Senai International Airport (IATA: JHB) serves Johor Bahru and sits approximately 32 km north of the city centre, in the Senai district of Kulai. There is no rail link between the airport and JB, so your options are Grab, fixed-rate taxi, bus, shuttle, or a prebooked transfer.
For travellers continuing to Singapore, there are also direct cross-border shuttles from the airport that bypass the city entirely.
Grab - Most Practical for Most Arrivals
Grab is the default choice for most travellers landing at Senai. Pickup bays are marked from the arrivals hall, and the app gives you a fixed price before you commit.
- Fare to JB city centre (Jalan Wong Ah Fook area): Approximately RM25 to RM40 off-peak as of 2026; RM45 to RM60 during surge (Friday evenings, weekend mornings, and public holidays)
- Fare to Johor Bahru Sentral (bus and train hub): Approximately RM30 to RM45 off-peak
- Journey time: 30 to 45 minutes in normal traffic; 50 to 70 minutes during peak hours
- Vehicle options: GrabCar for two passengers with luggage; GrabCar XL or GrabSUV for groups of three or more
Practical tip: JB sees heavy cross-border traffic from Singapore on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. If your flight arrives at these times, Grab surge can push fares significantly higher. Consider arriving mid-morning or mid-week if flexibility allows.
Airport Taxi
Fixed-rate taxis operate from the taxi coupon counter in the arrivals hall. Pay at the counter and hand the slip to your driver.
- Fare to JB city centre: Approximately RM50 to RM65 as of 2026 for a standard car
- Fare to Johor Bahru Sentral: Approximately RM55 to RM70
- Premium/executive car: Approximately RM80 to RM110
- Journey time: Same as Grab, traffic-dependent
The coupon taxi is the right call if your Grab app is not working, your phone battery is low, or you prefer a guaranteed vehicle at a predetermined price. The cost is noticeably higher than Grab, but the process is straightforward.
Prebooked Airport Transfer
For guaranteed pickup at a fixed price, a prebooked transfer is the most stress-free option, particularly for early morning arrivals or late-night flights when Grab availability can be unpredictable.
Book an airport transfer from Senai to compare options and prices for your arrival time.
Prebooked services typically include meet-and-greet in arrivals, flight monitoring, and a fixed fare regardless of traffic conditions. Prices for a standard car to JB city are generally comparable to the airport taxi counter, with the advantage of confirmation in advance.
Causeway Link Bus - Budget Option
Causeway Link operates scheduled bus services from Senai Airport into Johor Bahru and beyond.
- Route CW1: Senai Airport to JB Sentral (the main bus and rail hub)
- Fare: Approximately RM5 to RM10 as of 2026, depending on route
- Journey time: Around 45 to 60 minutes to JB Sentral, longer with traffic
- Luggage: Limited storage; large suitcases are awkward during busy periods
- Operating hours: Check the Causeway Link website or airport departure board for current timetables, as schedules vary by day
From JB Sentral, you can connect to local buses, taxis, or Grab for your final destination. The bus is most practical for solo travellers with light luggage who have no time pressure.
Cross-Border to Singapore
JB sees significant transit traffic from travellers connecting to Singapore. From Senai Airport, options include:
Cross-border shuttle: Several operators run door-to-door shuttles from Senai Airport to various Singapore drop-off points (Woodlands, Buona Vista, city hotels). Journey times are typically 90 minutes to 2 hours, heavily affected by queue times at the Causeway or Second Link (Tuas).
Taxi to JB Sentral then bus to Singapore: Take a taxi or Grab from the airport to JB Sentral (approximately 30 to 45 minutes), then board a Causeway Link or other bus across the Causeway to Queen Street Terminal in Singapore. This option gives more flexibility on departure time but involves changing vehicles.
Key border note: Cross-border queue times are highly variable. Weekend afternoons and public holidays can add one to two hours to any crossing. Check live queue times via the JB Traffic app before committing to a border route.
Car Rental at Senai Airport
Car rental desks from operators including Hertz, Avis, and local companies are in the arrivals hall.
- Daily rates: From approximately RM80 to RM120 for a compact car as of 2026; MPVs from RM180 to RM280
- Useful for: Exploring Johor beyond the city centre, including Desaru Coast, Pontian, and the route south toward the Causeway
Driving notes:
- JB city traffic is frequently congested, especially near the Causeway approach
- Expressway driving to Desaru or inland Johor is straightforward; a GPS or offline Maps download is sufficient
- Parking in central JB is available at major malls including City Square and KSL City
Compare car rental rates at Senai Airport to check current availability.
All Options at a Glance
| Option | Fare to JB City (2026) | Journey time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grab | RM25-40 off-peak | 30-45 min | Best value, door-to-door |
| Airport coupon taxi | RM50-65 | 30-45 min | No app needed, fixed price |
| Prebooked transfer | RM50-80 | 30-45 min | Fixed fare, meet and greet |
| Causeway Link bus | ~RM5-10 | 45-60 min | Budget option, limited luggage |
| Car rental | From RM80/day | 30 min to city | Best for regional exploration |
Getting Around JB After Arrival
Once in the city, Grab is by far the most practical way to move between hotels, malls, and attractions. JB has no MRT or LRT network. The city is also compact enough that many hotels cluster around the Jalan Wong Ah Fook and City Square area, within a short Grab ride from most arrival points.
For the Singapore day trip that most JB visitors consider, buses from JB Sentral cross the Causeway to Singapore’s Queen Street Terminal for approximately RM4 to RM6 as of 2026. The journey takes 45 minutes to 90 minutes depending on border queues.
For broader context on what to do in the city, see our Johor Bahru travel guide. For general transport options across Malaysia, our getting around Malaysia guide covers intercity buses, trains, and internal flights.
Plan Your Trip
- Book your flights to Malaysia
- Get travel insurance
- Stay connected with an eSIM
- Book an airport transfer
- Rent a car in Malaysia