9 Great Options For One Day Trip To JB (2021): Itinerary + Where To Go
Planning a trip to Johor is crucial for a smooth and pleasant day trip to JB!
But trip planning is not something everyone enjoys though!
In fact, research from Expedia shows that at least 83% of travelers see planning an itinerary as a boring and tiresome exercise!
These are the questions you need to ask yourself concerning any trip to JB:
- Where?
- What?
- When?
- and How?
So to make things as easy as possible, I have prepared these 9 options for a day trip to JB (suggested by a local) based on each area in Johor.
Any of these are good for a one-day trip itinerary in JB!
Note: For more trip ideas, you can refer Johor attractions and Things to do in JB for the best trip ever!
Let’s dive right in.
Recommended Johor Day Trip Itinerary (Suggested By Local)
Want to experience the best of JB in a hurry?
This trip is ideal for business travelers or any busy travelers who will only stay in JB for a short amount of time.
Have breakfast at Jalan Wong Ah Fook before doing a little sightseeing at:
- Jalan Tan Hiok Nee (look for JB most popular banana cake!)
Food hunters! Don’t forget to try the local food below! These are just walking distance from City Square JB:
- Kam Long Curry Fish Head (Most Recommended)
- Hiap Joo Bakery (Most Recommended)
- JB seafood (click here: Top 11 Seafood Restaurants in JB for more info)
- Restaurant Ya Wang
Some historical places to visit close to the JB CIQ Checkpoint include:
- Johor Old Chinese Temple
- Laman Mahkota (Recommended)
- Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque
- Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple
Have you been to a Legoland theme park before? You can visit Legoland Malaysia with your young kids.
- Legoland Malaysia (Theme Park + Water Park + Sea Life) – You’ll need more than a day to fully explore all 3 sections in Legoland Malaysia.
After a day of fun, you can head over to one of the most famous shopping malls in JB, Johor Premium Outlets (JPO).
And for food that is near Legoland Malaysia, might I suggest Gelang Patah for the seafood or Bukit Indah for a dose of international flavours?
Seen all there is to see in Johor Bahru? I highly recommend a day trip to Desaru with the following Desaru attractions:
- Desaru Fruit Farm (Farm Tour/ Mini Zoo/ Bee Talk / Go-Kart) (Most Recommended)
- Desaru Coast Adventure Water Park (Southeast Asia Largest Wave Pools)
- Desaru Ostrich Farm (Biggest Ostrich Farms In Malaysia)
End the day with a scrumptious seafood dinner at Sungai Rengit.
Many Singaporeans like to travel to Desaru during a public holiday that is back to back with the weekend.
The tried and true Desaru 2D1N Trip features a one-night stay at any of the luxurious Desaru resort & hotel along the east coastline.
Consider these other attractions if you find you have extra time in Desaru:
- Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm
- Desaru Beach
- Click here for more things to do in Desaru
Still not sure how you can plan your trip in Desaru?
You may read this post -> Desaru Trip. Which includes the must-see attractions along with directions and how many hours you should spend at each location.
If you want something a little different from the average day trip to Johor, you can go to Kluang after first having breakfast at JB downtown.
Below are my suggested Kluang attractions:
- UK Farm Kluang (Most Recommended) + Restoran Kari Kambing 40 Hari
- Kluang Food Tour
- Gunung Lambak (Most popular place to climb in Johor)
- Zenxin Organic Farm
After which, you can have your lunch or dinner at Kluang downtown. Click here for the most popular local Kluang food.
Escape from the hustle and busy city life with a satisfying one-day trip to rural Kukup.
Fill your weekend getaways from Singapore with memorable moments in this relaxing and comforting fishing district!
- Kukup Kelong (Most Recommended)
- Kukup (a fishing village built on stilts over the water)
- Kukup Island National Park
If you have time to spare, you can even visit these other attractions in Kukup:
- Pontian Wholesale Market (grab the fresh seafood here)
- Tanjung Piai
Want to escape the perpetual summer heat?
One way is to beat the heat through a cooling dip at the local waterfall!
- Kota Tinggi Waterfall
Start your day with breakfast at Kota Tinggi Kiang Kee Bak Kut Teh (non-halal!) or at JB downtown before heading to the scenic waterfall!
Stay later until the evening and you can go for a firefly boat tour through the mangroves!
- Firefly Valley Leisure Park
A Johor island-hopping day trip is always a blast with a group of friends, colleagues or family. Visit these 5 islands for an unbeatable day!
In the morning, take a boat transfer to Pulau Raja sandbank for some hiking & off-the-boat snorkeling behind Pulau Seribuat.
In the afternoon, roam around Mersing islands and pass by Rawa Island.
Have lunch at Pulau Hujung and go snorkeling again at Besar Island & Tengah Island before you make your way back to Mersing again.
Back at Mersing town, you can check out these things to do in Mersing.
Have more than a few days to spare? Then you can go for a 3D2N Tioman & Rawa Island trip to experience these world-class snorkeling destinations first hand!
Make the most of weekends with public holidays so that you have more days to relax and have fun to the max!
This one’s for all the shopping enthusiasts!
These shopping malls in JB surely won’t disappoint:
- Johor Premium Outlets, JPO (First Luxury-Premium Brand Outlet In Southeast Asia)
- Paradigm Mall (Largest Mall In JB)
- Mid Valley (Most Recommended)
- Sunway Big Box Village (New Opening)
- Toppen (New Opening)
- City Square JB
- KSL City Mall
- AEON Tebrau City
Get enough energy in first with breakfast at Jalan Wong Ah Fook or Jalan Tan Hiok Nee first before you head to the shopping malls! Which normally open at 10:00am.
For a day of outdoor (or indoor) activity fun, grab your friends and family and get a little competitive at:
- Go-Kart at Plentong Circuit
- Bubble Soccer or Paintball at AOV Paintball OLA Park
Once you’ve had a chance to release all your stress, nothing beats delicious food, a delightful beverage and cosy ambiance.
I propose Just Want Coffee, The Factory 30 at Mount Austin.
*Remember to check Singapore Public Holidays 2023 & 2024 before planning your trip in advance.
Johor Bahru One Day Trip (Attraction For Each Area)
Don’t know where to go in Johor Bahru? Below are the Johor travel tips and pre-trip reading to help you to plan Johor Bahru one day trip. It’s a time to make you great escape to one of Below Johor destinations:
1. Johor Bahru
It’s worth hopping over the border and driving over from Singapore to Johor Bahru for a break!
Because Johor Bahru has something for everyone!
1.1 City Square Shopping Mall
Eager shoppers will find no shortage of shopping malls in JB to wander like the City Square Shopping Mall – which is a favorite among many since it is close to the customs!
1.2 Paradigm Mall & Mid Valley JB
Then, there’s Paradigm Mall with 600 shops and 6 floors! Or the brand new Mid Valley Southkey JB which just opened in 23 April 2019!
1.3 Angry Birds Activity Park & Sanrio Hello Kitty Town
Families with young kids will enjoy the colorful Angry Birds Theme Park and Sanrio Hello Kitty Town (make your own souvenirs to take back!).
Both of these JB theme parks stay true to their namesake themes and fans will find this consistency appealing!
1.4 Istana Bukit Serene JB & Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque
If you like architecture, you must gaze upon the European inspired exteriors of Istana Bukit Serene JB @ Laman Mahkota and the equally gorgeous Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque!
And you cannot forget the magnificent Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple! This is the only glass temple in all of Malaysia since 2010 & one of the places to visit in JB!
1.5 JB Old Chinese Temple
Do not miss the fair share of Johor Bahru history and have a visit to the Old Chinese Temple will demonstrate that clearly!
Here, you can learn about the roots of the different Chinese dialect groups (Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka and Hainan) that have made Johor Bahru their home!
1.6 Jalan Wong Ah Fook
You can also take a stroll down Jalan Wong Ah Fook and observe the old neighbourhood up close!
There are a number of shops and places to eat here (like Kam Long Restaurant Curry Fish Head)!
For some local flavor, try some of the crispy pastries at the long-standing Hiap Joo Bakery! Try their signature banana cake!
Being so close to the sea makes Johor Bahru a popular seafood hub too!
1.7 JB Seafood & JB Night Market
Try Todak Seafood Restaurant in JB for their highly recommended crab platters and ocean views or Restaurant SPOA JB for a halal option.
Wander through JB Night Market and pick up a souvenir or two! And don’t worry about whether it’s a weekend or not! There are night markets every day of the week!
1.8 Horse Riding & Golfing In Johor Bahru
Or maybe you just want to get some relaxation done! There are recreational activities like horse riding and some golf courses & clubs as well!
1.9 Spa & Massage In Johor Bahru
And to cap it all off, why not get a spa massage in Johor Bahru at the end of a tiring day of sight-seeing?
- How To Go To Johor Bahru (JB) From Singapore
- Where To Eat in Johor Bahru: 65 Best Food To Eat in Johor Bahru Ranging From Italian, Korean, Western, Thai, Japanese……
- 13 Best Cafe In Johor Bahru That Are Worth Travelling For
- 15 Cheap & Good Food Near KSL City Mall
- Top 11 Best Seafood Restaurants In Johor Bahru
2. Desaru
The primary highlight in Desaru trip is, of course, the fresh and affordable seafood!
2.1 Desaru Seafood
Desaru seafood restaurants like Seafood At Sungai Rengit, Jade Garden Seafood Corner and Super Lobster Restaurant are often full during the weekends!
Which is not surprising, given the fact that you can have a savory and reasonably-priced meal while you partake in some superb views of the sea!
2.2 Desaru Ostrich Farm & Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm
Besides the incredible seafood options, there are some unique farms to visit such as Desaru Ostrich Farm (the biggest in Malaysia!) and Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm.
2.3 Desaru Fruit Farm
Or you can pick your own fruits on an informative farm tour and participate in a seasonal fruit buffet at Desaru Fruit Farm! Especially if it’s durian season!
If you want to beat the heat and hit the water, head over to Desaru Beach where casuarina trees fringe the edge of this white sand beach.
2.4 Desaru Theme Park
Or you can make your way over to the recently opened family-friendly Desaru Coast Water Park! The wave pool here is made to look like a real beach!
You won’t have to waste time queuing for any of the thrilling rides (including a roller coaster) here since the park is not well-known yet!
- How To Get To Desaru From Singapore (Include Desaru Attractions & Where to Eat In Desaru)
- 13 Things To Do In Desaru (Don’t Miss Out 2 & 4 In This List)
- Top 11 Desaru Food & Seafood Restaurant
3. Legoland Malaysia
3.1 Legoland Malaysia Theme Park
Even if you’re not a fan of LEGO, it’s still worth taking the little ones to Legoland Malaysia Theme Park because it is also one of the places to visit in Johor!
Certain attractions like the 4D movie and VR Coaster are a must-do!
And it’s hard to miss all of the impressive Lego constructions around the park!
3.2 Legoland Malaysia Water Park
The park is all outdoor so it gets pretty hot during the day. But that’s where Legoland Malaysia Water Park comes in! The water slides are good fun for the whole family!
3.3 Legoland Malaysia Sea Life
Don’t forget to check out the brand new Legoland Malaysia Sea Life aquarium while you are there!
- How To Go To LEGOLAND Malaysia From Singapore
- Legoland Malaysia Ticket Price & Ticket Promotion (Updated)
- 15 Best Hotels Near Legoland Malaysia From SGD$16/Pax (Include Hotel Reviews & Tips)
- Transport From Singapore Changi Airport To Legoland Malaysia (4 Easy Ways)
- 11 Best Homestay Near Legoland Malaysia Is Worth Every Dollar: Comfort & Convenience
4. Mount Austin
This suburban area of Johor Bahru has its own share of attractions!
4.1 Mount Austin Water Park
Like the inexpensive and Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park. Hop on a go-kart here and try out the slides!
4.2 Mount Austin Food & Cafe
Mount Austin Food is not bad either! There are reputable establishments like Korea Fried Chicken Factory, Morganfield’s (pork rib platters!) and Restaurant Uncle Pou Wok (Steamed Fish Lips)!
If you are looking for some ambiance and excellent coffee, you can check out Mount Austin Cafés too! How about a Mickey Mouse themed cafe? Or special coffee at Just Want Coffee, The Factory 30?
4.3 Aeon Tebrau City & IKEA JB
For some shopping, there is Aeon Tebrau City Shopping Mall (Aeon supermarket, Harris bookstore, TGV Cinema) and IKEA Tebrau Johor Bahru (admire their brilliant showrooms!).
5. Mersing
5.1 Tioman Island & Rawa Island
Ever wanted to visit a stunning snorkelling and diving paradise like Tioman Island or the more remote Rawa island?
Mersing Jetty is the primary reason that people come to Mersing for. As this is where you can get a ferry to Tioman Island (and Rawa Island)!
- 29 Best Things To Do In Tioman Island (Last Minute Travel Hacks!)
- 10 Best Islands In Johor
- How To Get To Mersing Jetty From Senai Airport (The Easy & Handy Guide)
- How To Get To Tioman Island From Singapore (Travel Tips, Bus Ticket & Ferry Ticket Guide Included)
- Tioman Ferry Schedule
- Stulang Laut (All You Need To Know About This Ferry Terminal!)
6. Yong Peng
6.1 Yong Peng Must-Try Food
Yong Peng Food is a must-try if you happen to be in this little town of Johor’s Batu Pahat district!
Notable places include Hokkien-style braised duck at Yong Peng Duck Noodles and delicious roti canai with lamb curry at Restoran Kari Kambing 40 Hari!
And you cannot miss out on the fresh fish balls at Kim Kee Fishball Restaurant Yong Peng!
- Singapore To Yong Peng 1 Day Trip (Include Yong Peng 1-Day Itinerary)
- 1 Day Trip In Batu Pahat: 10 Things To Do & 6 Best Food In Batu Pahat
- 1 Day Trip In Tangkak: Where To Go & What To Eat
- 1 Day Trip In Muar Johor (Travel Tips & Resources For Planning Your Travel)
- Singapore To Segamat 1 Day Trip (The Essential Travel Guide!)
7. Kulai
Despite its size, this small township has a lot to offer!
7.1 Johor Premium Outlets (JPO)
Get some luxury shopping done at Johor Premium Outlets! You can find some world-famous International brands here at lower prices!
The JPO outlets are one of the malls near Legoland Malaysia with just a 15 minutes drive!
However, if you’d rather be outdoors getting your heart rate up while soaking up mother nature’s best, then consider hiking up the 654m high Mount Pulai!
7.2 Kulai Food
And after working up an appetite, you can try out the local Kulai Food too – nasi lemak, lei cha, beef noodles, dim sum and more!
- Singapore To Kulai One Day Trip: 9 Places To Drop By For Fun (Include Day Trip Itinerary)
- Le Grandeur Palm Resort Johor (Reviewed)
8. Pontian
8.1 Kukup
Pontian district’s Kukup maybe just a simple fishing village but this is where you can fish for your own dinner at a Kukup Kelong and have a seafood barbecue with great sunset views and fireworks!
8.2 Tanjung Piai
Along the Pontian trip, remember to spend some time in nature at either Kukup Island National Park or at Tanjung Piai.
The mangroves here are teeming with wildlife. You can see fireflies here too!
8.3 Pontian Wholesale Fish Market
There’s also the Pontian Wholesale Fish Market where you can have the experience of participating in a bid with other customers for a fresh fish to take home!
8.4 Sri Tanjung Leisure Farm
And lastly, there’s Sri Tanjung Leisure Farm where you can go on tours to interact with and feed the many animals at the farm! Give your city-raised kids a new perspective!
- 9 Fishing Kelong in Johor (Fishing Experts’ Top List)
- How To Go To Pontian From Singapore (5 Easy Ways)
- How To Go To Kukup From Singapore (Kukup Resort Package & What To Do In Kukup)
9. Kluang
9.1 UK Farm Johor & Zenxin Organic Farm
With attractions like UK Farm Kluang and Zenxin Organic Farm, Kluang is the ultimate eco-retreat destination!
See how the sheep and goat industry works first hand! And get a better appreciation of how organic vegetables and fruits reach your table at home!
9.2 Kluang Famous Local Food
While you are in the area, Kluang Food that you do not want to miss includes beef noodles, awesome flaky Chinese pastries, dim sum and fragrant coffee!
9.3 Mount Lambak (Gunung Lambak)
And if you’re up for challenging hiking in Johor, Mount Lambak will not disappoint! Climb through steep jungle trails to get to the top for a spectacular view of Kluang and the surrounding region!
- 1 Day Trip In Kluang Johor: 4 Recommended Itineraries & 7 Things To Do
- Top 8 Kluang Attractions – Insider’s Guide On Hottest Attractions In Kluang!
10. Kota Tinggi
Kota Tinggi is a historical town that has a couple of natural gems to check out!
10.1 Firefly Valley Leisure Park
For instance, there is the Firefly Valley Leisure Park which is unique for its firefly walking tours besides the boat tours!
10.2 Kota Tinggi Waterfall
And at the mid-sized natural Kota Tinggi Waterfall, you can cool off at the waterfall amid lush vegetation while listening to the gentle and soothing rumbling of the waterfall!
If you like bak kut teh, you must try the delightful broth that Kiang Kee Bak Kut Teh serves!
This is also a great place to stop in the morning before you continue your journey to Desaru!
- Singapore To Kota Tinggi 1 Day Trip That Tourists Have Yet to Discover
19 Things To Do in Johor For Singaporeans
Let’s unveil 19 interesting things that Singaporeans do when in Johor. Before travelling to Johor Bahru from Singapore, make sure to change your dollars to ringgit in Singapore, bring your passport and plan your transport to Johor Bahru (JB).
- Buy groceries at shopping malls or store outlets
- Buy personal care items at Watsons
- Car wash, wax, polishing and detailing
- Buy baby diapers and powder
- Pump oil
- Eat Bak Kut Teh
- Have a seafood feast at Johor best seafood restaurant
- Indulge in Dim Sum, Chicken Up Johor Bahru and Anne’s Culture
- Buy cigarette
- Get all sorts of traditional Chinese or Malay medications
- Put on braces
- Making glasses or replace glasses
- Play paintball (More outdoor activities in Johor, click here: Outdoor Activities In Johor
- Ride the Go-Kart
- Go for JB's unique cafes such as The Factory 30 (JWC) etc
- Watch the latest movies in TGV, GSC or MBO cinema
- Satisfy our breakfast, lunch, tea break, dinner, supper cravings
- Get some traditional treatment like acupuncture, massage and spa for various ailments
- Find the best bargains at Night Market in JB (Pasar Malam)
Transport To Johor Bahru (Private Car Is The BEST Option)
When on day trips to Johor from Singapore, you will need to have affordable, reliable and punctual transport. The need to have good access to all of Johor Bahru’s attractions depends on how easily you find your way there and back.
Travelling by private taxi is the best option if you are in a big group, a family trip or a company trip.
The popular private taxi company that will make your day trip to Johor Bahru a memorable one is SGMYTAXI. They have a top of the range fleet of 7-10 seaters which are comfortable and spacious for both passengers and goods.
Travelling by SGMYTAXI vehicles,
- You no longer have to alight your heavy baggage for immigration clearance at Singapore-Malaysia checkpoints and customs.
- You are not required to get off from the vehicle to get a passport stamp. Just sit back and relax in the vehicle. It is really convenient and hassle-free to enjoy your day trip to Johor.
- Their experienced driver will pick you up at any location in Singapore and drive you to reach your selected destination in Johor.
- Moreover, Their drivers know all the best routes for beating the traffic as well as getting to your destinations quickly and in comfort.
So, what are you waiting for! Whatsapp SGMYTAXI the necessary travel info for quotation or hired a private car service.
