Taking a taxi across the Singapore-Malaysia causeway is one of the most comfortable ways to skip the grueling immigration foot-traffic queues. You get to sit in the air-conditioned comfort of the vehicle while simply handing your passports to the officer through the window.
However, the cross-border taxi system is highly regulated by both the LTA (Singapore) and APAD (Malaysia). Private charter cars (or "teksi sapu") are strictly illegal, and enforcement has ramped up significantly. You risk being stranded at the checkpoint if caught.
To travel legally and safely, you must use the official Cross-Border Taxi scheme.
[!IMPORTANT]
Major Rule Change (May 2026) Previously, cross-border taxis were forced to drop passengers off at specific terminals (Larkin Sentral in JB, or Ban San Street in SG) when entering the foreign country. This is no longer the case! Licensed cross-border taxis can now drop you off ANYWHERE in the destination city. However, pick-ups in a foreign country remain strictly regulated.
Here is exactly how it works depending on the direction of your travel:
🇸🇬 Singapore to Johor Bahru (SG ➡️ JB)
When traveling from Singapore into Malaysia, you have two legal options:
Option 1: Taking a Singapore-Registered Taxi (The Easiest Way)
- Pickup: You can be picked up ANYWHERE in Singapore. (You can book these via the ComfortDelGro Zig app hotline at 6552 1111, Grab's "SG>JB" cross-border pilot, or hail a specific cross-border licensed yellow-top taxi).
- Drop-off: They can now drop you off ANYWHERE in Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri (Legoland), Forest City, Kulai, and Senai! You get a seamless point-to-point journey.
Option 2: Taking a Malaysia-Registered Taxi (The "Yellow" JB Cab)
- Pickup: Because they are in a foreign country, you MUST board the taxi at the designated cross-border taxi stand at Ban San Street (Queen Street Bus Terminal in Bugis) or book via an official ride-hail app from designated points.
- Drop-off: They can drop you off ANYWHERE in Johor Bahru.
🇲🇾 Johor Bahru to Singapore (JB ➡️ SG)
When returning from JB back to Singapore, the rules flip:
Option 1: Taking a Malaysia-Registered Taxi (The Easiest Way)
- Pickup: You can be picked up ANYWHERE in Johor Bahru (You can book these via the Grab app directly from your hotel or mall). Note: As of May 2026, traditional telephone dispatch bookings from SG operators for return trips have been discontinued.
- Drop-off: They can now drop you off ANYWHERE in Singapore straight to your doorstep!
Option 2: Taking a Singapore-Registered Taxi
- Pickup: Because they are in a foreign country, you cannot call an SG taxi to your hotel. You MUST physically go to Larkin Sentral Terminal in JB (or designated mega-malls like Toppen, Mid Valley Southkey, and Angsana) to hail one, or book via an official app from those specific pick-up points.
- Drop-off: They can drop you off ANYWHERE in Singapore.
📱 How to Book & How Much It Costs
Historically, the only way to get a cross-border taxi was to physically show up at Ban San Street (SG) or Larkin Sentral (JB) and negotiate a fare. Fortunately, official operators are now bringing this system into the digital age:
1. Grab Cross-Border (App Booking)
Grab recently received the first cross-border ride-hail operator licence. Look for the "SG>JB" tile under the Transport section of your Grab app. You can book rides up to 7 days in advance.
- Price: Fares are entirely dynamic based on demand and distance, much like a normal Grab ride. While it is more expensive than the bus, they occasionally run promotions (up to 30% off).
2. ComfortDelGro (Hotline Booking)
You can book an official SG cross-border taxi directly by calling the ComfortDelGro 24-hour hotline at 6552 1111.
- Price: Traditional cross-border fares are quoted upfront based on distance. Expect to pay anywhere from $60 to $160 SGD for the entire vehicle depending on your pickup point and how far into Johor you are traveling.
[!WARNING] A Note on Illegal Charters You might see WhatsApp or Facebook groups advertising "door-to-door SG to JB" transport for $100. Unless they are licensed cross-border taxis or massive multi-seater coaches with specific permits, these are illegal. If you are stopped at the border in an unlicensed vehicle, authorities will turn the vehicle back, and you will be forced to walk across the causeway with your luggage. Always stick to the official taxi scheme or the Causeway Link buses.