Walking Across the Causeway On Foot from Singapore to Johor, Malaysia!

Like many Singaporeans, a day trip to Johor Bahru (JB) in Malaysia is a frequent affair, especially for those living near the causeway and second link that provide crucial land connections from Singapore to Malaysia! 

Lately, however, I did notice a much higher spike of visitors to JB on weekends and this has resulted in long, snaking queue for the buses, which is my primary mode of transportation! This would mean a wait of more than 30 minutes to even an hour; a lot of wasted time if my plan was only for a day trip. 

Do you know that you can actually walk over the causeway? I did it on quite a number of occasions! First and foremost, go to the lane for the AC7 / Transtar / Private Bus, and go all the way straight towards the causeway. Should the police ask, just tell them you are walking over and they would even point you to the correct direction! 

Once you pass the metal revolving gates, you would arrive at the spiral staircase. Proceed all the way down! Signs were placed but so long you are not a directional idiot, you would know this shall be the correct direction. 

Continue along the path. One key thing to note should you decide to cross the causeway on foot; it's unsheltered for the most parts and I would strongly recommend bringing an umbrella in case it starts to rain. 

Take shelter here if it is pouring. Typical of Singapore and Malaysia weather, the heavy downpours are usually quite short but do check out the weather app in case you are unfortunate enough to encounter the rare instance of climate change effect.

Luck was on my side this morning. 

Overcast sky but it didn't rain at all! 

Familiar sight for those who travel to JB often. The 1.056-kilometre long Johor–Singapore Causeway that officially opened in 1923 and known as "one of the busiest border crossings in the world".

Pathway for road users like I. Nevertheless, do be mindful of cars and motorbikes that would zoom past, especially the latter which can navigate even when there is a jam. No monkeying around! 

Getting ready my fan to dispel the heat, despite the lack of direct sunlight. The distance between both checkpoints is about 2.4 kilometers and I am sure going to sweat madly. 

Car jams are common on weekends. The joke I often shared with friends was that my sister was driving in with my brother in law one Saturday but as I couldn't wake up, I went in on my own via public transport about two hours later. The bus I was on passed by their vehicle along the jammed causeway! 

Given the zero marker, I am guessing beyond would fall under Malaysia territory. 

View comprising the landscape from both countries. The body of water separating Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore is known as the Straits of Johor, with the causeway physically separating The Straits.

Proper pathway continues. 

Spotted a unique bird on a rock which differs from the usual pigeons, crows and sparrows. I am guessing this would be kingfisher although the ones I encounter so far fall under the common kingfisher species, which had a blue white plumage. 

 

A sign and an even bigger LED screen showing the love for Johor, an important state in Malaysia. Interestingly, I thought it would be more appropriate to indicate "Welcome to Johor, Malaysia". Love need not be so publicly displayed. 

No more pathway! Hence, please exercise extra caution as at this point, people on foot would have to cut cross the motorbike lane. As the drill goes, look left and right, but concentrate on the right as it's a one-way road. No zebra crossing so the motorbikes have right of way! 

Successfully cross over to the car lane.

Carry on walking along the shoulder. As most, if not all, humans do not have eyes at the back of their head, keep as close as possible to the left of the shoulder, and be alert.

Viaduct for the upcoming Johor Bahru – Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link! Many of us are excited as it would definitely cut short the commuting time. Most important question on most people's mind, how much would a one-way ticket be priced? 

Another challenge; crossing over to the bus lane! Wait, you can't just cross as and when; locating a breach in the line of red-white plastic barriers is the first step! 

Remember, I am a veteran. 

So crossing over for me is chicken feet.

Proceeding ahead, along an even narrower shoulder. As this is a bus lane, it would be a bit more terrifying as the buses literally speed next to you. Again, keep as close as possible to the left of the shoulder as an accident with a bus would be a lot more serious.

Those who took the bus would be familiar with the above building, as it signals the time for us to prepare to disembark. What many didn't realize was that the bridge is the same one bringing them from the Malaysian checkpoint to JB Sentral, and then to City Square Shopping Center! 

Arrival at the Malaysian Checkpoint!

Take the escalator towards immigration clearance! 

Immigration hall for entry to Malaysia. So how long did it take me to cover the distance from Singapore to JB on foot? About 26 minutes. Would it be better for me to have just waited for the bus? Maybe but as an impatient person who loves to walk, it's a risk I am not willing to take most of the times, unless it's raining very heavily.