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All the Best Things to Do & See on Your Day Trip from Singapore to Johor Bahru
- How long is the drive from Singapore to Johor Bahru?
- Unleash your child at LEGOLAND Malaysia
- Take a walk back in time around Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Street
- Experience a magical time at the Kota Tinggi Firefly Park
- Where to Eat in Johor Bahru
- Miss Siam
- SAMA Restaurant and Cafe Dining
- Vamos Coffee Roastery
- Hua Mui
- Restoran Teck Sing
- Where to Shop in Johor Bahru
- Paradigm Mall
Johor Bahru offers something for everyone, from historical sites and delicious street food to beautiful natural scenery and vibrant nightlife.
And lucky for us, it’s only a 45-minute drive away from the Lion City. When a public holiday falls next to the weekend, I don’t hesitate to plan a getaway to Malaysia, and the best part is that I don’t have to book flights for it!
So, if you’re thinking about going cross-country for a trip, here’s a guide to all the best things to see, places to eat, and where to shop during your day trip to Johor Bahru!
How long is the drive from Singapore to Johor Bahru?
The drive from Singapore to Johor Bahru takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour, depending on current traffic conditions.
Unleash your child at LEGOLAND Malaysia
Media from legolandmalaysia
Address: 7, Persiaran Medini Utara 3, 79100 Iskandar Puteri
Contact Details: +60 7597 8888
Operating Hours: Monday, Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Average Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Pricing:
- Adults: RM 199
- Children and Seniors: RM 169 (Children below 3 years old can enter for free)
LEGOLAND Malaysia is one of the most popular attractions in Johor Bahru, so it’s a no-brainer to include it in the itinerary. This colourful and family-friendly theme park is clad with LEGO-themed rides and statues to keep you occupied for hours.
The park features more than 40 attractions, including must-try experiences such as LEGO NINJAGO, Dino Island, and the Great LEGO Race. You can take your time enjoying these thrilling rides to your heart’s content!
Tips:
- Some tickets come with free parking promotions, with parking available in Zones 1 and 2 for select holders. Disabled visitors are advised to use Zone 1.
- To avoid long lines, buy your tickets online before your visit, ensuring you use the official LEGOLAND booking site rather than third-party sellers to avoid scams.
Take a walk back in time around Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Street
From donabakehouse
Address: 66, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Average Duration: 30 minutes
Pricing: Free
Stroll down Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Street and travel back in time. This picturesque street is lined with vintage shops and vibrant buildings, showcasing the area’s rich history.
You’ll discover a mix of cafes, retail stores, and traditional stores offering snacks and knick-knacks. It’s an ideal spot to soak in the local culture and architecture and take endless Instagram-worthy photos!
Tips:
- If you drop by in the morning, you can find buskers along the streets singing Mandarin or Malay versions of your favourite songs. Don’t forget to show your support and tip them when you can!
- The street is also a great spot to find halal-friendly restaurants if you’re particular about your diet. Look out for signs that signify that a restaurant is halal-certified.
Experience a magical time at the Kota Tinggi Firefly Park
Media from ktfireflypark
Address: Jalan Kota Tinggi, 81900 Kota Tinggi
Contact Details: +60 17460 7775
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 1:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Average Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Pricing:
- Adults: RM 20
- Children and Seniors: RM 12
On your last stop before heading back to Singapore, experience what it’s like to have hundreds of fireflies circle around you at Kota Tinggi Firefly Park. It’s only a few minutes away via car from the city centre, so make sure to drop by before you leave!
The park offers visitors the chance to catch these fireflies in action from a viewing deck or from a boat in the Johor River. I recommend doing the latter to experience the magic up close (pretty much reenact the lantern scene in the movie Tangled!).
Tips:
- The Firefly Park only opens in the afternoon, and I recommend buying tickets online in front of their official ticketing partners like Klook. People tend to line up before the park even opens, so getting tickets early, especially for the river cruise, is a must!
- There’s a gift shop within the park that sells firecrackers and lanterns that you can light up. I recommend getting at least one of them to really get into the spirit of the Tangled movie.
Where to Eat in Johor Bahru
Miss Siam
Media from misssiamthaifood
Address: B0108, Blok B, Eko Galleria Jalan Eko Botani 3, Taman Eko Botani Iskandar Puteri
Contact Details: +60 19920 1168
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:30 am to 10:00 pm
Pricing: $
Website
If you’re craving Thai food, Miss Siam is the best place to satisfy your cravings. This restaurant offers an extensive menu that features popular Thai favourites like mango sticky rice, seafood tom yum soup, pad thai, and Thai basil chicken rice.
The main reason why this Thai restaurant is so popular among tourists is that the dishes are close to authentic. The prices aren’t fancy, either, making it a good spot to get delicious food without breaking the bank.
Tips:
- Thinking about coming on a weekend? If you are, I recommend booking a table as soon as possible. The restaurant gets fully booked at this time. If you can, drop by on a weekday instead.
- The food here is generally spicy, but you can tell the staff members to adjust the spice levels for you if you can’t handle the heat!
SAMA Restaurant and Cafe Dining
Media from samarestaurant_
Address: 36, Jln Beringin, Taman Melodies
Contact Details: +60 115417 1009
Operating Hours: Monday, Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
SAMA Restaurant is one of the cosiest dining spots I’ve ever dined at in the city, and I recommend anyone who loves cottage core vibes to visit this place. The restaurant specialises in modern Asian comfort food ranging from local fare to Chinese treats.
The decor and ambience are showstoppers, giving you Instragrammable spots in every corner. Whether you’re here to simply grab a coffee or munch on their nasi ayam belado (spicy chicken rice), the cosy vibes here will not disappoint.
Tips:
- There are car parking slots within the restaurant’s premises, but they’re very limited. They’re usually full by dinnertime (6:00 pm), so I recommend dropping by right before that time frame.
- The restaurant has a secret menu that is only available for diners who ask the staff about it. If you don’t see anything you like on the main menu, don’t be afraid to approach a waiter for their secret offerings!
Vamos Coffee Roastery
Media from vamoscoffee
Address: 155, Jln Beringin, Taman Melodies
Contact Details: +60 16723 3124
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 am to 12:00 am
Pricing: $$
Website
Vamos Coffee Roastery in Johor Bahru is an underrated gem with the perfect ambience for a relaxing tea time or a coffee break. Whether you’re looking to unwind or get some work done remotely, this spot offers delicious cafe fare and kombuchas on the tap!
Yep, you read that right. Healthy and fizzy drinks are up for grabs here for a better gut and appetite.
If you’re visiting for the first time, I recommend trying the Mexican-style grilled ham. It’s basically an overloaded French toast with grilled chicken, ham, and spicy chilli mayo.
Tips:
- You have the option to choose your own blend of beans before they make the coffee fresh for you. If you don’t know how to choose, the baristas can help explain each variant.
- They have a pizza menu that’s only available after 6:00 pm. I recommend dropping by for dinner here to get them!
Hua Mui
Media from huamui.official
Address: 131, Jalan Trus
Contact Details: +60 7224 7364
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
Hua Mui has been serving delicious British and Hainanese fusion dishes since 1946, drawing tourists to their humble eatery for rounds of chicken rice, full English breakfasts, and more. It’s the oldest surviving restaurant in the city!
If you take a look around, you’ll find that the restaurant hasn’t changed much since its founding (pay attention to the photos on the walls!). The old colonial charm still shines brightly here, and more so in the simple yet hearty food they serve.
Tips:
- A lot of their bestsellers like the chicken rice soup, Milo Dinosaur, and chicken chops get sold out quickly. Try to dine here around lunchtime to ensure you still get a serving of them!
- I recommend bringing your own refillable water bottle with you when dining here. They don’t serve complimentary water here, and if you want to save extra cash for the trip, just bring a bottle with you!
Restoran Teck Sing
From cafehoppingkids
Address: 3&5, Jalan Sutera 1, Taman Sentosa
Contact Details: +60 7334 7025
Operating Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday, 11:00 am to 8:30 pm
Pricing: $
Website
Another must-visit restaurant in the city is Teck Sing. They’re known for their paper-baked chicken dish which is a chicken dish wrapped in parchment paper.
The signature cooking method enables the meat to absorb as much flavour, aroma, and juices as possible, resulting in ultra-juicy chicken meat that doesn’t require too much sauce.
They also serve a wide array of Chinese dishes, ranging from curry fish heads to sauteed vegetables.
Tips:
- The best time to visit Teck Sing is during lunchtime (around 11:00 am to 12:00 noon). The crowd is smaller, and the queue isn’t too long compared to dinnertime.
- There is very limited parking near the restaurant. It’s best to park your car in nearby car parks like the Holiday Plaza or Century Street Food car park and walk towards the restaurant.
Where to Shop in Johor Bahru
Paradigm Mall
Media from paradigm.jb
Address: K013, Paradigm Mall, Skudai Hwy, Taman Bukit Mewah
Contact Details: +60 7231 3888
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Website
Paradigm Mall is the largest shopping centre in the city and houses a plethora of retail stores, dining establishments, entertainment complexes, and more. You can buy virtually anything you want to take home here.
One of the best things about this mall (which is honestly what it’s also known for) is its cinema complex. If you’re thinking about catching a blockbuster before heading home, this mall is the place to do just that.
Tip:
- If you’re looking for more things to do here, I recommend trying your luck at ice skating. There’s an ice skating rink inside the mall to keep you occupied for a while.
