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Woodlands Causeway: live jam score and crossing guide
The Causeway links Woodlands in Singapore with the city centre of Johor Bahru. It is the busiest of the two land crossings, and the queue can go from smooth to jialat in half an hour. Here is how busy it is right now, and what you need to know before you go.
About the crossing
The Johor–Singapore Causeway is about one kilometre long and opened in 1924. On the Singapore side you clear immigration at Woodlands Checkpoint, which connects to the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE). On the Malaysian side you clear at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI, often just called "CIQ"), right next to JB Sentral and City Square.
Hundreds of thousands of people cross here every day: workers, students, shoppers and families. Cars, motorcycles, lorries and buses all share the same bridge, so a jam on one side often spills over to the other. If the Causeway looks bad, the Tuas Second Link is the other way across.
Getting across by bus
Most people without a car take a bus. You get off at each checkpoint to clear immigration, then board again on the other side. Keep your ticket or card handy, as you can usually board any bus of the same service after clearing.
| Bus | Singapore stop | Johor stop |
|---|---|---|
| 170 | Queen Street | Larkin |
| 170X | Kranji MRT | JB Sentral |
| 950 | Woodlands Interchange | JB Sentral |
| CW1 | Kranji MRT | JB CIQ |
| CW2 | Queen Street | JB CIQ |
| CW5 | Newton | JB CIQ |
The Causeway Link buses end at JB CIQ; change to the CWL shuttle if you are going on to Larkin. Routes and timings change from time to time, so check the bus operator before you travel. The KTM Shuttle Tebrau train also runs between Woodlands Train Checkpoint and JB Sentral, and takes about five minutes.
Driving or riding across
Cars and motorcycles queue on the BKE towards Woodlands, then again at the Malaysian side. A few things save time:
- Use a QR code at Singapore immigration. The MyICA app makes a QR code for you and your passengers, so you scan it instead of handing over passports. Still bring your passport, as Malaysia needs it.
- Malaysian cars need a valid VEP to enter Singapore. From 6 October 2026 you cannot submit the SG Arrival Card without one.
- Singapore cars must leave with at least three-quarters of a tank of fuel.
When it jams
From our score history and what commuters report, the Causeway is busiest at these times:
- Weekday mornings, JB → SG, from about 6am to 9am, when people head to work and school in Singapore.
- Weekday evenings, both ways, from about 6pm to 9pm.
- Friday evenings and the eve of public or school holidays, going into JB.
- Sunday evenings and the last day of a holiday, coming back into Singapore.
Late morning to mid-afternoon on a weekday is usually the calmest. See the hour-by-hour chart on best time to cross.
Common questions
Is Woodlands Checkpoint jammed right now?
The live score at the top of this page shows the jam score for each direction, for people and buses and for cars and bikes. It comes from reports posted in the last two hours by people at the checkpoint, plus LTA bus and traffic data. Open the live score for camera images and the latest reports.
What do the jam score numbers mean?
0 to 25 is smooth, 26 to 50 is mild, 51 to 75 is jialat (bad) and 76 to 100 is extreme. When few people have reported recently, the score is marked as an estimate.
Is Woodlands Checkpoint open 24 hours?
Yes. Both Woodlands Checkpoint and the Sultan Iskandar Building on the Johor side are open 24 hours a day. Some bus services stop running late at night.
Is Woodlands or Tuas faster?
It depends on the time. Woodlands carries far more traffic and jams more often, but it is much closer to JB city centre. Tuas is a longer drive and has fewer buses, but is often quicker at peak times. Compare both live scores before you leave.
Can I use a QR code instead of my passport?
At Singapore immigration, yes, for cars, motorcycles, lorries and buses, using a QR code from the MyICA app. First-time visitors must still use their passport. You still need your passport for Malaysian immigration.
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Last updated 2026-10-12