If you have always wanted to cross the border to Johor Bahru (JB) and am not sure if it’s worth the additional effort – how does one whole day of activities under SGD 30 sound? Yes, that includes breakfast, lunch at a popular cafe, movie, dinner and 2-way transport. Actually, it can be under SGD 25 if you want to – read on to find out more!
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#1. Bus ride (to Johor Bahru and back to Singapore)
JB is a popular weekend destination so there are plenty of buses that takes you there. In general, it’s cheaper to take a bus in as compared to trains (i.e. a return journey would cost you about SGD 7) and significantly cheaper than chartering a private car (i.e. a return journey would cost you about SGD 20).
So here are my recommendations if you would like to save on transportation:
• 170 (pick-up and drop-off at Krangi): Approx SGD 3/return trip
• CW1 (pick-up and droff-off at Krangi): Approx SGD 2.50/return trip
For more information on the Causeway link buses (they offer various pick-up and drop-off points but do note they will cost more), you can click here to find out more!
→ Amount spent on a return trip: SGD 3
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#2. Breakfast
What can be more satisfying than a (cheap and) delicious plate of prata after braving the JB queue? Just less than a 10-minute walk away from JB customs lies Bukit Chagar Roti Canai which you’ll find a lot of locals parked for their signature crispy kosong pratas!
Most importantly, the budget-conscious would give these pratas a huge nod as they are really affordable (RM1 for the plain and RM2 for the egg roti canai). Assuming that you have one egg and one kosong + a milo peng, it will set you back by probably just SGD 2? Shiok.
→ Amount spent on breakfast: SGD 2
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#3. Movie
Watching movies in Singapore is just too expensive, especially over the weekends! I’m not exaggerating but you can really watch 2 movies with the amount that you spent on just one movie in Singapore. Case in point, a movie ticket at City Square (so you don’t even have to take a taxi) costs just RM 18. That’s just SGD 6, guys!
For those who can’t watch a movie without some popcorn and drinks, you’ll be delighted to know that a popcorn combo costs just RM 12. Yes, that’s just about SGD 4.
Tempted? Check out TGV and MMCineplex (at City Square) for the movie timings.
→ Amount spent on movie: SGD 6
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#4. Lunch
There are many amazing places I love to go for a sumptuous dinner (San Lou Restoran is one of my favorite but it’s quite a long ride from City Square) and there’s really no need to go for far when there’s a Kam Long Curry Fish Head that’s SO GOOD and is just 5-minute walk from City Square!
You can order it either in individual or medium/large portion so you can share with your friends! An individual portion costs RM 18 and you can add on taukee at just RM 4. I know of people who must have this as their first meal in JB just to skip the lunch crowd so do be there early if you don’t want to be in the queue for long!
Location and opening hours
Address: 74, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opens daily from 9am – 4.00pm
→ Amount spent on movie: SGD 7/pax
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After lunch, you can always walk back to City Square and Komtar Mall for some light (or heavy) shopping depending on your wallet’s appetite and trust me, you’ll feel hungry in no time!
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#5. Dinner
By this time, you’ll probably be lugging around several shopping bags (and we can totally understand why) so walking to the nearby eateries is probably not that fun of an idea anymore. So, here are some of my favorite places to dine at in City Square before I make my way back to Singapore!
• Ding Tai Fung (yes, it’s really cheaper)
• Kim Gary (and you don’t have to queue like the branch at Vivo)
• Eateries along the walkway towards CIQ bridge
→ Amount spent on movie: SGD 3 – 10 /pax
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Total amount spent the whole day? Less than SGD 30 (and this is assuming you opt for an expensive dinner at City Square!). Amazing, isn’t it?
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If you ever decide to drive and wanna explore more delicious food places, check out our 3D2N Johor Itinerary and the 8 Cheaper and Better Things to Do in Johor for more interesting ideas!
