How much does it cost to travel to Johor Bahru?
You should plan to spend around $52 (RM248) per day on your vacation in Johor Bahru. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $8.39 (RM40) on meals
- $11 (RM54) on local transportation
- $72 (RM344) on hotels
A one week trip to Johor Bahru for two people costs, on average, $726 (RM3,465). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Johor Bahru has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Johor Bahru expensive to visit?
Johor Bahru is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Malaysia, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 25% of cities in the country for its affordability. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within Asia, Johor Bahru is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Sihanoukville or Bodh Gaya.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Johor Bahru Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Johor Bahru?
The average Johor Bahru trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Johor Bahru travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
RM344
($72)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
RM54
($11)
|
|
Food 2
|
RM40
($8)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
RM33
($7)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
RM11 -
32
($2 - 7)
|
Accommodation Budget in Johor Bahru
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Johor Bahru is $36 (RM172). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Johor Bahru is $72 (RM344). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Johor Bahru? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Johor Bahru
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Johor Bahru is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $11 (RM54) per person, per day, on local transportation in Johor Bahru.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$11
RM54
How much does it cost to go to Johor Bahru? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Johor Bahru will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Johor Bahru
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Johor Bahru can vary, the average cost of food in Johor Bahru is $8.39 (RM40) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Johor Bahru should cost around $3.35 (RM16) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Johor Bahru is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$8.39
RM40
Entertainment Budget in Johor Bahru
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Johor Bahru typically cost an average of $6.89 (RM33) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$6.89
RM33
Alcohol Budget in Johor Bahru
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $4.49 (RM21) on alcoholic beverages in Johor Bahru per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$4.49
RM21
Johor Bahru On a Budget
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Johor Bahru is the capital of the state of Johor in Southern Malaysia. Though it is largely industrial and does not typically cater to tourists, especially compared to the grandeur of neighboring
Singapore, the city does have some opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Sights
While Johor Bahru is primarily an industrial city, the city is home to a few noteworthy landmarks. One such monument is the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, built between 1892 and 1900 under the direction of Sultan Abu Bakar. An important symbol for the city, the mosque is also located near the Royal Abu Bakar Museum (The Grand Palace Johor), also called Istana Besar. This Grand Palace is one of the oldest buildings in Johor (1866), and is now filled with information and rare artifacts related to the Royal Family.
Another unique architectural sight is the Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple, which was listed in 2010 in the Malaysian Book of Records as the first and only glass temple in the nation. Aside from this Hindu Temple, Johor Bahru is also home to a Chinese Temple that is one of the oldest structures in the city. In addition to architectural landmarks, visitors to Johor Bahru flock to the LEGOland Malaysia theme park where they can enjoy LEGO-themed rides and character meet and greets.
Neighborhoods
Dataran Bandaraya Johor Bahru or (Johor Bahru City Square) is the main square in Johor Bahru. This area is one of the busiest and most attractive sectors of the city with plenty of interesting sights, shops, and restaurants close to the square. It is marked by a large clock tower. Another hub for activity is Jalan Wong Ah Fook-a major one-way road at the center of the business district with many options for shopping and dining. Additional shopping is available in the malls of the city to the north of the main street, a few of which include KSL City Mall and Holiday Plaza.
Activities
Between Johor Bahru City Square and the Jalan Wong Ah Fook main street, there is an area of the city that is home to the Johor Zoo and the Zaharah Botanic Gardens. The zoo is small but features a playground as well as pony and boat rides, and even camel feeding. In addition to the zoo, the gardens offer a nice place to take a break from the bustle of the city. These grounds are actually a part of the palace grounds, with the Great Palace of Johor located on the southern end near the shoreline that divides Malaysia from Singapore. Generally this area is known as Taman Istana and consists of about 53 hectare of beautifully tended green space and gardens.
For those looking to engage in some outdoor activities there are plenty of golf courses, the most premier of which include Royal Johor Country Club and Tanjung Puteri Resort. Other activities in the area include boat diving, snorkeling trips, and various excursions around the island.
Since Singapore is just across the Causeway, it is also common for travelers to take days trips across the way. Some of Singapore's best attractions include the Marina Bay Sands Hotel with its iconic rooftop pool, the Gardens by the Bay, and Universal Studios Singapore, amongst much more.
Food and Dining
Malaysian cuisine typically results from a mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, and ethnic Bornean cooking traditions. Due to its proximity to Singapore, the Johor Bahru area dishes are similar to those across the border. One such common dish is laksa-a spicy noodle soup based in curry coconut milk and made with chicken, shrimp, or fish. Hainanese chicken rice is another popular meal, adapted from a dish brought by Chinese immigrants. Rice is generally the central component to traditional Malay dishes, served with accompaniments or relishes like sambal, a relish-like sauce made from chili peppers. One of Malaysia's most popular foods is satay, which consists of marinated beef and chicken pieces skewered with wooden sticks and cooked on a charcoal grill. Street food culture is very popular in Johor Bahru with plenty of options available along Jalan Wong Ah Fook.
Transportation
The city is served by Senai International Airport (formerly known as Sultan Ismail International Airport), and is located about 32 kilometers northwest of the Johor Bahru's city center. Domestic and international flights are provided by Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Firefly, and Malindo Air. Visitors can reach Johor Bahru from the airport via the Causeway Link, which operates airport express shuttle buses. Many travelers also opt to fly into Singapore Changi Airport, just across the border in Singapore-using the Causeway to cross into Malaysia.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.