A plan for Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru is the second largest city in Malaysia and a fast-growing city. The city has about 860,000 inhabitants (2020), and its district has about 1.7 million. Johor Bahru is mostly suburban and lacks a condensed metropolitan environment. Given its relatively large land space, the city is not as dense as many other cities in the country. Many of the world's top electronics manufacturers have at least one plant in Johor Bahru.

Due to its proximity to Singapore, Johor Bahru is frequently visited by Singaporeans looking to take advantage of its much lower prices, particularly on weekends. Congestion at the border checkpoints is particularly heavy during long weekends or extended public holidays. Shopping and eating in the city can be a real adventure, with many shopping complexes, restaurants, cafes and a wide variety of local, Asian and Western food establishments offering from street food to fine dining. There are also plenty of spas, massage parlours, resort hotels, karaoke, night markets, pubs and nightclubs in the city. The city also houses many establishments for arts, sports, games and outdoor activities. To some degree, it also serves as a bedroom community for Singapore, as many Malaysians who work in Singapore live in Johor Bahru where the cost of living is much lower, and commute across the border daily.

Johor Bahru has a well-mixed balance of things to see from historic, traditional and modern landmarks, cultural and religious places, sports and entertainment venues, as well as nature from city parks and seafront places. Most of the tourist places are well spread throughout the city. So if you plan to go to any corner of the city, you will always find something interesting to see, to do or to enjoy.

Community enclaves

2 Chinatown, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee (walk from JB Sentral bus terminal or train station). This historical Chinese community area is located mostly along the Tan Hiok Nee Street. It consists of various restaurants, shops and landmarks, such as Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum, Museum of 24 Festive Drum, Senso Art Gallery, Art 52 Gallery and the nearby Johor Bahru Kwong Siew Heritage Gallery. Free, except when visiting individual establishment. (updated Jul 2020)

3 Little India, Jalan Ungku Puan (walk from JB Sentral bus terminal or train station). This historical Indian community area is located mostly along the Ungku Puan Street. It consists of various restaurants, shops and landmarks, such as Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam Temple, India Mosque, Gurdwara Sahib Johor Bahru and the nearby Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple. (updated Dec 2020)

4 Majidee Malay Village (Kampung Melayu Majidee), Jalan Masjid (take 10B, 39, 41, 133, 188, 205, 208, 224 227, BET2, or S&S1 bus from JB Sentral terminal and alight at Taman Majidee). This Malay community area is located mostly along the Masjid Street. It consists of various restaurants, shops and landmarks, such as Majidee Malay Village Market and Majidee Malay Village Jamek Mosque. (updated Jul 2020)

Landmarks

5 Austin International Convention Centre (AICC), No. 71, Jalan Austin Heights 8/2, Taman Mount Austin. Convention centre. (updated Apr 2019)

Theme parks

Johor's top theme park, Legoland Malaysia, is some 20 km away in the satellite town of Iskandar Puteri and covered in that article. It can easily be visited on a day trip from JB.

1 Austin Heights Water and Adventure Park, No. 71, Jalan Austin Heights 8/1, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 (take BET6 bus from JB Sentral towards Taman Setia Indah and alight at Taman Mount Austin.), ☏ +60 197163183, ask@funtime.my. Water park 10AM-7PM, adventure park 10AM-6PM, sports & leisure park 10AM-10PM. Water Park Big Splash, Adventure Park, Jump Street Austin Heights, Drift in Austin, Skating Rink Austin Heights. Water park RM88, adventure park RM88, jump street RM228, skating rink RM228, drift RM228. (updated Apr 2018)

2 Dinosaur Alive Water Theme Park, KSL Hotel & Resort, No. 33 Jalan Seladang, Taman Abad, 80250 (take S1 bus from JB Sentral and alight at KSL City). Water park at the rooftop of a shopping mall. (updated Apr 2022)

3 La Stella Water Theme Park, Starhill Golf and Country Club, 6.5KM, Jalan Kampung Maju Jaya, Kempas Lama, 81330 Skudai. 9AM-6PM. Water park. Adult RM10.60-25.00, children RM8.50-12.00. (updated Apr 2018)

4 Tiram Indoor Water Park, Today's Mall, Jalan Kota Tinggi, 81800 Ulu Tiram, ☏ +60 78640694, lina@tiramwaterpark.com.my. 10:30AM-10PM. Indoor water park. Adult RM14.70, children RM20.00. (updated Apr 2018)

Adventures

5 Drift Culture Enterprise, 2nd floor, No. 20A, Jalan Gaya 2, Taman Gaya, 81800 Ulu Tiram, ☏ +60 197279433. Mini 4WD and radio-controlled drifting. (updated Dec 2020)

6 The Escaper (密室逃脱), Level 2, No. 79, Jalan Austin Heights 8/5, Taman Mount Austin, 81100, ☏ +60 73522566, theescapergames@gmail.com. Try to escape from this virtual reality maze game if you can. (updated Apr 2022)

7 G Flights, Level 3, Stellar Walk, Permas Jaya (take bus 123 or S&S1 from JB Sentral Terminal and alight at AEON Permas Jaya), ☏ +60 73823912. Commercial airline flight simulator. (updated Jul 2020)

8 Lost in JB - The Haunted House, No.2 Jalan Austin Heights Utama, Taman Mount Austin, 81100, ☏ +60 73645043. 12:30PM-11:30PM. Haunted house. (updated Apr 2018)

9 Permas Go-Kart Club, Lot 1195, Jalan Bunga Matahari, Taman Plentong Baru, ☏ +60 197111733, louis@permasgokart.com. Go-kart on dirt and stone track in the middle of palm oil plantation. (updated Apr 2018)

Johor Bahru offers local delicacies of Malaysia to Western and Asian choices of food. Dining venues range from budget and mid-range eateries to high-end restaurants with various price ranges. Many of them are in restaurant and entertainment districts, shopping malls, along sea fronts, hawker centres, pedestrian zones, food courts, stand alone food stalls or even food trucks. Alternatively, you can always use food delivery apps from your mobile phone to get your favorite foods delivered straight to your accommodation from major restaurants in the city.

Halal-certified logos are displayed at many restaurant entrances. Some other restaurants also offer non-pork and non-lard foods but lack halal certification.

There are approximately 200 vegetarian eateries across the JB metropolitan area, especially in Skudai and the entertainment district that is Mount Austin. Most but not all vegetarian eateries across the JB metro area are Chinese Buddhist and thus have allium-free menus.

Local specialities

Johor Bahru is home to two distinct styles of laksa, both of which differ considerably for from what you can find in Singapore or elsewhere in Malaysia. Laksa Johor is a Malay fusion dish that is made of spaghetti and a spicy fish gravy, said to have been invented by a palace chef to satisfy a craving by Sultan Abu Bakar after he had tried spaghetti bolognaise on a visit to Italy. It is difficult to find these days due to the labour intensive preparation, and is usually made by Malay households for important festival. Curry laksa is a local Chinese dish, comprising noodles and yong tau foo in a curry broth.

In some particular areas, the nightlife scene in Johor Bahru can be quite an adventure with many choices available on the ground. The most popular inland nightlife areas within the Johor Bahru metropolitan area, are the Mount Austin and Sutera Utama areas for younger crowds, where it features nightclubs, pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, karaokes, gaming centres, shops and an occasional night market. A well-known concentrated drinking area along the coast is The ZON at Stulang Laut. It features The ZON Duty Free shopping mall selling alcoholic beverages tax-free, but you must pay upon exiting the area through the customs. It also features many pubs and nightclubs within the duty-free precinct. Another popular drinking area along the coast is at Senibong Cove marina. Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights have the largest crowds patronizing those establishments until late midnight except on Sunday night. There are also other nightclubs and pubs scattered throughout the city although they are located individually.

1 After 5 Bar and Lounge, GFL 020-023, Jalan Austin Heights 8/2, Taman Mount Austin, 81100, ☏ +60 177131341. Bar and lounge. (updated Nov 2019)

2 Bert's Keller, No. 23, Jalan Pelanduk, Taman Century, ☏ +60 7 335-8788. daily 4PM-1AM. A cosy and intimate, no-nonsense pub. Bert’s Keller has a small menu that is big on quality and portions, serving chicken chop, lamb chop, oxtail stew, stir-fried noodles, etc. Its signature oxtail stew comes with a side of toast. This special stew is served a day after the meat has been steeped in its sauces and is so tender that it is ready to fall off the bones. Live music on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

3 Freedom Ultimate Club, The ZON, Stulang. Night club. (updated Jun 2018)

4 The Geoventure, The ZON, Stulang Laut. Night club. (updated Jun 2018)

5 LED Modern Bar, GF-L010, L011, L012, L013, L013A, Austin International Convention Centre, Jalan Austin Heights 811, Taman Mount Austin, 81100, ☏ +60 197096060, enquiry@ledmodernbar.com. Night club. (updated Nov 2019)

6 Midnight Austin, No. 48, 50, 52, Jalan Austin Heights 8/2, Taman Mount Austin, 81100, ☏ +60 76020280. Pub and bistro. (updated Nov 2019)

7 Mining Bar, Menara Hartamas, Block A #01-07&08, Jalan Austin Heights 8/4, Taman Mount Austin, 81100, ☏ +60 73532432. Bar. (updated Nov 2019)

By bus

If you wish to explore Johor Bahru by bus, the main bus terminals of the city are Larkin Sentral, 7 JB Sentral, 8 Taman Johor Jaya and 9 Ulu Tiram. From these terminals, buses going to almost major suburbs of Johor Bahru as well as Kulai, Iskandar Puteri and Pasir Gudang. The destination also serves Pontian Kechil, Ayer Hitam and Kota Tinggi in the neighbouring districts of Johor Bahru.

Public buses are operated by BAS.MY Johor Bahru, easily identifiable by their bright pink livery. These buses accept Manjalink cards (a local pre-paid card), ManjaPay, contactless cards (Visa and Mastercard only!), and cash. No change is provided. The last of these buses leave JB Sentral at around 11PM. Be sure of the destination of the bus before boarding and do not hesitate to ask the bus driver.

A number of routes to destinations further out are operated by private operators Causeway Link and City Bus.

Buses are frequently delayed by congestion and may not arrive at set intervals. It has been reported that, on occasion, buses may not pick-up passengers from designated bus stops. The privately-owned white-grey and orange-roofed “City Bus” is more receptive at picking up and dropping off passengers at both designated bus stops and undesignated parts of the road.

JB Sentral to Larkin Sentral

If you are planning to go from JB Sentral bus terminal to Larkin Sentral terminal or vice versa, you may take any of the frequent, non-stop buses that terminate at Larkin Sentral. For those who recently cleared Malaysian immigration, they may walk straight to the post-immigration bus bays downstairs at the JB CIQ Complex. These bus bays are also accessible by walking along the slip road that links the CIQ with Jalan Lingkaran Dalam. Fares from JB Sentral to Larkin Sentral: CW1, CW2 and CWL RM1.20, SBS 170 RM1.50 (payable by EZ-link card - S$1.11), Singapore-Johore Express RM1.00. These fares are payable only under the following circumstances:

You fail to board the SBS 170 bus within 45 minutes of alighting from the SBS 160, SBS 170 or SMRT 950 bus.

As of 2025, Johor Bahru has become the city in Malaysia with the second lowest crime rate. However, it used to have a bad reputation, due in part to sensationalised reports by some foreign media of crimes committed against their citizens; the proximity to super safe Singapore hasn't helped perceptions. Having said all that:

Do not carry a handbag when walking around town. Snatch thieves have been known to snatch handbags away while their victims are walking on the street, using a motorcycle. If they do manage to grab your handbag, let them have it as some snatch thieves are known to drag their victims along the road with their motorbikes until they release their grip, almost certainly resulting in severe injuries.

Keep your passport safe and close to you because it is a highly prized valuable to robbers.

Lock the car door immediately or as soon as you get into the car.

Avoid walking around the city alone. You should walk around the city in groups of preferably 3 or more for safety.

Only go to areas with good security such as malls and private clubs at night.

If you are robbed, you are advised to give up most, if not all, of your valuables to avoid putting your personal safety in jeopardy.

As a rule of thumb, the general hawker food scene in Johor Bahru is hygienic though certain areas are less so. So keep an eye out for those dirty hawkers who pay very little attention to hygiene.