Tourists Choose JB Hotel to Save on Singapore Lodging, Face “Nightmare” Border Crossing

To save on high hotel costs in Singapore, a Dutch couple, Daphne and Arjen of the TikTok account Working Travelers, decided to stay in Johor Bahru (JB) and commute across the border daily. However, their plan quickly unraveled when their journey to the JB hotel took an exhausting four hours.

The couple shared their “nightmarish experience” on TikTok on January 15, explaining how they hadn’t expected such challenges when they initially booked their Singapore flights. A flight delay meant they arrived in Singapore at 3 a.m., only to find no taxis willing to take them directly across the border to JB. Those that would help them reach the border charged up to €50 (S$73).

After navigating border control and a lengthy walk with backpacks, they finally arrived at their JB hotel around 7 a.m. Reflecting on the ordeal, they warned other travelers to avoid their mistake, suggesting they fly directly to JB instead.

The post sparked mixed reactions online. Some viewers pointed out that 24-hour bus services offer a more straightforward border-crossing option, while others suggested affordable alternatives in Singapore, like hostels and capsule hotels. A few viewers agreed with the couple’s strategy to stay in JB, but emphasized the importance of planning for the cross-border travel time.