New Singapore hotel option - Doubletree Johor Bahru, Malaysia

[Austman]

On the return I walked to the CIQ, went through emigration and then caught the 170 bus to the Singapore side. Through immigration and then on the next 170 to Kranji station where I jumped on the MRT.

That's the way it seems eg with the 170 bus - just hop on the very next one. But with the TS bus, not running nearly so often, you'd think to have to take the same bus?

 

[JessicaTam]

That's the way it seems eg with the 170 bus - just hop on the very next one. But with the TS bus, not running nearly so often, you'd think to have to take the same bus?

The TS1 is hourly, and as we had waited over an hour without seeing the next one I had come to the conclusion that the bus doesn't drive through.

 

[moa999]

So following JessicaTam's misadventure I decided to take the public bus route (at total cost of about $2).

Took under 2hrs from clearing Sing customs at the airport to clearing Malaysian customs at JB and that was worth a 7min wait at Sing T2 and 8min for the 858-168 transfer.

Route I took as follows (from gothere.sg) is attached.

After Malaysian immigration appeared my 950 had already left (was about 10 in line @45-60 secs for foreigners whereas locals went straight through), so I jumped on the next 170 instead. Then walked through Sentral and Komtar and jumped in a cab for the 60sec ride on Jalan Wong Ah cough


On a cheap (RM323) rate and have been upgraded to a suite (xx13) (room was not avail on app). A bit weirdly shaped and with a smallish bedroom but very nice (photos later)

 

[JessicaTam]

Thanks moa999. I reckon I will do better next time!

I was in a xx13 room and agree the bedroom was small. Nice bathroom and lounge, 'though.

 

[Austman]

For the first time ever, and with considerable disapproving suspicions from JB locals, I caught the Transtar bus from Johor Bahru CIQ in Malaysia to Changi Airport a couple of days ago.

The bus cost MYR 10.00 and I used Uber to get to CIQ, a journey of 2.53km, for MYR 5.53. So all up, it cost MYR 15.53 door to door.

And it went ... FINE!

But I'd only do with with carry-on luggage. Trolleys seem to be non-existent and you do need to remove all luggage at the Singapore end. There's also a fair bit of walking where escalators seem to be preferred. The bus has some limited on-board luggage storage however. I found the bus again without problem after going through the Singapore procedures. They even told me that, if by chance I get delayed and miss the bus in Singapore, to get then next one in one hour ... But no need this time.

For me, and I know I was lucky, it was pretty quick across the causeway - car or bus. And it was minimal waiting for passport control or customs at either end.

 

[Major]

I have taken the plunge and booked 3 nights for us here in early Feb. I have been to SIN more than 30 times over several decades so decided to stay somewhere different this time. At my age and each of us with a wheeler bag I do not do public transport buses. Whilst I love the MRT I am looking at alternatives.

Is there a door to door option of either a taxi or private transfer available ?

Slightly OT but also looking for restaurant recommendations. Those restaurants listed in TA look like tourist traps to me. We always like to eat where the locals eat.

 

[Austman]

Is there a door to door option of either a taxi or private transfer available ?

Yes. A private car from anywhere in JB to Changi should cost MYR 200 or so.

Taxis are a bit more complicated. A JB taxi can pick you up anywhere in JB but only deliver you to one location, in downtown SIN (Queen Street, near Bugis). A SIN taxi can deliver you anywhere in SIN (eg Changi) but only pick up from one location in JB (Larkin bus terminal). The fare is fixed if it's only between Larkin and Queen Street - SGD 48 or MYR 80 per car.

This sums it up fairly well: Singapore to Malaysia | Getting from Singapore to Malaysia by Bus, Taxi cab & Limo Transfers | Taxi Singapore

 

[Austman]

Slightly OT but also looking for restaurant recommendations. Those restaurants listed in TA look like tourist traps to me. We always like to eat where the locals eat.

Teck Sing (which you will find in TA), is really popular, especially with visiting Singaporeans (you'll see a lot of cars with number plates starting with an "S" parked nearby), and is actually very good (it's noisy and chaotic but good). Their wrapped chicken and fish head curry are very good. Go a bit later than regular meal times to avoid a wait for a table. Loud, noisy and chaotic but fun with good food.

New Lucky Seafood is very popular with locals. But there's no menu. They will tell you what's available. It's not so expensive. You can book if you want an inside (and air conditioned) table. Casual but nice indoors and even has private rooms.

Pekin is popular and has a 4 branches in JB. The one at 38, Jalan Baldu 5, Taman Sentosa is good. It's in an odd location (almost under a freeway) but is very nice, inside. Huge but stylish.

There are so, so many restaurants. But they are quite spread out and JB is large. So you need to drive or get a taxi or uber.

 

[moa999]

Slightly OT but also looking for restaurant recommendations. Those restaurants listed in TA look like tourist traps to me. We always like to eat where the locals eat.

Nothing much directly around hotel but a number of options that appear popular with the local in the two malls closeby Komtar, but probably more so City Square

 

[Major]

Thank you both. I have taken notes

 

[Austman]

I have now taken the Transtar bus from SIN T1 to Johor Bahru (CIQ). And it was fine too - and just SGD 10.00.

The bus picks up some non-airport passengers at a couple of places but is still pretty quick to Woodlands.

It waits 15 mins at Woodlands for pax to go through formalities. They were pretty fast. The pax are allowed back on the bus which then took on more pax to standing room only for the actual causeway crossing - which only took minutes.

Apparently Transtar pax can also catch bus #8 here if they miss the Transtar bus.

The process at JB CIQ was fairly quick. But there's a fair bit of walking to get to taxis.

It took less than 90 mins from Changi to JB CIQ.

 

[moa999]

Apparently Transtar pax can also catch bus #8 here if they miss the Transtar bus.

Good to know.

The process at JB CIQ was fairly quick. But there's a fair bit of walking to get to taxis.
It took less than 90 mins from Changi to JB CIQ.

Yes - but probably no different to most airports.
Are you staying at DT JB?

 

[Shinkz]

Staying here later in the year. Reviews look good. Most excited about LegoLand

 

[Major]

Mrs Major and I are checking in tonight for 3 nights

 

[Austman]

Are you staying at DT JB?

No - I have friends in JB. I'll be at the DoubleTree in KL later next week. After CNY.

 

[Austman]

Mrs Major and I are checking in tonight for 3 nights

Today, Friday, is the last weekday before CNY. And even on Sunday, being CNY eve, the festivities start.

Many places have limited opening hours over CNY. And the traffic of course can be heavier.

 

[Aeolus]

Probably a bit far as a hotel option from SIN but there will be a new Doubletree opening in Penang later this year.

Travelling around KL is a bliss during CNY but avoid travelling to KL on the north south highway after the 3rd or 4th day or you'll be stuck with the masses coming back to KL.

 

[moa999]

Probably a bit far as a hotel option from SIN but there will be a new Doubletree opening in Penang later this year.
.

Batu Ferringi however, and a refurb of the old Hydro Hotel. A good kilometer from the main beach
DoubleTree Resort Hilton Penang : A sneak peek | RebeccaSaw.com

Some similar design elements to JB and KL though.

 

[Aeolus]

Batu Ferringi however, and a refurb of the old Hydro Hotel. A good kilometer from the main beach
DoubleTree Resort Hilton Penang : A sneak peek | RebeccaSaw.com

It's on the side of the hill, to get to the beach, you'll have to cross the main road that goes around the island. I'm planning to check it out later this year and will report back. Hiltons in Malaysia are becoming a great place for HH mattress run with their currency devaluation, even better than Thailand these days.

 

[Major]

Today, Friday, is the last weekday before CNY. And even on Sunday, being CNY eve, the festivities start.

Many places have limited opening hours over CNY. And the traffic of course can be heavier.

We have now found that out. Flight from HKG delayed over 2 hours. Booked car at SIN did not show. Missed JB bus by 3 min, next one in an hour. Took taxi to Queen St and found 50 people waiting for Malaysian cab and no cabs.
We are now staying at the Conrad :evil: