New Singapore hotel option - Doubletree Johor Bahru, Malaysia

[Austman]

The morning traffic today was truly dreadful. It took 85 minutes to get from the JB side (Malaysia) to Woodlands (Singapore).

I noted a few things:

Buses and trucks get their own lane and move much faster. There is the process at Singapore though - all pax off with their luggage for formalities then back on the bus.

Motorbikes get their own lane too and move fastest of all. But then cop a huge queue at the Singapore side.

Pedestrian traffic is open! And people walk much faster than cars!

 

[moa999]

Buses and trucks get their own lane and move much faster. There is the process at Singapore though - all pax off with their luggage for formalities then back on the bus.
Pedestrian traffic is open! And people walk much faster than cars!

So you suspect you would have gone much quicker in the bus?

Looking at Google Maps it appears there is a public bus stop just on the Singapore side, as the nearest train station (Marsiling NS8) is some distance away.

Also actually seem to be a lot of bus services going in/out of Singapore.
Bus services to JB | Singapore Bus Page

 

[Austman]

So you suspect you would have gone much quicker in the bus?

Looking at Google Maps it appears there is a public bus stop just on the Singapore side, as the nearest train station (Marsiling NS8) is some distance away.

Also actually seem to be a lot of bus services going in/out of Singapore.

The actual crossing would have been much faster (half the time) by bus in the rush hour traffic. I'm not sure of the process times at either end.

The nearest MRT that you can catch a bus to from JB is apparently Kranji which is a fair way from Woodlands.

 

[JohnK]

I am thinking of staying here on a Thursday night and Saturday night and back to Singapore for Friday night?

There is a lot of information on internet but which information is suitable?

Bus TS1 from Changi to Koraraya II Terminal and then taxi to Hilton Doubletree? Or get off at the Causeway and shared taxi to Hilton Doubletree.

What are these options likely to cost? I am guessing it will take ~2-3 hours which is a long time. I am going to leave luggage at SIN airport.

Can one walk from Malaysian side of causeway to hotel? Is it worth it?

And does it cost anything to use the Causeway?

I know it sounds like I have rocks in my head but the hotel at ~AUD110/night sounds like a bargain.

 

[Virgin Bart]

I know it sounds like I have rocks in my head but the hotel at ~AUD110/night sounds like a bargain.

Or 5000 HH points! PS I didn't end up staying there.

 

[JohnK]

So I guess getting to this hotel from Singapore goes in the too hard basket?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

So I guess getting to this hotel from Singapore goes in the too hard basket?

It did for me.

 

[Cynicor]

It's a bit like those people who stay in Osaka and commute to Tokyo to save some accommodation money. Definitely not my thing, I'd prefer to have a holiday and not make it into a lot of work.

 

[JohnK]

It did for me.

Problem is I am stubborn.

 

[moa999]

Problem is I am stubborn.

Don't think you have the option of Kotaraya II anymore
https://jomnaikbas.wordpress.com/2014/11/02/closure-of-kotaraya-ii-jb/

The direct bus goes to CIQ which is connected to the JB Sentral station and I believe about 500m to the Doubletree

Timetable (about 2hrs) and cost (not much) here of the direct TS1:
http://regentstar.travel/crossborder/TS1 Schedule_30102014.pdf

 

[JessicaTam]

Don't think you have the option of Kotaraya II anymore
https://jomnaikbas.wordpress.com/2014/11/02/closure-of-kotaraya-ii-jb/

The direct bus goes to CIQ which is connected to the JB Sentral station and I believe about 500m to the Doubletree

Timetable (about 2hrs) and cost (not much) here of the direct TS1:
http://regentstar.travel/crossborder/TS1 Schedule_30102014.pdf

S$7 one way, and RM7 the other.

 

[JohnK]

The direct bus goes to CIQ which is connected to the JB Sentral station and I believe about 500m to the Doubletree

Timetable (about 2hrs) and cost (not much) here of the direct TS1:
http://regentstar.travel/crossborder/TS1 Schedule_30102014.pdf

Thanks. That was the option I was investigating.

I am not that confident I have it right which is why I asked the question.

Also I am not sure I am doing the right thing but 2 cheap nights early in the year will come in handy trying to qualify gold unless there is a fast track option somewhere.

 

[Austman]

Can one walk from Malaysian side of causeway to hotel? Is it worth it?

I suspect one could - once one knows where to go. But the streets of JB are not all that pedestrian friendly. A taxi from the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex, where the bus stops in JB, will be super cheap.

And does it cost anything to use the Causeway?

Cars, trucks and buses are charged per vehicle. There are no individual charges if you are in a bus or walk (as it seems you are allowed to do again!).

 

[JohnK]

S$7 one way, and RM7 the other.

Have you done this trip recently?

 

[JessicaTam]

Have you done this trip recently?

I haven't done it, but might one day 'just because'.

Just stating the prices in the link posted by moa999.

 

[JohnK]

I haven't done it, but might one day 'just because'.

Have you booked hotels for the SIN Do?

I am in 2 minds what to do.

 

[yohy?!]

It's a bit like those people who stay in Osaka and commute to Tokyo to save some accommodation money. Definitely not my thing, I'd prefer to have a holiday and not make it into a lot of work.

How could Tokyo be cheaper than Osaka.... Sound seriously misguided or oddly unlucky

 

[Cynicor]

How could Tokyo be cheaper than Osaka.... Sound seriously misguided or oddly unlucky

Other way around.

 

[JessicaTam]

Have you booked hotels for the SIN Do?

I am in 2 minds what to do.

No I haven't. I will probably stay in SIN rather than across the causeway, though.

Mind you, I haven't even booked flights yet, as the SIN-MEL price is a bit scary. I am hoping for a last minute reprieve no the prices!

 

[moa999]

Just arrived at DT JB. Lovely property - effectively a DT KL in design (lots of light wood and light tones/ pool and gym surrounded by restaurant).

Getting there however a bit of a pain - the bus is no longer hourly which meant I waited a good 90 min after my 1230 arrival.

See the new timetable attached - the website is wrong.. Bus I caught had TransLink on the front and TigerAir side branding - believe it is comp for Tiger ticket holders

Pic is for T2 add 5/10min for T3 and 10/15 for T1. Price is a flat S$10 cash or S$9 with SIN ezLink. Keep the ticket as you need it to reboard after Woodlands checkpoint.

The route is poor - thus bus takes a good 20 min transiting all three terminals (as there is no direct route) then another 20 min through business park and another 20min through Woodlands (no pax picked up or dropped off at either). Sing/Malaysia immigration where painless (except the marked MACS and ABTC queue is useless to Australian ABTC holders who need a stamp) and then 11myr taxi from the station (NB if changing money go to the ones in JB Sentral - the two competing counter have much much better rates than the single one in CIQ)

If it did the transit again would probably be more inclined to take the much more regular train to Woodlands then any bus, particularly with longish wait.