Day trip to Johor - help!

[banduw]

I haven't driven to Malaysia (from Singapore) before. Will someone recommend a day trip route for me to take my family out in a weekend?

I am hoping to drive for about 4-5 hours (in total), spend some time in a beach (beach hotel) or some nature-place, eat some food, and return in the evening/night.

I am driving a two months old BMW 318. So, I do not wish to drive inside busy towns, off roads and park in risky places (assuming I am not asking for too much)

I would appreciate any help, suggestion, advise... please!

Bandu W

[Sephjones]

I haven't driven to Malaysia (from Singapore) before. Will someone recommend a day trip route for me to take my family out in a weekend?

I am hoping to drive for about 4-5 hours (in total), spend some time in a beach (beach hotel) or some nature-place, eat some food, and return in the evening/night.

I am driving a two months old BMW 318. So, I do not wish to drive inside busy towns, off roads and park in risky places (assuming I am not asking for too much)

I would appreciate any help, suggestion, advise... please!

Bandu W

hope is not late, Desaru? may be? or u can try melaka town, during weekend i saw many sg car there

[banduw]

hope is not late, Desaru? may be? or u can try melaka town, during weekend i saw many sg car there

Thanks! Yes, I am planning to go to Desaru during the long weekend - two days.

I was thinking of crossing the border around 10am on Saturday (to Malaysia) via Woodlands checkpoint. Is that bad time?

[singawon]

you may want to check at onemotoring website this saturday to determine how bad the traffic condition is, then you can presume how bad it will be on a super long weekend....

My past experience driving to MY on a long weekend, i move out around 4 to 5 am.....the jam about to start....

hope these help....

[simseair]

I would think that 10 am is a no no. The jam would probably stretch into the BKE highway. It will be especially bad on the Aug 6 weekend when there is a 3-days break. Bro Singawon is right. If you want to beat the jam, 4 ~ 5 am is the right time. If you do not mind an hour's queue, 7 am should be all right. For example, on Jul 16 which is a normal weekend, the jam at the Singapore Immigration was already stretching into the BKE highway after 8am. You can actually check the Singapore Immigration website for the jam (although it does not really help). You are able to view the cameras at the Causeway through the website.

If you are not driving into Johor Bahru town, you will still need to go along Jalan Tebrau to head to Kota Tinggi. If you are planning to go to Desaru, Sungai Rengit will be the place for seafood near Desaru. You can also explore Johor Lama or Kota Tinggi. There are also many Felda schemes - pay a visit and see the life of the Felda settlers there. Malfreemap has quite complete map details of the Felda schemes. The Desaru fruit farm is also a popular place to visit.

[banduw]

I would think that 10 am is a no no. The jam would probably stretch into the BKE highway. It will be especially bad on the Aug 6 weekend when there is a 3-days break. Bro Singawon is right. If you want to beat the jam, 4 ~ 5 am is the right time. If you do not mind an hour's queue, 7 am should be all right.

Thanks for everyone's help. I will do that - go early before 7am. Then, spend sometime on the way to Desaru as you suggested.

By the way, would it be better to take Second Link? I don't mind driving bit longer as long as it makes me wait less.

[simseair]

If you are taking the Second Link, then 8 am should be all right. It is much more expensive at the Second Link. You pay much higher tolls at both the Singapore and the Malaysia Immigration. Also, you will need to pay to use the highway up to the Perling exit. Also, if you are returning the same way, you will need to pay the same again. Whereas, at Woodlands, you pay cheaper tolls, one way only and no highway toll.

If you are a non-muslim, I would recommend the duck noodle at N 1d 28m 45.2 s and E 103d 39m 53.6s for breakfast. The shop should be open by 9 am. Other breakfast that I like is the beef noodle at Ho Heng at N 1d 31m 30.6s and E 103 46m 06.9s which should be open at about 7.30 am ie. if you like beef noodle. Ho Heng is located in a Chinese New Village which has Chinese kampung feel right in the middle of JB city. Parking at both areas is not a problem and should be very safe. You are able to see your car while having your breakfast so no problem.

With a full stomach, this should set your mind at peace for the Desaru trip.

[banduw]

Thank you Simseair - appreciate your help! Since I am driving across the border for the first time, and with a 7 year old in the car, all that information will be valuable to me.

When the kids say "I want to go to bathroom", should I look for a gas station to stop? or a MacDonald or something?

Another Q: Where do you recommend I stop for Gas on my return to Singapore?

Thanks a million!

[simseair]

Gas stations and McDonalds are good stops. Just bear in mind that some gas stations' toilets are poorly maintained. Shopping centres in town, restaurants or some of the modern "kopitiams" are also good places.

For gas, if you are using Woodlands, you will need to stock up along Jalan Tebrau - Esso, Shell and Petronas stations are common. If you are taking the Second Link, there are the Esso and Petronas stations a few kilometers from the Malaysian Immigration. Currently, Singapore cars can only pump 20 litres per station so you know what to do. Not sure if the government is changing the rules to disallow Singapore cars from pumping RON 95 from Aug 1. I think with your new car, you will go for RON 97.

The highways and the road from Kota Tinggi are nice to speed as they are quite straight and the traffic is not so heavy. Do not speed as you are not familiar with the roads, the driving habits of locals, the road conditions, and other distractions. Also, you may get a traffic summon. Enjoy. With a GPS and the Malfreemap, you will not be lost.

[singawon]

Gas stations and McDonalds are good stops. Just bear in mind that some gas stations' toilets are poorly maintained. Shopping centres in town, restaurants or some of the modern "kopitiams" are also good places. .......

Be sure is a crowded one and be extra alert if in those quiet type....there is a case whereby the car is hickjacked with a pregnat woman and a young daughter when the husband went to the tiolet and most sad is the women is being raped infront of her daughter....

Stand by some plastic bag or plastic container, if really cannot tahan, then make full use of it...

Hope you enjoy your trip....