Co-located at departure station | At land checkpoints |
Traffic impact | Not affected by road traffic | Can be affected by Causeway congestion |
Singapore MRT connection | Woodlands North TEL | Requires separate road transport |
Fare | Not officially announced | Depends on transport type |
The RTS Link's biggest advantage is the train itself is not travelling on the Causeway with cars and buses. This give travellers an alternative when road traffic is busy.
However, immigration queues can still affect your total journey time, especially during weekends, public holidays and peak travel periods.
For Singaporeans planning a quick JB getaway, the RTS Link could be especially convenient.
Imagine leaving Singapore in the morning, crossing the border by train and arriving at Bukit Chagar within minutes. From there, you can head towards JB's shopping malls, cafes and restaurants without having to spend your entire morning worrying about traffic conditions.
It could also make spontaneous trips more practical.
Feeling like having JB food after work? Planning a weekend shopping trip? Meeting friends for dinner in Johor Bahru? Once the service begins, the RTS Link gives you another way to make the trip.
Of course, the actual convenience will depend on the final fare, operating hours, immigration procedures and how busy the service becomes after launch.
When the service opens, keep these tips in mind:
1. Check the official opening date first
The launch date has not been confirmed yet, so check the latest announcements before planning a trip specifically around the RTS Link.
2. Allow extra time for immigration
The train ride may take only about five minutes, but your total journey will be longer because of immigration, security and waiting time.
3. Avoid assuming the fare from online estimates
The official fare is still pending. Check the final fare before deciding whether the RTS Link is the best option for your trip.
4. Plan your journey beyond Bukit Chagar
The RTS Link gets you across the border, but you may still need another form of transport to reach your hotel, shopping mall or attraction.
5. Keep your travel documents ready
You will still need to meet the relevant entry requirements for Singapore and Malaysia. The RTS Link does not remove the need for immigration clearance.
The RTS Link may be short, but it is set to add an important new connection between Singapore and Johor Bahru.
With Woodlands North connected to Singapore's MRT network, Bukit Chagar close to JB Sentral, a train journey of around five minutes, and immigration facilities located at the departure stations, the service is designed to make cross-border travel more straightforward.
For Singaporeans who already visit JB regularly, it could become another part of the weekend travel routine. And for those who usually avoid JB because of Causeway traffic, the RTS Link may make a short getaway feel much more manageable.
For now, the key thing to watch is the official passenger service date and fare announcement. Once both are confirmed, planning a Singapore to JB trip by RTS Link will be much easier.
