Asia > Malaysia > Johor Bahru (JHB)
The Car or no Car advice for Johor Bahru can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Johor Bahru ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Johor Bahru ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Johor Bahru?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
Johor Bahru without a car 🚶♂️🚆
If you are staying mainly in the city, you can manage without a car. Central Johor Bahru is compact enough for short walks, and ride-hailing services such as Grab are cheap, reliable, and widely used. Many visitors rely on these rather than driving themselves.
Cross-border travel is a key factor. Large numbers of people arrive from Singapore via the Causeway or the Tuas Second Link, and if you are coming by train or bus from Singapore, you will not need a car at all. Long-distance buses connect Johor Bahru with Kuala Lumpur and other Malaysian cities efficiently, making public transport a realistic option for onward travel.
Attractions and day trips 🚍
Some of Johor Bahru’s main attractions, including shopping malls and cultural sites, are easily reached by taxi or bus. Legoland Malaysia, one of the area’s biggest draws, can also be reached without driving, although a car does make the trip quicker and more flexible.
Public transport within the wider metropolitan area is improving, but services remain uneven, especially outside peak corridors.
When renting a car becomes useful 🚗
A rental car starts to make sense if you plan to explore beyond the city. Johor state is large, and beaches, nature reserves, and smaller towns are far easier to reach by road. A car is also useful if Johor Bahru is part of a longer Malaysian road trip, or if you want flexibility without relying on taxis for every journey.
Driving is generally straightforward, although border traffic with Singapore can be heavy at peak times.
Conclusion: should you rent a car in Johor Bahru?
For city stays and Singapore connections, no. For exploring Johor state or building a wider itinerary, yes. A car is optional, but it adds freedom once you move beyond the city core.